Amazon Set to Step Up as Next iPad Competitor

[ksgant]

Originally Posted by hexagonheat

Actually... yeah. It is one of Amazon's best selling, if not THE best selling product.

The Kindle App isn't great for reading on LED screens. Once you experience e-ink and read for 2+ hours or in sunlight then you'll understand. Plus battery life that is measured in weeks and not hours is pretty darn great as well as free wireless integration.

Well, you're wrong. You're making assumptions on everyone being like you. I myself own a Kindle 3 and a massive library of Kindle books, and since getting the iPad I've not once picked up the Kindle. I read all day and all night on the thing (I read a ton of books as it's my main "hobby") and I never get eye strain. Never. Not once. I can read in bed at night with all the lights off (including that little Kindle LED light attached to my Kindle's case) with my iPad and the text reversed out in the Kindle app. The eye strain argument is just a myth. I've watched TV in a dark room for 40 years and never got eyestrain. I'm typing this right now in a dark room on a LED monitor on my Mac and don't have any eyestrain.

Not to mention using the dictionary on the Kindle app on the iPad is infinitely easier do to just touching on a word and BAM the definition comes up...unlike having to cursor down down down....over over over...to the word then look it up in the dictionary as you would on the hardware Kindle.

NOW, having said this. Amazon is probably the company that can actually have a challenger against the iPad with a new Kindle touch screen and the entire Amazon infrastructure to back it up. What I'd like to see is have a dual-layer type Kindle. One with a nice color screen running a hybrid Android OS that Amazon controls and updates and on TOP of that an e-ink screen that transparent most of the time unless you're reading a book. And all of it touch-screen. Not sure the technology is available for something like that yet, but I'd be interested in something similar.

[JohnDoe98]

Originally Posted by Arcus

Canada cant innovate?

Nope, the tv/internet/cable/mobile providers, which are all the same, run government here. So regulations don't allow a free competitive market to exist, which means we get the shaft on just about everything technologically related.

[benpatient]

Originally Posted by ctdonath

Barnes & Nobles is way ahead of them with the Nook Color.
Interesting the article doesn't mention B&N.

if B&N is selling 1 Nook (of any variety) for every 10 Kindles sold, I'd be shocked.

I saw my first nook "in the wild" a couple weeks ago. I know of 5 people in my office have a Kindle. There are maybe 35 people there.

[Obi-Wan Kubrick]

If anyone could do it my guess would be Amazon. The Kindle is such a wonderful device albeit one that's usefulness and lifespan probably won't last much longer at least as e-ink only. Amazon makes the best E-Ink reader so I'm sure they could make a great full on tablet.

I would like to see the rumored device that switches between LCD and E-Ink.

[ericinboston]

I think Apple will be in the fight of its life in the Tablet industry. Tablets are going to be the next iPod (not iPad)...everyone will want/have one as the prices drop and the features expand. Major players in the world are not going to let Apple own the Tablet market like they do with iPod.

We have an iPad 1.0 and it's a nice web surfing & email device sitting in our kitchen. But even the web surfing, in general, is fair/poor...due to lack of Flash (come on, everyone uses it) as well as some of the pull-down menus and choice boxes that websites use when making a purchase. Apple really needs a much better browser on the iPad. We won the iPad so it's free for us...but we never would spend $500+ for it...even iPad 2.0. 3.0 needs a lot more features, a better price for storage ratio, and some other things I and others have listed a few times on these forums for us to go out and buy one.

[HarryKeogh]

Originally Posted by MrSmith

I'm still wondering the same about the iPad. I know people spent their hard earned cash on it, but what the hell anyone uses it for I have no idea.

The same things that 90% of the population use their computers for 90% of the time. Web-surfing and checking e-mail. But with killer battery-life and incredible portability.

You really have to ask this question a year and a half after its release? C'mon.

[ksgant]

Originally Posted by MrSmith

I'm still wondering the same about the iPad. I know people spent their hard earned cash on it, but what the hell anyone uses it for I have no idea.

Seriously? You have no idea what people use an iPad for. Even after tons of people tell you what they use it for, do you still not have any idea?

Problems with cognitive comprehension perhaps? Maybe see a specialist that can treat this problem of not understanding what people say or explain to you? Just a thought.

