New Kindle 4 .... with adverts?

[Saracen]

Does anyone have the new Kindle 4 (the silvery one with the virtual keyboard), and if so, does it display adverts?

The reason I ask is that I need another Kindle, and as they no longer sell the one I really want (the Wifi-only Kindle 3 keyboard) it's either the more expensive one with 3G (which I have absolutely no use for), or the newer non-KB one. So I went into John Lewis to check it out, and it started displaying adverts. They were the width of the screen, about 1/2" tall, and along the bottom of the screen.

I know there are US ad-supported models, but I wasn't aware of that in the UK.

So .... is that now a feature of the UK one? If so, I'll buy a Kobo or something. because I have no interest at all in one that displays adverts.

It might have been something to do with John Lewis's display model rather than a feature of retail product, but they couldn't give me a categoric answer on that, one way or the other.

Anyone know?

[DannyM]

My mum has one and when I was setting it up I didn't notice any adverts nor have I heard anything from her, I also set another one up yesterday for a neighbour and again I saw no adverts.

[HoldenBurn1000]

We sold them in my old store. None of our units showed adverts and don't think they were running demo software.

Couldn't guarantee that they have none but it's certainly nothing I have seen.

[Spank]

I think (if I remember correctly) that the US machines were cheaper if you had adverts on them, dunno about UK versions

[timread]

I got a Kindle 4 for Christmas - no adverts on mine.

The US sell an ad-sponsored Kindle 4 for $79 (special offers/sponsored screensavers are displayed when you're not reading) or, an ad-free model for $109.

There's just one UK Kindle 4 @ £89 - we get the no-ad version.

[jim]

I got a Kindle 4 for Christmas - no adverts on mine.

The US sell an ad-sponsored Kindle 4 for $79 (special offers/sponsored screensavers are displayed when you're not reading) or, an ad-free model for $109.

There's just one UK Kindle 4 @ £89, so we don't get a cheaper ad-sponsored version.

This is what I understood to be the case, but I can't back it up from experience.

[vicar]

Maybe i can help.

The ad sponsorsored US versions are only screen savers. The ads don't appear when you are reading, or on the home screen. The ads are not a nuisance and do not affect your reading etc, you might actually see something you like.

Hope the above helps.

[Saracen]

I got a Kindle 4 for Christmas - no adverts on mine.

The US sell an ad-sponsored Kindle 4 for $79 (special offers/sponsored screensavers are displayed when you're not reading) or, an ad-free model for $109.

There's just one UK Kindle 4 @ £89 - we get the no-ad version.

As per snooty, that was my understanding too. Which is why I was shocked to see the ad.

Maybe i can help.

The ad sponsorsored US versions are only screen savers. The ads don't appear when you are reading, or on the home screen. The ads are not a nuisance and do not affect your reading etc, you might actually see something you like.

Hope the above helps.

Thanks, vicar. I appreciate the thought.

On principle, though, if they're shoving ads on it, I'm not buying it. I'm so fed up with ads being shovelled at me in huge volumes on TV that there is no way in this universe I'm having a Kindle (or any other 'personal' device) which does it, even if it's just on the screen-saver.

I also know you can de-advert them, with some form of jailbreak. But I'm not prepared to do that to a device I've just bought just to get rid of ads that have no place being there in the first place.


I think the ads were probably to do with it being some sort of demo/display model. But John Lewis have told me that if I'm not happy with it (such as, it shows ads) take it back.

[jim]

I think the ads were probably to do with it being some sort of demo/display model. But John Lewis have told me that if I'm not happy with it (such as, it shows ads) take it back.

That's what I was wondering - if John Lewis have said that though, it makes things a lot easier. Sometimes customer service like that really does come in useful.

If you do get the Kindle 4 and you're using it yourself I'd be interested to see what you think of it. I doubt I'd upgrade from mine any time soon, but I've been wondering how the touchscreen pans out for long-term use.

[Saracen]

....

If you do get the Kindle 4 and you're using it yourself I'd be interested to see what you think of it. I doubt I'd upgrade from mine any time soon, but I've been wondering how the touchscreen pans out for long-term use.

Initial impressions are mixed.

First, it doesn't feel quite as solid.

Second, less battery life and smaller memory. The first is more important than the second, but for me, even that is marginal.

Third, the "ergonomics" aren't quite as good. The keyboard on the 3 isn't great, but it's a damn sight better than farting about with that stupid on-screen thing and a cursor. That is close to unusable.

Fourth, the audio capabilities have, I think, gone, so no more text to speech (no great loss to me) but also, no audio books, which I did use from time to time on the 3.

Fifth, page turns. The characteristic e-ink "flicker" with the screen going momentarily black has largely disappeared. Apparently, it now only does that every x turns, with x being set at default at about 6 or 8, but you can override it. Instead, now, you kinda get the current page and the one its changing to over-lapping, which to me gives a kind-of blurring effect that I find far worse than the black "flicker". Fortunately, you can set it back to every page.

Finally, sixth, buttons. I use the K3 one-handed, and my thump rests perfectly on the "next page" button, meaning changing page is nothing more than a thumb-twitch. The K4 buttons are in the same place, but not the same size and aren't quite as easy to click with that twitch. I guess that results in less accidental "nexts", but requires a little more positive intent to change, and that irritates.

All told, I guess the K4 is good value, and arguably the things that have been dropped aren't things at the core of the product, and it is, after all, cheaper. But it isn't what I'm used to or what I want, which is really just another Kindle Keyboard without 3G. Unfortunately, the only way to get what I want is to buy the Keyboard 3G, and leave the 3G turned off (as I do not want it) and pay £40 more (than the old £109 one) for the privilege of facilities I actively don't want).

I also tried the Kobo for 10 minutes, but I have to say, I wasn't terribly impressed. I mean, it's okay, but having to "swipe" or tap the touch screen for a page turn is a flaming nuisance.


I'll probably end up with a K4 and put up with the buttons, lack of keyboard, and the poorer battery life, but I'd cheerfully spend the extra £20 for the old one. Were I you, I would not "upgrade", because in my opinion, it's a distinct downgrade.

[vicar]

Saracen if you can get the Kindle US version you will like it, only the basic model is sold in the uk. It has audio capabilities etc

[Saracen]

Saracen if you can get the Kindle US version you will like it, only the basic model is sold in the uk. It has audio capabilities etc

That's a thought, and I can. I'll look into that. Ta muchly.