Amazon Hits Apple with New 'Three Kindles for the Price of an iPad' Commercial

[Mr. Gates]

The iPad is simply not high enough in Pixel density (yet) to make it comfortable for reading in any great amount of time.

The light pouring into your eyes is another problem however, with the iPad 3 and the higher pixel count, I imagine it will have an acceptable experience with the illusion of real print. It still will not be as good as a Kindle but it will be 1 step closer ...

 

[quickmac]

That's some bad marketing. It's like the funny (but idiotic) Samsung commercial slamming iPhone users.

So I need two devices to do the job of one? And I can buy 2 fires and a kindle for the price of one iPad?

Sure the price is great but there is no way the Kindle Fire is better than the iPad at all the things the iPad can do. I have a 3rd generation kindle and it is exceptional for reading, nothing beats it. But it was about $89 bucks in 2010 and still works great and does one thing well: works as an e-reader.

If I ever have the need for a tablet, it'll be an iPad hands down. If I want to save some coin, I'll buy a previous gen iPad and keep my reading kindle.

It would have been smarter to position the e-reader Kindle as better for reading than the iPad. And had a separate commercial for the Kindle Fire as an affordable device where "each family member could have one and still costs less"

This comes across as "Hey the iPad is the best device but it costs so much, for one iPad you could have 3 of our cheap ass devices."

 

[LordVic]

Personally - if I'm on the beach and/or on vacation - I'm more likely to take my kindle to read then my iPad. Sure it's easier to read in the sunlight. But more importantly - if something happens to my kindle (sand/theft/etc) I'm out a lot less than if I brought my iPad.

But it also depends on what I want to do while on vacation. If I want/need to do higher level computing (email, etc) - then I would bring the iPad.

I think this is spot on.

It's a trend of late to try and make a single device to try and accomplish the entire world of possibilities.

In a lot of cases this makes sense and is what we want.

But it's not always the case. Too many of us buy thinking that the one device will bee all we ever will need. We attach to it, and we stick by that decision.

Meanwhile, that single device might do everything, doesn't necessarily do everything the best, Where a single purpose device entirely intended for one task, often does that task better than a multipurpose device.

That is what Kindle i think is pointing at. Why buy a single Ipad3 that does everything just "ok". When you can buy a Kindle E-reader, and a kindle fire, for less, and get all the same basic functions, But have a couple devices with more specific functions that do those specific functions "better"

 

[Renzatic]

Nah she's way too tight to be a MILF.

Unless she's had a killer botox job.

Having a baby doesn't completely ruin a woman's body, man. My ex for instance, her hips are a little wider, but that's really more a physical improvement than anything. Curves are always nice. Other than that, she looks exactly like she did before she had her baby.

 

[babyj]

Whilst I'm sure Amazon and Samsung have done their homework, I can't help but think the ads backfire to a degree and end up promoting the Apple devices to a lot of people.

If people queue up for something (i.e. new Apple devices) then most other people will take notice and think it must be for something special, why else would they queue up? They'd also be asking why people aren't queuing up for the other company's product if they're that good. All of which just reinforces that the Apple device is something special and the one to go for.

Similar with the price point. If something costs three times as much most people will think they're being ripped off or that the product is a lot better. A simple in store comparison will show them the differences and arguably that the Apple device is superior. Added on to which are the sales figures that Apple have which are pretty common knowledge - if something is vastly more expensive but still the most popular then most will think there must be a good reason for it.

Surprised Amazon don't focus on their real selling points, the Kindle is the best book reader (for novels) and the Kindle Fire is a cheap way to access all the Amazon media and especially watch video on the move. Though it's interesting that whilst Amazon see the Fire as a direct competitor to the iPad, Apple don't - think Apple are right on that one.

I love my iPad but can see me getting a Fire as well if they provide the same Amazon Prime benefits in the UK.

 

[SockRolid]

You mention Apple, you lose.

The "Kindles are cheap" ad makes several mistakes:

1. Devalues Kindle Fire by reinforcing its cheap-iPad-wannabe image
2. Helps Apple by simply showing an iPad as the competition
3. Positions Kindle Fire as the "padlet for MILFs"

The ad also hurts Android in general by announcing that the "race to the bottom" is over.
Amazon pushed themselves off the low price cliff first.

Splat.


.

 

[gadget123]

The best tablet on the market vs three cheap mid entry models?

You get what you pay for. I would rather have an Ipad 1 than any of these cheaper tablets. I think the second hand market would tempt people away from these sorts of tablets.

 

[gotluck]

oh have mercy on your souls

different strokes for different folks...

there's certainly a market for amazon's products

 

[LordVic]

The best tablet on the market vs three cheap mid entry models?

