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Amazon Set to Unveil $199 'Kindle Fire' Tablet
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Yr Blues
macrumors 68040
Great price, but I dont see the appeal in a 7' tablet.
Sticking with Apple, but must admit that this is the first competitive tablet.
Sticking with Apple, but must admit that this is the first competitive tablet.
guch20
macrumors 6502
But that's the thing: I don't want almost as good. If I'm spending hundreds, I want the best.
Hawkeye411
macrumors 68000
macking104
macrumors 6502
Interesting warranty on the Fire:
We warrant the Device against defects in materials and workmanship under ordinary consumer use for one year from the date of original retail purchase. During this warranty period, if a defect arises in the Device, and you follow the instructions for returning the Device, we will, at our option, to the extent permitted by law, either (i) repair the Device using either new or refurbished parts, (ii) replace the Device with a new or refurbished Device that is equivalent to the Device that is to be replaced, or (iii) refund to you all or part of the purchase price of the Device. This limited warranty applies, to the extent permitted by law, to any repair, replacement part or replacement device for the remainder of the original warranty period or for ninety days, whichever period is longer. All replaced parts and Devices for which a refund is given shall become our property. This limited warranty applies only to hardware components of the Device that are not subject to accident, misuse, neglect, fire or other external causes, alterations, repair, or commercial use.
We warrant the Device against defects in materials and workmanship under ordinary consumer use for one year from the date of original retail purchase. During this warranty period, if a defect arises in the Device, and you follow the instructions for returning the Device, we will, at our option, to the extent permitted by law, either (i) repair the Device using either new or refurbished parts, (ii) replace the Device with a new or refurbished Device that is equivalent to the Device that is to be replaced, or (iii) refund to you all or part of the purchase price of the Device. This limited warranty applies, to the extent permitted by law, to any repair, replacement part or replacement device for the remainder of the original warranty period or for ninety days, whichever period is longer. All replaced parts and Devices for which a refund is given shall become our property. This limited warranty applies only to hardware components of the Device that are not subject to accident, misuse, neglect, fire or other external causes, alterations, repair, or commercial use.
The interesting thing is going to be seeing just how much money Amazon will be losing on these things. Either the touchscreen is not as advanced as the one on the iPad (like you see on the cheapest tablets, where you have to press hard to get a response) or they are taking a large loss on each one produced. Can't wait for the iSuppli teardown. And that's just the cost to produce, not counting the development, software, etc. I know there'll be excuses that this is gateway drug to selling stuff from the Amazon storefront, but the margins are already low there. So, from an investor's standpoint, I don't get it, unless they are conceding that the only way to cut into Apple's lead is to undercut on price, and plan to jack it up later.
As a consumer, it's definitely interesting. I like the idea of the server-side rendering of web pages, though it remains to be seen how this works in the wild (with millions of users clogging the servers) rather than under ideal testing conditions. Seems hard to imagine they can just allow unlimited 3G access at full speed - I mean, it's one thing to download books, quite another to watch streaming video. There's got to be SOME throttling, doesn't there? The pixel density is also a little strange - normal text at 160dpi is going to look awfully small. And I'm not sure a 7-inch screen works for much of anything - 9.7" is small for internet viewing.
The fun part is that the two most intriguing parts - a smaller device and server-side webpage rendering - are both things that Apple could probably do without too much effort, so it might serve as a beta test for future devices.
dave
As a consumer, it's definitely interesting. I like the idea of the server-side rendering of web pages, though it remains to be seen how this works in the wild (with millions of users clogging the servers) rather than under ideal testing conditions. Seems hard to imagine they can just allow unlimited 3G access at full speed - I mean, it's one thing to download books, quite another to watch streaming video. There's got to be SOME throttling, doesn't there? The pixel density is also a little strange - normal text at 160dpi is going to look awfully small. And I'm not sure a 7-inch screen works for much of anything - 9.7" is small for internet viewing.
