Amazon Announces Coins Virtual Currency For Kindle Fire

In case Amazon thought that real money just wasn't cutting it, the company has announced "Amazon Coins," a new virtual currency for Kindle Fire users that will allow them to purchase apps, games, and other digital content from their tablets. Amazon says that the new currency system is a way to help developers monetize their content.

Sadly, there's not a lot of details available at this point, but the virtual currency will launch in the US sometime in May, and it will provide users with a secondary choice to buy apps or make in-app purchases. You'll still be able to use a credit card like normal, but the new Coins system will also be an option.

Amazon plans to give away "tens of millions of dollars worth" of free coins to customers to celebrate the launch of the currency system. As far as developers are concerned, those who don't yet have apps in the Amazon Appstore will have until April 25 to submit them in order for them to be compatible with the new currency system.

Since the new currency platform will allow you to use Coins for in-app purchases, as well as apps and games themselves, parents will have a bit more control over what their kids can buy on their Kindle Fire tablet, and it could be an a great alternative that would prevent you from having to put down your credit card information.