Amazon Set to Step Up as Next iPad Competitor

[MacRumors]

DigiTimes reports that Amazon is set to launch its own tablet device within the next few months, adding yet another iPad competitor to the mix, but one with the ability to deliver significant media integration due to its existing businesses in the music and video markets. According to the report, Amazon is trying to bring the device to market well ahead of the holiday sales rush and will be shooting for aggressive shipments of 700,000-800,000 units per month with a goal of selling four million units before the end of the year.

The timing of launch is to meet the peak sales period prior to Thanksgiving in the US and the year-end holidays in the US and Europe, the sources pointed out.

Amazon adopts processors developed by Texas Instruments, with Taiwan-based Wintek to supply touch panels, ILI Technology to supply LCD driver ICs and Quanta Computer responsible for assembly, the sources indicated.

The report specifically mentions that Amazon will integrate streaming movie services with the new tablet, although the company's new Cloud Player for music should also make it simple for tablet owners to listen to their music on the device. It is unknown what platform Amazon will use for its tablet, but most observers presume that the device will be based on Android considering Amazon's existing offerings for the platform such as its Appstore for Android.

While competitors have been slow to react to the iPad's success and even in aggregate have still been unable to dethrone Apple's tablet from its dominant market position, new tablets are now appearing on a regular basis with most of the major computer and electronics players staking out their positions. And like Amazon, other companies such as HP are doing what they can to duplicate portions of Apple's integrated iOS ecosystem by moving to cloud-based media services that will allow music and other content to be easily accessed across devices.

Article Link: Amazon Set to Step Up as Next iPad Competitor

 

[VicMacs]

dream on...

 

[deadlystriker]

Wonder what they will come up with.

 

[Samuriajackon]

dream on...

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

 

[xUKHCx]

App store - check
Online Music store - check
Kindle books store - check
Cloud - check


The only thing missing really is the hardware and they are good to go.

They have built up the ecosystem before the device rather than other companies building the devices and slowly building the ecosystem.

It is an obvious step for Amazon.

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

The Kindle is a steallar reading device. Great at what it was designed to do.

I bought one about a month and a half ago for my fiancee and the screen still amazes me.

 

[hexagonheat]

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

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.

 

[mixel]

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 know loads of people with Kindles. People who usually read a lot of books and hate it on a backlit screen.

if Amazon could do a tablet that lets you somehow switch between e-ink and nice lcd type thing then I can see there being a market.. if it's just another iPad me-too device i don't see it doing well at all.

 

[the-oz-man]

I'll be curious if Amazon can even produce that many tablets (let alone sell that many) thanks to Apple buying up contracts on virtually all touch display manufactures.

 

[arkitect]

dream on...

Don't be too sure.

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

The Kindle is doing very well. Granted it is not as hyped up as the iPad but it has a solid user base.

If Amazon get into this market it will only be a good thing.

 

[HarryKeogh]

This will be the best-selling tablet after the iPad. Huge customer base, loads of happy Kindle-users, great company reputation, they have the essentials in place as xUKHCx already mentioned.

Yep, this will be big. iPad big? Doubtful. But it will be successful as long as the hardware doesn't blow.

 

[jmcrutch]

Well, this tablet will likely loose some of what people LOVE their Kindles for, which is the e-ink and how light weight it is.

Nevertheless, the stock market will drool over this, likely sending AMZN's multiple over 100. Whatever Wall street.

 

[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?

 

[ericinboston]

Did anyone actually use the Kindle

You're joking, right? The Kindle is HUGELY successful. And no, it does not compete against the iPad unless you only compare 1 single feature: reading a book (not a website...not a magazine...not an email...etc)

 

[tCruzin4lyfe]

Not interested, it will be like all the rest of the competitors.

 

[Jerome Morrow]

App store - check
Online Music store - check
Kindle books store - check
Cloud - check

Looks good on a sheet of paper yes, but when it will come down to actual devices and making everything fit together i don't think it will be that easy to add a check like you just did.

 

[Surreal]

Awesome News if it means a lower price for the DX!

 

[OddyOh]

O Canada

Oh good, another US-only device tied to US-only services.

 

[Arcus]

dream on...

HA HA DR checking in.

Amazon has a massive distribution channel and advertising cache. If anyone can crush the iTampon its Amazon.

 

[Arcus]

Oh good, another US-only device tied to US-only services.

Canada cant innovate?

 

[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.

 

[ctdonath]

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

 

[benpatient]

you can tell easily who has used a kindle and who hasn't just by their comments here.

it's my favorite new device in the last 4-5 years. I use my kindle much more often than I use my ipod these days.

In fact, we might be getting another one, because my wife and I keep fighting over it.

The kindle isn't really an ipad competitor. And the ipad isn't a kindle competitor.

This new device should be interesting.

And yes, it will run on Android. If they work out some kind of limited free 3G/4G thing like the Kindle has, they could actually make a dent.

I regularly use the Kindle's free 3G browser on road trips, since we refuse to pay 100/month for a cell phone w/data plan.

The next kindle will probably be $99, with better features all across the line. This tablet of theirs will probably be $299

 

[MrSmith]

Did anyone actually use the Kindle?

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.

 

[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.

 

[Themaeds]

Oh good, another US-only device tied to US-only services.

Canada needs every portal to email they can get...they cant get regular mail. I kid, I kid