The New New Amazon Kindle

It so happens that Amazon is going to release "special offer" edition of their e-reader, the Amazon Kindle. This edition will slash of $25 from its $139 price - for those who despise math (like me), that's $114 - and will feature special screen savers from advertisers (note the image on your left). 

In a written statement found on their website, Amazon made the announcement:

We took our bestselling Kindle and made a version with special offers and sponsored screensavers. Companies sponsor the screensavers, you pay less for you Kindle. Plus, you receive offers directly on your Kindle that can save you more money, such as a $20 Amazon Gift Card for $10, 6 Audible Books for $6, and an album from the Amazon MP3 Store for $1.

Special offers and sponsored screensavers display on the Kindle screensaver and on the bottom of the home screen - they don't interrupt reading.

Using an app called AdMash - think Zuckerberg's FaceMash as featured in the Facebook bio pic, The Social Network - customers can choose which advertisements they want to see (again, note the image above). Using your preferences can also help hint to Amazon which advertisements you want to view: "For example, you can indicate that you'd like to see more or fewer screensavers that include elements such as landscapes and scenery, architecture, travel images, photography, and illustrations." 

So far, the advertisers include Buick, Chase, Olay and Visa, but I'm sure more are to stumble in as they realize the power of this new medium - advertisement in books? Who would've thunk it?

The new $114 Amazon Kindle is set to release on 3 May 2011, but is available for pre-order. Until next time, keep on huntin'.