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

[sk1wbw]

But if that pony costs significantly less money, does its one trick arguably better than any other animal, and everyone in the family can have their own, then that in itself presents a very high value to some people especially if all they need that pony to do is that one trick and do it exceptionally well.

Yeah it does, but if you want to do more one of these days, you'll have to buy more ponies. Just get the thoroughbred and do more.

 

[Gregintosh]

Everyone has to play to their strengths. Amazon's is price not quality, so they will emphasize that.

What do you expect? A Commercial that says "we are a crappier alternative to the iPad and a much worse value... screw our crappy products, buy iPads" is probably what the Apple fan boys would like to see come out of Amazon but thats just not realistic.

While the iPad is the best tablet in terms of customer experience (due to its quality, ecosystem, features, etc.) the Kindle is the cheapest tablet that can still accomplish some things.

I tried out the Kindle Fire and it blew chunks compared to my iPad so I sent it back. But I can see how someone who wants to watch movies, listen to music, play angry birds, and occasionally surf the net would enjoy it if they weren't willing to shell out $500.

$199 is a great price point that many people who normally may not want a tablet at all would be willing to risk to see if a tablet could be at least marginally useful in their lives.

$500 is a big investment unless you already know what you want and that you will get your money worth.

Maybe campaigns like this will also get Apple to think about how to make their products cheaper. Perhaps we will see a $299 or $399 iPad soon, and if we do it will be thanks to the price pressure from players like Amazon.

The more success Amazon gets, the more likely we will see prices come down on Apple products too. Its a win win.

 

[Keebler]

I just wish Apple would have a 2 or 3 month sale on the ipad 2 once 3 comes out. sure, it would maybe cannabilize the ipad 3 sales, but if they had a firesale on the ipad, it would DESTROY amazon and any other competitor.

I mean, Apple's already destroying them, but it would be the great final step in squashing the competition imho.

I may be wrong...it's just my opinion, but I see an ad like this and I think if I were Apple, I'd turn the tide on Amazon and have that sale which would just crush them. "You wanna play with the big boys, bring it on. "

Don't get me wrong, I think the Kindle and fire are good for what they are, but I thought Amazon had already indicated they weren't the same device as the ipad so they didn't want to compete.
This ad seems to say otherwise.

On the other hand, it's great for competition b/c i'm sure the Apple ego will make them continue to better their products.

I know I'm probably going to sell my ipad 1 and buy the 3 if it's out when i'm in the US in March. I just happened to be there last year when my wife got her ipad 2 (she uses it for work, mine is partially for work and partially for entertainment).

Cheers,
Keebler

 

[Sebct]

So cheap I can use 'em to wipe my arse.

 

[MordechaiCarver]

What's wrong with focused ads? Surely you've seen tampon commercials and didn't think twice about it and just moved on? What's so different here?

I've got no problem with focused ads. I'm just saying we (myself included) should take the message with a grain of salt. Sure, the iPad is a better all-in-one, but maybe Amazon didn't intend the ad for single people.

 

[Genetheninja]

Well, I for one prefer reading on my iPad 2. It has a bigger screen and I can read at night without using a lamp. I've never has an issue using iBooks, it's actually better in my opinion.
I really don't read outside in direct sunlight all that often. When I'm outside I'm *gasp* enjoying the outdoors... not reading...

Looking for a reader for my kids though I'd choose one of the cheaper ones I guess.

 

[samcraig]

I just wish Apple would have a 2 or 3 month sale on the ipad 2 once 3 comes out. sure, it would maybe cannabilize the ipad 3 sales, but if they had a firesale on the ipad, it would DESTROY amazon and any other competitor.

I mean, Apple's already destroying them, but it would be the great final step in squashing the competition imho.

Why so angry? Why does Amazon needs to be crushed or DESTROYED.

Apple isn't hurting for sales. You can sleep at night.

 

[Lesser Evets]

That's an AWFUL way to sell something like a computer. Toilet paper/crackers/tampons/cooking oil--yes. Fine electronics--no.

