Amazon Set to Unveil $199 'Kindle Fire' Tablet

[divinox]

Then Amazon is going to have to address that. They can't just cede 20% of the market to Apple because they don't offer 3G tablet.

See above.

 

[APlotdevice]

I think I'm the only one that thinks this is an iPad killer. And by killer, I mean takes it's #1 spot as the market leader. As the Kindle Fire 2 and Fire 3 comes out, they will still be at that $199 price point. They will also get better and more feature packed. I don't think Apple will ever sell the iPad for less than $499. People love Amazon and it is one of the most visited sites on the internet, it will have the kindles on the homepage convincing visitors to buy it at all times.

It's first going to have to get some features that are standard on the iPad and other tablets in its price range (cameras, accelerometers, memory). In the mean time, even if Apple doesn't reduce the price, they aren't going to stand still either. The iPad will get new features, like perhaps a high density display.

 

[divinox]

But Amazon is a completely different animal. The Kindle was a BIG selling product. Much more than the Nook.

They have already a distribution channel which is superior to many companies, they have built a great name to themselves in terms of costumer service, and above all, they have taken their time to come out with a tablet.

They first released the Kindle. It was a big hit. They continued evolving it and the consumers kept buying it. At this point, they were far from the tablet market, it was just a reading device.

Then they released their cloud service. Which, in my opinion, is superior to what Apple did with MobileMe. Let's accept it, they beat Apple at being the first in offering cloud services which are actually good enough to use. We are about to see how iCloud works, but even if it works OK, Amazon was there first.

And now they are releasing a tablet, which even tho it runs Android, I think it is very different from other tablets out there. This is the first real tablet out there which seems to be a "trend topic" because it is from Amazon, and the Android part is not even mentioned much. I wouldn't be surprised the majority of people don't even know Android is in there.

Time will tell if the user experience is good, but aside from the Samsung Galaxy, I haven't seen any other tablet get so much media coverage as the Kindle Fire. Except the iPad, of course. And the Galaxy has received media coverage because of its legal disputes with Apple, not because of the device itself.

Many times it has been said Apple is big because of the content. Samsung, Sony, Microsoft, etc. might come out with interesting ideas of tablets, but they don't have content. Amazon has content. They have music, books, movies, TV shows, magazines, etc. For the movies studios or the music studios, Amazon kind of seems like the ideal company to make a counterpart to Apple.

For the time Amazon has been in the hardware development section, I think they have done incredible things. To a lower scale, they did to the book industry what Apple did to the music industry. Since owning a Kindle, the amount of book I read has increased.

Don't get me wrong, I love my iPad. And I know I will always prefer it to any other tablet. I'm an Apple Fan. But I also own a Kindle, and use Amazon.com frequently. And I think Amazon could be the company which eventually grows out to be another story of success just like Apple is.

You too. Dont bundle Sony with the rest. Sony is the 5th largest media conglomerate in the world. So yeah. Games? They own it. Movies? They own it! Music? Sure as hell they own it. Tell me again, why couldnt Sony compete on content?

 

[Bernard SG]

Do you really think that Amazon won't sell a Fire device outside US?

*Maybe* they'll launch it in a few relevant EU countries (UK, Germany, France).

 

[divinox]

I listen to several TWIT pod casts (MacBreak Weekly, Security Now, Windows Weekly, etc.). Today on Windows Weekly they were talking about the Kindle Fire, but only for a couple of minutes. That surprised me. I really think the Kindle Fire is a game changer and will siphon business away from the iPad. Both are media consumption devices with similar content ecosystems (app, books, movies, etc.), but once app development takes off for the Kindle I believe it will have the superior ecosystem. I think the days of Apple dominating the tablet market are coming to an end. Amazon will squeeze them on the lower end (media consumption) and Microsoft will squeeze them on the higher end (business and productivity). Apple will certainly be a major player, but it won't dominate the market. It'll be interesting to see how Apple responds.

This whole 2-ended squeeze is actually the scenario i predicted a month or two back. Im glad that someone initiated the necessary push. KF clearly has great potential to be a good enough tablet ("it just works good enough"). Like Molly said, Amazon mainstreamed the tablet. I can see people, who wouldnt even consider buying an ipad (or any 499+ tablet), pick up a few of these without second thought. Heck, i think i'm buying one too - and i live in a region of the world that Amazon will probably neglect for ever.

