I don't honestly think Amazon has any influence over the publishers on this issue. The publishers are the ones driving this. If Amazon can't get them to cooperate, I doubt anyone can. I also think that other brands of readers are going to have the same problems. In time, I think the publishers will come around and offer something for new releases, but this is still a relatively new technology and it takes time for it to evolve.

I really want a Kindle, but haven't bought it yet. I keep going back and forth trying to figure out what I really want / need. I'd love to see one in person to make sure it doesn't bother my eyes like excessive computer use does. The other brands also have different formats - some that even allow access to borrowing libraries. I haven't had the energy to figure it out yet.