Amazon is letting buyers of the upcoming second-generation Kindle Fire disable ads appearing on the new tablets for a one-time payment of $15. The online retailer last week unveiled three new tablets: a 7-inch Kindle Fire HD (starts at $199), an 8.9-inch Kindle Fire HD (starts at $299 for Wi-Fi only model and $499 for Wi-Fi + 4G/LTE model), and an updated version of the first-generation 7-inch Kindle Fire (starts at $159). The ads will automatically appear when the owner locks the screen, and in small two-line text at the bottom of the home screen when the tablet's in use.
What Else You Need To Know
- The ads, called "special offers and sponsored screensavers", will offer deals on digital content, and consumer electronics to owners, as well as movie posters, music covers, and book covers for upcoming titles.
- Amazon backtracked from a previous announcement that there won't be a buy-out option to remove the special offers.
Other sources
Kindle readers with special offers have been available since May of 2011: Instead of paying full price, a customer gets a discount on the device, which has ads.- Kevin C. Tofel, GigaOM
There was a minor consumer and pundit outcry when users learned they couldn’t remove the special offers.- John Biggs, TechCrunch
- GigaOM
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Ads on Kindle Fire HD tablets: Bad news or just business?
In my opinion — as the owner of a Kindle Touch with special offers — these are unobtrusive as they appear on the Kindle lock screen and at the bottom of the menu screen. I’ve never seen an ad in my content.
- TechCrunch
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Amazon Kindle HD Will Allow Users To Opt-Out Of “Special Offers” For $15
There was a minor consumer and pundit outcry when users learned they couldn’t remove the special offers.
- Business Insider
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Amazon Comes To Its Senses -- Will Allow New Kindle Owners To Pay Not To See Ads
[H]aving the option to turn off the ads will silence everyone appalled by the idea that Amazon will shove ads down people's throats while perfect Apple and Google won't.
- Engadget
- Amazon has change of heart, will allow opt-out of Kindle Fire HD ads for $15
- Other
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Amazon: Kindle Fire HD users can opt-out of ads after all
According to the statement, Amazon believes few users will opt to pay the extra fee, but that they should be allowed to have the option.
- Android Central
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New Kindle Fires can be ad-free for a one-time $15 fee
If you weren't aware how all this works, previous Kindle readers were available at a little bit lower price, but included ads to help support them.
- TN
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Amazon Kindle Fire HD Users Can Choose Not to View the Ads On Board
Some of the “hot offers” recommended by ads are sometimes useful to the owner of the device.
- PCWorld
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Amazon to allow ads opt-out on Kindle Fire HD for $15 upcharge
Making buyers as happy as possible is a good play considering the competitive landscape.
- Tech Radar
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Kindle Fire HD ad opt-outs will cost $15
There's no word yet on what UK Kindle Fire HD buyers will have to pay, on top of the £159 they'll already be paying for the tablet.
- Other
- Amazon to allow ‘Special Offers’ opt-out for Kindle Fire HD for $15
- More...