The Amazon Kindle Fire is able to differentiate itself from other Android devices with Amazon's own enormous library of digital content and its highly customized version of the Android software. Further setting the Kindle Fire from other tablets is Amazon Coins. To be launched in May in the U.S., the virtual currency can be used for purchasing apps, games and in-app items on Kindle Fire tablets. The currency will have a 1-to-1 conversion from cent to coins, meaning $1 will be worth 100 Amazon Coins. Amazon says it'll give customers tens of millions of dollars' worth of free Amazon Coins to get the ball rolling.
What Else You Need To Know
- The currency won't affect users who don't have a Kindle Fire, as other media such as Kindle books, movies and music will still use real money.
- Amazon hasn't announced when Coins will be available to Kindle Fire users outside the U.S.
- Apps must be submitted by developers by April 25 so that they reach Amazon Appstore in time for the release of Coins.
- Developers will get the same 70% cut of profits with Amazon, same as regular purchases on a credit card.
Other sources
While this may sound like another silly virtual currency, we can see some benefit in the case of the Kindle Fire user being a child — this sounds like an easy way to provide them with an allowance of sorts.- Robert Nelson, Android Community
The one benefit we can see is that Amazon intends to launch Amazon Coins by giving away tens of millions of dollars’ worth of the currency, so you might be able to score some free apps at first, but in the long run this might not be to anyone’s benefit but Amazon’s.- Stephen Schenck, Pocket Now
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Amazon Coins announced as a virtual currency for Kindle Fire users
Making things potentially easier for parents aside, Amazon is looking at the Coins as being another way for people to spend money. In fact, another way to capitalize on what they consider to be higher than average conversion rates.
- GottaBeMobile
- Amazon Announces Coins, A Virtual Currency For The Kindle Fire
- Pocketnow
- Amazon Creates “Amazon Coins” Virtual Currency for Kindle Fire – But Why?