[lewchenko]

Once I got a Kindle, I gave up reading books on the iPad.

The Kindle has a much better screen for reading books on in daylight, is much lighter, has free 3G access, and its battery lasts for weeks.

Different Markets, but I see a lot of people with Kindle's these days reading books. Magazines... not so much due to the ridiculous over pricing (Economist Im looking at you here especially!)

[Bernard SG]

Originally Posted by hcho3

4 Million?

Unless they are pricing this thing around 200 dollars to compete with ipad 2, I don't see this happening. What OS will it run on... anyway?

I seem to remember reading it will be Android. Not sure which version, though.

[Lesser Evets]

It's a logical step, but I doubt that Amazon's ability to craft a seductive table will be easy. Apple creates seductive devices that are well-designed and easy to use, making them infinitely more attractive to buyers.

I still like my books on paper. Kindle or iPad, I don't find 7,000+ words very enjoyable on either.

Give me iPad 5 when it all comes together in a powerful package with all the frills.

[BackInAction]

Like gaming consoles, Amazon can take a loss (or make little) on the hardware because they know they'll make money through other revenue streams. Apps, media (books, music, movies) and accessories.

Assuming the hardware is solid. This will be Apple's first true tablet competitor. The other tablet vendors are hardware manufactures. They have it tough because they only have one source of revenue, selling the hardware. They lack the whole ecosystem that Amazon as already built up.

Will it sell more than iPad, no. But I bet will be the best selling Android tablet.

[drew0020]

Originally Posted by ksgant

Well, you're wrong. You're making assumptions on everyone being like you. I myself own a Kindle 3 and a massive library of Kindle books, and since getting the iPad I've not once picked up the Kindle. I read all day and all night on the thing (I read a ton of books as it's my main "hobby") and I never get eye strain. Never. Not once. I can read in bed at night with all the lights off (including that little Kindle LED light attached to my Kindle's case) with my iPad and the text reversed out in the Kindle app. The eye strain argument is just a myth. I've watched TV in a dark room for 40 years and never got eyestrain. I'm typing this right now in a dark room on a LED monitor on my Mac and don't have any eyestrain.

Not to mention using the dictionary on the Kindle app on the iPad is infinitely easier do to just touching on a word and BAM the definition comes up...unlike having to cursor down down down....over over over...to the word then look it up in the dictionary as you would on the hardware Kindle.

NOW, having said this. Amazon is probably the company that can actually have a challenger against the iPad with a new Kindle touch screen and the entire Amazon infrastructure to back it up. What I'd like to see is have a dual-layer type Kindle. One with a nice color screen running a hybrid Android OS that Amazon controls and updates and on TOP of that an e-ink screen that transparent most of the time unless you're reading a book. And all of it touch-screen. Not sure the technology is available for something like that yet, but I'd be interested in something similar.

I completely disagree with you, but again that why so many different products are sold. E-ink is amazing. I cannot nor do I want to read books on a LCD screen. The pixels are so visible, the tablet is too heavy for reading, you cannot see the screen outdoors, and it just doesnt feel right. I love my Kindle and I think Amazon will be very successful with their tablet.

I hope Amazon is very successful with this!

[ericinboston]

Originally Posted by Lesser Evets

It's a logical step, but I doubt that Amazon's ability to craft a seductive table will be easy. Apple creates seductive devices that are well-designed and easy to use, making them infinitely more attractive to buyers.

I still like my books on paper. Kindle or iPad, I don't find 7,000+ words very enjoyable on either.

Give me iPad 5 when it all comes together in a powerful package with all the frills.

1)Amazon's only created 1 other hardware device...the Kindle...and it rocks and blows away the iPad for e-reading. Hands down. I have complete faith that they will create a killer tablet (again, it will be version 1.0) to compete with iPad 2.0+. As someone said here, Amazon is not about the hardware...they are focusing on ease of use, design, etc...Apple is not the only company employing humans that can design something nice.

2)You state that "Apple creates seductive devices that are well-designed and easy to use, making them infinitely more attractive to buyers" yet you are waiting for version 5 of the iPad?! Which is it? If it's infinitely attractive, you (or others) wouldn't wait 5 years for version 5.

