Amazon Set to Unveil $199 'Kindle Fire' Tablet

[Rangers30]

You would imagine?
You should not have to imagine. Amazon should be telling you this information.

Well they probably WILL when an actual owners manual shows up. I don't expect Apple has to tell you exactly how to transfer files on and off your computer either but I would guess you manage just fine

ets-They have plenty of information and FAQs on their website for the older models and it includes this sort of information. I can't imagine they won't have it for the new stuff as we get closer to release.

 

[waitsui]

For the size and the price at just $199, if the battery life is good I'll give it a go this Christmas!

 

[radiohed]

True, a 7 foot tablet would be overkill for most folks.

The appeal of a 7 foot tablet is that you can use both your fingers and toes for the multi touch

 

[TallManNY]

There are still millions of people who want / need a 10" tablet, or a 7" with 3G/4G.

I think that Fire sales will mostly be to people who wouldn't otherwise get a tablet.

(The Nook Color sale last year for $200 mostly stole only from the overpriced Xoom, as many buyers got the Nook just to cheaply try out Honeycomb.)

I don't think Google is going to drop tablet support. However, the Fire is another example of how consumers don't care that much about what OS (and/or version) they are running, as long as it meets their needs.

Who else besides Microsoft is going to make a credible tablet and promote it? It must cost 10s of millions of dollars just to get something like that going. Then you have ad costs. Then you have to make that money back, but you need to compete against a company that has shown you they will sell for less than cost on a similar item. You can't undercut Amazon's price and still make a profit. Wait until the component break down happens, you will see. There is no profit margin in a $200 7" tablet.

If you had a company, like Sony, would you start the year long process of making an Android tablet to compete against iPad 4 and Kindle Fire 2? What happens if Apple drops its prices by $200? What happens if Amazon drops its prices by $100? These companies could do that. Where would a Sony be then?

I think Tablet plans are getting scrapped all across the world today.

 

[KnightWRX]

I work in construction (electrician). I've seen many contractors and project managers replace their laptops for ipads. Many of them use autocad and such. Reading and altering prints are much easier and the only downside I've heard from the folks that use them on the job is the storage space.

Wait, you're telling me that you're drawing up plans on iPads rather than computers ? The argument is content creation.

Again, not arguing that the iPads are just consumption devices, they can obviously be used to do some minor fix ups and some small content creation. But to claim that "the iPad is a content creation device" while the Fire is a "content consumption" device is absurd. While the Fire right now lacks any facility for content creation, the iPad's primary use and purpose in the wild is probably not content creation either.

EDIT : Obviously, for Autocad WS, you're not creating plans and such, only making minor anotations :

http://www.autocadws.com/mobile

So again the argument is not whether iPads have use in businesses, the point was made that use in business is all content creation on iPads.

 

[barkomatic]

I think this is a win for consumers, unless you factor that this is the end of the android tablets.

Really, we had RIM and HP and Samsung who have all tried to make tablets. Now who is going to try to compete with the $200 Fire? If you have Apple dominating the high end and Amazon selling tablets at a loss on the low end, who is going to get into this market to compete against those two guys?

The Fire is definitely competition for the iPad, but it is just going to wipe the floor with everyone on the low end of the tablet world. There might be a bunch of tablets in the works because the development is already done. So they will come out. But what company is going to keep investing in this area? I will answer my own question, Microsoft will still keep going. But that is because their Windows monopoly money allows them to do many stupid things and to throw money at stuff. But Microsoft is a special case as they are still trying to find something to do with their monopoly money (when they should be just paying larger dividends to their shareholders).

Basically, I think Amazon just killed the late-2012 Android Tablets. And then that means that Google will stop supporting tablet android OS, right? Which will be another risk that will keep companies from investing int developing more Android tablets.

Nice move Amazon, that price point is killer. And if the video demonstrations are to be believed, the quality is good enough.

I think this is a bit of a stretch. The iPad and Kindle Fire and some Microsoft tablet are not going to be the only tablets around in 5 years.

The Fire looks to be a good low cost tablet but it is essentially a vending machine that Amazon is selling. Unless you root it--its even more curated and locked down than an iPad. At least the iPad has an option for ample local storage that you can use to store content that you've bought or formatted elsewhere. You don't *have* to put things in a cloud--and thus pay a yearly fee. Apple will also allow Netflix, Hulu, an Amazon player, a kindle App and a Nook App along with players from various networks and cable TV channels. Do you think the Fire will be that open?

There is plenty of room for Android tablets with more storage and higher end features. However, prices will certainly come down this holiday season--and possible before. This does not bode will for the overpriced galaxy tab.

Nevertheless, for what is does the Fire is a great device and I may pick one up myself--but for me it will be a more convenient and colorful e-reader.

 

[samcraig]

Amazon is betting on people buying their content, because the fire is most likly losing them money or making them none... It will take YEARS for Amazon to hold a candle to the content movement of itunes, which will make it's devices less powerful.

Right now - Apple can't hold a candle to the amount of eBooks that Amazon sells. Not even remotely.