Anyway, like stated by you, it'll be interesting to see how Apple responds. Granted, they have a year or so before MSFT starts pushing from the top with W8, but by then if they dont have a solid plan i would hate to own any Apple stock.

 

[Funkymonk]

It's first going to have to get some features that are standard on the iPad and other tablets in its price range (cameras, accelerometers, memory). In the mean time, even if Apple doesn't reduce the price, they aren't going to stand still either. The iPad will get new features, like perhaps a high density display.

I don't see any other quality tablets in the same price range. Accelerometer and camera will be added in when they refresh it shortly after holiday season. And with their cloud service I don't think more memory is necessary. 8GB will be fine for most people anyway.

 

[divinox]

I know people who bought the iPad2 just to have Skype, or play games.
I don't think you're going to have the same quality of apps on this as you are going to get on the iPad2.

It's a great product for amazons ecosystem. But I don't think it'll be the same with third party stuff.

And it's not taking anything away from the iPad until it's sold worldwide.

Ok. What type of quality apps will you be missing? Second, why do you think that is so?

p.s. if they just wanted skype or games, why didnt they just buy an iphone? or... even better, a windows box..

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This device is nowhere NEAR the iPad killer, and probably only going to sell because of the price. Reason: there probably isn't a way to store photos locally on the device and display them. Looking through all the photos and reviews of the Kindle Fire, I haven't seen any mention of the ability to store photos. This knocks out a HUGE market of people who's primary reason was to store photos. If somebody can prove otherwise with photographic proof, then I would love to see it.

Why wouldnt there be a way to store photos locally on the device and display them? What interest does Amazon have in blocking that? The reason why you havent seen a photo app demo:ed is that there is no camera. plain and simple, really.

...and, where is the "HUGE market of people who's primary reason was to store photos". Why the hell would you buy a tablet to store photos?

 

[Bernard SG]

This whole 2-ended squeeze is actually the scenario i predicted a month or two back. Im glad that someone initiated the necessary push. KF clearly has great potential to be a good enough tablet ("it just works good enough"). Like Molly said, Amazon mainstreamed the tablet. I can see people, who wouldnt even consider buying an ipad (or any 499+ tablet), pick up a few of these without second thought. Heck, i think i'm buying one too - and i live in a region of the world that Amazon will probably neglect for ever.

Anyway, like stated by you, it'll be interesting to see how Apple responds. Granted, they have a year or so before MSFT starts pushing from the top with W8, but by then if they dont have a solid plan i would hate to own any Apple stock.

Windows 8 will be a major flop certainly in tablets and possibly as a whole.

 

[divinox]

You're not alone.

Im inclined to agree that this device has a shot too. Like stated by others, its not really gonna knock ipad over by being greater though. Rather, i think its a better market-fit all in all. Apple have been doing well with their ipad due to a lack of competition -- and those who have competed have done the same thing. Amazon does something different, bets on a different horse. And i think they will be sucessful. Hopefully they can go global in Q4 2012.

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Windows 8 will be a major flop certainly in tablets and possibly as a whole.

Yeah, it'll probably just sell a few hundred million licenses the first 2 years. Wish i could flop like that.

p.s. read somewhere that windows tablets are still the number one choice for businesses.

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Do you really think that Amazon won't sell a Fire device outside US?

Its a lot of work to get the whole package together though. For example, the market is more fragmented, which means more deals to set up with content deliverers. But, if this is a smash hit, which i wouldnt be surprised if it is, they would be stupid not looking at it. Guess they'd start with the UK first, makes everything a whole lot easier. Unfortunately, for me, my market is piss small... :- (

 

[Steve121178]

Windows 8 will be a major flop certainly in tablets and possibly as a whole.

It will be pre-installed on new PC's. It's technically & scientifically impossible for Windows 8 to flop.

 

[Oletros]

Windows 8 will be a major flop certainly in tablets and possibly as a whole.

