All of Amazon's Kindle Fire Tablets Are Ad-supported

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Amazon's new tablets are ad-supported with no option for ad-free.

Amazon yesterday enjoyed its moment in the spotlight, announcing an entire new line of Kindle products. These ranged from brand new products (what's up, Kindle Fire HD?) to revamps of old devices. However, one thing that you may not have gathered from deluge of Kindle coverage was that Amazon has decided to double down on its ad-supported Kindle model.

Previously, Amazon had offered the Kindle, the Kindle Touch, the Kindle Fire, and an ad-supported version of the base model for a discounted price. However, since yesterday's launch event it has emerged that all three models of Kindle Fire (the Kindle Fire, and both sizes of Kindle Fire HD) will be ad-supported. This means you'll see special offers or deals as a screensaver on your device.

The descriptions of the Kindle Fire and Kindle Fire HD both include the following:

"Includes special offers and sponsored screensavers." When you click 'Learn More,' Amazon explains that these offers will appear on the lock screen and lower left hand corner of the home screen but won't interrupt use of the device. A note at the end of this pop-up reveals that only U.S. customers will be subjected to ad-supported Kindle Fires. "Kindle with Special Offers & Sponsored Screensavers is only available in the U.S.," it reads.

So, when the Kindle Fire and Kindle Fire HD launch in Europe on October 25, users won't have to put up with sponsored screensavers. Unfortunately, it looks like U.S. customers may have to buy their Kindle Fires overseas if they want to avoid sponsored screensavers.

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Jane McEntegart
29 Comments Comment from the forums
  • What about Canadians?
    Reply
  • demmue
    You know what? I don't even mind. I had the option to buy my last Kindle with or without ads and I chose the ads because I've gotten a few good coupons from them. I'm in the same boat here, why would I care if the screen saver is an ad if every once in awhile it benefits me (beyond keeping the hardware prices low).
    Reply
  • No option to purchase an ad-free version is a super fail. I'll just stick with my faster Nexus 7 that can be as add free as I like. These Fire's needed to be completely add-free and at the listed prices to succeed against the stiff competition. Who wants to look at a movie or book advert every time they unlock their screen and ALSO have an advert icon in the bottom left hand corner of their home screen that "doesn't interrupt use of the device"?
    Reply
  • xaephod
    Root and boom!
    Reply
  • ikefu
    Why would you buy an Amazon Fire HD that is riddled with Ads, doesn't allow most Android Apps, and has an underpowered GPU when you can get a Nexus 7 for the same or cheaper price that gives you the full Android experience and access to apps?
    Reply
  • teh_chem
    ikefuWhy would you buy an Amazon Fire HD that is riddled with Ads, doesn't allow most Android Apps, and has an underpowered GPU when you can get a Nexus 7 for the same or cheaper price that gives you the full Android experience and access to apps?Show me a nexus 7 at 8.9" with a full-HD screen and 64GB of internal storage, 4G (included 250MB/mo for $50 a year).

    I'm not saying I'd prefer ads on my device, but if it results in more/better services and a lower overall pricetag for the hardware, then I'd happily bypass some ads as I swipe the unlock scree, or on the home screen before I do what I plan on doing with my tablet.
    Reply
  • dgingeri
    :( This is really disappointing. I'd pay extra to avoid the ads.
    Reply
  • kovlak
    yes, this is a deal breaker, i was excited by the HDMI out and stereo sound: as it could be used for projection. But if I cannot turn off the ads I won't purchase it. I can't be projecting ads to my classes and during a performance to audience. I mean seriously, do I have to root every device I have to make it function like I want it?
    Reply
  • dhlee528
    http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/07/amazon-confirms-yes-you-can-opt-out-of-ads-on-new-kindle-fire/

    engadget saids otherwise
    Reply
  • teh_chem
    kovlakyes, this is a deal breaker, i was excited by the HDMI out and stereo sound: as it could be used for projection. But if I cannot turn off the ads I won't purchase it. I can't be projecting ads to my classes and during a performance to audience. I mean seriously, do I have to root every device I have to make it function like I want it?Do you spend a lot of time idling your tablet on the lock screen while you're actively using it? Because those are the only times the ads will be shown (or conversely you can choose to view the ads if you're on the home screen). If you're in an application, there will be no ads.
    Reply