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Kindle Fire Seen Slowing Some Previously-Planned iPad Purchases
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Interesting numbers, you get what you pay for though! I can't justify the Fire as being something I can depend on for a tablet. Too small of a screen for my note-taking needs
Too small of a screen for note taking? Or the fact that you aren't showing off that you're taking notes on an iPad?
I respectfully disagree. I think it was good market timing on Amazon's part. I personally would have gotten an iPad3 had one come out this Fall or plans were for one to come out Christmas.
I think maybe the Amazon team is reading the boards here and saw a 'gap' in Apple's release (Yes, I know it is not really a gap...but you know what I mean) to come out with their own tablet.
I think it was smart and it will be interesting to see how it works out for them.
Simply put... the limitations of the iPad itself put it in the e-reader category .
It isn't a direct competitor is the more accurate way of looking at it.
Yes it is a car like the iPad is a car. But they aren't the same any more than a BMW is the same as a Nissan Versa.
Your list is nice and all. But hardly represents how each product performs in each of those categories. Nor does it list the things the Fire can't do which the iPad can.
Lets not forget that the screen is half the size of an iPad screen.
It is a different class of device.
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Of course the device hasn't even been released yet, so this is the opinion of early adopters, who don't know if they made a good choice. I think that the competition is only competition until they release their products, then they are quickly forgotten.
It doesn't have an Apple logo on it. It can't possibly be the same. Or near the same in any way.
90% (this is completely made up of course, but my feel of the situation) of iPad users have it sitting on a coffee table and the device provides one-click access to web browsing. Also for Facebook, twitter, a little bit of gaming and some FaceTime/Skype. For $199, the KF more than justifies it for most people to not care about missing out on FaceTime and Skype. Besides, most people arrived at Apple from PC by experimenting. Why not try something new from Amazon and see if it enhances your device experience. For me, I have too much invested in the Apple ecosystem to want to deviate, but I can live without an iPad if I am honest. It's great for what it is, but I find too much overlap with my iPhone 4S to justify it. It's fine for the house and my wife and kids use it instead of a laptop all the time
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I do hope that the Kindle Fire cuts into Apple's share of the tablet market, because competition is always healthy, more competition and more choice.
This survey is really worthless b/c we don't know how much the respondents understand the difference between the capabilities of the iPad vs. the Fire. Once you really flesh out each device you understand the only thing they really have in common it that they are both tablets.
Now it may be that the iPad was overkill for many people but they bought one anyway b/c it was the only decent tablet on the market, and now people can buy the Fire instead. If that is the case then the iPad will lose sales.
BUT I believe there are a lot of Fire buyers out there that expect the Fire to be iPad-lite. The Fire is a much more closed device than the iPad, which isn't exactly open. The iPad heavily relies on iCloud and iTunes but it isn't dependent on those services like the Fire is w/ Amazon's cloud service. I won't even get into the stark hardware differences.
So, I think we'll have to take a wait and see attitude here to see if there is any significant impact. Ultimately, I don't think there will be any more than ground round is a threat to a New York Strip in a grocery store. Two beef products but for different desires.
Now it may be that the iPad was overkill for many people but they bought one anyway b/c it was the only decent tablet on the market, and now people can buy the Fire instead. If that is the case then the iPad will lose sales.
BUT I believe there are a lot of Fire buyers out there that expect the Fire to be iPad-lite. The Fire is a much more closed device than the iPad, which isn't exactly open. The iPad heavily relies on iCloud and iTunes but it isn't dependent on those services like the Fire is w/ Amazon's cloud service. I won't even get into the stark hardware differences.
So, I think we'll have to take a wait and see attitude here to see if there is any significant impact. Ultimately, I don't think there will be any more than ground round is a threat to a New York Strip in a grocery store. Two beef products but for different desires.
I don't know if Amazon had a tablet waiting in the wings for this "gap", but they may get a few extra sales due to the lucky timing.
90% of what i use my ipad 2 for can be done by the kindle fire
this was apple's fault and their idiotic rules on taking 30% of book sales and other in app sales that weren't crap for freemium games. along with opening the ibook store and selling magazines
apple should just have signed a deal with amazon and now they have to compete with a strong product that is literally being given away
this was apple's fault and their idiotic rules on taking 30% of book sales and other in app sales that weren't crap for freemium games. along with opening the ibook store and selling magazines
apple should just have signed a deal with amazon and now they have to compete with a strong product that is literally being given away
What complete drivel. Most people don't even know these boards exist beyond some OCT nerds that we all seem to be. Amazon is producing a mass market consumer electronic. If they based their strategy on what they read here, they need taking to one side and shooting. I don't think they are
"I was going to buy a new Porsche TT-S, really, but instead I'll probably buy a Civic."