3 Chevy Volts are still cheaper than a top-end Ferrari!

Wooo! Let's buy the Volt!

 

[Apple Key]

Except I never knew a single person with a zune. I know more people with Kindles than iPads.

Give me apple any day but there is no denying the kindle is extremely popular.

It definitely is more popular than the Zune was. But unfortunately I knew a couple people who had one.

I do see a lot of people with Kindles.

I don't agree with the people who state their reasoning for purchasing a Kindle is because it's much less devastating if something happened to it though. That's just plain ridiculous.

 

[StrudelTurnover]

It's never good to bring up your competitor in a product. Apple's advertising (which is amongst the best in the biz) focuses on what you can do with your product which neatly avoids the sort of trash that Samsung and now Amazon are resorting to.

What.. in... the hell... are you talking about? Is your memory really that short?
Mac vs. PC: Windows Vista http://youtu.be/FxOIebkmrqs

On other news, three napkins are still less than one Kindle

Can't watch movies on a napkin. Not suitable for flipbooks. Gotta buy a pad of paper.

One word: MILF

Dude, c'mon.
That's four words.

 

[samcraig]

That's an AWFUL way to sell something like a computer. Toilet paper/crackers/tampons/cooking oil--yes. Fine electronics--no.

3 Chevy Volts are still cheaper than a top-end Ferrari!

Wooo! Let's buy the Volt!

Please read... because apparently you're one of the people who either missed this post or is missing the point...

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.

 

[nuckinfutz]

So you think that when marketing a product, they should tell you everything. I can just see McDonald's ads, now. Sure, they'll make you fat and they're horribly bad for you, but our hamburgers are so cheap because the quality of food is subpar!

Really? You're complaining because Amazon left out things in order to make their product more appealing? Do you think Apple should admit on their iPad commercials that it can't run flash and the reflective screen can often inhibit viewing? Or that there's still no way to filter junk mail in the mail app?

Why are people so unable to look at this ad objectively?

It's never good to bring up your competitor in a product. Apple's advertising (which is amongst the best in the biz) focuses on what you can do with your product which neatly avoids the sort of trash that Samsung and now Amazon are resorting to.

If you're going to bring up your competitor then you better damn well to avoid manipulating people. Macdonalds puts their nutritional information for all to see. Eat at your own risk.

All Amazon has done here is engaged in trashy braggadocio.

Apple did that as well recently with the "Well you don't have an iPhone" add and wised up and canned the add.

People need to expect more than moronic advertisements laced with half truths.

 

[Lara F]

A lot of people are going to be disappointed after seeing that ad and try and Play Words with Friends at the beach and can not because you can only play with a network connection and the Fire does not have 3G. Hope there is WiFi at the beach.

And the cheapest 3G iPad costs *three* times as much on top of AT&T/Verizon fees. Yeah, that's real comparable.

It's amazing how posters here just don't get that not everyone can afford iPads and certainly not for *every member* of the family which is what Amazon is specifically pointing out the Kindle makes possible.

 

[AndyDiamond]

I'll be bringing my three Kindles, my Blackberry/Droid, my digital camera and all their chargers and accessories on holiday with me.

YEAH, RIGHT!

 

[samcraig]

It's never good to bring up your competitor in a product. Apple's advertising (which is amongst the best in the biz) focuses on what you can do with your product which neatly avoids the sort of trash that Samsung and now Amazon are resorting to.

You missed the 90s - didn't you?

 

[Renzatic]

That's an AWFUL way to sell something like a computer. Toilet paper/crackers/tampons/cooking oil--yes. Fine electronics--no.

3 Chevy Volts are still cheaper than a top-end Ferrari!

Wooo! Let's buy the Volt!

Obviously you don't get it.

Hot mom has two kids who want a device that lets them play games and watch movies on the go. You've got the iPad starting $499, or the Kindle Fire for $199. Will these kids be scouring the App Store for productivity apps? Office apps? Other miscellaneous items of similar use? No. They just want something to watch stuff on, and maybe talk to their friends over Twitter. For that, the $199 Fire offers up roughly the same experience as the iPad.

