14 ms·

Amazon Unveils $199 Kindle Fire Tablet

391 points by rkudeshi 15y ago

rodh257 15y ago
Is there a live video feed of this Kindle event at all?
- pedrokost 15y ago
  Here's some blogs: http://live.thisismynext.com/Event/Amazon_Tablet_event_live_blog http://live.thisismynext.com/Event/Amazon_Tablet_event_live_... http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/28/live-from-amazons-tablet-event-in-nyc/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/28/live-from-amazons-tablet-... If there's a video feed let us know!
  - estel 15y ago
    Sadly it seems they've said they're not providing one.
muxxa 15y ago
A large USP of the Kindle is it's E-Ink display (leaving aside other ereaders from sony etc. for now). I have often recommended people to 'get a kindle' when asked about reading books electronically; this will no longer be the case. I think this new addition dilutes the Kindle brandname.
- achompas 15y ago
  I don't understand this rationale at all. How does the Kindle Fire devalue the Kindle brand name? The Fire is a different product from the e-ink Kindles. You can still say "get a Kindle touch for $99" or "get a Kindle with hard keys for $79."
  - CodeMage 15y ago
    It doesn't devalue it, it dilutes it.
    - achompas 15y ago
      Semantics...would you argue the iPod nano diluted the iPod brand?
  - muxxa 15y ago
    Audio is the core feature of the original iPod. Reading is the core feature of the Kindle. Reading from an lcd screen is a significantly worse experience than from e-ink. My point is that Amazon releasing the Kindle Fire is akin to if Apple released the iPod Touch (which had new features such as web browsing, youtube etc.) with degraded 8-bit audio.
    - gbog 15y ago
      I suppose you are right. Kindle brand could be stronger if tight to e-ink eye confort and even black and white, which make the thing austere and monacal, and not toyish like iPad. I don't know, is touchable e-ink coming in near future? Then they could have waited for that, and improve a lot Kindle OS (allow for plugins, real browsing, epub, viable pdf, email, etc) meanwhile.
      - jarek 15y ago
        Touchable e-ink has existed for a while. See for example Kobo Touch.
        nkassis 15y ago
        Yeah touch has been around I have a sony reader that's at least 4-5 years old now that has a touchable e-ink display. The reasons they went with a lcd is color and response(refresh?) time on e-ink display. You can't watch a movie or play games or browse the web on e-ink kindles.
    - ZeroGravitas 15y ago
      The iPod Touch is no where near as good an iPod as the classic, since it lacks the physical UI (the key differentiator for the iPod, not sound quality which has been variable) but makes up for it by adding extra features. So Apple pretty much did exactly what you suggest.
    - mikeash 15y ago
      The iPod Touch is a considerably worse iPod than its predecessors. This doesn't seem to have hurt its sales much, nor the iPod brand.
rkudeshi 15y ago
Looks like Bloomberg got early access and published before the actual press conference by accident. The most relevant details: The Kindle Fire will have a 7-inch display and sell for $199, compared with $499 for Apple’s cheapest iPad, Amazon executives said. The device, a souped-up version of the Kindle electronic-book reader, will run on Google Inc.’s Android software, the Seattle-based company said. The Kindle Fire doesn’t have an embedded camera or a microphone. The device offers Wi-Fi connectivity, though not 3G access, and comes with a 30-day free trial of Amazon Prime, the company’s $79-a-year membership service that includes streaming video and free two-day shipping.
- apaprocki 15y ago
  It wasn't an accident. It was a straight news "scoop". The news headline came across the wire at 9:31am: *AMAZON TO UNVEIL KINDLE FIRE TODAY, SELL TABLET AT $199 BN 9:31 Just to be sure, I checked with the news team. :)
kyleslattery 15y ago
Apparently there will be a $79 regular Kindle as well: http://thisismynext.com/2011/09/28/amazon-launches-79-kindle/ http://thisismynext.com/2011/09/28/amazon-launches-79-kindle...
- armandososa 15y ago
  Wow. That looks a lot like an old Palm device.
- AndreiVajnaII 15y ago
  That's the news I've been waiting for. I mean, other than the new tablet, I was interested in their plans for the e-ink reader, so that I can decide whether to wait for a new version, or buy the Kindle 3. Kindle 3 and Kindle Fire are two very different devices and it's best for them to announce their plans regarding both.
