US online retail powerhouse Amazon on Monday introduced a cut-price version of its Kindle electronic reader that features on-screen ads.
Kindle with Special Offers e-readers priced at $114 each will begin shipping in the United States on May 3, according to Amazon.
Amazon charges $139 for the same Kindle without ads or deals displayed as screen savers and on the home page. The e-readers connect to the Internet to download digital books using wireless connections to routers at "hotspots."
A version of the e-reader that accesses the Internet using a built-in 3G telecom connection is priced at $189.
"We're working hard to make sure that anyone who wants a Kindle can afford one," Amazon founder and chief executive Jeff Bezos said in a release.
"Kindle with Special Offers is the same #1 bestselling Kindle -- and it's only $114."
Sponsors of Kindle screensaver ads include US car maker Buick, credit card company Visa, and Proctor & Gamble beauty products line Olay, according to Amazon.
Launch deals included discounts on audible books, digital music, a Roku Streaming Player, and Amazon.com gift cards.
Get your daily dose of tech news, reviews, and insights, in under 80 characters on Gadgets 360 Turbo. Connect with fellow tech lovers on our Forum. Follow us on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News for instant updates. Catch all the action on our YouTube channel.