Quote:
Originally Posted by fjtorres
Again, KSO isn't about growing the Kindle install base as much as using Kindle to get into the online ad and digital coupon distribution businesses.
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I don't completely agree with that. I'm sure they're not expecting to sell boatloads of the Kindles at $114 (for all the reasons already mentioned here), but if they're not trying to expand their base at least
moderately, then this move makes absolutely
no sense at all. Almost no one who already has a Kindle will be lining up to get one of these. Even if you can make a mathematical argument for it (e.g., over time the special offers pay for the Kindle, and more) that doesn't seem to be the reaction they're getting. Rather predictably, people are annoyed at the idea of being exposed to advertising. With some exceptions (and I realize that there are people on MR who like the special offer idea) I think the people they're going to get are the budget conscious for whom that extra $25 breaks some psychological barrier to purchase.
It just seems to me that people will be thinking about the reading experience first, and the special offers second, most of the time.