Amazon stops selling Kindle US version and drops $20 off on its International version

[tweetmeme] Just weeks after announcing a new $279 international version of its Kindle e-book reader, Amazon has chopped $20 off its price and made that model its only Kindle offering for both the domestic U.S. and international markets. In the process, the company has eliminated the U.S. version of the device, which used Sprint as the carrier for the Kindle’s built-in wireless capabilities. Now, for better or worse, new Kindles will tap into AT&T’s data network, which will also be the wireless provider behind Barnes & Noble’s upcoming Nook e-book reader.
For those who bought the international version in recent weeks, Amazon is crediting buyers with a $20 refund. Here’s the note it sent out to customers:

Good news! Due to strong customer demand for our newest Kindle with U.S. and international wireless, we are consolidating our family of 6-inch Kindles. As part of this consolidation, we are lowering the price of the Kindle you just purchased from $279 down to $259. You don’t need to do anything to get the lower price–we are automatically issuing you a $20 refund. This refund should be processed in the next few days and will appear as a credit on your next billing statement.
Seen on: cnet.