Amazon Kindle Fire aims to undercut Apple's iPad with $199 price
Amazon on Wednesday unveiled its new Kindle Fire touchscreen tablet, an Android-powered device with a 7-inch display that will sell for just $199, or less than half of Apple's entry-level $499 iPad.
The details of the new Kindle Fire were leaked ahead of Wednesday's official announcement by Bloomberg, which revealed that the device will have Wi-Fi connectivity, but no 3G. It will also come with a 30-day free trial of Amazon Prime, a $79-per-year service that includes free two-day shipping of purchases and some streaming video content.
The device was described as a "souped-up version of the Kindle electronic-book reader" that will run the Google Android mobile operating system. It said that Amazon "painted over the rough surfaces" of Android with a "fresh and easy-to-use interface."
The Kindle Fire will begin shipping on Nov. 15, and customers can now preorder the device. Features of the hardware, as touted by Amazon, include:
18 million movies, TV shows, songs, magazines, and books
Amazon Appstore - thousands of popular apps and games
Ultra-fast web browsing - Amazon Silk
Free cloud storage for all your Amazon content
Vibrant color touchscreen with extra-wide viewing angle
Fast, powerful dual-core processor
Amazon Prime members enjoy unlimited, instant streaming of over 10,000 popular movies and TV shows
AppleInsider first reported on Monday that Amazon will build an initial run of 3 million of its new color touchscreen tablet, code-named "Hollywood." It will run on the older OMAP3430 processor from Texas Instruments.
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo was also first to reveal to AppleInsider that the bill-of-materials for the Kindle Fire will be around $180, which has allowed the retailer to sell the device at the aggressive $199 price point.
Amazon is said to be first releasing a 7-inch tablet to test the market, ahead of devices with larger form factors potentially arriving in 2012. At 7 inches, the Kindle fire is smaller than the 9.7-inch display of Apple's iPad.
Kuo said that Amazon is working on a 10.1-inch device code-named "Coyote" aimed to compete more directly with the iPad when it arrives in 2012. The company is also said to be preparing an 8.9-inch device for release in the second half of 2012.
Unlike Amazon's previous e-ink-based Kindle devices, the Fire sports a color LCD touchscreen which allows for activities beyond reading. Amazon plans to sell movies, games and other content for its new 7-inch tablet.
The details of the new Kindle Fire were leaked ahead of Wednesday's official announcement by Bloomberg, which revealed that the device will have Wi-Fi connectivity, but no 3G. It will also come with a 30-day free trial of Amazon Prime, a $79-per-year service that includes free two-day shipping of purchases and some streaming video content.
The device was described as a "souped-up version of the Kindle electronic-book reader" that will run the Google Android mobile operating system. It said that Amazon "painted over the rough surfaces" of Android with a "fresh and easy-to-use interface."
The Kindle Fire will begin shipping on Nov. 15, and customers can now preorder the device. Features of the hardware, as touted by Amazon, include:
18 million movies, TV shows, songs, magazines, and books
Amazon Appstore - thousands of popular apps and games
Ultra-fast web browsing - Amazon Silk
Free cloud storage for all your Amazon content
Vibrant color touchscreen with extra-wide viewing angle
Fast, powerful dual-core processor
Amazon Prime members enjoy unlimited, instant streaming of over 10,000 popular movies and TV shows
AppleInsider first reported on Monday that Amazon will build an initial run of 3 million of its new color touchscreen tablet, code-named "Hollywood." It will run on the older OMAP3430 processor from Texas Instruments.
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo was also first to reveal to AppleInsider that the bill-of-materials for the Kindle Fire will be around $180, which has allowed the retailer to sell the device at the aggressive $199 price point.
Amazon is said to be first releasing a 7-inch tablet to test the market, ahead of devices with larger form factors potentially arriving in 2012. At 7 inches, the Kindle fire is smaller than the 9.7-inch display of Apple's iPad.
Kuo said that Amazon is working on a 10.1-inch device code-named "Coyote" aimed to compete more directly with the iPad when it arrives in 2012. The company is also said to be preparing an 8.9-inch device for release in the second half of 2012.
Unlike Amazon's previous e-ink-based Kindle devices, the Fire sports a color LCD touchscreen which allows for activities beyond reading. Amazon plans to sell movies, games and other content for its new 7-inch tablet.
Comments
It's not in the same category as an iPad.
the Kindle Fire neither was nor ever intended to compete directly against the iPad.
It's not in the same category as an iPad. The Coyote might be but for now this thing is a slow poke.
It's not meant to directly compete with the iPad.
Something to consider tho: If a customer purchases one of these, the purchase of another slate/tablet product in the near future is less likely. A lot of buyers will find it's more than good enough for their needs and wants. Apple's iPad sales will be affected even tho the Kindle Fire is not a direct competitor.
My main interests are whether it's a simple color display, or have they figured out how to do e-ink in color. Makes a huge difference in terms of long-term reading comfort. Also, is it as light as a kindle?
if not, it better be as fast as an iPad.
Not sure how anyone can weigh in on this yet given we have no idea on the exact capabilities/specs of the Fire
I assume it is not e-ink anymore since it's running android.
... I doubt the UX can match what Apple has to offer.
the Kindle Fire exists in a different market than the iPad so comparing UX is silly and unnecessary.
Amazon already has content and a decent web experience.
It is my go-to place for most purchases.
Apple has this one-stop shop with iTunes that provides a good experience with their devices.
Amazon is already setup with their site to provide a similar experience.
I don't think this is any kind of an iPad killer (I am certainly not switching). But, Amazon might be in the best position to provide a good all-around experience to finally provide some competition for Apple.
Hmm, I notice that Amazon apparently doesn't sell the iPad, Apple isn't even mentioned on their tablets page.
Like others have said, it is not a direct competitor but a good interpretation of what many people want a tablet for and a huge amount cheaper. I am sure this will take away some sales from apple.
It's not meant to directly compete with the iPad.
Something to consider tho: If a customer purchases one of these, the purchase of another slate/tablet product in the near future is less likely. A lot of buyers will find it's more than good enough for their needs and wants. Apple's iPad sales will be affected even tho the Kindle Fire is not a direct competitor.
So in other words it will compete with the ipad. Just not that well.
This could well stop me getting an ipad. I want a tablet for viewing content and lying on the sofa web browsing. For less than half the price I can get something that pretty much meets my needs from amazon.
I hear that it will come complete with a belt sander for paring down your fingertips to little nubs.