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

Although I am not really the biggest tablet fan, I did consider the BlackBerry PlayBook. I like the interface, the cameras, and the high ppi. But for $449, why bother? I never want to pay over $300 for ANY tablet. Most tablets not named iPad should only cost about $199-$249. That is a fair price and I expect to see those prices on tablets more within a few years since we are at the early stages of the tablet revolution. RIM probably slashes prices on the PlayBook in the foreseeable future since sales are so slow and they may just want to get out of the tablet market ASAP. We will see how RIM reacts to Amazon's pricing. But this Amazon Kindle (Kindroid) tablet has the content and the better future than what RIM has right now.

Amazon Kindle tablet is rumored to look like the BlackBerry PlayBook -

BGR-t-mobile-blackberry-bold-9900-2110823162919.jpg


Not a bad thing, per se. I actually like the grip the PlayBook provides on the back and it has a good weight balance. A rubbery back doesn't show scratches or fingerprints like what a TouchPad would. Probably would put into a case anyway.

http://techcrunch.com/2011/09/02/amazon-kindle-tablet/

Amazon’s Kindle Tablet Is Very Real. I’ve Seen It, Played With It.

It’s called simply the “Amazon Kindle”. But it’s not like any Kindle you’ve seen before. It displays content in full color. It has a 7-inch capacitive touch screen. And it runs Android.

Rumors of Amazon making a full-fledged tablet device have persisted for a while. I believe we were one of the first to report on the possibility from a credible source — the same person who accurately called Amazon’s Android Appstore. That source was dead-on again, it just took Amazon longer than anticipated to get the device ready to go. They’re now close.

How do I know all of this? Well, not only have I heard about the device, I’ve seen it and used it. And I’m happy to report that it’s going to be a big deal. Huge, potentially.

First of all, before every commenter asks, no, sadly, I don’t have any pictures to share. That was the one condition of me getting this information. So instead you’ll have to rely on my prose to draw a picture of the device in your head. Or you can just look at a BlackBerry PlayBook — because it looks very similar in terms of form-factor.

So here’s what I know and what I saw:

Again, the device is a 7-inch tablet with a capacitive touch screen. It is multi-touch, but from what I saw, I believe the reports that it relies on a two-finger multi-touch (instead of 10-finger, like the iPad uses) are accurate. This will be the first Kindle with a full-color screen. And yes, it is back-lit. There is no e-ink to be found anywhere on this device.

Earlier this week, reports suggested that a 7-inch Amazon tablet could be released in October, with a larger, 10-inch version to follow next year. That’s somewhat accurate. As of right now, Amazon’s only definitive plan is to release this 7-inch Kindle tablet and they’re targeting the end of November to do that. The version I saw was a DVT (Design Verification Testing) unit. These have started floating around the company. It’s ready, they’re just tweaking the software now. If it’s not in production yet, it will be very soon.

Originally, Amazon had planned to launch a 7-inch and a 10-inch tablet at the same time. But that plan changed this summer. Now they’re betting everything on the 7-inch. If it’s a hit, they will release the more expensive 10-inch tablet in Q1 2012.

So how much will the 7-inch Kindle cost? $250.

Yes, Amazon has been able to trim the cost of the device to half of the entry-level iPad. And it will be the same price as Barnes & Noble’s Nook Color, which this will very obviously compete with directly. Both have 7-inch color touch screens. Both run Android.

And this is where things get really interesting. As anticipated, Amazon has forked Android to build their own version for the Kindle. Simply put: it looks nothing like the Android you’re used to seeing.

The interface is all Amazon and Kindle. It’s black, dark blue, and a bunch of orange. The main screen is a carousel that looks like Cover Flow in iTunes which displays all the content you have on the device. This includes books, apps, movies, etc. Below the main carousel is a dock to pin your favorite items in one easy-to-access place. When you turn the device horizontally, the dock disappears below the fold.

