Amazon Kindle "Fire" Tablet - 7" colour multitouch LCD, forked Android

[Matt D]

So, the rumours about the Amazon tablet are getting even stronger, and seeing as it may be the one tablet with a genuine shot at competing with the iPad I thought I'd now give it its own thread...

Guardian: Amazon to take on Apple's iPad

Originally Posted by The Guardian's Charles Arthur

Amazon is expected to release a tablet computer before Christmas which analysts forecast will finally provide serious competition for Apple's iPad, which has had the overwhelming share of the tablet market since its launch in April 2010.

Though the company declined to comment on Tuesday, a growing number of analysts and industry watchers said Amazon, best known for its online shopping site, is preparing to push into the highly competitive tablet market to add to its dominance of the handheld ereader market through its Kindle device.

(snip)

Sarah Rotman at Forrester, speaking about the expected tablet from Amazon, said that if Jeff Bezos's company manages to set the price below $300 (£185) and launch it by October, "we see Amazon selling 3m to 5m tablets" by the end of the year and that it will "completely disrupt the status quo". However she sees Apple continuing to dominate the sector, where it has roughly three-quarters of the market. In the Christmas quarter of 2010, Apple sold 7.3m iPads.

Rotman said that "even though Amazon taking on Apple is a bit like David taking on Goliath – compare the market capitalisation, profits and cash position of the two companies – Amazon's willingness to sell hardware at a loss, combined with the strength of its brand ... makes it the only credible iPad competitor in the market".

(snip)

Analysts expect Amazon's forthcoming tablet will use Google's Android mobile operating system, which has become the dominant player in the smartphone market, pushing aside Finland's Nokia, but made little impact so far on the larger devices, partly due to a lack of content and apps.

But Amazon has been preparing its own "app market" for Android, and can offer its Kindle app on the platform, creating a potentially huge market for ebooks.

"A year from now, Amazon will be synonymous with Android on tablets, a strong second to Apple's iPad," Rotman said.

(snip)

TechCrunch: Amazon’s Kindle Tablet Is Very Real. I’ve Seen It, Played With It.

Originally Posted by TechCrunch's MG Siegler

It’s called simply the “Amazon Kindle”. But it’s not like any Kindle you’ve seen before. It displays content in full color. It has a 7-inch capacitive touch screen. And it runs Android.

(snip)

Again, the device is a 7-inch tablet with a capacitive touch screen. It is multi-touch, but from what I saw, I believe the reports that it relies on a two-finger multi-touch (instead of 10-finger, like the iPad uses) are accurate. This will be the first Kindle with a full-color screen. And yes, it is back-lit. There is no e-ink to be found anywhere on this device.

(snip)

Originally, Amazon had planned to launch a 7-inch and a 10-inch tablet at the same time. But that plan changed this summer. Now they’re betting everything on the 7-inch. If it’s a hit, they will release the more expensive 10-inch tablet in Q1 2012.

So how much will the 7-inch Kindle cost? $250.

Yes, Amazon has been able to trim the cost of the device to half of the entry-level iPad. And it will be the same price as Barnes & Noble’s Nook Color, which this will very obviously compete with directly. Both have 7-inch color touch screens. Both run Android.

And this is where things get really interesting. As anticipated, Amazon has forked Android to build their own version for the Kindle. Simply put: it looks nothing like the Android you’re used to seeing.

(snip)

But the key for Amazon is just how deeply integrated all of their services are. Amazon’s content store is always just one click away. The book reader is a Kindle app (which looks similar to how it does on Android and iOS now). The music player is Amazon’s Cloud Player. The movie player is Amazon’s Instant Video player. The app store is Amazon’s Android Appstore.

Google’s Android Market is nowhere to be found. In fact, no Google app is anywhere to be found. This is Android fully forked. My understanding is that the Kindle OS was built on top of some version of Android prior to 2.2. And Amazon will keep building on top of that of that over time. In other words, this won’t be getting “Honeycomb” or “Ice Cream Sandwich” — or if it does, users will never know it because that will only be the underpinnings of the OS. Any visual changes will be all Amazon.

They are not working with Google on this. At all.

(snip)

A few more bits about the hardware:

I believe it is running on a single-core chip (though I’m not 100 percent sure). My understanding is that the 10-inch version, if it comes, will have a dual-core chip.

I also believe the device only has 6 GB of internal storage. The idea is that this will be more of a “cloud device” for things like music and movies. The storage is meant for storing books and apps There were a few references to an SD card expansion, but I couldn’t find a slot on the hardware itself.

This initial version of the device will be WiFi-only. Amazon is supposedly working with carriers to possibly product 3G-enabled versions (as they have with their other Kindles), but that won’t be the case at launch.

I’m not sure what the battery life is like (I only played with it for about an hour), but I imagine it is very good and in line with other tablets — 10 hours or so.

(snip)

Guardian: Why Amazon's tablet will challenge Apple in a way that Google cannot

Originally Posted by The Guardian's Charles Arthur

The rumours are unstoppable: Amazon is going to unveil a tablet in the next few weeks, and if the hands-on description of an internal prototype by MG Siegler over at Techcrunch are even vaguely correct, then it's going to be a 7in device with a colour touchscreen running a forked version of Android, at a price around $250. (UK price still unknown).

