Paperwhite jailbreak to remove ads?

[jforner]

Hi folks,

I'm new here... so hey!
I recently picked up a Kindle Paperwhite from Waterstones (a UK book store).

You may have already seen some threads on this, but if not, this version of the Paperwhite comes with some ugly Waterstones screensavers. They're not the default Amazon ads/screensavers.

How can I remove these? Will a jailbreak help? If so, what's the process?
It's my very first Kindle... so I'm a little clueless!

Another thing that might be interesting is: I actually live in Germany, and I'm going back there soon. Maybe the Waterstones ads won't show up if I use it in Germany?

Thanks,
J.

[JSWolf]

To remove the ads is to pay Amazon to get rid of the ads. We frown on cheating Amazon which is what removing the ads is (without paying).

[jforner]

Hey JSWolf,

Problem is, you are unable to pay to remove the ads on this Waterstones version of the Paperwhite. They have an exclusive deal with Amazon to display their own ads - and you can't get rid of them.

https://twitter.com/Waterstones/stat...84670203547649

It's recently been announced that they have no interest in removing it.
So, as you can see, I'm stuck with a Waterstones screensaver that I can't remove.

[JSWolf]

Then you should have bought an ad free PW from Amazon and not one with ads. If you get help on removing the ads, then others will also see how to do it and do it without paying. You could try to return your PW and get one from Amazon with no ads.

[jackie_w]

@JSWolf,

This seems a little harsh and unfriendly to a new MR member. I have to say that it has always been my understanding (perhaps wrong) that all Kindle models sold in the UK to-date have been non-Special Offers - we pay full price always.

It's possible the Waterstone's deal has changed this but it wouldn't surprise me to find lots of people being confused.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by jackie_w

@JSWolf,

This seems a little harsh and unfriendly to a new MR member. I have to say that it has always been my understanding (perhaps wrong) that all Kindle models sold in the UK to-date have been non-Special Offers - we pay full price always.

It's possible the Waterstone's deal has changed this but it wouldn't surprise me to find lots of people being confused.

There have been other thread(s) on removing ads and the consensus is that the mods are against this.

[HarryT]

Jackie,

I'd recommend returning your PW to Waterstones and buying one from Amazon instead. If Waterstones baulk at the return, the adverts on the home page (which are certainly not mentioned anywhere) give you ample justification to return it, I think. As you very rightly say, you shouldn't be paying the same as the Amazon price and getting adverts.

All the best,

[jackie_w]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

There have been other thread(s) on removing ads and the consensus is that the mods are against this.

I fully agree that if you have knowingly paid less to agreed to ads then you shouldn't be asking for help on how to remove them.

However, I think you've totally missed my point. A UK user may not be aware they have a Special Offers Kindle as previously all UK Kindle purchasers have only been able to buy the fully paid-up non-ad version. No cheapies here (or anywhere else other than the US???)

[jackie_w]

@Harry,

That's good advice to the OP. I'm not a Kindle owner myself, I (foolishly?) poked my nose into someone else's business as I didn't like JSWolf's implied accusations of bad intent, especially to a new member.

[HarryT]

Sorry, Jackie; I thought you were the OP . My advice still stands, as you say.

[jforner]

@JSWofl - "Then you should have bought an ad free PW from Amazon and not one with ads." Wow, what a warm welcome for me.

As Jackie said, no one is aware of these Waterstones specific ads until you actually buy the thing. I wish I could have plopped my crystal ball on the cash register and looked into the future - as you so aptly describe as the correct procedure.

A thank you to the others that showed a little courtesy. Many others are discovering the annoyance. I do hope a solution unveils itself.

[l_macd]

Is this a collection of screensavers that feature Waterstones branding and not necessarily an advert as such? (The special offers Kindles sold in the US feature different ads/offers for specific items and they change or are updated for new offers from time to time. They are shown as screensavers, plus they now have banner ads displaying on the home page).

If so, it's maybe a bit more like when you buy a mobile phone that has a themed, branded display rather than adverts? Usually phones have the option to remove this branding in the options somewhere, that should be an option for the Kindle too.... otherwise Waterstones should include the fact that's it's branded in the sales information.

If it's just a screensaver, you could you look in the Developers Forum, you'll be able to see more information about jailbreaking, and could ask to find out if a screensaver hack would work, but you really shouldn't have to do this. Like HarryT says, you do have the option to take it back to them and say you want a refund if there is no option to remove the Waterstones branding.

[HarryT]

My understanding (and I'm sure that jforner will correct me if I'm wrong) is that a PW bought from Waterstones displays a single, Waterstones-branded, screensaver, rather than the range of screensavers that the standard PW has. There are no adverts on the home page, like the "Kindle with Special Offers" has - it's just the screensaver.

[jforner]

Harry's correct indeed. Exactly the problem.

[HarryT]

Have you contacted Kindle customer service to ask if there's anything that they can push to your Kindle to get the standard screensavers?