You get what you pay for. I would rather have an Ipad 1 than any of these cheaper tablets. I think the second hand market would tempt people away from these sorts of tablets.

Why do you call it "the best tablet on the market".

hardware wise, the Ipad2 isn't anything remarkable compared to whats being launched today from the other makers.

Spec wise, it's very similar in features and functions.

Design wise, it's purely subjective to personal opinion on whether you like the design or not (I personally love it).

Why it's so popular is a mixture of Apple's marketting ability, Industrial design, and the application ecosystem, which is arguably the largest, and fwas the first to do it.

but to say it's "Better" is pretty silly. I would argue the Playbook is a better tablet. its hardware is on par, it's industrial design is also sexy as hell. (i'm purposely ignoring the lack of applications for arguments sake)

But, judging by the fact you consider Kindle to have 3 models of tablets, shows you have little understanding of what Kindle actual does have and sell and how it stacks up and compares to Apple. Kindle has 1 tablet. E-readers are not tablets.

 

[Apple Key]

oh have mercy on your souls

different strokes for different folks...

there's certainly a market for amazon's products

Just like there was a market for the Zune...

 

[AustinIllini]

I like traveling light. I could not imagine having to go through the TSA checkpoint with a laptop plus 3 Kindles. I will stay with the iPad ( wait - I don't have one yet for personal use). Will be getting my first iPad for personal use with iPad 3. Sorry Android - but I prefer the stable and more elegant solution.

It's like a blast back to when you had to carry CDs around. Yes, get 3 kindles, and take a step backwards

 

[*LTD*]

The "Kindles are cheap" ad makes several mistakes:

1. Devalues Kindle Fire by reinforcing its cheap-iPad-wannabe image
2. Helps Apple by simply showing an iPad as the competition
3. Positions Kindle Fire as the "padlet for MILFs"

The ad also hurts Android in general by announcing that the "race to the bottom" is over.
Amazon pushed themselves off the low price cliff first.

Splat.


.

Very lucid. Thank you. The MilfPad, however, is an interesting idea.

 

[fenderbass146]

No, the fact that Range Rovers are bad trucks with poor reliability makes the Kia Rio a better car.

You could have picked a better comparison, like a Honda Ridgeline or Toyota Sequoia.

hahaha.... wow your a fool. Granted Honda and Toyota have fantastic reliablity. I own a 2005 Tacoma with 130,000 still going strong, but a real range rover...not the sport. Is one of the greatest SUV you can buy.

 

[C. Alan]

Having 3 devices is not very apealling to me. I'd rather have one that did all those functions. So I own an Ipad.

 

[samcraig]

I think this is spot on.

It's a trend of late to try and make a single device to try and accomplish the entire world of possibilities.

In a lot of cases this makes sense and is what we want.

Apple still sells tons of JUST ipods. Clearly these people get the iPod Touch instead. What are they thinking?! Don't they know they can play music AND so much more with an iPod Touch than with a shuffle (for example).

There's diversity in products within Apple's line. So why the criticisms when the diversity comes from outside Apple.

Different strokes for different folks. Like I said originally - not everyone wants/needs everything the iPad can do nor do they want to spend what it costs for an iPad when a Kindle Fire (for example) will do for their needs just fine. Why spend more just for the sake of spending more if you don't need it.

"Better" is subjective. Everyone has their own use cases. Amazon knows this. They built a product that is for that market. And that's how they're advertising their product.

 

[gotluck]

Just like there was a market for the Zune...

no, not really... i'd equate it moreso to - just like there is a market for low end pc's

for the price, it is hard to justify buying the ipad for some - especially light users
me, im glad i got the 32gb hp touchpad for $150 from the firesale - its pretty slick with CM9 ICS

 

[Swift]

This commercial made me want a Kindle (Fire)... Samsung's SB commercial made me want to burn their HQ to the ground with Fire.

Great point. You can make a commercial disparaging your rival, but you'd better be very focused, have a sense of humor, show a bikini babe and say, at the end, that, she isn't for you, iPad users. Just for Amazon customers. She'd like you, not that fancy-shmancy Apple guy. (That's the psychological message of the last lines, no?)

One little point that was interesting? She had to gesture "inside," into her fancy cabaña, to show the kids on that damn shiny screen. Because talking point #1 is, Kindle can be read in the sunlight! (I don't like reading a BOOK in the sunlight, by the way, so I don't much care. Reading is an inside sport, or at least in the cool shade.)

Samsung's have the kind of message that won't budge a soul in the iPhone wars. "The buyers of the other product are like a cult, man! Snobs! The iPhone is for snobs!" I guess that's why Samsung and Google are doing their best to copy it. And using what THEY think of as a "reality distortion field."