Note that "forked" bit, because it could be crucial.

The expectation around Amazon and its entry to the tablet market has been building, partly because it is the first – and possibly the only – company that people think could pose a serious threat to Apple in the tablet space.

Why, when there are dozens of different tablets out there – from Samsung to Acer to Asus to RIM to Motorola to HP's TouchPad (very limited stocks only!) to, I don't know, throw a stone and you'll hit someone making a tablet – why should it be that it's only when Amazon comes to the tablet table that people think it will make a difference?

(big snip)

I think Charles Arthur makes some good points about how the Amazon tablet may be able to challenge the iPad in ways none of the others have...

[Cobbydaler]

Hmmm...

http://shiftyjelly.wordpress.com/201...n-to-the-core/

[Matt D]

Ah. Perhaps the Amazon store isn't so good afterall...

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by Cobbydaler

Hmmm...

http://shiftyjelly.wordpress.com/201...n-to-the-core/

From that link:

Thanks for your response. The Free App of the Day promotion is the most valuable and visible spot in the store. It hosted the launch of the likes of Angry Birds Rio, Plants v. Zombies and more. Amazon will not receive any sales rev share from the Free App of the Day

Interesting to note that the the two Apps they listed were *already* successful, thanks largely to the iPhone, Google and the extensive press coverage both recieved, so it's doubtful that their developers benefited from Amazon giving them away free. Amazon almost certainly did though.

This, in my opinion, is just Amazon using their developers for their own benefit while pretending they are helping the developers.

Actually, a few years back, News International did the same to my family. We owned a newsagent. They reduced the cover price of The Sun (then our best selling daily paper) to below the wholesale price. They did not lower the wholesale price, but advertised the lower cover price extensively to build sales (thus *increasing* our costs). That stunt lasted only a few days, but cost my family tens of thousands of pounds.

[muppetman11]

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tech/new...ndle-fire.html

What do we think hit or miss ?

[Damien]

Have to wait and see but it initially looks relatively limited in comparison to the iPad but with a price point to compensate.

If it's true they are using it primary as a consumption advice for their own video and music services then we're set to miss out as Amazon Video isn't in the UK. That leaves a rather underwhelming music service for us, since their streaming efforts are also not even live in the UK.

Great name however.

[Rob]

The great advantage of the standard Kindle is that the display will work even in bright daylight, something that most LCD type screens can't do. Plus the technology means that (without wifi on) the battery lasts a very long time so most people can go on their holidays without the charger. All good for portability.

I wonder how the Kindle Fire, with it's android goodness will maintain those advantages, or will it just get lost in amongst all the other tablets already available.

[Damien]

Originally Posted by Rob

The great advantage of the standard Kindle is that the display will work even in bright daylight, something that most LCD type screens can't do. Plus the technology means that (without wifi on) the battery lasts a very long time so most people can go on their holidays without the charger. All good for portability.

I wonder how the Kindle Fire, with it's android goodness will maintain those advantages, or will it just get lost in amongst all the other tablets already available.

The Kindle Fire will be positioned alongside the current e-reader Kindles. They will aim for a different demographic/use-case than the current Kindles, which will still be sold and promoted.

[muppetman11]

http://www.theatlantic.com/technolog...e-ipad/245753/

[Maggy J]

If it means I can read picture heavy books on it I might be interested.The present Kindle not having that ability has made me a little reluctant.

[Halcyon]

Just reading the title I thought one had caused a fire.
I think they could choose a better name.

[muppetman11]

Originally Posted by Halcyon

Just reading the title I thought one had caused a fire.
I think they could choose a better name.

LOL

[peanut]

Originally Posted by Maggy J

If it means I can read picture heavy books on it I might be interested.The present Kindle not having that ability has made me a little reluctant.

You're a Beano fan? Either that or you could just learn to read.

I have a kindle and I'm quite glad it doesn't do anything other than what it's designed to be. I also have an iPad2 which I'd never use as an ebook reader for a number of reasons (the Kindle is just too good is the main reason). Though for Picture heavy/based books or comics, the iPad2 is excellent and is perfect.

You can download the mags that are in the shops, you can view them on the kindle but it's just not worth the hassle, this is where the iPad overtakes it.

The 'Fire' will be interesting and I'm hoping it's good, but I'm not sure what it's designed to be just yet.

[Maggy J]

Originally Posted by peanut

You're a Beano fan? Either that or you could just learn to read.

I have a kindle and I'm quite glad it doesn't do anything other than what it's designed to be. I also have an iPad2 which I'd never use as an ebook reader for a number of reasons (the Kindle is just too good is the main reason). Though for Picture heavy/based books or comics, the iPad2 is excellent and is perfect.

You can download the mags that are in the shops, you can view them on the kindle but it's just not worth the hassle, this is where the iPad overtakes it.

The 'Fire' will be interesting and I'm hoping it's good, but I'm not sure what it's designed to be just yet.

There is no need to patronise me.
Did I say I wanted to read comic books?
What I want to do is read Illustrated books and reference books..Which I cannot do at present with the Kindle..

[dilligaf1701]

I know its black and white, but ny kindle handles illustrated books just fine.

These days i just want the machine to read out the text so a colour one wouldnt interest me as i doubt the battery would be brilliant.