Amazon Launches ‘Amazon Coins’ In Its First Move Into Virtual Currency

[garbon]

http://techcrunch.com/2013/02/05/amazon-to-launch-virtual-currency-amazon-coins-in-its-appstore-in-may/

Amazon has just announced a new virtual currency for Kindle Fire owners to use on in-app purchases, app purchases, etc. in the Amazon Appstore.

The service will launch in May, at which point Amazon will be giving away tens of millions of dollars worth of Amazon coins to customers. Users then have the choice of paying for apps or in-app purchases with their credit cards or with Amazon coins.

Developers who already have their app in the Appstore don't need to do anything to leverage the Amazon coin system, but if new developers would like to get in on the virtual currency they must have their app in approved by the Appstore by April 25.

The idea is to take advantage of what Amazon calls already-high conversion rates from Kindle Fire users on the Amazon platform and give users a new way to spend money. Amazon has been giving developers more options to generate revenue in the Appstore, most recently with the introduction of in-app purchases.

Adding a virtual currency, which takes the sting out of spending hard-earned cash, is simply the next logical step toward the goal of helping Amazon developers make money.

Developers will still get their 70 percent cut from each purchase made, whether it's from credit card or Amazon Coins.

According to the Amazon Coin FAQ, one Amazon Coin is worth one cent, so an app that is valued at $2.99 is worth 299 Amazon Coins.

The Amazon Coin system is only available to U.S. consumers at the time of launch, and will not be eligible as payment for any subscription services.

It's still unclear whether or not developers, as opposed to Amazon itself, will be able to reward users with Amazon Coins as part of their own promotions.

I don't really get the appeal apart from the piece mentioned elsewhere that it might let parents be more inclined to let their kids make app purchases - as they can control how many virtual coins their children have (whereas before little johnny could have run up crazy purchases on a credit card if given free reign).

[Vricklund]

You ain't no kind of man if you ain't got land

[garbon]

Ok?

[DontSayBanana]

I don't really get the appeal apart from the piece mentioned elsewhere that it might let parents be more inclined to let their kids make app purchases - as they can control how many virtual coins their children have (whereas before little johnny could have run up crazy purchases on a credit card if given free reign).

Not to mention legitimately getting kids into the market.  A kid with a credit card is only going to hold up as long as Mommy and Daddy say it's okay, but a kid could take their allowance to a store with a gift card rack and pick up Amazon credits with or without parental consent.

[garbon]

For the most part as a child, I couldn't get around to stores without some kind of parent.

[sbr]

What age child are we talking about?  By 12 (maybe earlier) I was walking or biking about a mile to the store a couple times a week.  That should be plenty old enough.

[garbon]

What age child are we talking about?  By 12 (maybe earlier) I was walking or biking about a mile to the store a couple times a week.  That should be plenty old enough.

We're now in the 21st century, pops. Children don't walk uphill in the snow both ways to school anymore.

[mongers]

What age child are we talking about?  By 12 (maybe earlier) I was walking or biking about a mile to the store a couple times a week.  That should be plenty old enough.

We're now in the 21st century, pops. Children don't walk uphill in the snow both ways to school anymore.

Heh, I was just about to quote him and along the lines of at that age I was visiting other counties on my own, but you got in first, but the other way around. 

[garbon]

What age child are we talking about?  By 12 (maybe earlier) I was walking or biking about a mile to the store a couple times a week.  That should be plenty old enough.

We're now in the 21st century, pops. Children don't walk uphill in the snow both ways to school anymore.

Heh, I was just about to quote him and along the lines of at that age I was visiting other counties on my own, but you got in first, but the other way around. 

I lived in the suburbs and while there was some travel by foot/bike - I'd wager it is a lot less extensive than it used to be. Helicopter parents and what have you.

[Josquius]

So its a cynical way to make you more willing to part with money by not calling a dollar a dollar. OK then.