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by bad_user
5367 days ago
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They can do this because Silk is effectively a
rewriting proxy.
Technically they can, but it is probably illegal. And Google may not come after individuals that are using ad-blockers, or after shitty motels that are doing this, but you can bet your ass they'll sue Amazon and probably win too.And it isn't only Google that Amazon should worry about in such a case -- if I'm a webmaster and the ads for which I'm getting paid for are going to get replaced by Amazon, I would be pretty pissed and I would probably block all Silk-related requests. Customers may stick with Silk anyway because
the pages will load more quickly
I somehow really doubt that Silk will translate in a faster user experience. Of course, marketing does wonders. |
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But they don't have to directly replace ads. in order to monetize ads well. Because they have all of a user's browsing history with Silk, they can target ads. as well, or possibly better than, Google. Perhaps they show ads. at the bottom of the screen, or in the screen saver, or while web-pages are loading, or with location-based pop ups for coupons for a store just down the street, whatever.
In this respect the Fire is a direct attack on Google, and Amazon probably has to take this step in order to be able to subsidize this tablet as much as Google will be able subsidize their tablets. For this reason I wouldn't be surprised if Google soon cuts Amazon off from Android by making more of the OS closed source, and breaking app. compatiblity. If this occurs, expect Amazon to make a bid for Palm.