Amazon Introduces 8.9-Inch and 7-Inch Kindle Fire HD at $299 and $199, Updated Kindle Fire Drops to $159

[MacRumors]

With Apple expected to introduce its "iPad mini" next month, observers are closely watching what other companies are doing in the smaller tablet space, and a media event today Amazon has shown its hand with a new line of Kindle products headlined by a new 8.9-inch Kindle Fire HD tablet with 1920x1200 display.

As noted by The Verge, the Android-based Kindle Fire HD includes stereo speakers with Dolby Digital Plus support, dual Wi-Fi antennas for better performance The Kindle Fire software has also been enhanced with new Whispersync technology for saving and syncing game and audiobook progress, as well as new parental controls, third-party apps such as Facebook and Skype, and an IMDB partnership for displaying cast and production info on movies as they're being shown.

The standard 8.9-inch Kindle Fire HD is priced at $299 with 16 GB, but Amazon is also offering a $499 Kindle Fire HD with 4G LTE model that bumps storage to 32 GB. The LTE model comes with a data package costing $49.99 per year that offers 250 MB per month of data, 20 GB of cloud storage, and a $10 Amazon Appstore credit. Both models ship on November 20. Amazon is also introducing a 7-inch 16 GB Kindle Fire HD for $199 that begins shipping on September 14, but details on differences from the 8.9-inch model such as screen resolution are not yet clear.

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos introducing new Kindle Fire lineup​

Amazon has also introduced an updated original Kindle Fire. The Verge notes that the 7-inch Android tablet has been updated with a new processor, more RAM, and increased battery life. The updates also come with a significant price drop to $159, down from the current $199. The new Kindle Fire begins shipping on September 14.

Finally, Amazon offered updates to its more traditional Kindle lineup, dropping the entry-level Kindle price to just $69 while introducing its new Kindle Paperwhite, as detailed by TechCrunch. The Kindle Paperwhite, which will be available October 1 at $119 for the standard model and $179 for the 3G model with free cellular access, includes frontlighting while still boasting an 8-week battery life.

Update 12:58 PM: Amazon's Kindle Fire HD press release clarifies that the resolution on the 7-inch model is 1280x800.

Article Link: Amazon Introduces 8.9-Inch and 7-Inch Kindle Fire HD at $299 and $199, Updated Kindle Fire Drops to $159

 

[gmanist1000]

I'd love to get my hands on one and compare it to the iPad and Nexus 7.

 

[samcraig]

I'd love to get my hands on one and compare it to the iPad.

It's going to sell very very well. And dare I say - as great as the iPad mini might be - unless it's also 299 - Apple will have missed the boat.

 

[iPusch]

Since I got an aluminum iPad, I am kinda disinterested in those plastic things ;(

 

[nuckinfutz]

I'm not wasting my money on any Amazon crap

 

[Adidas Addict]

They didn't even bother to launch the old one in the UK

 

[jroadley]

And yet again Amazon can't seem to sell these things outside of the US

 

[iapplelove]

just wait till the iPad mini,if it's anything like big brother it's a game changer

 

[dgree03]

And BOOOM goes the Dynamite! Amazon is taking no prisoners...

 

[kmccown]

Kindle Fire HD

Nah, I'll keep my iPad.

 

[jasheeky]

iPad Mini will look weak if it only has 1024x768 display resolution.

 

[MasterHowl]

Wow, that looks pretty impressive!

Apple have got their work cut out now getting the price down on the "iPad mini" to beat this... but then again, competition can only be a good thing!

 

[verniesgarden]

I think amazon just stole the tablet market.

 

[Yr Blues]

competition! i can't wait to test one. probably still go with an iPad mini, though. but still! you rock, Amazon.

 

[ChazUK]

I wouldn't mind if the Fire HD hit Europe before Christmas myself. If the Android development community jump on it it'll make it an even more attractive purchase.

Amazon easily had the best announcements compared to Nokia and Motorola this week. Roll on the 12th to see the next phase of announcements from Apple.

 

[milbournosphere]

The new kindle (e-ink) looks slick, can't wait to order one...the screen just went out on my kindle 1.

 

[idkmybffjon]

Did amazon just unveil the kindle paperweight?

 

[jrswizzle]

It's freakin awesome that all these tablet/smartphone makers are trying to one up each other. I personally love the competition in the tablet market especially. The dominance of the iPad is causing other makers to do drastic things which in turn results in amazing (and many times different) tech at various prices.

The Fire HD looks pretty sweet. If Gizmodo's drooling on their liveblog was any indication, it'll probably add to its total marketshare barring something REALLY crazy from the iPad mini.

 

[mariocapo]

Gotta give Amazon a lot of credit. They took a lot of great pages out of the Apple playbook when it comes to ecosystem, hardware/software integration and product presentations. The Fire HD with 4G, 32GB internal storage, 200GB cloud storage and $50/year data plan is pretty mind-blowing for $499. Wow! I should add, while still putting their own innovative twists on their products in both hardware and software. Nice to see some companies can compete without cloning.

 

[blevins321]

Hmm. Might have to upgrade the Ol' $79 Kindle to the new frontlit one. Then I can really use it anywhere.

Definitely don't see a new Fire replacing my iPad 3 ever. But I wonder how it compares to the Nexus 7. Just got my mom one last week so that we can Skype since I've moved. Didn't see it while skimming - either Fire have a front camera? If not, there goes that comparison.

 

[Earendil]

I'm glad to see some other solid players in the tablet market. It's yet to be seen whether the quality is on par with the iPad, or if they will sell, but from the tech specs and what we known of the old ones it looks like it should make Apple just nervous enough to try harder. And trying harder on the iPad is great for me

 

[Rizzm]

Apple seems to be seriously falling behind in hardware offerings on mobile products. They need to pick things up and/or drop prices for sure.

 

[applesith]

iPad could definitely use better speakers. I'll give that as a good +1 to Amazon.

 

[Anti-Lucifer]

wow, just wow. 1920x1200; and apple is going to release the ipad mini with 1024x768???

LOL. Sad.

 

[Allenbf]

$50 says we see a major iPad Mini leak within a day or so