And one would assume that a majority of people will opt in for the $79 all you can stream from their limited library PLUS benefit from free shipping on physical items. That means Amazon is poised to gateway all of the "Fire" purchasers into their Audio, Video and Apps as well because it's just easier to do it all in one place.

 

[jsbaugh]

I think the fire will sell well, but its not the ipad its going to hurt. It will be the lower priced Kindle that is going to suffer. When someone is looking for an e-reader, why not spend an extra $100 on the fire. I class the fire in the e-reader market and not the tablet market even though it can do some of things a tablet does. Fact is a 10" screen is going to be better for most things over a 7" inch. Have you ever tried to read a magazine on a 7" screen? It sucks. You have to zoom in and out constantly to see text and pictures. I think for many that have a large smartphone why spend more on a device that is only giving you and extra 3". Just my opinion.

 

[samcraig]

The Fire looks to be a good low cost tablet but it is essentially a vending machine that Amazon is selling.

For a majority of iPad users - it's just an iTunes vending machine.

 

[Roessnakhan]

I think the fire will sell well, but its not the ipad its going to hurt. It will be the lower priced Kindle that is going to suffer. When someone is looking for an e-reader, why not spend an extra $100 on the fire. I class the fire in the e-reader market and not the tablet market even though it can do some of things a tablet does. Fact is a 10" screen is going to be better for most things over a 7" inch. Have you ever tried to read a magazine on a 7" screen? It sucks. You have to zoom in and out constantly to see text and pictures. I think for many that have a large smartphone why spend more on a device that is only giving you and extra 3". Just my opinion.

Don't think it'll hurt other Kindle models at all - people buy eInk screens for totally different reasons than a tablet. It will, however, do heavy damage to the nook color.

 

[Photics]

Wow... 43 pages.

This is MacRumors. I'm surprised that there's so much discussion about an Amazon product. I think that means bad news for the iPad and iPod Touch.

 

[samcraig]

I think the fire will sell well, but its not the ipad its going to hurt. It will be the lower priced Kindle that is going to suffer. When someone is looking for an e-reader, why not spend an extra $100 on the fire. I class the fire in the e-reader market and not the tablet market even though it can do some of things a tablet does. Fact is a 10" screen is going to be better for most things over a 7" inch. Have you ever tried to read a magazine on a 7" screen? It sucks. You have to zoom in and out constantly to see text and pictures. I think for many that have a large smartphone why spend more on a device that is only giving you and extra 3". Just my opinion.

I disagree. For many (especially in this economy) saving $100 (or more) is significant. And if all they want is to read books - they won't spend more money on the Fire. Amazon's product RANGE attacks from all sides offering various budgets and use cases whatever they want at a solid price point.

 

[pmjoe]

The Fire looks to be a good low cost tablet but it is essentially a vending machine that Amazon is selling. Unless you root it--its even more curated and locked down than an iPad.

Assuming the Kindle Fire has full access to the Amazon App Store for Android, which is what has been implied so far, I don't see how it is "more curated and locked down than an iPad". LOL!

There are plenty of features the Fire lacks compared to an iPad, but there is no evidence that being "more locked down" is one of them.

 

[supercooled]

I think the fire will sell well, but its not the ipad its going to hurt. It will be the lower priced Kindle that is going to suffer. When someone is looking for an e-reader, why not spend an extra $100 on the fire. I class the fire in the e-reader market and not the tablet market even though it can do some of things a tablet does. Fact is a 10" screen is going to be better for most things over a 7" inch. Have you ever tried to read a magazine on a 7" screen? It sucks. You have to zoom in and out constantly to see text and pictures. I think for many that have a large smartphone why spend more on a device that is only giving you and extra 3". Just my opinion.

Horses for course but I suspect there will be a market for the 7".

It's mainly the price point that will win the fence sitters (like myself) more than the rather inconsequential size of the tablet. Up until HP had their liquidation sale I didn't even want a tablet and made due with my 15.4 MBP and iPhone (7" is better than 3.5" any day) so Amazon introducing this at $200 is a god send. I strongly suspect the iPad3 will still get its lion's share of the market but no doubt Amazon will poach a few sales their way.

 

[Mad-B-One]

I love it! It's dirt cheap and it certainly is gonna have a market of it's own. My girlfriend is going to get one instead of an iPad, just based on price alone.

Content is also cheaper. This is good for us Apple users, that there is healthy competition, because this is going to lower the price of music, apps and other stuff.

Simple, it's a win for all of us, the consumers.

How is that? I have the Kindle Reader on my iPads. I also can upload any movie or music as long as the format plays. I don't have to have any kind of subscription to e.g. Amazon Prime because and Apple ID is free and is by definition not a subscription. Okay, I pay $30/month for 3G but I have unlimited internet for that and can even watch Netflix on the go. Granted, that is more expensive - but as others pointed out, I have several readers offering books beyond Amazon. I'm a graduate student. I need text books. I can chose (beside the no-useful-content iBookStore) Kindle Reader, Nook Reader, Knor (has a very good variety for text books), Blackboard, and so on. If there is another one popping up, it will be available on iPad. Not on Kindle fire.

