Amazon Media Event Set for September 28th, Tablet Announcement Expected

[wovel]

if it's really that cheap and focussed on usability then it's difinitely worth a try. apple caters more to the high price toy market.

if the amazon tablet would come with a stylus, supports a few useful apps, has a useful file system and allows to transfer files via usb then I can see getting one isted of upgrading my iPad.

I have no problems dropping $829 on an iPad3. But with it's limited usability and locked down file system I just don't know what to do with it beyond watching videos and similar media consumption stuff.

A stylus, seriously? This is going to be an almost pure consumption device. That is why the homescreen is a carousel of media. That is why it support two-finger capicitive touch instead of ten. I believe Amazon is aiming more at the Nook color than the iPad.

I use my iPad for lots of things. I write about 50 emails a day on it. I use it for presentations a couple times a day. I take extensive notes on it all the time. I create contracts and SOWs in pages all the time.

I also play a lot of games I don't do these things on the iPad because I am trying to prove some point about its usability, I do them because they are easier and/or more convenient on the ipad.

The best part about this new tablet from Amazon is that it will count as an Android tablet. It wont run Android tablet apps. It wont use the Android market place. Put they will be happy to pad the numbers any way they can.

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It took me about an hour to learn all the features of my phone from never using one for more than a few minutes in my entire life.

People either do not care or they are poorly educated and ignorant. The world is a terrible place and I keep hearing the optimists go on how iPads and iOS is some how engendering some future with technology in our lives. I see a fake "individualized" corporate relation direct to my doorstop and the usual dumbing down of society 2.0.

Time to cull CS majors from that but it is all about the dollar at the end of the day under all the gloss and shiny. I'll keep volunteering in my community and voting against such invasions.

I may just be an idiot, but did you express a point. I am being completely sincere. I feel like you keep leading up to something and then stop before you get to the point. Like an old burlesque show, we know something is there, but we never get to actually see it. I might be interested in what you were saying, I actually can't tell.

 

[KingCrimson]

I use my iPad for lots of things. I write about 50 emails a day on it. I use it for presentations a couple times a day. I take extensive notes on it all the time. I create contracts and SOWs in pages all the time.

That's nice that you can find such a full use for the iPad, but I guarantee you that 95% of people bought as strict media-consumption device and will easily hop over to another tablet if it gives them better value for that function.

 

[MacinDoc]

This is a great observation and I completely agree.

Amazon has systematically set themselves up to be major players in several budding areas (streaming video, cloud services, etc.) and this tablet, being essentially a "glorified shopping trolley" will only further bolster that and put Amazon's service(s) in the "hands" of the masses. Pretty impressive by Amazon

It really amounts to great marketing, the ultimate answer to the question, "How can we make it easier for consumers to buy our products?".

 

[Surf Monkey]

That's nice that you can find such a full use for the iPad, but I guarantee you that 95% of people bought as strict media-consumption device and will easily hop over to another tablet if it gives them better value for that function.

The notion that iPad is a media consumption device and not a content creation one is absurd. I do both on mine all the time.

Bottom line: the Amazon tab is not going to compete with iPad. It's competing with the Nook.

 

[KingCrimson]

The notion that iPad is a media consumption device and not a content creation one is absurd. I do both on mine all the time.

Bottom line: the Amazon tab is not going to compete with iPad. It's competing with the Nook.

IT's absurd that you *can* do some content-creation on an iPad that it's more efficient then on a desktop or that most people do that. But keep the delusion!

 

[Savor]

It is almost fool-proof that this Amazon tablet will sell very well being that it will cater to the more budget conscious audience, there is no real competition from others out there this year other than Apple, and it will be released in a time when most people will be splurging for others or for themselves. By Cyber Monday, the first thing people will see when opening up Amazon.com is an ad of their new tablet. Not hard to get to #2 when most of competition is so inept. Just look at other's mistakes and don't repeat them.

If you aren't a power user who doesn't care about specs and more for the price, love Amazon, then this is for you. Amazon has the highest customer satisfaction over any online retailer. Just remember it won't get updated if at all and the specs are lower than a TouchPad which could be had for less. Amazon just needs to take a modest 30% of the tablet in a couple years with over 50% of all Androids tablets sold, and it should have a healthy market being #2.

It won't dent iPad sales anytime soon. Perhaps in a few years when things get saturated or when all tablet prices start to drop that even paying $100-$150 for a tablet is good enough for most people. Microsoft has never been #1 with Xbox in overall global sales and they continue to support it. Being #2 is not a total failure. Look at HDTV market. The biggest seller wasn't an established brand name prior. It is Vizio. Why are they #1 and not Sony, Samsung, or LG? Nothing to do with specs and mostly to do with price. As long as Amazon isn't doing anything stupid like what Motorola, HTC, and RIM are guilty of by overpricing and overestimating their product's potential... vs iPad.