- Lewisham 15y ago
  Great price point. It's basically in impulse zone: "This book is 6 dollars cheaper at Kindle price... if I buy 12 it pays for itself..." but note there's no physical keyboard. Without a touch screen, it looks like it won't do note-taking, which is a bummer.
  - AndreiVajnaII 15y ago
    But there's also a $99 touchscreen e-ink reader, so there you go. :) http://thisismynext.com/2011/09/28/amazon-touchscreen-kindle-price-release-date-pictures/ http://thisismynext.com/2011/09/28/amazon-touchscreen-kindle...
    - Lewisham 15y ago
      I'm not too hot on the touchscreen. I don't need it. I like the physical page turning buttons on my wife's Kindle 3... they have a satisfying weight to them and they sit nicely where your fingers already are. I don't want to tap tap tap my e-ink screen all day.
cleverjake 15y ago
Outside of the amazing marketing and stance that amazon holds, this really doesn't seem like much. I don't see a lot that my parents would get excited about at least, and if they aren't the market, I am not sure who is.
- acangiano 15y ago
  It's not much compared to the iPad, but not everyone can afford the iPad. The $199 price point puts it in a different category. Heck, at $199, it's the kind of gift I'd easily buy for a friend or family member's birthday.
- SteveJS 15y ago
  If it can web browse with Flash then (modulo the dead end hp touchpad) it's the cheapest tablet web browser that can play games on facebook. My wife is a long time Apple fan since she was a Graphic Designer, but she turned her nose up at the iPad due to lack of Flash and some specific games she wants to play on Facebook.
ableal 15y ago
Interesting detail: an official-looking "Java TM Powered" swirly cup logo on the bottom right of the Quick Start guide for the new Kindle: http://kindle.s3.amazonaws.com/KindleQuickStartGuide.pdf http://kindle.s3.amazonaws.com/KindleQuickStartGuide.pdf (also in that PDF, a figure that shows the bottom side with micro USB socket and power switch, which was what I was looking for)
- ConstantineXVI 15y ago
  The K3 and (IIRC) K2 had the Java logo as well. Java's used for the KDK, don't know how deep in the stack Java goes, though.
gamble 15y ago
I'm not surprised that they decided not to launch the Fire tablet outside the US. At $199 they have to be selling near cost in the US, hoping to make their profit on media sales. Amazon's media stores are minimal at best outside the US. They still don't sell music or video in Canada, for example. Amazon is going to have a hard time playing at the same level as Apple until they step up their legal game and treat the rest of the world as more than an afterthought.
dabeeeenster 15y ago
I wonder if they are selling these at a loss? I can see it going down well in the XDA/Hacker community...
- dabeeeenster 15y ago
  Weird - according to this http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2393740,00.asp#fbid=rvUyoF1ILbc http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2393740,00.asp#fbid=rvU... it is running 2.3? But they say they are not doing anything to prevent root - awesome!
  - tucosan 15y ago
    This is what actually interests me, a rooted kindle fire. Only thing I care for is the hardware, I could not be less interested in amazons version of android though. Since I did not get a HP Tablet, this might be the next best thing to get a cheap tablet running a modded version of android.
paolomaffei 15y ago
one thing i didnt understand.. this fire thingy has an eink display or not? and what about the digital library of books someone was talking about?
dts 15y ago
One thing I'm surprised about here is how much Amazon is bothering to mention the tech behind everything in all the promo copy I've seen so far. This is something Apple never does and I think its a misstep for Amazon here. Claiming that silk uses the "raw computational horsepower of Amazon EC2" on the homepage of Amazon.com is a completely useless detail for 99% of people who will buy this device. Why not use the audience attention better and focus on what matters with this. Full color touch. Amazon content. Apps. Half the price of an iPad.
- Steko 15y ago
  It's important to feature it but you need to feature it in a way that people will instantly connect with the essence of the performance gain ala Firewire/Thunderbolt/Retina -- I'm pretty sure if this was an Apple launch they would be calling this RocketWeb or somesuch and there would be a bar chart showing the same pages in RocketWeb downloading 3 times faster (maybe they had this, I haven't watched the keynote yet).
latch 15y ago
Kindle Touch is what I wanted..yay. Now, if only they would open up their KDK and give it useful API calls, I'll be happy.
