Amazon has started selling smartphones at up to half their normal price — but only to customers who agree to receive personalised advertisements on the devices’ lock screens.
The e-commerce group said that it has started offering $50 discounts on smartphones powered by Google’s Android operating system, such as the BLU R1 HD and the Motorola Moto G, which normally have a retail price of $99.99 and $199.99, respectively. The online retailer has announced that soon it will be selling select unlocked Android phones to its Prime customers for up to 50 per cent off their selected retail price. However, the deal is only for customers who are willing to accept that the handsets will come with pre-installed apps and lock screen adverts.
Amazon already offers subsidised prices for ad-enabled devices in its Kindle e-readers and its Fire tablets, but this is the first time it’s brought this special offer feature to non-Amazon devices. If customers should decide to pick for these more affordable prices, they can expect full-screen lock screen ads replacing the standard background similar to those found on the Kindle range, as well as smaller ads that will appear like notifications alongside your real notifications.
The ads themselves will take the form of personalised offers from Amazon as well as from third-party marketers and although the ads can be swiped away once you’ve decided you’re not interested, more will appear and the frequency can’t be controlled.
In addition to the ads, the handsets will come with a selection of Amazon apps already installed including Amazon Video, Amazon Music, Prime Now, and Kindle. Users won’t have to keep the apps on their home screen but they won’t be able to uninstall them from the phone itself.
COURTESY: INDEPENDENT
