News - Amazon Coins virtual currency launches in the UK

[HEXUS]

Every Kindle Fire owner in the UK will find £4 worth of coins in their account today.

Read more.

[RussiaForever]

One step closer to Amazon's total domination of Earth.

[Saracen]

One step closer to Amazon's total domination of Earth.

Well, given the conditions and limitations mentioned in that News piece, I'd say it's more like edging one toe forward about 1/1000mm. In fact, it looks more like a desperate attempt at discounting on Fire content than anything else, and even then, only on some conrent. I mean, can't be used for ebooks, music, films, etc.

Bitcoins it ain't.

[McEwin]

They didn't introduce this system to benefit anyone but themselves. Tempt you in with a small discount and get lumbered with a load of non-transferable "coins" while Amazon accrues interest on your "investment". It's like book tokens for Amazon. Worthless.

[Funkstar]

I guess it would be possible for app developers to let you "earn" coins, that can then be spent on other items in the app store. I'm not sure if it is something that would be of much benefit to a lot of developers, but it is interesting.

I can't see it making a huge impact though.

[himaro]

it's in the same vein of in app purchases.
Mark my words, soon there will be things that can only be purchased with coins.

[Spud1]

I think "Virtual Currency" is a bit strong - surely this is just a gift voucher?

Now if they allowed you to spend your coins on *any* goods on Amazon, then that would be a different story...very similar to Blizzards virtual currency that they used with the Diablo 3 auction house.

I see that as being a while off though as it would hit their profit margins...personally I would use it for the discount, if I could buy real things from them.

[KrisWragg]

Should have just accepted Bitcoins instead, would have been much better

Otherwise, its just kind of pointless. Just root your Kindle Fire and buy apps the regular way through Google Play?

[Saracen]

Or don't buy Kindle Fire in the first place.

[Ginettor]

I'd prefer it if they just started to use bitcoin or litecoin

[edzieba]

Sounds like a fancy rebrand of a gift voucher to me. And they seem to clearly and explicitly limit current and future to just to digital content, and not to actual physical goods. So even more worthless than a gift card.

And a gift card is already a pointless thing to buy, converting 'you can use it anywhere' cash to company scrip.

[minicale]

Anyone recommend anything?

[jamadaia]

For the love of God dot buy into this crap ... they are a horrid company as it is ... and that not even starting on the evils of these super giant organisations that are killing off everyone else without a concern other than how to full its own pockets. Don't support or encourage them.

[Protocol2511]

I don't see the point in these coins, why not just pay with card/cash as we have done in the past? Amazon trying out its only version of a bitcoin lol

[CoolHotCold]

I don't see the point in these coins, why not just pay with card/cash as we have done in the past? Amazon trying out its only version of a bitcoin lol

Like Microsoft Points of old, you never knew exactly how much you were buying and you'd end up with odd amounts meaning you'd have to buy a bunch of other points to purchase the DLC or game.

Amazon already have gift cards, whynot just use them instead of yet another "currency"

[Protocol2511]

Yeh Microsoft Pointers what a pain in the arse! having like 150 left then needing 200 extra to buy a map or something grrr, I don't see what these companies get out of the digital currencies I get it's a way to generate revenue but isn't it the same as just buying a DLC without the confusion?