- CodeMage 15y ago
  My reaction to the "Kindle Touch" concept: Ewwww, fingerprints all over my precious books. I can't help agreeing with muxxa.
  - latch 15y ago
    The e-ink screen doesn't have fingerprint problems the way tablets/phones do. It's more plastic, no gloss..(of course, I'm assuming the Touch is still like that).
    - ConstantineXVI 15y ago
      I haven't had fingerprint issues at all on my Nook v2 (which uses the same sort of screen and touch sensor), so I doubt it'll be worth worrying about on the Kindle Touch.
orenmazor 15y ago
so, sounds like Apple's skimming the top end of the tablets, and Amazon's skimming the bottom end.
- tjogin 15y ago
  In terms of quality of experience, I think Amazon's product is going to be perceived as runner up to the iPad, while other Android devices will be perceived as the lower end. Other Android manufacturers are probably going to start competing with Amazon's offer as well, lowering prices and cutting corners in the process.
  - orenmazor 15y ago
    I'm really interested to see how this plays out. From casual observation, I see a lot of people wanting a non-ipad tablet as their requirement, and the amazon one will fit the bill perfectly (cheaper, non-ipad, relatively hackable, is going to have a lasting presence as a product line - unlike touchpad/playbook).
cbs 15y ago
So I'm reading along... getting interested... sounds promising... purchase might be on the horizon... Amazon has painted over the rough surfaces of Google’s Android operating system Now I won't even consider buying it until the cyanogenmod port is in decent shape. Why do manufactures always do this to android? The custom UI looks nicer (arguable, roll with it), but always kill usability because they don't understand how to have their software play nice and feel right on android. It might be better on the kindle fire because the biggest offenders I see are the dialer and text message app, but I won't hold my breath.
- kyleslattery 15y ago
  This is more than just a skin, like the handset manufacturers do. It's not supposed to be an Android device, it's an Amazon device.
  - cbs 15y ago
    bleh, thats even worse.
- smackfu 15y ago
  They aren't making an Android table, they are making a Kindle tablet that runs some Android programs.
  - dmix 15y ago
    I imagine thats what they said in the boardroom. But its still a layer ontop of Android.
    - tjogin 15y ago
      It isn't, really. They've built their Kindle product on the Android codebase, but it isn't Android and they won't be allowed to even call it an Android tablet, because they're not dancing to Google's tune. The new Kindle tablet may be sort-of compatible with Android today, but this isn't likely to remain the case since there is no feedback loop or collaboration between Google and Amazon in this.
bennesvig 15y ago
I'm guessing this means no free Kindle this November like Kevin Kelly was predicting. http://www.kk.org/thetechnium/archives/2011/02/free_kindle_thi.php http://www.kk.org/thetechnium/archives/2011/02/free_kindle_t...
- smackfu 15y ago
  I bet if you add this new price point to the graph, you can plot a new curve that makes it not go to zero.
  - achompas 15y ago
    I called this graph ridiculously dumb and got downvoted for it. The idea was ridiculous, but the thought experiment was fun. Still, hardware costs are not trivial. There's no way Amazon gives something away for free (with 10 ebook purchases) just yet.
- saraid216 15y ago
  That graph looks suspiciously like a countdown until the Fire would be released.
yardie 15y ago
Exactly what is the differentiation between a tablet and e-reader? This thing is aimed squarely at the BN Nook Color. Why is it being compared to the much more expensive and feature-full iPad?
- yusefnapora 15y ago
  I think that the iPad comparisons are due to the content available (movies, tv, music) and especially the App Store. If you want to do anything with the Nook Color that's not included in the tin you need to root it. The kindle browser sounds nice too. I can see a lot of people who balk at the iPad's price tag snapping these up.
patrickgzill 15y ago
The picture I saw seems to make it the same size and shape as the B&N Nook Color.
achompas 15y ago
Bezos, on Amazon's refreshed e-Ink readers: So meet the family. These are premium products at non-premium prices. People are going to love these products. This is Amazon's mission statement for product development. They will not compete with Apple's "revolutionary, magical" phones and tablets; instead, they'll sell quality tablets and readers to the average person at great prices. This populist attitude has been missing from the tablet market since the iPad's release. The Fire will be the first successful Android tablet because the user base already exists. With the last few Kindle generations, Amazon has groomed customers to pay for electronic content. These users will buy Kindle Fires and e-Ink Kindles in droves, buy more books, and tell their friends. At this price, Amazon won't steal Apple's customers. They will simply introduce a new segment of people to the tablet market. Developers need to think about this as another golden ticket. Here's the iOS gold rush, part deux. EDIT: changed "luxurious" to "revolutionary" after reading a comment below. I need more coffee.