Yap, I want a flop like the flop Windows 8 will have

 

[wovel]

It works for Apple.

And Amazon and Google. They all charge 30%..

I am in the opposition on this one. I have tried three Kindle's and just can't read on them. I read at least one hour a day on the iPad.

Weird...I read on both every day. I prefer the kindle for books. (non technical books anyway)

Then they can show the two Fire owners getting buyer's remorse when they realize they have to pay nearly a hundred bucks a year for Prime (which only makes sense if you're a hardcore Amazon user), they have a small number of apps to download, can't use apps that require an accelerometer, can't take pictures or video, can't Skype, can't surf the web without Wifi, can't do anything that requires more than two fingers for input, can't read it at the beach or in any bright sunlight (a former selling point of the Kindle), can't store more than 8GB worth of media (which sucks I'd you're gonna be out camping or somewhere without Wifi), and can't even turn the volume up or down without using the onscreen controls (which can be touchy on most touchscreen devices).

Oh, and there's no built-in email app. The Playbook was crucified for that. Sure, it cost more than the Fire, but my $30 Sanyo Katana phone has freaking email.

Why do you think they "HAVE" to pay for Prime? It is less expensive than netflix with a lot of the same content and free 2-day shipping on stuff you buy from Amazon. it is not required to use the device...

Keep in mind that millions of very loyal customers already pay Amazon for prime. Free movie streaming to the Fire with a prime account is a bonus, not a detraction. I am confused how anyone could possibly perceive it as a negative.

 

[Bernard SG]

It will be pre-installed on new PC's. It's technically & scientifically impossible for Windows 8 to flop.

Yap, I want a flop like the flop Windows 8 will have

Yeah, it'll probably just sell a few hundred million licenses the first 2 years. Wish i could flop like that.

Everything is relative. What I mean is that W8 won't live up to Microsoft's expectations for it to re-vitalize the PC business and that the W8/Metro tablets on ARM won't get momentum.
Of course they will sell hundred millions of licenses.

 

[divinox]

Everything is relative. What I mean is that W8 won't live up to Microsoft's expectations for it to re-vitalize the PC business and that the W8/Metro tablets on ARM won't get momentum.
Of course they will sell hundred millions of licenses.

...and since theyre already selling hundred millions of licenses, and will continue to sell hundred millions of licenses, why do we need to re-vitalize anything, really?

Second, why W8 tablets would not gain traction is beyond me. The main reason why theyre struggling with wp7 wont be much of an issue with W8. MSFT probably has the single largest dev. community out there (for good reason), and to think that they will pass up on the opportunity to sell even more is, well... "imaginative".

 

[Bernard SG]

...and since theyre already selling hundred millions of licenses, and will continue to sell hundred millions of licenses, why do we need to re-vitalize anything, really?

Second, why W8 tablets would not gain traction is beyond me. The main reason why theyre struggling with wp7 wont be much of an issue with W8. MSFT probably has the single largest dev. community out there (for good reason), and to think that they will pass up on the opportunity to sell even more is, well... "imaginative".

Let's talk about it again by end 2012.

 

[kdarling]

Why do you think they "HAVE" to pay for Prime? It is less expensive than netflix with a lot of the same content and free 2-day shipping on stuff you buy from Amazon. it is not required to use the device...

Keep in mind that millions of very loyal customers already pay Amazon for prime. Free movie streaming to the Fire with a prime account is a bonus, not a detraction. I am confused how anyone could possibly perceive it as a negative.

+1 for pointing out that it's an optional deal for Fire buyers, while the streaming is a nice free bonus for people already using Prime.

Not only do users not need Prime, but at less than $7 a month it's cheaper (and arguably more useful) addon than previous sales additions such as Apple's Mobile Me.

 

[vitzr]

The Windows 8 tablets will be the next generation of more powerful tablets than are currently available. They will be one step closer to a laptop replacement.

Excellent point! I could not agree more.

Microsofts never been perceived as a "cool company" like Apple has by the press & others. Nor do they have the cult like following of Apple. Therefore in today's environment many are attempting to write them off.

That is, in my opinion a huge mistake.

