Amazon sells ad-subsidised Kindle e-book reader

Amazon is to launch a cheaper version of its popular Kindle e-book reader which will feature on-screen advertising, the BBC News reported.

The retail giant has started taking orders in the US for the device, which costs $114 - $25 less than the current entry level model.

The 'Kindle with Special Offers' will display sponsored messages from the likes of Olay and Visa. It will also present readers with details of other Amazon products.

The company would not confirm if an advertising-subsidised Kindle was coming to the UK market.

"We do not speculate on future products," a spokesperson said.

Amazon said that the advertisements on the 'Kindle with Special Offers' would not interrupt reading, appearing only at the bottom of the Kindle's home screen and while the device is in its idle state.

Un-sponsored versions of the Kindle feature black and white images of iconic authors when not in use.

Amazon will also launch 'AdMash', a service that allows users to vote on which screensaver ads they prefer.

The revised device is physically identical to the current WiFi-only model.

Kindle has proved incredibly popular with readers since it launched in November 2007, costing $399.