- jkincaid 15y ago
  "With this price, though, Amazon won't steal Apple's customers.." I think a lot of people with iPads would have been more than happy to spend half as much to get an easy-to-use tablet.
  - achompas 15y ago
    I hesitate to agree because it seems like the iPad and Fire will provide different experiences. For what it's worth, I couldn't justify an iPad for $500. I would absolutely consider a Fire for $200 (or a Fire 3G for $250-300).
    - LearnYouALisp 15y ago
      He or she is saying that some people who were not looking for the advanced features bought the iPad because it was the only tablet available beyond some minimum.
      - CWuestefeld 15y ago
Nate75Sanders 15y ago
Anybody know if there are comprehensive specs anywhere? I can't find information about the resolution anywhere. Additionally, it looks like most sites thought it was going to cost $250.
deleted 15y ago
[deleted]
smackfu 15y ago
Main Amazon pages don't seem to be updated, but this URL is: http://www.kindle.com http://www.kindle.com Interesting stuff: * Will still sell current Kindle as "Kindle Keyboard" for same price. * New non-touch Kindle is 2 ounces lighter than old Kindle, but has half the battery life. * The new touch Kindle is 1 ounce lighter than old Kindle, with same battery life. * Kindle Fire is 6-7 ounces lighter than an iPad 2. * All the prices that were quoted are "with special offers" and the non-ad ones cost more.
- yusefnapora 15y ago
  Thanks for that link and summary. I'm glad there's still an option to buy the non-ad supported models; I was afraid they'd phase them out. Maybe they'll even go crazy and let me use my own screensaver images without jailbreaking!
  - toyg 15y ago
    I'd be happy to PAY for new screensavers or any other way to have custom screensavers without going through the pain of jailbreaking -- i have one of the recent versions which are difficult to root.
- ableal 15y ago
  Thanks for the link, looks good. The price "with special offers" is U.S. only, but most everybody else can also buy from amazon.com at 109 USD. Seems that E.U. Europeans get to pay VAT: "Your international shipment is subject to VAT. This is the same VAT rate you pay when you buy products in your country. There are NO customs duties or any other fees."
  - AndreiVajnaII 15y ago
    Also, it seems that the Kindle Touch is not available in Europe!?
    - estel 15y ago
      Nor is the Kindle Fire.
martingordon 15y ago
Finally, someone other than Apple gets that it isn't about what it is (i.e., specs), it's about what it does (i.e., content).
pw 15y ago
The product listing is up: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0051VVOB2 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0051VVOB2
revorad 15y ago
YES! I think with this, Android finally becomes appealing to me. I just wasn't going to spend money on crappy Dell, Samsung or Acer tablets. I've been happy with my e-ink Kindle, now for $199 I'll happily buy Fire.
deweller 15y ago
Here are the specs on Amazon's site: http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Color-Multi-touch-Display-Wi-Fi/dp/B0051VVOB2 http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Color-Multi-touch-Display-Wi-Fi...
julianb 15y ago
Interested to see what type of web browser they ship on these new devices.
- cobrabyte 15y ago
  I was checking out the specs on the Fire at Amazon's product page and got to the bottom, where they talk about Amazon Silk -- the 'split browser' used on the Fire. It appears to offload intensive processing to Amazon EC2 instances. Very cool stuff and, to me, more newsworthy than the launch of a tablet. I'd like to hear more details on Silk. More info (and video from Silk developers): http://amazonsilk.wordpress.com/2011/09/28/introducing-amazon-silk/ http://amazonsilk.wordpress.com/2011/09/28/introducing-amazo...
  - julianb 15y ago
    Interesting. Found some more details here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0051VVOB2#silk http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0051VVOB2#silk
  - iam 15y ago
    Really, really cool. I hope they extend Silk to all their products.
atmz 15y ago
I love how Bloomberg released an article describing the press conference in the past tense half an hour before it started; Amazon hasn't caught up with Apple's secrecy yet. Amazon is doing the right thing, which wouldn't be that surprising except that every other Android vendor has done the wrong thing. Amazon is presenting a unified, controlled environment to users (which most of them want), provides both content and app delivery services, and is selling tablets cheap enough to as not to compete directly with Apple. It will do well.
