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.
I think you have to give screen size a little more credit than you are currently giving.
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.
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No matter how much better the iPad is than other tablets, competition is healthy for any Market sector
I don't see why the media keeps comparing the Fire to the iPad. They're very different items that do different things. I own an iPad and I'm going to purchase a Fire because they are different.
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.
I hate when people say Kindle Fire doesn't compete with iPad. The fact is they indeed directly compete with each other.
Let's see, both do
Web
Books
Music
Apps
Magazines
Not understanding how it's not a competitor product. Someone please explain!!
$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.
$199 kindle fire vs $199 ipod touch. unless people need to buy apple, the Fire is the better choice here
From this list, Apple only competes in the laptop market ... sure, they make monitors too, but they only cater to folks with Macs.Eventually Apple is going to be in for a shock.
Just like Flat screen TV's
Video recorders
DVD players
Laptops
Laser printers
Monitors
Right now, the iPad is not positioned as a "premium" product. It's priced very competively against the other ~10" tablets in the market. Are there more affordable tablets? Of course, the Nook Color and the Fire will attack that segment of the market (along with the Samsung 7 and 8.9" tabs. Will Apple follow suit? Who really knows. Apple has, in the past started out with the higher-tier end of the market and after sucking up all of the oxygen in the market, turned their attention to the lower-end of the market. They've done this with both the mp3-player market and the smartphone market. In both instances, they've done very well.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.
That is why they don't directly compete.
$199 kindle fire vs $199 ipod touch. unless people need to buy apple, the Fire is the better choice here
I need something that can easily slip into my pocket.
No one who buys a Fire was ever a potential iPad customer. If you don't start acknowledging that and pointing it out in the articles that highlight the Fire, then you might as well stop posting about it all together.
$199 kindle fire vs $199 ipod touch. unless people need to buy apple, the Fire is the better choice here
Well there's a reason why some might opt for the Fire vs an iPad as well. a 7" device - while likely not pocketable - is easier to purse/manbag than the ipad. Or just hold in your hand during your commute.
This just in.
Amazon-brand 26" LCD hdtvs are only $200.
Everyone quick. Grab one for your living room. Forget about those more expensive 42" hdtvs.
Eventually Apple is going to be in for a shock.
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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.
And if you already have a smartphone then why bother?
and where do you base that off of?