Amazon customers are the most satisfied -

 

[AidenShaw]

It is almost fool-proof that this Amazon tablet will sell very well being that it will cater to the more budget conscious audience, there is no real competition from others out there this year other than Apple, and it will be released in a time when most people will be splurging for others or for themselves. By Cyber Monday, the first thing people will see when opening up Amazon.com is an ad of their new tablet.

Oh my, some of the strident Apple fans' heads will explode, for sure.

 

[revelated]

No way are they going to sell it for $250 AND throw in free 3G access. It's one thing to have free access on "experimental" browser on a device that's not really built to surf the internet (Kindle), and it's quite another to pay a provider $150 A YEAR (just an outright guess here on the amount) so the buyer can surf for free (you don't think a provider will provide that access to Amazon for free, do you?).

Here's the thing. 3G gets cheaper to provide as 4G LTE is deployed. The timing of AT&T and Verizon's expansions is almost perfect. Nobody expected the Kindle to come out with free 3G built in. They were the first to take such a bold leap and it's not gotten any more expensive - in fact, the Kindle is cheap enough now that there's really no excuse not to buy one if you're a reader.

While it's as yet a remote possibility, it's still a possibility, one that I choose not to ignore. It's the one thing tablet makers have failed to tap into - accessibility. Don't just make a wireless tablet and don't just make one that can force you to pay for 3G/4G. Contract to provide it for free. Or even, discounted. Don't forget, there's still Amazon Prime to contend with, which is effectively a cash grab for Amazon given all of the various loopholes that people aren't aware of (overly strict return policy, one-day shipping charge per item, not per order, etc) and the Marketplace sellers who all have to pay a portion of what they sell - which has got to be boatloads. Amazon's stock is up there and has no signs of slowing down.

I think it's quite doable to offer free 3G on the Amazon tablet. The only prerequisite being that you are or become an Amazon Prime subscriber? Yep. Maybe. Just maybe. They could then subsidize the cost back to the carrier, which would likely be AT&T who already makes a mint off of Amazon for the Kindle data.

 

[krischik]

Why? Amazon has a pretty robust offering for someone that wants an eReader / video player. It meets a need at a compelling price point.

In the US only. For the rest of the world Amazons offering are not that good.

If it takes off, Amazon's app store will grow as well

That would be a big IF.

Currently the Amazon-App-Store is only available to US customers and developers which have cost effective means to cash in a US Cheque.

And even the (US) developers which did sign up at Amazon are pretty dissatisfied. Some even pulled there Apps from the Amazon-App-Store again.

The difference between Amazon Android and the others is:

* it's forked off the mainline and you can trust Amazon's team will keep it nice & stable

If Amazon forked 3.0 you had a point. But Amazon forked 2.2. That is like forking iOS 3.x to create a tablet. As I am sure you know: iPad functionality came iOS 4.x.

That is: Amazon uses a Phone-Only-OS on a tablet.

* Amazon AppStore for Android is very carefully policed for malware/trojan/virus/crapware

You imply that all the good stuff is found in the Amazon AppStore. But here you are mistaken. The term for Developers at the Amazon AppStore are horrible and a lot of Developers give Amazon a miss. A few reasons:

1) You need a bank account in the US to cash in your profit.
2) If you give away your app you still need to pay $99 per year — making gratis software a loss.
3) You need to use Amazon DRM — increasing development effort.

Net result is that you only find highly commercial stuff (being paid or AdWare) at the Amazon AppStore.

 

[jlc1978]

The notion that iPad is a media consumption device and not a content creation one is absurd. I do both on mine all the time.

Whikle I agree the iPad does both - the question is how many users bought it primarily as a media device and not for content creation.

Bottom line: the Amazon tab is not going to compete with iPad. It's competing with the Nook.

True, not directly. It's nowhere near as versatile, based on the pre-release reports and I have no reason to believe it will be. However, one weak point of the iPad at its price point - can a decent, reasonably priced media content device, with a large content library, steal sales from the iPad. To date, pads have either been direct competitors and failed, or been media devices that required significant investment of time to get media on them. The color Kindle changes that equation - how successful it will be remains to be seen. i am not willing to dismiss it out of hand, and can see it take sales at the low end from people who want its capabilities but not the iPads (at the iPad's price point.)

