UPDATE: All new Kindle Fire models are ad-supported (via The Verge)
The Kindle Paperwhite will offer both ad-supported and ad-free versions. Btw, these ads are called “Special Offers” by Amazon.com
UPDATE 2: More on the Kindle Fire HD and Kindle Paperwhite Lock Screen Ads from ars technica and PC Week.
UPDATE 3 : Engadget is reporting that the Kindle ads CAN be turned off. However, they are not yet providing details about how this will work.
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First, News Releases From Amazon:
+ Introducing the New Kindle Paperwhite, the Most Advanced E-Reader Ever Constructed
+ Amazon Takes on the High-End—Introducing the New Kindle Fire HD Family
1. http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=176060&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1732546&highlight=
An Amazon.com press conference just concluded in Santa Monica with a slew of product announcements from Jeff Bezos.
Here’s a rundown of some of what was discussed at the event that I’ve synthesized live blog feeds on MarketingLand (Danny Sullivan), The Verge, News.com, and AllThingsD.
- The new “paperwhite” Kindle will sell for $179 (3G version), $119 for (Wi-Fi only version). Ships October 1st.
- Also, an improved basic Kindle will ship September 17th, $69.
- Double the RAM
- Longer Battery Life
- Over 3.5 million Kindle Singles sold, 35 have reached the Kindle top 50.
- Launch of Kindle Serials (8 Serials Available at Launch), By Once Automatically Get New Material. Interact with Authors as They Write
$1.99 per serial. (More About Serials)
- Updated Kindle Fire Announced (More RAM, Faster Chip); $159, Ships September 14th
- New: Kindle Fire HD (7 Inch and 8.9 Inch Screens Available)
- Price: 7 Inch ($199 Ships, September 14th)
- Price 8.9 Inch Screen ($299, Ships November 20th)
- Dual Speakers (Software from Dolby) (More About Kindle Fire Audio)
- Two Antennas
- MIMO Technology
- Amazon Claims Wi-Fi is Fastest With Kindle HD vs iPad and Nexus
- 16GB Hard Drive
- HDMI Out
- Bi-Modal Reading with WhisperSync for Voice (Sync Selected Audiobooks, from Audible with Text of eBook)
- WhisperSync For Games
- “X-Ray” Technology For Movies
- As You Watch a Movie, Learn About Actors on Screen.
- Taken to Their IMDB (Amazon property) page.
- More About X-Ray for Movies
- E-Mail Access
- Now with Exchange Support
- Multiple Profiles
- Kindle “Free Time”
- Set Limits on How Much Time Kids/Others Can Use Device (Reading, Games, etc.)
- Also New: Kindle Fire HD 4G LTE ($499, Ships November 20th)
- Data Plan For Device ($50/month)
- 250 MB/Month
- 20 GB Storage
- $10 Amazon Appstore Credit
Commentary
Early Thoughts and Questions from the Kindle Announcement
By Jeremy Greenfield at Digital Book World
Upgraded Kindle Fire Now $159, New “HD” Tablets Also Aggressively Priced
By Greg Sterling at MarketingLand
About Gary Price