The fun part is that the two most intriguing parts - a smaller device and server-side webpage rendering - are both things that Apple could probably do without too much effort, so it might serve as a beta test for future devices.
dave
What they should do in the new commercials is show one couple on the couch. The woman using her iPad and the man is sitting next to her, looking bored and sad.
Then, they show another couple. The man and the woman both take Fires out of their back pockets. This couple can now decide what to do with the $100 more they have then the first couple. (I envision thought bubbles with dollar signs coming from their heads)
Funkymonk
macrumors 6502a
I agree it is only half a pound lighter and it may seem like nothing. For me it is more of the pain of trying to find a good position. I like to read on my side, a device I can hold in in hand, similar to a book works better for me. I have an iPad 1, so I don't know if the reduced weight on the iPad 2 helps.
I read somewhere today that the Fire is supposed to have multitouch, but I don't remember where I saw it. Regardless I think Amazon pulled out pretty big guns today, it's not going to kill the iPad. And ignoring what many say on here, not everything has to be about Apple winning and everyone else losing. These is enough room for the iPad and a high-quality device like Amazon may have on their hands here. The other Android tablets may have something to be worried about. I tried a Honeycomb tablet at Best Buy the other day and was frustrated at it's interface, I must be spoiled with my Nexus S.
Maybe I'm missing something here, but Amazon is forkng/has forked Android.
So, yeah, Android now, Android like later, but I'm not seeing the Google Mothership embracing this, and if I was Google, I would be a little bit perturbed that Amazon had poached Android and was keeping the ad money, amongst other things.
But it's a highly customized version that doesn't promote any Google services at all. Microsoft will probably make as much off of it as Google from the royalties.
Me, too. At $200, it's worth it to me as a complement to my existing devices. Clearly it's a loss leader, but Amazon is about the only company in the market who can do it.
That is a great point. They're closer in price than the iPad and Kindle Fire. I can justify getting one now since my iPod Touch is a few years old and in need of replacement. Why buy the cheapest iPod Touch when I can get something comparable in price with a much bigger screen?
mkrishnan
Moderator emeritus
Peace
Cancelled
Consultant
macrumors G5
What's Wrong with Kindle Fire?
Example: "Holds 80 Apps or 10 Movies", no volume switch, no bluetooth, etc.
http://obamapacman.com/2011/09/amazon-releases-7-color-kindle-fire-review-good-bad-ugly/
Yeah, that's why Amazon is not using the trademarked Android name to market the device.
Example: "Holds 80 Apps or 10 Movies", no volume switch, no bluetooth, etc.
http://obamapacman.com/2011/09/amazon-releases-7-color-kindle-fire-review-good-bad-ugly/
Yeah, that's why Amazon is not using the trademarked Android name to market the device.
D.T.
macrumors G4
Well, assuming the local storage is accessible like any Android device, just handbrake up some DVDs (no need for 720p), copy them over (just attach as a drive) and load them into a playlist!
I just checked in one of my video folders and I've got:
Ice Age 1
Shrek 1
Spongebob Movie
Incredibles
Toy Story 1
Toy Story 2
All ripped from original DVDs, HB'ed to MPG4 files, they look fantastic and according the properties are ~4.5GB and 9h 6m and 50s combined length 😀
The Fire is WIFI only at this point. The Kindle Touch is 3G and only has an experimental browser and is eInk.
Another reason why all iPad competitors fail is - no Apple Store for tech support. If your Kindle Fire fails, you have to box it up, ship it to Amazon and who knows!
Peace
Cancelled
KnightWRX
macrumors Pentium
Let me guess, you write this blog yourself right ? Why do you spread misinformation on it ? (no App store ? It does have an appstore, the Amazon appstore).
Why the hate ? Why do some of you feel "threatened" by another choice in the market ? Not everyone needs every feature the iPad has. This is a lower priced device for people who need something simple.