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I totally agree except for the highlighted part. If anything, I believe this will be less broad, i.e., more focused, more vertical vs. the existing Android market (as in the consumer market), and (as pointed out above), almost exactly like Apple: more controlled app distribution, media/content services through the OEM, etc.

Actually an Amazon tablet would be less broad then the iPad. The whole idea of being more vertically integrated into the Amazon ecosystem and all. Also I wonder if you will even have the ability to install the Nook app on it.

By broad i meant the market breadth in terms of potential customer demographics, not the eco system. Amazon has a chance to attract customers who are not in the iPad's maker - hence the broader comment.


I wasn't very clear there, sorry.

Amazon has pretty strong brand equity, and really knocked it out of the park with the Kindle - I think piggybacking on that success will make this a strong contender, but in a new market: potential Kindle buyers who have just enough technical savvy (like a good majority of the smartphone market) to want a device that can do a little more than just read e-books, *but* (hello, run on sentence...) are also very price conscious and are willing to pay less-for-less.

We love Amazon, been using them for 12+ years, Prime member which is terrific (removes the shipping cost as a consideration and tons of additional perks). All because of their generally terrific execution and in our experience, outstanding customer service. I'd favor this to be a success.

I agree - I am also long time amazon user and prime member - people underestimate Amazon's brand equity and loyalty. That is a mistake, as it is to count Jeff Bezo's out. As with Apple, Amazon has a vinery who can drive the company any where he wants - so far he's been pretty good at picking good paths. That, I think, is a very important part of what drives innovation and success in tech/content companies - and is often missing at many of them.

He's not as much of a "star" as Jobs but he is, IMHO, equally successful at what he choses to do.

 

[mutantteenager]

People will learn soon enough about all the things they *cant* do on an Amazon Kindle tablet and go right back to their iPad. It's like when I just couldn't stand my Nook reader anymore and now I only read e-Books on the iPad. Sure the tablet is heavier, but the screen quality and smooth transitions on page turns makes up for it. Bottom line is that there are no limitations of what you can do on the iPad and the weight issue is non-issue.

No limitations? Remember all those things you *can't* do on the ipad? Read many books in sunlight on your ipad?

You're commenting on a product that hasn't even been released, how do you know what it can and can't do? I remember the ipad couldn't print when it first came out, and it still relies on another computer for full functionality. Your judgement is clouded by ilove.

 

[KingCrimson]

No limitations? Remember all those things you *can't* do on the ipad? Read many books in sunlight on your ipad?

You're commenting on a product that hasn't even been released, how do you know what it can and can't do? I remember the ipad couldn't print when it first came out, and it still relies on another computer for full functionality. Your judgement is clouded by ilove.

Why would I want to read in the sunlight anyways? I'm a creature of the night.

Anyways, go to Amazon.com home page to see another reason why the tablet is going to be launched now:

Dear Customer,

I have big news for Amazon Prime members - we've just signed a deal with FOX to add a broad selection of movies and TV shows to our unlimited instant streaming service later this fall. The new additions from the FOX library include 24, Arrested Development, The X-Files, Ally McBeal, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and - available on digital video for the first time - The Wonder Years. We now have deals with CBS, NBCUniversal, Sony, and Warner Bros, and adding FOX will bring the total to more than 11,000 movies and TV shows available for unlimited instant streaming.

Since launching earlier this year, we have now doubled the number of titles available in Prime instant videos, and there's still more to come. Prime membership remains $79 a year, and of course features our unlimited free two-day shipping on millions of products. Prime is one of the best values anywhere.

 

[AppleScruff1]

The Amazon tablet isn't being brought to market to be an iPad killer. It will a lower cost alternative that may appeal to a different audience-perhaps it will get Kindle owners to upgrade. There is plenty of room in the market place for this, whether it will have any real success remains to be seen. I seriously doubt any company truly believes that they will be able to deal a death blow to the iPad. If they did, they would be even more foolish than most of the drivel that is posted here.

 

[KingCrimson]

The Amazon tablet isn't being brought to market to be an iPad killer. It will a lower cost alternative that may appeal to a different audience-perhaps it will get Kindle owners to upgrade. There is plenty of room in the market place for this, whether it will have any real success remains to be seen. I seriously doubt any company truly believes that they will be able to deal a death blow to the iPad. If they did, they would be even more foolish than most of the drivel that is posted here.

It's starting to be very clear to me that Amazon is hoping Prime membership will drive Kindle Tablet sales.

 

[samcraig]

Sure the tablet is heavier, but the screen quality and smooth transitions on page turns makes up for it. Bottom line is that there are no limitations of what you can do on the iPad and the weight issue is non-issue.

Remember - these are your opinions and your use cases.

There's plenty of limitations for the iPad. To suggest there aren't is ridiculous.

