Amazon's Kindle Fire Tablet

Feathers · September 23, 2011, 01:15:18 AM

Quote from: Ktrek on September 22, 2011, 08:09:16 PM
Let me just say that the Kindle tablet will be Android base OS but Amazon has already said that it will not be an open platform. No Android Market. So...

My understanding was that the reason Android Market was out was because just about everything else Google-centric was also out. Amazon have their own Android app store, however, controversial as this may be in some circles, so I'm not sure you're painting a fully accurate picture.

Jobydrone · September 23, 2011, 04:37:43 AM

What makes the iPad great right now is not the functionality, which is the same across multiple platforms, but rather the third party support. Tons of apps, and big names that people associate with the device, like Netflix. I dont see that changing any time soon, but third parties will go where the users go. If tons of people flock to a new device bcause of great marketing and low price, so will the third party developers. What makes the future of the iPad bright is the brand recognition. The average person in the street, when they see me with my iPad, don't say "oh is that a tablet," they usually say "oh is that an iPad" and I don't see that changing anytime soon either.

Rico · September 23, 2011, 05:11:02 AM

Quote from: Feathers on September 23, 2011, 01:15:18 AM
Quote from: Ktrek on September 22, 2011, 08:09:16 PM
Let me just say that the Kindle tablet will be Android base OS but Amazon has already said that it will not be an open platform. No Android Market. So...

My understanding was that the reason Android Market was out was because just about everything else Google-centric was also out. Amazon have their own Android app store, however, controversial as this may be in some circles, so I'm not sure you're painting a fully accurate picture.

Since the table isn't out yet, I can only go by what I have read. But I think there is some incorrect or at least misleading information in this thread.

Amazon is building it's own version of the Android OS for the device. But, that doesn't mean it can't run the Android apps that are out there. There really won't be a need to "hack" this device as KTrek has suggested.

As far as the whole iPad vs. Kindle Tablet vs. Nook vs. ??? - that is all up to the individual buyer. Again, I think this Amazon device has a great deal going for it and will do well in the marketplace. I knew starting this whole thread would create this kind of discussion again. But to think the iPad is the only tablet anyone will ever buy or want is somewhat naive to me.

Bryancd · September 23, 2011, 05:11:32 AM

All good points Chris, Joby, and Kevin. I agree down the road there will be multiple versions of this device in consumer hands but it's going to be a long time until the majority of those devices are not an Apple. As Joby points out, they aren't referred to as tablets but iPads. That's already been accepted as the generic term to refer to these devices. The other aspect of this you all need to consider is the global economy. As huge emerging markets continue to industrialize and create a consumer base with new found wealth, the market place for the leader in this space has a huge opportunity to capitalize on that brand recognition. The Apple symbol is as well known as the Nike swoosh around the world. As I mentioned, the tablet market is going to transform the PC market forever and Apple is at the forefront of a growth segment which has HUGE penetration yet to be made .Also keep in mind the iPad is still a new device, it was released only last year, to a lot of criticism which proved to be completely wrong. People didn't get it but then suddenly everyone wanted it. It's the perfect storm for the company and unless they do something colossally stupid, Apple can grow this market for years.

Bryancd · September 23, 2011, 05:23:16 AM

Quote from: Rico on September 23, 2011, 05:11:02 AM
As far as the whole iPad vs. Kindle Tablet vs. Nook vs. ??? - that is all up to the individual buyer. Again, I think this Amazon device has a great deal going for it and will do well in the marketplace. I knew starting this whole thread would create this kind of discussion again. But to think the iPad is the only tablet anyone will ever buy or want is somewhat naive to me.

So what? It's a conversation, no big deal. Why would you worry about the direction a conversation goes, it's a forum. :)

One comment was made that this was a competitior to the iPad and I have pointed out why as of now, it's not and won't be for some time. The same thing was said around here with the RIM product and look how that worked out. And it's far from naive to recognize the reality of the current tablet market. As I have said in every comment, there market position won't last forever but if I had to make a call I would say at least another 5+ years until any competing device can find any real traction.

Meds · September 23, 2011, 08:23:12 AM

Bry out of curiosity do you still buy books or do you read all content on your iPad? Do you think books will go down the same route as vinyl?

Jobydrone · September 23, 2011, 08:51:57 AM

I don't make a living analyzing trends, but I don't think it takes a professional to see the writing on the wall. If you judge by the magazine and newspaper industries, it's not looking good for print. Also factor in hat one of the biggest retailers closed their doors just this month, and you can clearly see an "adapt or die" scenario rapidly approaching. Personally I don't think paper books will become the niche product that vinyl is now for quite some time, but when you consider the costs and resources required to manufacture and distribute physcial media, it's only a matter of time.

Bryancd · September 23, 2011, 09:14:48 AM

Quote from: HawkeyeMeds on September 23, 2011, 08:23:12 AM
Bry out of curiosity do you still buy books or do you read all content on your iPad? Do you think books will go down the same route as vinyl?

I'm still with books but Jamie is using the iPad more and more and is lobbying for us both to get Kindles. I continue to resist but will likely succumb. :) I have begun to get STAR TREK and STAR WARS magazines using Zinio online subscriptions and read those on the iPad but I still get hard copies of all my triathlon magazines. I do think digital books, magazines, and newspapers are the future, it's just a more efficient distribution model that can ultimately reach more people in a wired world.

Bryancd · September 28, 2011, 08:16:55 AM

FIRE!!!!! Looks like a nice product and the $199 is a great price point for them. Lot's of new Kindle products as well.

billybob476 · September 28, 2011, 08:24:15 AM

The 79 dollar kindle is huge. sub 100 dollars makes it an impulse purchase. Another interesting thing is how they are moving a lot of the heavy lifting into the cloud. For example, with the web browser, the web pages are processed on Amazon EC2 (aka the cloud) and just the rendered HTML is actually sent to the tablet.

Bryancd · September 28, 2011, 08:30:03 AM

Yeah, i think jamie and I will get that basic Kindle and move to e-books.

Rico · September 28, 2011, 08:30:54 AM

I want a Fire Tablet already! Amazing and useful at an awesome price. This is going to sell like hotcakes! And a touch Kindle reader! Amazon is firing all barrels today.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/technologylive/post/2011/09/amazon-announces-kindle-fire-tablet-for-199/1

Preorder yours for the Nov. 15th launch!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0051VVOB2

Bryancd · September 28, 2011, 09:44:21 AM

Well, Apple has sold about 30 million iPad since introduction and has 2/3 of the market share, so figure current tablet market is 50million units and growing. i could see Amazon capturing upwards of 10%, so that's 5 million+ right off the bat.

KingIsaacLinksr · September 28, 2011, 09:50:06 AM

Very nice, but Apple still has security. 8GB internal? No cameras? 7" screen? 8 Hour Battery?

Granted, this will sell. People that are really into Amazon stuff will get this, but the iPad is far and away not worried about the Fire. But its little wonder why its so cheap. They really shortened the specs on this to make it cheap.

Also, Silk = not fond of. Opera does the same thing basically and that barely works.

King

Bryancd · September 28, 2011, 10:10:02 AM

There was always going to be room in the cheap tablet market and I think Amazon will easily capture that. It's not an iPad competitior anymore then a $750 Dell desktop competes with a MacBook Pro, it's a different market segment all together. Apple still has the power of the app store, wireless, camera's, and the aspirational nod. Amzon is the king of the loss leader reatil. Just like the Kindle, they likely loose money on these in an effort to drive volume and people to the Amazon store and experience, that's their business model.