 

[samcraig]

How is that? I have the Kindle Reader on my iPads. I also can upload any movie or music as long as the format plays. I don't have to have any kind of subscription to e.g. Amazon Prime because and Apple ID is free and is by definition not a subscription. Okay, I pay $30/month for 3G but I have unlimited internet for that and can even watch Netflix on the go. Granted, that is more expensive - but as others pointed out, I have several readers offering books beyond Amazon. I'm a graduate student. I need text books. I can chose (beside the no-useful-content iBookStore) Kindle Reader, Nook Reader, Knor (has a very good variety for text books), Blackboard, and so on. If there is another one popping up, it will be available on iPad. Not on Kindle fire.

No one knows if there will be netflix and other services on the Fire. So any discussion of what is a "better deal" is moot right now

 

[the8thark]

Will the Amazon ever have a fire sale on the Fire?

 

[Mad-B-One]

No one knows if there will be netflix and other services on the Fire. So any discussion of what is a "better deal" is moot right now

You miss the point. It is not about watching Netflix. It is about watching Netflix on the go and the Fire can't do that because it doesn't have 3G.
It is also not about what is the better deal, it is about what content is cheaper. If you ever try the Knor app, you will see the difference. Even if I would find a graduate college text book in Amazon electronically, it is not the same quality as I get it elsewhere. And quality matters because I have to understand diagrams, need interactive multimedia content etc which the Kindle Reader to date does not offer the same way. And: Some things are cheaper elsewhere but with the Amazon Kindle Fire, I don't have a choice to look where my needed book etc. is the cheapest. So, about content, I can assume the Fire is not the cheapest because it is the determent for Amazon that they get their money back from the $199 deal. That wouldn't work if they let other sellers in. Apple makes money on selling iPads. They don't have to limit users to their own selling platform for that kind of content to break even. Granted, Apple limits in other way but I still have more choices.

 

[samcraig]

It is not about watching Netflix. It is about watching Netflix on the go and the Fire can't do that because it doesn't have 3G.

Two different discussions. Some people are insisting that Amazon is not being forthcoming about content delivery since it will "require" a $79 subscription for the streaming stuff + purchases. They base this on the fact that they assume the Fire will not be able to stream netflix, hulu, etc. But there's no evidence.

The iPad comes in both 3G and WiFi. I personally have the WiFi version - so this would be no different. And for many - no different.

Again - two separate discussions and both the iPad and Fire have different +s and -s.

 

[ewkid]

It is not about watching Netflix. It is about watching Netflix on the go and the Fire can't do that because it doesn't have 3G.

Fire can use a mobile hotspot with the carrier of my choice. I can also upgrade my 3G hotspot to 4G without having to toss out the Fire. I can also share the data plan of my mobile hotspot with my iPad.

 

[vartanarsen]

Dont be fooled.

guys....dont be fooled. ipad is Capacative touch, which feeds off the electricity from your finger and provides for nice smooth touch.

All the rest is garbage...including KF, because they do not use Capacative.
Nor do they pride themselves on the quality of materials....show me one metal piece on the Kindle.

For this, iPad is a steal at $499.

 

[samcraig]

guys....dont be fooled. ipad is Capacative touch, which feeds off the electricity from your finger and provides for nice smooth touch.

All the rest is garbage...including KF, because they do not use Capacative.
Nor do they pride themselves on the quality of materials....show me one metal piece on the Kindle.

For this, iPad is a steal at $499.

The Kindle - or the Fire. Because the Kindle doesn't need nor would it benefit from having metal. It would only add weight.

As for the Fire - wouldn't you have to actually USE one to know whether or not it was garbage or would benefit from the use of other materials?

 

[sloan47]

guys....dont be fooled. ipad is Capacative touch, which feeds off the electricity from your finger and provides for nice smooth touch.

All the rest is garbage...including KF, because they do not use Capacative.
Nor do they pride themselves on the quality of materials....show me one metal piece on the Kindle.

For this, iPad is a steal at $499.

I think you misunderstood your source. The eInk Kindle Touch does not have a capacitive screen but the Kindle Fire does. Plus you haven't even seen a review or held the device... how can you objectively make that assessment without (any) of the facts?

 

[inreasonsimage]

Ninety-five percent of the people who use iPads use them as media-consumption devices only. Once the next generation of Kindle Fires are released with front and rear facing cameras why would anyone buy an iPad? Save the $300 and spend it on books, movies, and music. Suddenly, Microsoft's strategy of wanting Windows 8 tablets to function like an iPad (simply touch interface) and also like a full-desktop/laptop makes a lot of sense. Business and productivity users are Windows 8's market niche. Media consumption is the Kindle Fire's niche. Where is the iPad's niche? Does it have one anymore?

 

[aussieinjapan]

it will "require" a $79 subscription for the streaming stuff + purchases. .

read this *Over 100,000 movies and TV shows, including thousands of new releases and your favorite TV shows, are available to stream or download, purchase or rent - all just one tap away. Amazon Prime members enjoy unlimited, commercial-free streaming of over 10,000 popular movies and TV shows*

It doesnt say you need Amazon Prime to use the fire ! It just states the benefit of having Amazon prime. You can still streaming and buy without it. Amazon prime members get unlimited streaming.