Above the dock is the status bar (time, battery, etc) and this doubles as a notification tray. When apps have updates, or when new subscriptions are ready for you to view, they appear here. The top bar shows “YOUR NAME’s Kindle” and then the number of notifications you have in bright orange. It looks quite nice.

There are no physical buttons on the surface of the device. You bring up a lower navigation menu by tapping the screen once. This can take you back home, etc.

But the key for Amazon is just how deeply integrated all of their services are. Amazon’s content store is always just one click away. The book reader is a Kindle app (which looks similar to how it does on Android and iOS now). The music player is Amazon’s Cloud Player. The movie player is Amazon’s Instant Video player. The app store is Amazon’s Android Appstore.

Google’s Android Market is nowhere to be found. In fact, no Google app is anywhere to be found. This is Android fully forked. My understanding is that the Kindle OS was built on top of some version of Android prior to 2.2. And Amazon will keep building on top of that of that over time. In other words, this won’t be getting “Honeycomb” or “Ice Cream Sandwich” — or if it does, users will never know it because that will only be the underpinnings of the OS. Any visual changes will be all Amazon.

They are not working with Google on this. At all.

There is a web browser (of course), and while it’s styled a bit to match the Kindle UI, it looks pretty much the same as the Android’s WebKit browser. Yes, it has tabs! And yes, Google Search is still the default (the Kindle also has its own search tool to find content on your device).

Overall, the UI of this Kindle felt very responsive. You can flick through the carousel seamlessly. This is something Amazon has apparently been working on quite a bit, I’m told. And they continue to. Some of the page-turning touch mechanics still needed a bit of work in the version I used.

I believe the visual web reading app Pulse will be bundled with the Kindle. A game like Angry Birds may be as well. Again, it uses Amazon’s Android Appstore, so all of the content accepted into that store will play well on this device. Apps, games, content, you name it. Amazon creating their own app store is starting to make a lot more sense, and looks potentially very smart (as anticipated).

A few more bits about the hardware:

I believe it is running on a single-core chip (though I’m not 100 percent sure). My understanding is that the 10-inch version, if it comes, will have a dual-core chip.

I also believe the device only has 6 GB of internal storage. The idea is that this will be more of a “cloud device” for things like music and movies. The storage is meant for storing books and apps. There were a few references to an SD card expansion, but I couldn’t find a slot on the hardware itself.

This initial version of the device will be WiFi-only. Amazon is supposedly working with carriers to possibly product 3G-enabled versions (as they have with their other Kindles), but that won’t be the case at launch.

I’m not sure what the battery life is like (I only played with it for about an hour), but I imagine it is very good and in line with other tablets — 10 hours or so.

The back of the device is rubbery — again, it’s very similar to the PlayBook (it’s black as well). The power button is underneath if you’re holding it vertically (which is a bit odd — but it’s obviously to the side if you’re holding it horizontally). There’s a micro-USB port (presumably for powering the device as well). The speakers are of the top of the device (again, if it’s being held vertically).

There is no camera.

So why will people buy this device instead of a Nook Color? Well, beyond the deep Amazon services integration, there will be two other reasons, I believe. First, Amazon is going to promote the hell out of this thing on Amazon.com. Second, the plan right now is to give buyers a free subscription to Amazon Prime.

The service, which Amazon currently sells for $79 a year, gives users access things like free unlimited two-day shipping, and no minimum purchases for free shipping. More importantly for this product, Prime users get access to Amazon’s Instant Video service. There will be more Kindle-related perks, I imagine.

As far as the existing e-ink-based Kindles, all I’ve heard is that they’ll continue to co-exist with this new tablet (though the DX may or may not stick around). They’ll simply be the low-end, low-cost Kindles, whereas this new one will be the high-end one (at least until the 10-inch version comes out, if it does). One source said it doesn’t seem likely that Amazon is going to release a touch-screen e-ink Kindle, like the new Nook, anytime soon. But none of that is confirmed, it’s simply speculation based on the emphasis on getting this new tablet to market.

