Kindle Freetime Unlimited Subscription Service

[fjtorres]

One step closer to "netflix-for-books".
Adult version under consideration.

Press Release: http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?&docId=1000863021

Kindle FreeTime Unlimited is the first-ever all-in-one subscription that brings together all the types of content that kids and parents love - books, games, educational apps, movies and TV shows. With unlimited access to thousands of hand-picked titles for kids ages 3-8, parents don't have to spend time (and money) guessing what their kids will enjoy, and kids can explore a world of age-appropriate content on their own - no ads, no in-app purchases

Priced at $4.99 per month for one child, $9.99 per month Family account (up to 6 kids)
PRIME members get it at $2.99 and $6.99, respectively.

CNET Report with Video: http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-19736_7...ption-service/

Looking at it another way, the service is similar to what Amazon is serving up to Prime members in terms of free video streaming of select videos and once-a-month borrowing of titles from the company's Kindle Lending Library -- but FreeTime Unlimited extends into the realm of apps and games and has no restrictions on how many books kids can read per month.

Amazon lists Andrews McMeel Publishing, Chronicle Books, DC Comics, Disney, HIT Entertainment, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Marvel, Nickelodeon, PBS and Sesame Workshop among its launch partners.

Larsen highlighted that apps would have all in-app payments, advertisements and social media removed. He also said that not only would videos be available for streaming, but they could be downloaded for on-the-go-use as well, when a WiFi connection wasn't available. It's unclear what, if any videos, are already available for free streaming to Prime members.

As for Amazon launching a premium subscription service for adult-oriented content, Larsen said nothing was in the works but anything was possible.

"We want to see how this goes," he said. "But we think it's a compelling offering for very affordable price."

Alas, Kindle FreeTime Unlimited won't be available to owners of the original Kindle Fire (2011), but Larsen didn't rule it out coming to that device in the future. Owners of the latest Kindle tablets will get a chance to sample the new service for free for a month.

[SeaKing]

Originally Posted by fjtorres

One step closer to "netflix-for-books".
Adult version under consideration.

Press Release: http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?&docId=1000863021



Priced at $4.99 per month for one child, $9.99 per month Family account (up to 6 kids)
PRIME members get it at $2.99 and $6.99, respectively.

CNET Report with Video: http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-19736_7...ption-service/

What devices will this cover?

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by SeaKing

What devices will this cover?

Kindle Fire (2nd Gen only), Kindle Fire HD, Kindle Fire HD 8.9"

[fjtorres]

It's via a separate App.
Which probably explains why it runs on the newer FIREs (Android 4) and not the original (Android 2.3).
It also suggests that an iOS app is likely in the pipeline (say, summer).

Baby-steps here, in more ways than one.
As I pointed out when the PRIME library first came out, Amazon is likely gathering usage data to gauge likely user behavior for lending libraries. With the PRIME Lending Library, the 1 title per month imposed a limit; with Freetime Unlimited the real constraints are the kids' attention span, their love of revisiting favorite stories/movies, and parental time limits. They'll be tracking usage *metrics* to see how the videos compete with the books and how many books or videos a typical user checks out and how often.

The two-tier pricing also is interesting: they obviously want to reach out beyond the core Amazon customer base for this, instead of limiting it to PRIME customers. Of course, it also adds measurable value to PRIME: another $24 a year in savings for Freetime Unlimited subscribers. Again, they'll see how the subscribers go: sign up for Freetime Unlimited only, start with FU and then add PRIME, or subscribe to both at the same time.

Another interesting experiment from Amazon.

[HarryT]

Doubt if there's a market for it for adult books alone. Children (if my nephews are anything to go by) get through a lot of books as young children. Most adults don't read more than few books a year. The "book a month" borrowing that Prime gets you is more than enough for the overwhelming majority of people, I'm certain.

[tubemonkey]

This new service looks to be a great add-on for the Kindle Fire I'm giving to my 4yo grandson for Christmas. Couple it with the heavy duty Gumdrop case I got and you have a great kid-proof device.

[Ti-Ron]

I think Amazon are really proactive and creative regarding new ways to offer services to costumers. The only down point... Not avaible in Canada and Canada sucks regarding internet services and acces. I am doomed!

[booklover6]

Oh I am SO in for this when it becomes available! I'm giving my 7 yo the new Fire for Christmas! And looking at the titles list, there are plenty of books my 9.5 yo will be interested in, too! I'll gladly pay the $2.99 a month for them. (They can share the unlimited account).

[tubemonkey]

Here's a link to the books (1,026) / videos (329) / apps (157) offered so far. Filters are available to sort by categories and providers. New content is promised.

• Kindle FreeTime Unlimited

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by Ti-Ron

I think Amazon are really proactive and creative regarding new ways to offer services to costumers. The only down point... Not avaible in Canada and Canada sucks regarding internet services and acces. I am doomed!

So sorry. Move to Seattle, we have plenty of room here; and you'll be in Amazon's backyard.

[Jessica Lares]

Still think it's cheaper to buy the apps, especially if you already have Prime.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by Jessica Lares

Still think it's cheaper to buy the apps, especially if you already have Prime.

Considering how expensive the books are, an unlimited monthly subscription of $3~$5 is well worth it.

[ucfgrad93]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Here's a link to the books (1,026) / videos (329) / apps (157) offered so far. Filters are available to sort by categories and providers. New content is promised.

• Kindle FreeTime Unlimited

Looks nice, but geared toward a younger crowd than my 12 year old.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by ucfgrad93

Looks nice, but geared toward a younger crowd than my 12 year old.

Yeah; Amazon's press release has it targeted for ages 3~8.

[elemenoP]

As a parent, I can say that the idea of having a full set of content that has already been vetted for appropriateness is REALLY attractive. However, looking at the list I see Bratz and Spongebob on there, two things that some parents may find objectionable.