From what I've read the ads are fairly unobtrusive appearing only on the home page and screen saver. They do not appear when you reading a book. As for the $25 (18%) discount, I have to imagine that Amazon expect to recover that amount (on average) from consumers who click on the ads and purchase additional items.

roarah - thanks for that link - interesting perspective. I also read another article about B&N transformation. It's a fascinating dilemma when a company has to cannibalize itself to survive - e-readers vs. print, printed checks vs. debit card, CDs vs. iTunes, etc. I'm actually part of a company that has been going through this. I work for what was a technology start-up that got acquired by a 100+ year old publisher. It's fascinating to be in the middle of the transformation.

I pre-ordered my Fire when I first heard about it. I have had my K2 for nearly two years and love it. I had a little difficulty at first since I am techie challenged (!). Once I was told about getting a stylus, I went straight out and bought one, and that really made a 100% improvement getting around the Fire-no problems since. I have both my email accts loaded on it and I love seeing all the covers of my books etc. in color-the color on the Fire is really good. For Fire owners they offer an Free APP each day, a really big variety of Apps and 100 Free ones, plus the ones you can purchase. I am hooked on Words With Friends which I play with my DD who lives in another state. I also am hooked on Angry Birds-my family couldn't believe that when I told them, both of these Apps were free. So anyone that is thinking & hesitating about getting the Fire, I do recommend it. I participate in a Kindle forum and have learned so much and also got loads of freebies to read! I know people rave about their Ipads, but it has far more features on it than I would ever use, plus it is so pricey Pat

My Kindle arrived on Monday, a day early! It works as advertised. I purchased and downloaded a book more rapidly than I have ever downloaded anything, probably a minute or less. I had already decided on the book, Down River by John Hart, and that decision took a long time because there were so many possibilities. Last night I downloaded one of my previously purchased Audible.com books. To do that requires downloading first to the computer and then to the Kindle via USB. The audio book takes much more space than the printed book but I will only use the Kindle for that purpose in the car on long trips because I don't have a car player for my iPOD. Before the Kindle arrived I was reading a paperback book, which I don't like to do because of having to hold it open without harming the book (my personal problem). Now, with switching back and forth, I find the Kindle is so much easier to read that I am wishing the paperback would be available on the Kindle as well. Reading on the Kindle is better than I even expected. The cover for the Kindle is like a leather-covered hardback book cover. Because it has two sides, like a book, it becomes very easy to forget that I'm only reading on one side of it. I sometimes reach for the page to turn, forgetting that I should touch the "next page" button. The cover also makes it possible to prop the Kindle in front of me while I am eating and that certainly doesn't work with the paperback book. The print looks very much like that in a printed book. It is possible to choose from six font sizes. The reason there are no page numbers is because they would vary depending on the font size. It does give a location instead of page number and there are dots across the bottom of the display to indicate how much of the book has been read. The search feature is very nice and useful, especially in looking for something in the Kindle User Guide, which I do need to consult from time to time. There are other features I haven't checked out yet. So, my initial reaction is that I really, really like the Kindle. Is it worth $400? I have no idea. That is a judgment everyone has to make for themselves. I don't think it will ever totally replace books but it will help me keep from adding nearly as many to my Tottering TBR Towers.