I'd love to hear any argument against this (kindle fire)

[glen e]

two diff animals - have a fire coming tomorrow...we'll see...if it'll play some movies on the plane I'll be happy - it's easier to get outta my bag than a pad.

but similar?

no...don't think so....I run big keynote files on the pad, don't see the KF doing that...

 

[thelookingglass]

I'm gonna ask a few questions. Please tell me if you think the Kindle Fire can do any of them.

1. Can the Fire video call or conference with other people?
2. Can the Fire utilize augmented reality?
3. Can the Fire utilize voice activation features?
4. Can the Fire take a picture?
5. Can the Fire auto rotate between landscape and portrait?
6. Can the Fire utilize gyroscopic features for games?
7. Can the Fire utilize 3, 4 or 5 finger gestures?
8. Can the Fire utilize all forms of electronic book formats?
9. Can the Fire view magazines in full scale format?
10. Can the Fire hold more than 6.5gb of data on the device?


There is a lot more i could bring up, but I don't want to go on for pages. It's really what the Fire can't do that limits it as a true tablet. And what it can do, it appears it can't do some of it very well, at least according to some reviews.


That said, if you are an Amazon Prime member, I think this is a great interface for Amazon's web site. And it just happens to allow for book lending, book and magazine reading (well magazine reading isn't exactly an easy affair with the Fire), access to thousands of movies and tv shows and a few games. Of course, if you don't have wifi access all the time, there is no way to store any of those Amazon cloud-based tv shows and movies on the Fire. You could download some movies onto the Fire, but don't expect to put any HD type movies on there. You could fit about 7 low def movies on it, but you wouldn't have room for much else. Just food for thought... If you really thought the Fire could do everything the ipad can, that is.

This. The whole premise of this thread is ridiculous. I'm one of the "consumers" mentioned in the OP's post and guess what? I made several Skype calls yesterday with my iPad. Can't do that on a Fire. I've got over 10GB in apps alone on my iPad. Can't do that on a Fire. I can see an entire web page clearly on my iPad in portrait mode. Can't do that on a Fire. I could go on and on, particularly if I get started on all of the useful apps available on the iPad but not on the Fire.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

This. The whole premise of this thread is ridiculous. I'm one of the "consumers" mentioned in the OP's post and guess what? I made several Skype calls yesterday with my iPad. Can't do that on a Fire. I've got over 10GB in apps alone on my iPad. Can't do that on a Fire. I can see an entire web page clearly on my iPad in portrait mode. Can't do that on a Fire. I could go on and on, particularly if I get started on all of the useful apps available on the iPad but not on the Fire.

You're also much more technologically more advanced than a lot of people. Someone like my mom WILL compare the iPad and the Kindle Fire, and the Nook Tablet, side by side by side. And they'll probably conclude that the iPad is too expensive (who cares if you make a skype. What's a skype anyway?), the Fire is 2/5 the price, and it plays games and surfs the net - the same as the iPad.

And if they're really into comparison shopping, they'll stop in a Barnes and Noble store, who will convert the Fire sale into a Nook Tablet sale. It's still 1/2 the price of an iPad, and guess what - to the average consumer it does everything the iPad can do, and faster than the Kindle Fire.

Once again Apple finds itself in the high end of the price spectrum, only this time instead of fighting HP or Dell, they're fighting Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

 

[*LTD*]

Totally serious, the title might sound mean but it's not meant to be.

Here's what i'm talking about.

"Consumers will see the iPad and Kindle Fire side-by-side... and simply ask 'why does
the iPad cost at least $300 more?'

This has historically not deterred consumers from buying Apple gear, often in record numbers.

They might very well ask, "why should I get this instead of an iPad"? Which is actually something they've been asking all along in the tablet market, much to the detriment of Apple's (often cheaper) competitors in this space.

 

[Blakjack]

I hate it when OPs go AWOL

 

[HXGuy]

What's the difference between asking this question and...