Different people (ranging in ages) have illustrated that they have personal preferences as to which they prefer to read on - eInk or the iPad/similar device. It really all depends on what the bulk of your use case it (are you more media centric with light reading, split, more reading and less media, etc)

As for "smooth transitions and page turns" - I find that "argument" ridiculous as well. I'm reading a book - I don't care if the page looks like it's turning or just switches to a new screen. Those are exactly the type of "bells and whistles" people might just not care about when offered a lower cost alternative.

 

[cmwade77]

One thing that this Article didn't mention that I have see elsewhere is that if you buy the tablet, you will get free Amazon Prime Membership or so the rumors go.

I also think it would be cool in Amazon negotiated free 3G for life on the tablet as they have done on the Kindle. Now that would be an iPad killer right there alone.

 

[KingCrimson]

Remember - these are your opinions and your use cases.

There's plenty of limitations for the iPad. To suggest there aren't is ridiculous.

Different people (ranging in ages) have illustrated that they have personal preferences as to which they prefer to read on - eInk or the iPad/similar device. It really all depends on what the bulk of your use case it (are you more media centric with light reading, split, more reading and less media, etc)

As for "smooth transitions and page turns" - I find that "argument" ridiculous as well. I'm reading a book - I don't care if the page looks like it's turning or just switches to a new screen. Those are exactly the type of "bells and whistles" people might just not care about when offered a lower cost alternative.

#1 - I like that I can use the iPad for so many things. F.e., I can use the Remote app to start streaming music via AirPlay, then sit down to read a book in the Kindle app

#2 - the smooth page transitions are very important to me. The flickering on the Nook reader is a problem for me as it triggers migraines. I'm sure it's the case for many other people.

 

[samcraig]

#1 - I like that I can use the iPad for so many things. F.e., I can use the Remote app to start streaming music via AirPlay, then sit down to read a book in the Kindle app

#2 - the smooth page transitions are very important to me. The flickering on the Nook reader is a problem for me as it triggers migraines. I'm sure it's the case for many other people.

re: #2 - the screen on the iPad gives me massive headaches if I use it to read for any length of time. See how that works? Different strokes for different folks. And I'm sure it's the case for many other people

 

[voonyx]

Wait...people think an Amazon tablet is going to compete with the iPad??? I guess "iPad killer" will become a common term for the next 4 years too...

 

[Oletros]

#2 - the smooth page transitions are very important to me. The flickering on the Nook reader is a problem for me as it triggers migraines. I'm sure it's the case for many other people.

Triggers migraines a redraw of the screen every one or two minutes? I highly doubt it.

 

[D.T.]

By broad i meant the market breadth in terms of potential customer demographics, not the eco system. Amazon has a chance to attract customers who are not in the iPad's maker - hence the broader comment.

I wasn't very clear there, sorry.

Thanks for the followup, totally clears that up, I agree!

I agree - I am also long time amazon user and prime member - people underestimate Amazon's brand equity and loyalty. That is a mistake, as it is to count Jeff Bezo's out. As with Apple, Amazon has a vinery who can drive the company any where he wants - so far he's been pretty good at picking good paths. That, I think, is a very important part of what drives innovation and success in tech/content companies - and is often missing at many of them.

He's not as much of a "star" as Jobs but he is, IMHO, equally successful at what he choses to do.

Yeah, they've managed to work new features and products into their model without upsetting their core service, and in fact, while continuing to improve it as well.

The price point is a huge thing too, I've seen plenty of people balk at a $500+ tablet, but be receptive to something in the $250 range (not sure where that price conditioning comes from, maybe the cell phone, game console, personal electronics ... maybe $250 stays away from the computer price, or the 1/2 a thousand magic price point).

Bezos is a very interesting guy, I followed him from the beginning (been in internet tech since the mids 90s).

 

[AAPLaday]

Apparently the tablet will be called the Kindle Fire

 

[Tigger11]

Amazon Tablet is Wifi only

One thing that this Article didn't mention that I have see elsewhere is that if you buy the tablet, you will get free Amazon Prime Membership or so the rumors go.

I also think it would be cool in Amazon negotiated free 3G for life on the tablet as they have done on the Kindle. Now that would be an iPad killer right there alone.

Since its Wifi only and has a 7 inch screen at $250 its really just Amazon's answer to the color Nook, which is fairly funny because when the Color Nook came out Bezos was pretty adamant that noone wanted to read on an LCD. Now that more people are reading on LCDs then on E-Ink its suddenly not such a bad idea. I can't imagine it will impact Ipad sales at all.

 

[rdowns]

Meet the Amazon Kindle Fire.

