Online retailer Amazon.com is selling an ad-laden version of its Kindle 3G e-reader, which has wireless service for downloading books.
Amazon said late Tuesday that the new Kindle 3G with Special Offers costs $164. It includes on-screen ads and is $25 cheaper than the standard Kindle 3G.
Last month, Amazon started selling a Wi-Fi-equipped Kindle with ads for $114 – $25 less than the standard Kindle with Wi-Fi.
The announcement came the same day that Barnes & Noble Inc. introduced a cheaper version of its Nook e-reader with a black-and-white touch screen. At $139, the new Nook shows the book seller is trying to compete with Amazon and Borders on e-reader prices.
Amazon has consistently lowered the Kindle’s price since first releasing it at $399 in 2007.