Consumers will see a 42" TV and 55" TV next to each other and then, why should I spend more?

If the iPad did nothing else different than the Fire, the screen size is reason enough. Fortunately it also does more thn the Fire.

 

[jsh1120]

What's the difference between asking this question and...

Consumers will see a 42" TV and 55" TV next to each other and then, why should I spend more?

If the iPad did nothing else different than the Fire, the screen size is reason enough. Fortunately it also does more than the Fire.

The problem with this analogy is that if you had to transport your tv on your daily commute, you might well opt for a 42" model.

If one simply compares lists of functions performed by the two devices, there is no question that the iPad "wins." But if most of the functionality advantage of the iPad (e.g. camera, more storage, 3G connectivity, bluetooth speakers and external keyboards, etc.) is irrelevant to a consumer's needs, there is no reason to pay more than double the price for that functionality.

Consider, for example, a hypothetical comparison of an iPad and a 13" MBA. The MBA's screen is larger. It's quite portable (for a notebook.) It has a much wider selection of useful applications (including more functional versions of applications such as Pages and Numbers.) It provides the option of external storage lacking on an iPad. The OS amounts to a full-scale computing platform, and provides multiple resizable windows and true multitasking.

Why on earth would anyone buy an iPad? If that seems like a silly question, you might apply the same logic to the question of why one would purchase an Amazon Fire.

 

[IsaacM]

The cheap mp3s didnt stop the iPod.

The cheap tsblets wont stop the iPad.

 

[imotionb18]

Totally serious, the title might sound mean but it's not meant to be.

Here's what i'm talking about.

"Consumers will see the iPad and Kindle Fire side-by-side... and simply ask 'why does
the iPad cost at least $300 more?' They will look at the features - the comparable
amount of content, the Kindle's million e-books, streaming TV shows - and pick the Fire." Extreme tech

Its silly to try to compare thekindle fire to the ipad. Two totally different devices. That said I think that there is a huge market for the Kindle Fire or something like it. I think you would have been better off trying to compare the nook tablet to the fire.

 

[4DThinker]

Don't think so. Amazon is a powerful brand. I doubt that one out of a thousand (US) consumers has even heard of "HTC."

Except for all the people that own HTC android phones. HTC has sold more phones this year in the U.S. than Apple, BTW. The Flyer is available from several phone carriers as well. Wikipedia: "Based on researcher Canalys, in Q3 2011 HTC Corporation became the largest smartphone vendor in the U.S. by 24 percent, ahead of Samsung's 21 percent, Apple by 20 percent and Blackberry just 9 percent. HTC Corporation made different models for each operator."

 

[jsh1120]

Except for all the people that own HTC android phones. HTC has sold more phones this year in the U.S. than Apple, BTW. The Flyer is available from several phone carriers as well. Wikipedia: "Based on researcher Canalys, in Q3 2011 HTC Corporation became the largest smartphone vendor in the U.S. by 24 percent, ahead of Samsung's 21 percent, Apple by 20 percent and Blackberry just 9 percent. HTC Corporation made different models for each operator."

Good point. However, most consumers are relatively unaware of their phone manufacturer; they tend to think of phones (with the exception of the iPhone and the Blackberry) in terms of their carriers or the model designation.

I'm not dissing the HTC Flyer. Just pointing out that the brand recognition (and more importantly brand loyalty) associated with HTC is miniscule compared to Amazon.

 

[FloatingBones]

Except for all the people that own HTC android phones. HTC has sold more phones this year in the U.S. than Apple, BTW. The Flyer is available from several phone carriers as well. Wikipedia: "Based on researcher Canalys, in Q3 2011 HTC Corporation became the largest smartphone vendor in the U.S. by 24 percent, ahead of Samsung's 21 percent, Apple by 20 percent and Blackberry just 9 percent. HTC Corporation made different models for each operator."