Last Friday, Amazon sent out invites to a press conference being held this coming Wednesday. They didn’t give away any details in the invite, but given our scoop earlier this month, everyone assumed it was to unveil the new Kindle tablet. We can now confirm this is correct. And we know a bit more.

On Wednesday morning in New York City, Amazon will unveil the Kindle Fire. Yes, this is the name Amazon has settled on, to help differentiate the product from the e-ink Kindles, which will still be very much alive and for sale. And while Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos will show off the Fire on stage, it won’t be ready to ship until the second week of November, we’ve learned.

Everything we’ve previously reported on the hardware remains the same. It will be a 7-inch backlit display tablet that looks similar to the BlackBerry PlayBook. Gdgt’s Ryan Block was able to dig up a bit more about the connection. Apparently, the Kindle Fire looks like a PlayBook because it was designed and built by the same original design manufacturer (ODM), Quanta. Even though Amazon has their own team dedicated to Kindle design and development, Lab 126, they wanted to get the Fire out there in time for this holiday season so they outsourced most of it as a shortcut.

Block’s sources seem very wary of this shortcut move. But having played with a DVT model myself, I can assure you that it’s better than the PlayBook because the software is better and, more importantly, the content available is much better. Amazon has built their own custom version of Android (that looks nothing like Android) and it utilizes their own Android Appstore. While that store doesn’t offer all the apps found in Google’s Android Market, Amazon has been rounding up the big app makers to get them on board for the Fire launch, I’m told.

Amazon has also been inking last-minute deals with the likes of Fox for movies and TV shows through their streaming video service which will be a key part of the Fire. And they have several publishers on board for magazine offerings, as Peter Kafka reports today. The Fire will rely heavily on Amazon’s MP3 service and, of course, the Kindle bookstore.

One thing I wasn’t sure about when I saw the device was if there would be an email client. I didn’t see one, but I thought maybe I missed it. Turns out there won’t be one included by default. Instead, you’ll be able to get one through the Appstore, or you can use the browser.

Another thing I wasn’t sure about was the chip inside of the device. I’ve now learned it’s a TI dual-core OMAP chip. This is the same chip used inside many newer Android devices. The PlayBook also uses it. I’m not sure what the clock-speed of the CPU will be, but I’d guess 1.2 GHz. This will make it significantly faster than the rival Nook Color, which uses a single core 800 MHz OMAP.

But…

Sources also suggest that Barnes & Noble is on the verge of launching the Nook Color 2 next month. In fact, that may play into Amazon’s timing here. They’re announcing the device well over a month before it will be available. Sources suggest that the Nook Color 2 will feature a 1.2 GHz OMAP chip, with a focus on displaying multimedia content better. There will also be a focus on streaming content and a big increase in the number of apps available, we’re told.

The Nook Color 2 will also be built on top of Gingerbread, Android 2.3, we hear. That would put it ahead of the Kindle Fire, which is believed to be based on Android 2.1. Again, neither of them look anything like Android, but the APIs available are key when it comes to the Android version.

And then there’s the issue of the price. While the Nook Color 2 is expected to retail for the same $250 that the current Nook Color does (and the original one may drop to $200), the pricing of the Kindle Fire is a bit of a mystery right now. Originally, we were told it would be the same $250. But there have also been whispers floating around that it could be $300.

We also originally heard that Amazon Prime would be included, as a big enticement for would-be buyers. That may be off the table for now as well — but it’s not yet clear. It’s possible Amazon will release one version with Prime included for $300 and a version without it for $250. Getting Amazon Prime for $50 would still be a deal, since it’s normally $79 for the year.

That’s all for now. All will be revealed on Wednesday. Below, the excellent mockup my colleague Greg made based on what I saw.

 

[aohus]

there is word that Amazon will be releasing a smartphone as well next year called the 'Amazon Torch'

Most likely, these tablets, and maybe this phone will come with free Amazon Prime membership, and make things extremely easy for you to buy off Amazon. But what if, you get a discount every time you buy off an Amazon tablet or phone? Like a 2-5% discount per item. That would be a tremendous selling point imo.

and btw, this isn't going to be your usual Android OS on there, its going to be heavily forked. Its quite possible that the OS will look nothing like what we see on Android OS now.

being that the Amazon Kindle Tablet will be called the 'Kindle Fire,' the rumor of the Amazon Torch seems even more likely, as Fire and Torch are somewhat related in context.

Do you think Amazon will sell a phone of their own as well? I could totally see that. Right now, Amazon's manufacturer is Quantas.

http://techcrunch.com/2011/09/26/amazon-kindle-fire/