SEATTLE (AP) — Amazon.com Inc. will begin selling a new and cheaper version of its Kindle e-reader that includes free 3G wireless service along with advertisements, the company said Wednesday.
The Kindle 3G with Special Offers will be sponsored by AT&T Inc. and cost $139 — $50 less than the company's regular Kindle 3G.
Users will get free 3G wireless on AT&T's network with no annual contracts or monthly fees, but users will also see advertisements and sponsored screensavers, Amazon said.
It is not the first time Amazon has released ad-supported versions of the Kindle.
In May, Amazon said it would sell an ad-supported Kindle 3G for $164, which was $25 cheaper than the standard Kindle 3G was at that time. And in April, Amazon started selling a Wi-Fi-equipped Kindle with ads for $114 — $25 less than the standard Kindle with Wi-Fi.
Amazon has consistently lowered the Kindle's price since it debuted in 2007 for $399.
In afternoon trading, shares of Amazon.com Inc rose $5.16, or 2.4 percent, to $216.39. AT&T shares rose 10 cents to $26.78.
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