What is the Kindle with special offers? 3 differences that show big changes in Amazon
Amazon just launched the “Kindle with special offers”. This is a completely new Kindle model that comes at a lower price, now in addition to Kindle 3G + WiFi and Kindle WiFi only. Let’s take a look at 3 ways the Kindle with special offers differs from previous versions and how it will affect the reading experience of users.
Special offers-also know as Show ads to users– Amazon is creating an experience with this new Kindle model that mirrors, in many ways, the apps downloaded to smartphones and tablets. Amazon wants to have the ability to advertise deals to Kindle users. So, basically, the user is “opting in” to be shown ads by purchasing the “Kindle with special offers”.
Ads will not appear while you are reading the eBook reader. Instead, the ads will be displayed as sponsored screensavers and also as sponsored ads on the home screen.
Lower prices- In exchange for showing ads to the user, Amazon offers the Kindle with special offers at a lower price than the other 2 models. It’s ironic that selling these devices at a reduced price, but with ads, is likely to make the user spend more money in the Amazon store in the long run while using the device.
The price of the newer model is $25 less than the WiFi only model, which brings the Kindle models to 4 different models: Kindle DX, Kindle WiFi + 3G, Kindle WiFi only, and Kindle with special offers.
Have the sponsorship floodgates just opened? In fact, this is an interesting development with Amazon and its business model. With so many people using the Kindle, it makes sense that companies and offers would line up to be a sponsored advertisement.
According to Amazon, ads are limited to 4 specific ones so far.
- $10 per $20 Amazon Gift Card.
- $6 for 6 books from Audible.com.
- $1 for an album from the Amazon MP3 Store.
- $10 for $30 in Amazon Denim or Swim store merchandise.
It will be interesting to see how the public takes to this new model of electronic book reader. Some have expressed their displeasure at the ads appearing on their e-book readers, while others are accepting the lower price in exchange for these ads.
It’s also worth mentioning that the “Kindle with Special Offers” will only be available in the US So here’s a brief overview of Amazon’s newest model of eBook reader and 3 ways it differs from the original Kindle models.