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Amazon Set to Unveil $199 'Kindle Fire' Tablet
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I'm curious how TouchPad resellers will be affected. On EBay they sell for $2-300 and are severely lacking in several areas, but Amazon is offering a $200 device that does ALL the common functions, has tons of quality apps and has access to Amazon services. So those eBay buyers who got caught up in the Touchpad hoopla must feel pretty bad and the sellers must be scrambling to liquidate.
Fair statement. I see a lot of people who have insecurities about Apple. I don't understand why it's a corporation. They make really good things and i will be getting the new IPhone but it's not like they are the only people making tablets and phones. Now i don't really see this as an IPad killer because nothing else has been. I just see a cheaper alternative which has got potential to be a big seller.
Did they make any mention of whether this thing will only have access to the amazon app store (and not the google market app?)
The amazon store is nice, because it filters out a lot of the crap apps, but on the other hand, a few of my favorite apps still aren't on amazon, so that would make me balk.
The amazon store is nice, because it filters out a lot of the crap apps, but on the other hand, a few of my favorite apps still aren't on amazon, so that would make me balk.
He was right. It had everything to do with it.
The "Multi-Touch" trademark was denied because it had not acquired the necessary distinctiveness.
This is determined by 15 U.S.C. 1052(f), which states in part that: "If a proposed mark is not inherently distinctive, it may be registered on the Principal Register only upon proof of acquired distinctiveness, or "secondary meaning," that is, proof that it has become distinctive as applied to the applicant's goods or services in commerce."
Apple failed to prove the existence of secondary meaning. Basically they relied on the argument that just because they sold a lot of multi-touch devices, then the term must belong to them. That's like claiming that because you sell a lot of AWD cars, "AWD" must belong to you, instead of coming up with something distinctive like "Quattro". As the PTO put it:
"Again, simply because the applied-for term has been used in association with a highly successful product does not mean the term has acquired distinctiveness. Decision: The examining attorney’s finding that the Section 2(f) showing is insufficient is affirmed."
It has the outdoor reading limitations of the iPad and it has the hardware, 3G and software limitations of the Kindle. It seems to do neither function well. It will certainly sell, but to a market that wasn't going to buy an iPad. Xoom or Playbook anyway.
So while it will grow a market that will be ranked as a share of tablets, I don't think it is stripping real buyers of the next step-up in tablets, regardless of maker.
So while it will grow a market that will be ranked as a share of tablets, I don't think it is stripping real buyers of the next step-up in tablets, regardless of maker.
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And then there was ROOT!
And then there was ROOT!
Why is it that when anybody posts anything pro-apple, they immediately get labeled as having a bias? HEy, I can do the same, you are clearly Android biased. There, you see what I did there?
I dont understand how you can possible list "Apps" as a pro for the Fire. There are very few Android tablet apps available and most of them are pretty bad.
Ordering one for my 70 year old Mom who just wants to be able to surf, check emails, and not get crashing blue screens because she hasn't mastered Windows yet after all these years!
It will be perfect for her.
It will be perfect for her.
Get over yourself, Boston007.
The Kindle Fire has:
(a) ads - unless you buy a more expensive version
(b) no 3G
(c) less battery life
(d) smaller screen
(e) no camera or microphone
(f) not all the same sensors (for rotating screen, proximity sensors, etc)
(g) no GPS
(h) less memory
Looks like it costs less, because you get less.
If that's what you need, fine. This definately covers that niche. But it definately not the same specs as an iPad. To say that is to be an Android Fan Boy.
It's definately great for it's price. But, it's not an iPad.
Only the cheap £89 Kindle will be available in the UK in October.
The Fire has no UK release date yet
For all the people complaining about the "special offers" I've heard they pay off big time. A lot of users here got 20% off new MacBook airs some months ago.
Personally, I'd rather see something that could potentially save me money than a few dead authors.
Personally, I'd rather see something that could potentially save me money than a few dead authors.
Does this put price pressure on iPad 2? There is enough margin in that device for a $100 drop in price and Apple would still make a nice profit on every sale. If the iPad 3 doesn't have a retina display, will Apple cut the price to compete better on price?
If Kindle Fire works well (big if, but it might) as in it is responsive and does consistently the handful of things you expect it to do, this will be huge at this price point. Seriously, this is 20% cheaper than anyone thought and 33% cheaper than best guesses. If it is buggy, then the real story is the better e-ink devices. Though my guess is that the e-ink touch won't really work in a responsive and nice way.
Also the standard kindle, which is now supposedly even better, is looking like a great buy at $79.
If Kindle Fire works well (big if, but it might) as in it is responsive and does consistently the handful of things you expect it to do, this will be huge at this price point. Seriously, this is 20% cheaper than anyone thought and 33% cheaper than best guesses. If it is buggy, then the real story is the better e-ink devices. Though my guess is that the e-ink touch won't really work in a responsive and nice way.
Also the standard kindle, which is now supposedly even better, is looking like a great buy at $79.
I'm only talking about for 1 quarter. Then iPad sales will go back to astronomical heights.
It is full blown tablet. It has all tablets have, content consumption, browsing, apps etc. The only thing it lacks is camera, but if this stops it from being a tablet, then I guess iPad wasn't one either.
Of course it's not as advanced as what Apple is doing, but for many people it will be more than enough, especially for that price.
Nook Color was an e-reader, Fire is a tablet.
The other thing that is less fortunate about the Kindle Fire is the dependence upon the cloud... I personally don't want all of my information running through all of Amazon's servers. That said, even if you don't mind that, you're still dependent upon a mobile Internet connection, and we all know how well those work
I like the fact that you can choose what gets rendered where, but I question the actual device performance, especially when you have poor or no Internet service. If you're out of coverage you're out of content... 8GB isn't exactly overfilling anything.
If I am not mistaken, this is what Apple has been trying to pull off for years.
Who cares where it's rendered, the content came from somewhere to begin with.
With iPad (unless you pay for 3G), the same holds true for internet obviously. You'll see a 3G fire next year for sure. Lastly, did you notice that it's UNLIMITED storage w/amazon for FREE?
Said it earlier, iCloud better hit it out of the park on opening day.
Exactly, no need to have 32 gb, did you see that silk? WTF.
Attention all NC datacenter employees... company meeting, now.
Thrilled until they realize dad is a cheapskate and wouldn't get them a real tablet. The same feeling when their friends have MacBook Airs and they have a six pound Acer.
I don't travel or take public transport much, but when I do I wanted a 7" pad to consume content.
Reasons:
Something less conspicuous than the 10" iPad.
Something I can hold comfortably in one hand.
Thumb type if necessary.
Be able to threw in a coat pocket.
This may be my device.
Reasons:
Something less conspicuous than the 10" iPad.
Something I can hold comfortably in one hand.
Thumb type if necessary.
Be able to threw in a coat pocket.
This may be my device.
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I am surprised at all the comments on here downplaying this thing. What are 3G, a crappy camera and a mic worth component wise, $30?
95% of the time I am on my iPad I am not using these things. If I couldn't afford an iPad, I'd buy this thing in a heartbeat. If I was on the fence, $300 is one hell of an enticement to go with Amazon.
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At 8 GB of hard drive space and no 3g available for it, it is difficult to see how this will compete with iPad. I do think folks will gobble it up but I think the kindle touch is much more promising.
At 8 GB of hard drive space and no 3g available for it, it is difficult to see how this will compete with iPad. I do think folks will gobble it up but I think the kindle touch is much more promising.