Totally unnecessary delay!

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by 93terp

Additionally, being tracked as "separate items for purposes of stock control" seems a totally absurd point to justify your position. If this were in fact true, I would not be able, with a click of button on my "Manage Content & Devices" page, to turn off SO on a purchased Kindle that was delivered with it enabled. There's no difference in hardware at all between the 2 configurations. But whatever, you're entitled to your opinion.

Seems to me that it's pretty essential to be able to separately keep track of devices that are sold at different prices. I'm certainly not disputing that they're identical hardware-wise, but they're supplied with initially different firmware. A Kindle bought with SO will display the "swipe to unlock" screen even if not registered to an Amazon account; a Kindle without SO will not. The fact that the SO status can be altered after purchase doesn't alter the fact that the devices are clearly not identical when shipped. Moreover, they revert to that initially distinct SO/non-SO status when you do a "Factory Reset", so the information must be present somewhere in the device itself.

[dordale]

Originally Posted by 93terp

No Kindle that I've ever bought "out of the box" has any indication that it does or does not have SO. There is zero markings on the box itself to indicate one way or the other. Additionally, being tracked as "separate items for purposes of stock control" seems a totally absurd point to justify your position. If this were in fact true, I would not be able, with a click of button on my "Manage Content & Devices" page, to turn off SO on a purchased Kindle that was delivered with it enabled. There's no difference in hardware at all between the 2 configurations. But whatever, you're entitled to your opinion.

I don't work at Amazon--but my guess is that keep both Kindles with Special Offers and without Special Offers in their warehouse ready to be shipped out when ordered or on release day. Even though you aren't able to see the difference on the packaging they are indeed differentiated at Amazon. That way, when ordered or on release day, the correct model (with or without special offers) can be pulled out of inventory and shipped with no further intervention on Amazon's part--making the shipping far more efficient than having to turn on or off special offers at the time of shipping.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by dordale

That way, when ordered or on release day, the correct model (with or without special offers) can be pulled out of inventory and shipped with no further intervention on Amazon's part--making the shipping far more efficient than having to turn on or off special offers at the time of shipping.

Such intervention would not even be possible. The warehouse stocks sealed boxes; the "with SO/without SO" differentiation happens at the time the initial firmware is flashed.

[disconnected]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Such intervention would not even be possible. The warehouse stocks sealed boxes; the "with SO/without SO" differentiation happens at the time the initial firmware is flashed.

I don’t disagree with you about how it all works, but wasn’t that all just a choice that Amazon made?

I’m sure they must have some business or PR reasons for the different options but it seems like it would be simpler to just sell all Kindles with special offers, with the same automated option for removing them that they have now. Then they wouldn’t have to manage separate products, separate firmware, and separate inventories in warehouses.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by disconnected

I don’t disagree with you about how it all works, but wasn’t that all just a choice that Amazon made?

I’m sure they must have some business or PR reasons for the different options but it seems like it would be simpler to just sell all Kindles with special offers, with the same automated option for removing them that they have now. Then they wouldn’t have to manage separate products, separate firmware, and separate inventories in warehouses.

True. It may be done the way it is because SO's aren't available in all markets.

[Little.Egret]

Originally Posted by HarryT

True. It may be done the way it is because SO's aren't available in all markets.

But there is a similar change that is done on dispatch.

If the order doesn't have the 'gift' box ticked the Kindle is registered to the Amazon account that was used to buy it.

Setting SO or not would appear to be similar.

[Paperbackstash]

I just got a text message from Amazon stating that the Paperwhite I ordered will be delivered tomorrow. Quicker than I thought, can't wait!

[SKK]

Originally Posted by 93terp

No Kindle that I've ever bought "out of the box" has any indication that it does or does not have SO. There is zero markings on the box itself to indicate one way or the other. Additionally, being tracked as "separate items for purposes of stock control" seems a totally absurd point to justify your position. If this were in fact true, I would not be able, with a click of button on my "Manage Content & Devices" page, to turn off SO on a purchased Kindle that was delivered with it enabled. There's no difference in hardware at all between the 2 configurations. But whatever, you're entitled to your opinion.

Actually, there are markings on the box, that say if it has special offers or not.

[Wearever]

I ordered a Paperwhite 4 for my husband yesterday, they just told me it will arrive tomorrow ! That's fast considering I went with slow shipping. His birthday isn't until next month and I figured I had plenty of time. I was concerned they would sell out of the 32 gb. models. Nice surprise though.

[Paperbackstash]

Yes, now I still just need to find a third-party case.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Paperbackstash

Yes, now I still just need to find a third-party case.

Are Amazon not doing an official PW4 case? I've always found their PW cases to be pretty good.

[ilovejedd]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Seems to me that it's pretty essential to be able to separately keep track of devices that are sold at different prices. I'm certainly not disputing that they're identical hardware-wise, but they're supplied with initially different firmware. A Kindle bought with SO will display the "swipe to unlock" screen even if not registered to an Amazon account; a Kindle without SO will not. The fact that the SO status can be altered after purchase doesn't alter the fact that the devices are clearly not identical when shipped. Moreover, they revert to that initially distinct SO/non-SO status when you do a "Factory Reset", so the information must be present somewhere in the device itself.

That hasn't been my experience with the 3x PW3 SO. I didn't get the swipe to unlock screen until the device has been connected to wifi and registered with Amazon.

[Paperbackstash]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Are Amazon not doing an official PW4 case? I've always found their PW cases to be pretty good.

They are, but I don't like the designs of their cases. I always get the third-party with designs.

[k9reeder]

For what's it worth, I understand Kindles with special offers aren't sold in Canada. No such option.

[disconnected]

Originally Posted by Paperbackstash

Yes, now I still just need to find a third-party case.

They're starting to show up. These are all Prime and either ready or nearly ready to ship. I haven't looked at all of them yet but I saw at least one that said it was water-safe --

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_nr_n...nid=2941120011

Check the specs -- the first page of results is mostly accurate; after that they're mostly for older PWs. I wish Amazon would change their naming conventions.