Of course the people who actually pre-ordered could say anything they'd like about their original intent to buy an Apple product, but I'd still like to see just those respondents as a discreet column/value.
$200 for a $325 device seems like a really good deal.
325?? What the hell am I talking about?
The device is 200$. We know Amazon is subsidizing $50. This means there is a 250$ worth of components. Add a 30% margin, and you have a MSRP of $325.
Plus, Amazon has never disappointed with their Kindle line. Why would that start now?
This product will be a hit. Not saying the iPad won't best it in some ways. But for 95% of what people use tablets for, it will compete in a very serious way. And, it will absolutely crush on price.
325?? What the hell am I talking about?
The device is 200$. We know Amazon is subsidizing $50. This means there is a 250$ worth of components. Add a 30% margin, and you have a MSRP of $325.
Plus, Amazon has never disappointed with their Kindle line. Why would that start now?
This product will be a hit. Not saying the iPad won't best it in some ways. But for 95% of what people use tablets for, it will compete in a very serious way. And, it will absolutely crush on price.
I agree that the tablet category does not need to be more than a surfing machine.
But the Fire is 7". All the more reason to not get one if you already own an iPhone.
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90% of what you do can be done on an iPod Touch too.
I expect that Amazon is losing money on the device or breaking even now with plans to lower the price into a loser. Do they really expect to make up the price in media sales?
On the other hand, Apple is competing on the price of media, driving the price down, so I can't see that much profit in media. They are making a good profit on the device however.
Apple and Motorola Mobility and Samsung all want to keep improving the devices year after year and selling more devices. Amazon wants to play like the game market but Sony and Microsoft and Nintendo realized they cant crank out the next generations of their consoles so fast. If Amazon tries to keep up with the other tablets, they will be out of business in a few years. They seem to be setting themselves up for slower redesign cycles.
On the other hand, Apple is competing on the price of media, driving the price down, so I can't see that much profit in media. They are making a good profit on the device however.
Apple and Motorola Mobility and Samsung all want to keep improving the devices year after year and selling more devices. Amazon wants to play like the game market but Sony and Microsoft and Nintendo realized they cant crank out the next generations of their consoles so fast. If Amazon tries to keep up with the other tablets, they will be out of business in a few years. They seem to be setting themselves up for slower redesign cycles.
but don't forget, Amazon hasn't even announced plans for international availability. as well, some key services for Fire are tied to an Amazon Prime account, which likewise isn't available to most people outside the U.S.
somehow these important points don't get mentioned often when comparing Fire to iPad.
meanwhile Apple offers the iPad and iTunes Store in how many countries?
somehow these important points don't get mentioned often when comparing Fire to iPad.
meanwhile Apple offers the iPad and iTunes Store in how many countries?
Eventually Apple is going to be in for a shock.
Just like Flat screen TV's
Video recorders
DVD players
Laptops
Laser printers
Monitors
There will come a point in the future when the technology has matured to the point where tablets will just become commodity items. The tech will be settled enough, and so many factories around the world are churning out so many millions of tablets per month that costs will tumble.
When this happens, and will probably be quite a few years from now, perhaps a decade? It's going to be hard to justify your $600, $800 tablet unless it does something so amazing that nothing else can do.
Very few people in the mass market buy the top end hi-fi's and such like any more as the quality of the low priced models are enough for 95% of the population.
It's going to be interesting to see if Apple can only produce a "Premium" product when we get to this stage, as they might get swamped by then.
Just like Flat screen TV's
Video recorders
DVD players
Laptops
Laser printers
Monitors
There will come a point in the future when the technology has matured to the point where tablets will just become commodity items. The tech will be settled enough, and so many factories around the world are churning out so many millions of tablets per month that costs will tumble.
When this happens, and will probably be quite a few years from now, perhaps a decade? It's going to be hard to justify your $600, $800 tablet unless it does something so amazing that nothing else can do.
Very few people in the mass market buy the top end hi-fi's and such like any more as the quality of the low priced models are enough for 95% of the population.
It's going to be interesting to see if Apple can only produce a "Premium" product when we get to this stage, as they might get swamped by then.
I think you have to give screen size a little more credit than you are currently giving.
You can test that out on your iPad. Let us assume that the Fire surfs as well as the iPad for sake of the test. Not likely but let us assume that.
Ok, First turn your iPad so you are in Portrait mode.
Next cover half the screen with paper using some scotch tape.
Wha La. You have a Kindle Fire. Enjoy your surfing.