If you compare the operating margins between the handheld manufacturers, you'll see a very different story. Check out this Macrumors article from last week: Apple is currently commanding 52% of the mobile phone industry profits. The same research note predicts that Apple's slice of this pie will grow to 60%. HTC is currently at 9% of the pie; Samsung is doing far better.

Can HTC do anything to improve the bottom line on its handheld sales?

 

[SMDrew]

I'm gonna ask a few questions. Please tell me if you think the Kindle Fire can do any of them.

1. Can the Fire video call or conference with other people?
2. Can the Fire utilize augmented reality?
3. Can the Fire utilize voice activation features?
4. Can the Fire take a picture?
5. Can the Fire auto rotate between landscape and portrait?
6. Can the Fire utilize gyroscopic features for games?
7. Can the Fire utilize 3, 4 or 5 finger gestures?
8. Can the Fire utilize all forms of electronic book formats?
9. Can the Fire view magazines in full scale format?
10. Can the Fire hold more than 6.5gb of data on the device?

Bigger question is, "does the Kindle Fire need to do all this?". That list is flush full of whiz-bang features that do nothing for the core content (i.e. why do I need to use voice activation to read a book, or use a 5-finger gesture for watching a movie?). The only thing in that list I would like to see myself is a camera, but then again my phone already has one of those.

Amazon brilliantly targeted both the low-end market and the non-tech savvy group with its Fire.

 

[HXGuy]

The problem with this analogy is that if you had to transport your tv on your daily commute, you might well opt for a 42" model.
a

Well sure, and that's why it comes down to individual needs.

My iPad only leaves the house when I go on vacation or go to the gym (where I rest it on the elliptical) so for me, the bigger screen size is the first priority.

 

[jsh1120]

Well sure, and that's why it comes down to individual needs.

My iPad only leaves the house when I go on vacation or go to the gym (where I rest it on the elliptical) so for me, the bigger screen size is the first priority.

And for others, the first priority is fitting the device into a purse. That's why it's different strokes for different folks.

 

[s15119]

Personally, I don't understand choosing the ipad... totally gonna get attacked for this.

But it can't do anything the kind fire doesn't do. And it costs so much more!

(i'm not counting stuff it can do but sucks at like the camera aspect of the ipad)

That's silly. The two gadgets are not in the same leauge. The iPad is far superior in every way. Oh, don't get me wrong, the Fire is a nice piece of gadget, if that's all you need - but there is no way it can replace my iPad.

 

[Ccrew]

Actually, yes, it can do quite a lot of things the Fire can't do. The apps that run on the Fire are quite limited compared to what's available for the iPad.

Yeah, god knows I need all 700 of those shopping list apps for the iPad

 

[TheWheelMan]

I didn't think the Fire was nearly as full featured as an iPad? Also, people always compare the iPad with other tablets (especially Android based tablets) as if they are the same exact thing with the only difference being price. For many who only have general purpose needs one tablet might be just as good as another. But I chose the iPad specifically for the apps that I knew I would want and need that were not available on other platforms, and that can have a huge affect on one's choices. Why some people act like price is the only factor is beyond me.

 

[aneftp]

I think the bigger question is will people prefer a 7 inch tablet over a 10 inch tablet.

While $199 is a tempting price, it will come down to consumer perferences for screen size.

I own a 7 inch Playbook and a ipad 2. I prefer to carry the playbook to work over the ipad 2. Its much easier to carry around. However when I am at home, I use my ipad 2 as my main device.

I think where the Kindle will have success is in homes where there is already an ipad. People will consider the Kindle Fire as a secondary tablet for the family.

Personally I am not a big fan of Android tablets. I own both iphone and Android Motorola Atrix. Google devotes much more resources to their phone side over their tablet OS. yes i know Amazon skinned the heck out of the 2.3 gingerbread. Wish Amazon would give info if and when they will put Ice Cream Sandwich.

