Amazon is letting US customers get money off the price of a Kindle as long as they are happy to be served a couple of ads.

“When you buy Kindle with Special Offers, you are getting the same bestselling Kindle for $25 less—only $114. Special offers and sponsored screensavers display on the Kindle screensaver and on the bottom of the home screen—they don't interrupt reading,” says Amazon.

It’s a new idea for Amazon, but one that could allow them to eventually offer the device for free with readers merely being bombarded with adverts, special offers and discounts in exchange.

Amazon says that special offers will involve things like half price amazon.com gift vouchers and deals on Audible Books, while screen savers will also give you offers not available to others:

“Our goal is to display sponsored screensavers that you want to see. That's why we've created a free Kindle app and website (coming soon) called AdMash. Anyone who's interested can download AdMash and help pick future screensavers. Two prospective screensavers show up side-by-side, and you pick the one you find most attractive. The ones preferred most by customers qualify to become sponsored screensavers,” says Amazon.

“You can also set your personal Kindle Screensaver Preferences to give us hints on the style and types of sponsored screensavers you'd like to see on your Kindle. For example, you can indicate that you'd like to see more or fewer screensavers that include elements such as landscapes and scenery, architecture, travel images, photography, and illustrations. Together, AdMash voting and Kindle Screensaver Preferences help us select the most attractive and engaging sponsored screensavers to display on your Kindle." 

Amazon says that the adverts won’t interrupt your reading experience.

There’s no word on whether or not the offer will be coming to Amazon stores outside of the US.

- Amazon Kindle 3G + Wi-Fi review