Amazon is considering launching an ad-supported Kindle Fire to help drive down the device's price, offering advertisers the opportunity to push their products on the tablet's welcome screen.

That's according to AdAge, which claims agency execs are being told they will need to spend $600,000 or more to secure a two month spot on the handset.

Ads away

The site reports the campaigns would include inventory from Amazon's 'special offer' product as well as a welcome screen placing, with advertisers willing to spend $1 million also included in a PR push by the company.

Confusion surrounds just what tablets the ads would be pushed on, however.

AdAge sources claim Amazon is yet to decide whether the promos would be tied to a cheaper, yet-to-be-launched version of Kindle Fire, or whether they would also start to pop up on devices already in the hands of consumers.

It's a crucial issue, as advertisers will want to know how big the ad platform's audience is, while Amazon itself will be wary of upsetting existing customers who have paid a premium price for what was initially an ad-free device.

The news comes as Reuters reports Amazon is looking to launch an 8.9-inch Kindle Fire later in 2012.

[source: AdAge]