 

[BayouTiger]

Looks like a good move

These look great for Amazon. I am betting that 70% of all iPad users use few apps except the ones that come with the device and a couple games. These folks could be happy with the Amazon unit. Diehard readers will stick with the e-ink units and they addressed them as well. Amazon (and Apple) understand that these devices are about selling content and they will both be successful.

The people that want an iPad (or Android 3) will still go that route. I am one that started out with different MP3 players thinking "they were just as good at a lower cost" but quickly learned that there is huge value in devices "that just work". I am pretty confident that Amazon get's that (see the previous Kindle's success vs all the other e-readers) so I don't think they will try to position this device as something it's not or try to be what Apple and (full)Android are. If they keep that focus, these will be huge.

 

[divinox]

Let's talk about it again by end 2012.

so basically you have no reasoning behind your belief? or what?

 

[steadysignal]

+1 for pointing out that it's an optional deal for Fire buyers, while the streaming is a nice free bonus for people already using Prime.

Not only do users not need Prime, but at less than $7 a month it's cheaper (and arguably more useful) addon than previous sales additions such as Apple's Mobile Me.

+1 to you for pointing this out. at $7 per month, there is much more value.

 

[ctakim]

I am pretty much an Apple gadget fanatic (ipad 1 and 2, iPod classic, iPhone, iMac, Mac Book Pro) and I use my iPad on a daily basis for work and pleasure. But I welcome the new Kindle too. I think it is a potentially brilliant move by Jeff Bezos because it consciously does not directly compete with the iPad head on, instead it does it more obliquely. It is a 7" media consumption device and I will presume that it will do a fewer number of functions than the iPad but what it does it will do quite well.

The iPad for me is a portal to the Apple ecosystem and I suspect the Fire will be the same for Amazon's already considerable music, video and written offerings. The fact that I am a happy Amazon Prime member already (for the shipping savings) just sweetens the deal. All the Android tablets Made to date and the Playbook by HP lack the software content matched to the hardware portal that Amazon can bring and that Apple has delivered. Success in this new market means more than bringing shiny new hardware to the table.

I also think that the Fire may bring more consumer friendly magazine and periodical content to the tablet space where it should really be thriving. I am not sure whose side I am on in viewing Apple's prickly relationship with magazine publishers, but I am hoping that more options will free up the logjam.

Finally, most folks seem to understand that the Fire likely expands the tablet market at a lower pricepoint and will not directly eat away at the iPad's market share as of today. But Apple is well aware that the a successful Kindle Fire device will most certainly evolve it's capabilities over time to grow larger, acquire cameras, 3/4G, etc. Plus the cloud and content strengths of both companies means to me that Apples real competitor for the future (if not for 2011) has finally been revealed. I have a feeling this will yield some great products for the consumer.

 

[Bernard SG]

so basically you have no reasoning behind your belief? or what?

I do but that would be off-topic here. It's an Amazon Fire thread.

 

[daveathall]

I am in the opposition on this one. I have tried three Kindle's and just can't read on them. I read at least one hour a day on the iPad.

I ask this question because I am unable to figure out the answer, why can't you read on them?

Can you read a newspaper or book?

 

[linux2mac]

How does Amazon do it? They're able to offer prices that makes me buy things I don't even want. Must resist urge....

Amazon's great! Prime membership makes it even better. I shop with them first before turning to Best Buy, Target, Game Stop etc. I just won't be buying a Kindle or Kindle Fire. When I finally have the need for a tablet I will be getting an iPad (whether its iPad3 or iPad4 or iPad5). It makes no sense to settle for 3rd rate tablets when you can have the best like the iPad.

 

[linuxcooldude]

The Windows 8 tablets will be the next generation of more powerful tablets than are currently available. They will be one step closer to a laptop replacement.

I think it was a good idea for Apple to keep its iOS and Mac OSX software separate unlike Windows 8.

A desktop operating system is not designed/optimized to run on a touch device as well as third party applications. While Metro addresses some of these problems, by adding the the Desktop OS will make it more bloated on such a device.

The tablet that is needed to run such a desktop OS will make it bulkier, short battery life, heating problems ( Might need a fan ) Until technology catches up with these issues I think user experience with such devices wont be well received.