Oh and one more thing: Amazon has been working on a multi-touch screen/e-ink hybrid tablet device. But that’s nowhere near completion, I’m told. So for now, this new Kindle will have to do.

That’s all for now. I suspect even more information (and pictures) will start leaking out soon — again, the new Kindle is very close to being done. Not only is the device real, from what I’ve seen, it’s solid. I suspect it will be on many people’s holiday wish-list this year.
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http://money.cnn.com/2011/09/23/technology/amazon_tablet/?source=cnn_bin

For a device that hasn't yet been released, the Amazon tablet has already received a lot of media play. Earlier this month, TechCrunch's MG Siegler wrote that he had used the tablet.

The tablet runs on a tweaked version of Android, has a 7-inch tablet touch screen and is backlit, Siegler wrote, concluding that it's "going to be a big deal. Huge, potentially."

Analysts have even made sales forecasts about the yet-to-exist tablet, with Forrester analyst Sarah Rotman Epps writing way back in March that the market is ripe for disruption from Amazon.

Late last month, Rotman Epps released another report titled "Amazon Will Be Apple's Top Competitor in Tablets." Within a year, she predicts, "'Amazon' will be synonymous with 'Android' on tablets."
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All Google, Android OEM's, RIM, and HP ever needed was a store. A store so big with content, it would keep buyers locked into an ecosystem like what iTunes did for iOS devices. SMH. The leading online retailer in Amazon now has to show them the way...
 
KingCrimson said:
Dude, most people do not look at price & specification. The reason why people buy iPhone is because of the shiny package + ecosystem. Oh and "it just works".
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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.
 
wirelessness said:
Technically, isn't Apple the biggest RETAILER on the planet? Online and or otherwise?
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the8thark said:
Biggest retailer
and
Retailer with the largest total market cap (total value) in the world

Are two totally different things.
Click to expand...

KingCrimson said:
Nope. Amazon annual revenue is only 1/2 Apple's. Which takes into consideration the fact that Amazon sells everything under the sun including electronics.
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That was my point. Apple sells RETAIL products. They generate TWICE as much revenue (Apple's profit margins are WAY higher as well) as Amazon. Therefore Apple is a much larger retailer.

I'm still a big fan of Amazon sales and am hoping they release a nice tablet. Just to keep things interesting.
 
wirelessness said:
Technically, isn't Apple the biggest RETAILER on the planet? Online and or otherwise?
Click to expand...

highly doubt it. more people purchase from Amazon than on Apple's website, or within the iOS ecosystem.

i would be highly surprised if Apple has more credit card accounts in their db than Amazon does.
 
Considering the retarded comments in this thread, can the mods not make so once a comment has 30 or 40 negative points it's replaced with a message like "Down Marked Into Oblivion!"?

Cannot wait for this event, REALLY interested to see what they launch, especially if it's a 7" model. Hoping Tegra 2 and good pricing. I think to win against Apple pricing is a key factor. And I just love the Kindle's design and simplicity.
 
lol how did you guys forget about Walmart?

next thing I know someone is gonna say why doesn't Apple buy Walmart

Amazon is the biggest purely online retailer
 
rockrigo said:
lol how did you guys forget about Walmart?

next thing I know someone is gonna say why doesn't Apple buy Walmart

Amazon is the biggest purely online retailer
Click to expand...

you'd be surprised the things people say on here. people think Apple is a bigger company than Samsung. lol. cute.
 
Amazon is a very nice company so I wish them luck with this device but I will not buy it since for me the iPad is superior.
 
gugy said:
Amazon is a very nice company so I wish them luck with this device but I will not buy it since for me the iPad is superior.
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how would you know that when you don't know anything about Amazon's tablet?

lets not jump the gun here.
 
aohus said:
how would you know that when you don't know anything about Amazon's tablet?

lets not jump the gun here.
Click to expand...

Amazon has a very good reputation worldwide and many more people would have dealt with Amazon then Apple. How can you 'jump the gun' on your opinions of a company based on your experiences with them?