FYI People should consider a Blackberry Playbook (even though RIM has completely botched its entire released and repeatly delayed putting a standard calender and mail app). They will put those apps out by 02/2012. The playbook priced are dropping all over the place and can be had for $199 on black friday. On my opinion QNX is a far superior OS to Android and competes with IOS very well. Its not your old blackberry OS.

 

[Ccrew]

On my opinion QNX is a far superior OS to Android and competes with IOS very well. Its not your old blackberry OS.

But it's still a one manufacturer OS, similar to HP's. Android is on a ton more devices and has Google standing behind it (disregarding the OS fragmentation issues)

 

[spiderman0616]

I hate that people think all gadget buyers are absolute morons.

My parents are both 58. We don't live near them, and we have two kids they're obsessed with. They would never choose a tablet that doesn't run Skype or SOME kind of communication software. They use Skype more than I do, and they are really quite literally computer morons. But that does not mean they are stupid about what they buy.

$200 is a lot of money for a lot of people too. It's certainly an amount that I would talk to my wife about before spending. So it is entirely possible that people will compare features before buying EITHER of these tablets. It is entirely possible that they will choose Apple based on brand (as another poster mentioned, they have in the past.) The iPod has never been the cheapest MP3 player out there, but it's the only one most people want anyway.

The whole Kindle Fire hoopla, I feel, has been largely created by the media. They love billing things as iDevice killers because it gets clicks. Devices can't possibly co-exist, because that's not interesting enough for headlines. And then when Apple comes out with something new, they fall all over Apple again as if they never had pronounced them dead and buried just a few weeks ago when Google came out with THEIR latest and greatest thing.

I'm honestly getting so sick of the tech media. They are worse than the REGULAR media. All this waning iPad demand stuff that's been in the news lately all stemmed from a very non-credible source saying that Apple had lowered their component orders because of decreasing demand. This has been proven time and again, at least with Apple, to not necessarily be the case. A day later the Kindle Fire came out, and the tech media put those two stories together and decided that just because the Fire came out, Apple was all the sudden quaking in their boots and ordering less iPads.

Anyone who thinks this is the case is an idiot. Apple didn't just find out about the Kindle Fire. They've probably known about it longer than the press has. And they also aren't going to just sit there and not do anything about it. They are a competitive company that happens to have a much less stubborn CEO these days. Expect them to make moves to counter the Kindle Fire, whether it's with new devices, price reductions on the current ones, or possibly even both.

One more thing: Cameras ARE NOT just a feature that tech savvy users want. Apologize for the Kindle all you want, but video chat is something that a lot of people will see as an essential function of a tablet. It's the reason a lot of people held off on the iPad 1.

 

[matt90036]

thats just like asking why do people need a BMW if they can buy a scooter. read some iPad and Amazon fire reviews and you will see. also for those people who believe and fire will fail it is just like saying that there is no demand for scooters and everyone will drive BMWs.

 

[Lagmonster]

I like the Fire, especially if you are a Prime member. The form-factor is nice. It is no iPad2. I will likely give my Fire away. It is a great Mom Tablet.

 

[Consultant]

Kindle Fire FAILS at everything:
http://www.loopinsight.com/2011/11/16/kindle-fire-fails-at-almost-everything/

 

[Doc750]

I waas super excited to get my new kindle fire yesterday. As soon as I opened the box, I was like this is awesome, it really was a lot more portable then the iPad. I've been taking public transportation lately, and the iPad is honestly too big to pull out when your packed in at rush hour. The kindle seemed perfect for that.

Then I started using the browser and the constant scrolling and zooming in and out to see the print became annoying. Not being able to arrange or remove the items off that scroll table at the top is annoying. Then this morning sitting on the john I was flipping through online news and it wasn't the same as it is with all the real estate the iPad has.

I really wanted to like this tablet. I thought having something smaller would make it more useful, but the user experience on this device is a serious let down. I'll play with it some more over the next week, and then decide if I'm sending it back.