3)Yes, I agree that version 5 of the iPad will finally have everything (or mostly) what people want...features, price, performance, etc. iPad series/history will mirror the iPod history book of adoption.

[Consultant]

Originally Posted by hexagonheat

Actually... yeah. It is one of Amazon's best selling, if not THE best selling product.

The Kindle App isn't great for reading on LED screens. Once you experience e-ink and read for 2+ hours or in sunlight then you'll understand. Plus battery life that is measured in weeks and not hours is pretty darn great as well as free wireless integration.

Nope, last year Amazon was caught tweaking their top list to exclude competitor products.

How easy can you read Kindle when it's dark? Can Kindle play color videos? Or do more than one of these things?
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1172347

Originally Posted by Small White Car

A company that figured out that what you actually do with a tablet matters more than the hardware specs?

This'll be the first competitor that Apple needs to worry about, I bet.

Apple already beat Amazon in music.

I bet Apple puts in more R&D (and more quality R&D) than Amazon.

[Surely]

Originally Posted by MrSmith

I'm still wondering the same about the iPad. I know people spent their hard earned cash on it, but what the hell anyone uses it for I have no idea.

I just have one for the status. Y'know, to look cool.

I spend hours staring at it, and still can't figure out what to do with it.*

*just in case someone misses it, this post is thick with sarcasm

[kiljoy616]

Originally Posted by VicMacs

dream on...

No one can challenge the perfection of the iPad. I feel like a giddy little girl.

[arkitect]

Originally Posted by Consultant

Can Kindle play color videos? Or do more than one of these things?

Of course not.
That is why there are plans for an Amazon tablet…

[supmango]

Originally Posted by hcho3

4 Million?

Unless they are pricing this thing around 200 dollars to compete with ipad 2, I don't see this happening. What OS will it run on... anyway?

Windows or Android. I can't imagine this will be any more competitive than the Galaxy Tab.

I like the whole e-ink thing. I just don't see how it would be possible to use both e-ink and an LCD quality display in the same device (and keep it small enough to be usable). I think the kindle and the tablet will always appeal to two distinctly different users (or uses).

[someone28624]

Originally Posted by Samuriajackon

Did anyone actually use the Kindle? The only good thing it brought us so far was the Kindle App...which runs on iPhones/iPads/OSX

Yes...pretty much daily.

[designaholic]

Originally Posted by deggs37

Some of you should step outside of your apple bubble every once in a while. It may do you some good to get fresh non-apple controlled air. Yes there is life in electronics outside of the iWorld. People really do buy non apple things. I know, it's a crazy world we live in.

I completely agree with you, but don't forget where we are here - it's not exactly the place for unbiased opinion!

Competition is *always* a good thing. Without a competitive drive, Apple wouldn't even be here.

Good luck to Amazon on this, lets hope they do a better job on the UI than Blackberry have.

[nwcs]

Amazon's tablet will do well for sure. What I'm most interested in is seeing what happens 5 years from now. The market can't support a great deal of fragmentation. What I mean is stuff purchased with one vendor not working on another vendor's wares (I mean digital media, not apps). It really limiting. Even though Apple is in the lead they won't stay that way forever. Some kind of standardization seems inevitable just because of the investment people put in.

[d0minick]

Originally Posted by Samuriajackon

Did anyone actually use the Kindle? The only good thing it brought us so far was the Kindle App...which runs on iPhones/iPads/OSX

I own a iPad and my girl owns a Kindle. The kindle is way better for reading books.

[reactions]

Anyone not like shopping on amazon.com?

Best site ever

[Bernard SG]

What I find most funny about Amazon's tablet is that it's coming to market just a couple weeks after it's raison d'être vanished as Apple relaxed it's AppStore policy (the whole in-app purchases controversy).
Anyway it's a big yawn. Nobody will care outside of the US. It's gonna be a niche product in a niche market.

[nwcs]

Originally Posted by designaholic

Competition is *always* a good thing. Without a competitive drive, Apple wouldn't even be here.

I actually somewhat disagree with that common line of thought. Competition has its place but it also leads to cut corners, over emphasis on function over usability, bad manufacturing processes (environmentally, politically, socially), etc.

Healthy competition is good but most turns very unhealthy very quickly.