I think they need to actually expand their audience by showing us what it does. "It isn't Apple" only gets you some fervent believers you see in the comments sections, but they've got them already.

Everybody uses the Mac-PC ads. But they were actually good-humored and the PC was played by a comic genius, Hodgman. You make funny points like that, there's not many hard feelings. You're not making fun of USERS.

 

[BaldiMac]

But ultimately - the state SHOULD be netting the same in taxes. The fact they don't is more about individuals bucking the system than Amazon.

Again - I am not saying the model is good. Just replying on top of the poster who implied that Amazon is taking money out of state's pockets.

My comment had nothing to do with Amazon taking money out of the state's pockets. It was about the competitive advantage that Amazon has over local businesses.

To your point, it's being a little naive to think that Amazon's business doesn't cost the state tax money, regardless of who is ultimately responsible. There's a reason that businesses collect sales tax rather than let consumers pay on their own in the way they are supposed to with Amazon.

As to the original point that we both referenced by vrDrew, I think it was a fair criticism, even if I don't have the same convictions. Amazon has an unfair advantage over local business that it is leveraging at minimal margins that will put many of the local businesses out of business. That's not a good thing.

 

[davys]

Having a baby doesn't completely ruin a woman's body, man. My ex for instance, her hips are a little wider, but that's really more a physical improvement than anything. Curves are always nice. Other than that, she looks exactly like she did before she had her baby.

Good for her, but sometimes they end up with a vag like a wizard's sleeve.

 

[samcraig]

Having 3 devices is not very apealling to me. I'd rather have one that did all those functions. So I own an Ipad.

People keep posting statements like this. Missing the point entirely. No one (not even Amazon) is trying to tell you that you should buy 3 devices.

They are saying - that for families or budget minded individuals that you don't have to spend the money on an iPad - there are options. If you're buying an iPad to e-read - there's the kindle. And if you want to eread AND email, watch movies and surf the next - there's the fire. And you can buy one or more devices for your family and still be less than an iPad.

Is this really such a hard concept for some of you? To repeat - Amazon is not trying to sell you on having to carry THREE devices.

 

[BaldiMac]

Why do you call it "the best tablet on the market".

hardware wise, the Ipad2 isn't anything remarkable compared to whats being launched today from the other makers.

Spec wise, it's very similar in features and functions.

Design wise, it's purely subjective to personal opinion on whether you like the design or not (I personally love it).

Why it's so popular is a mixture of Apple's marketting ability, Industrial design, and the application ecosystem, which is arguably the largest, and fwas the first to do it.

but to say it's "Better" is pretty silly. I would argue the Playbook is a better tablet. its hardware is on par, it's industrial design is also sexy as hell. (i'm purposely ignoring the lack of applications for arguments sake)

But, judging by the fact you consider Kindle to have 3 models of tablets, shows you have little understanding of what Kindle actual does have and sell and how it stacks up and compares to Apple. Kindle has 1 tablet. E-readers are not tablets.

It's amazing to me how someone can go on a rant like this and completely ignore iOS.

 

[rei101]

Finally somebody gets the real point of this ad.

Let's get right to the brass tacks - a product called the FIRE, a bikini clad babe all oiled up accenting the voluptuous, sexy contours of her body...in all honesty nobody watching this commercial is seriously weighing the virtues of the Kindle FIRE (as in, you know, fire down below) and the iPad.

Guess Amazon nixed taking the high road here. What this commercial is pandering to is pretty blatant and it's an obvious stark contrast to the approach taken in the iPad commercials (what we believe) which are intended to resonate on an emotional level.

Seriously, Apple would never go with this kind of schlock in it's advertising because there's no need to.

Maybe because I am a Creative Producer for 3 TV channels and I get the point right away. Sex sells and that "mom" is very hot and sweet while the guy is really dump. They are linking the sex appeal (and some other values) with each product.

I do the same, when editing a promo we always use a sexy scene just before our channel logo, is mandatory.

Besides, the iPad is basically a computer itself, the kiddle is not.

 

[2IS]

Who wouldn't want a Kindle for each bathroom mounted next to the can for the price of one iPad?

Not a bad idea!

 

[tyson12zoll]

Amazon better hope people are hanging out at pools all year...

 

[highdough]

Yeah, and I could buy like 3 Kia Rios for the price of a single Range Rover. That totally makes the Kia Rio a superior car, right you guys?

KIA makes really good cars now...especially the new Rio, Sportage, Optima, and Sorento.

You would have done better to compare it to a Yugo.

We bought the Kia Rondo a few years ago because it was one of the few non-mini vans that had 6+ seats- at that time the only other option was the Mazda 5. For the same price as the base model Mazda 5, we got the premium model with air conditioning, heated leather seats, a sun roof etc. We've been extremely happy.