It's like saying Apple is utter crap to deal with when you have never brought anything from them?
 
73CortinaV8 said:
Amazon will be selling these at their cost to make.

They'll make money on the stuff they sell through them.

Clever.
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thats exactly right.

they will sell these tablets at a loss, and make up for it by having users sign up with Amazon (if they haven't already), and start using their services.

Its already known that Amazon Prime membership will come free with the tablet. Its like having a dedicated tablet for shopping with extremely competitive prices. I like where Amazon is going with this.
 
KingCrimson said:
Dude, most people do not look at price & specification. The reason why people buy iPhone is because of the shiny package + ecosystem. Oh and "it just works".
Click to expand...

What is that ecosystem besides a "corporate conduit to your wallet"? I know that wasn't you who brought it up, but he's not the only one here. I don't want a tablet ecosystem, I want a tablet that uses the content I already have.
 
I sure hope Amazon can make something that actually competes with the iPad. If any company has the means, it's Amazon (we aren't counting Microsoft and the amazingly tablet friendly Windows 8 yet since it isn't quite finished).
 
The more you think about it, this Amazon tablet will sell really, really well just because the ineptness of the other Android vendors. I feel like Apple is the only smart one who know how to sell to simpletons. I mean, $700 for a Motorola Xoom or HTC Jetstream when they first came out?

The Amazon tab already has two things going for it before it is officially announced. Price and content store. The third one is the most ironic. It will become the best-selling Android tablet and it doesn't want to look like Android! Now the HP TouchPad even sold on Craigslist for $250 is a better value based on specs. Heck, if the PlayBook was $250, I would get that over the Amazon tab. Those tabs have dual core, has 16GB minimum, and both have a really nice OS. But the TouchPad is a dead and has no content flowing for it and the PlayBook looks to bite dust too since about 800K are collecting dust in a warehouse somewhere.

Amazon will also get the timing right for it if released in November. September 28th is almost like an appetizer for gadget geeks if they are anticipating for Oct 4th. We know Apple will sell a crap load of iPhones. They can announce a 4S and have it be an incremental upgrade and it would still sell in the millions. No matter what, iOS announcements are the most anticipated of the year for gadgets. Apple knows how to hype it up and being so secretive can build the anticipation even more. But for a non-iOS product, I think this Amazon tab will sell a crap load too. Black Friday/Cyber Monday is the start of shopping season and where everybody is looking for a great bargain in retail stores or online. People will be clicking on Amazon that Monday morning and they will see the tablet ad right in front them all the time. They don't need a commercial. Amazon is the most visited online retailer in the entire world.

What 2011 gadget is out there that can compete with Apple or Amazon? 3DS for $180? Nintendo has been in trouble for awhile since late 2009. Apple has already cut into their casual gaming audience. The PS Vita could have been a huge seller but it will only be out for Japan this year. So Sony has nothing intriguing this Holiday season other than a couple more overpriced Android tablets that can play PS1 games. Xperia Play already flopped. There are no new home video game consoles this year. What about those dual core Android tabs for $400-$700? Hell no. I know Apple can be greedy, but HTC having the Jetstream cost $700 WITH contract is just downright criminal. Didn't HTC get the memo with the Motorola Xoom? Nokia's most anticipated phone in 2011 has an OS that is DOA. Same with RIM's 9900. Any Windows 8 products won't be released until next year. And Samsung has confused everybody with their variations of GSII, Note, and Nexus Prime that it will just cannibalize each other in sales.

So if someone out there isn't going to get an Apple product because of the high price this Holiday season, Amazon tablet seems like the best alternative. People use Swagbucks just to buy $5 Amazon giftcards. I expect something between a better version of the Nook and much lower-end spec of the PlayBook. Whatever it is, it will still sell. The price, the store, the non-Android look, and the timing. They are doing the opposite of what the Android vendors are doing now and this why the Amazon tablet will succeed. And the CONTENT and SERVICES will be there and be just ONE click away.
 
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