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Buyers of the Kindle Paperwhite who purchased their readers through Waterstones aren’t very happy, thanks to the book chain adding its own adverts to the device’s lock screen — even though it costs the same amount as the ad-free model sold through Amazon.
The Paperwhite sells for £109 on Amazon and in physical Waterstones branches, with units bought through the latter coming with a banner for the book chain in place of the Amazon screensaver. Waterstones claims this isn’t actually an advert, because it’s a “non-dynamic, static image” that’s more of a branding exercise than an advert, so shouldn’t be considered an ad by users.
However, user reviews left on the Waterstones site see one particular Paperwhite buyer complaining of feeling “betrayed” by the move, which the buyer claims offers a “greatly reduced experience”. [Tom's Hardware]
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You know what is even more disgusting, that horrific advertising on front of the device… I don’t want to be reading “kindle” at the bottom of EVERY page, it would make the books I read make no sense whatsoever!
Said in the voice of the comic book guy from the Simpsons: “greatly reduced experience!”
It would b a bit annoying though, Imagine buying one from Tesco and having that branded on your lockscreen.
I admit that it isn’t ideal, but it’s hardly completely ruined the device. Tbh I didn’t think waterstones were still around.
I really like the lockscreens on my Paperwhite and it would cheapen the feel significantly to replace them with ads, so I see where they’re coming from.
Ultimately though mine lives in a case where no branding or lockscreens are ever visible, so I’d get over it.
“yes it is terrible” I say to the man wearing a Gap hoddie with Levi jeans and a pair of Nike trainers
I think he’s also wearing a New York Yankees basball cap, Calvin Klein boxer shorts and smells of Jean Paul Gaultier’s Le Male aftershave.
Hey, that JPG stuff smell’s nice, so i’ll let him off that one.
Straight from the website ‘Includes exclusive Waterstones screensaver’ see this is not an advert it is an ‘exclusive’ screensaver.
I’m sorry but this is complete bollox. What is branding, it’s either a mark of ownership, or it’s self advertising, and in this case, it’s pure and simple advertising. If them having it there in the first place wasn’t a good enough reason for me not to buy one from them (it is a good enough reason), treating people like idiots with their bullshit statement would completely seal the deal.
Well, since I like Waterstones, I don’t think I’d have a problem with it. I’d probably even prefer it to an Amazon splash screen. Just seems a little classier
In any case, I imagine the Paperwhite will be similar to the Keyboard 3g and you’ll be able to hack it to show whatever you want. When I first got mine, I put the words ‘Don’t panic’ in big friendly letters on as my screensaver
The ‘exclusive screensavers’ are quotes about reading and literature. Each quote is by a famous author , and simply says “Waterstones” after it. It’s definitely not intrusive, and doesn’t actually advertise any specific product like the Amazon adverts on the Kindle Fire lockscreens do. I love book quotes, but I do understand how some people may have been looking forward to the picture-based screensavers that have been on previous generation devices.