Amazon CEO Says Mums the Word on Kindle Sales Figures

Jeff Bezos, Chief Executive of Amazon, stated on Thursday that the company may not ever unveil its sales figures for the Kindle, according to an AFP report.

"I beg your indulgence on the question of how many Kindles have been sold," Bezos answered when questioned at the company’s annual shareholders meeting in Seattle, Washington. 

"I’m not sure we ever will reveal all of the numbers," he said. "Our point of view on that is that there can often be a competitive advantage in keeping the numbers close."

Bezos conceded that he "looks at the numbers avidly every morning" however; shareholders "may just have to remain curious."

Although Bezos indicated that Amazon is "investing very heavily in the digital business", he does not "want people to think that it’s already a big cash flow generator" for the company.

The CEO also revealed that a color version of the Kindle was not on the near horizon. 

"I know it’s multiple years. I don’t know how many years but it’s years," he stated.  "I’ve seen the color displays in the laboratory and I can assure you they’re not ready for prime time," Bezos added.

A large-screen version of the reader, the Kindle DX, was unveiled this month by Amazon.  It is being marketed as a more convenient device for reading newspapers, magazines and textbooks.

The Kindle DX costs $489 dollars while early versions of the Kindle cost $359.

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