Hot mom thinks the same thing. She doesn't need all that extra stuff. Getting three fires for $600, one for her and her two kids, makes more sense than spending $500 for one iPad that does more than she'll ever use it for.

And that's the point of this commercial. Not OLOL CHEAP CAR IS CHEAPER THAN EXPENSIVE CAR LETS BUY CHEAP CAR CUZ WE'RE POOR WHITE TRASH!

 

[Akack]

Funny ad, and hot milf in the commercial.

 

[trrosen]

Just a giant CC

It's amazing how posters here just don't get that not everyone can afford iPads and certainly not for *every member* of the family which is what Amazon is specifically pointing out the Kindle makes possible.

Yeah because responsable parent are going to let there kids have a 7inch credit card hard wired into Amazon. The Fire is a one person device you don't dare share it with anyone. The Kindle is a one trick pony good for reading in bright light but substandard or unusable for anything else.

 

[robeddie]

You missed the 90s - didn't you?

It's done all the time.

True, when you're the market leader, like Apple is, it's common practice to NOT mention others.

***But for those who are trying to unseat the leader - it's a common practice to mention the leader.

Look at any political race. When Mitt Romney looked like the clear favorite a few weeks back, he wasn't talking about anyone in the Republican field and instead was focusing on the general election. Once it was clear he was no longer clearly winning, he went back to attacking his republican opponents (as they were attacking him).

 

[LordVic]

You missed the 90s - didn't you?

I swear istill saw the "mac vs PC" commercials up to about last year as well!

Apple is no stranger to taking pot shots at their competitors. Especially when they were at the bottom of the heap for business and market share.

Their entire campaign to bring Mac's to the forefront was attacking Windows PC's. they spent years running the same damn campaign. Once Apple switched to x86 architecture, a commercial break didnt go by without Apple v Pc dude on your television

Adn Seriously. Who can forget the 1984 superbowl commercial which implied using IBM was brainwashed facism (Funny how nearly 30 years later, the tables have turned)

 

[TheMacBookPro]

The Volt/Ferrari analogy is wrong. Other than having four wheels, they have no relevance.

A better car analogy would be 'rather than getting a Lexus LX for the entire family, let's get two Civics- one for each kid- and a CR-V for the same price!'.

Those kids don't look like they have driver's licenses yet though, so the car analogy is probably a poor idea for this case

 

[robeddie]

apple is no stranger to taking pot shots at their competitors. Especially when they were at the bottom of the heap for business and market share.

Adn seriously. Who can forget the 1984 superbowl commercial which implied using microsoft was brainwashed facism (funny how nearly 30 years later, the tables have turned)

+11

 

[samcraig]

I swear istill saw the "mac vs PC" commercials up to about last year as well!

Apple is no stranger to taking pot shots at their competitors. Especially when they were at the bottom of the heap for business and market share.

Their entire campaign to bring Mac's to the forefront was attacking Windows PC's. they spent years running the same damn campaign. Once Apple switched to x86 architecture, a commercial break didnt go by without Apple v Pc dude on your television

Adn Seriously. Who can forget the 1984 superbowl commercial which implied using Microsoft was brainwashed facism (Funny how nearly 30 years later, the tables have turned)

The phrase "falling on deaf ears" seems very appropriate.

 

[Renzatic]

Yeah because responsable parent are going to let there kids have a 7inch credit card hard wired into Amazon. The Fire is a one person device you don't dare share it with anyone.

Yeah, but having a 10 inch credit card wired into the app store is an ENTIRELY different situation altogether. Cuz, you know, you like the iPad. That makes it different.

Lame, lame argument.

 

[NT1440]

Adn Seriously. Who can forget the 1984 superbowl commercial which implied using Microsoft was brainwashed facism (Funny how nearly 30 years later, the tables have turned)

*facepalm*

That was IBM.....