- antimarketing 15y ago
  This is a common media strategy. It is a win-win situation: a) Amazon rep. unofficially approves a "leaky" article just before the press conference. b) Bloomberg journalist guarantees a front page story on their web page. c) Amazon reaps the benefits of more coverage You are forgetting that Amazon Press Conferences, without these advance buzz giving messages would not be even 10% of what Apple conferences are. Now they get at least a half of that. Everybody in America is waking up. Everybody in Europe is bored at work. Everybody in Asia is enjoying their evening. Ideal.
j15e 15y ago
They show a lot the device in kid's hands : because 7" is too small for grown up? I have played with a RIM Playbook once and the size factor was the same concern. Seems like under 9-10" it can't be a replacement for my laptop in any situation and it feels more like a toy. (Disclaimer : I own an iPad)
- pohl 15y ago
  I'm guessing they show it in smaller hands so that the device appears larger.
- sharmajai 15y ago
  Your tablet can never be a replacement for your laptop. Period.
  - thenduks 15y ago
    Hmm I'm not so sure... My iPad can replace my laptop for basically everything but work. Web browsing, listening/browsing/buying music, twitter et al, emails, games, books, movies/tv shows, etc, etc.
    - sharmajai 15y ago
      "My iPad can replace my laptop for basically everything but work" - so I guess my point stands. I was trying to argue against OP's point that all these things "Web browsing, listening/browsing/buying music, twitter et al, emails, games, books, movies/tv shows, etc, etc" can be done on a Playbook too.
      - deleted 15y ago
        [deleted]
      - thenduks 15y ago
        Ok, fair enough. I thought what you were trying to argue was "Your tablet can never be a replacement for your laptop. Period."
cletus 15y ago
If Amazon want to not make comparisons with the iPad, something I'd strongly suggest, they should stop making statements like this: > The Kindle Fire will have a 7-inch display and sell for $199, compared with $499 for Apple’s cheapest iPad, Amazon executives said in interviews with Bloomberg Businessweek. Also, it's disingenuous. Of course a 7" "tablet" is cheaper than Apple's 10" tablet. Film at 11. That being said, I'm very pleased to see this. I didn't think e-ink readers would be abandoned by Amazon but I didn't see them being a high priority either yet here we are with updated models (and me having just bought a Kindle like 2-3 months ago, grrr). I'll have to look into it and see if the new ones are faster refresh (really the only thing I care about). If so I'll probably buy (another) one. What the hell. Although I'm not entirely convinced of the touch interface on an e-ink device. I guess we'll see. Come to think of it, I might just buy one of the $199 tablets too. It's almost impulse territory too. I do think Amazon could do really well with this. I imagine these will be popular holiday items. And like everyone has said, they are going to promote the hell out of these. That all being said, I'm not giving up my iPad just yet. :)
- smackfu 15y ago
  I disagree. Every time Amazon gets a sentence printed that says the Amazon table is $300 cheaper than the iPad, they win. They want to have them be mentioned in the same comparison, because that encourages the consumer to think "do I really need $300 more of tablet?"
  - pork 15y ago
    This is precisely what you want the consumer thinking, and it's amazing that a simple fact like that eluded the likes of Samsung, etc.
    - drivebyacct2 15y ago
      ? How does this relate to Samsung? Their related phone and tablet devices are priced nearly identically to Apple's offerings with nearly identical specs.
buff-a 15y ago
And it has a browser that renders on the cloud. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_u7F_56WhHk&feature=player_embedded http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_u7F_56WhHk&feature=playe...
- abuzzooz 15y ago
  Isn't that what Opera does on their mobile platform?
  - malnourish 15y ago
    Mostly correct. Opera servers compress pages before passing them along to the mobile device. [0] [0] http://www.opera.com/mobile/features/ http://www.opera.com/mobile/features/
  - jarek 15y ago
    Currently on Opera Mini, yes. Personally I think it's a good idea, and can't wait for it to expand to pre-compiling Javascript.
latch 15y ago
Just tried to order the new non-touch Kindle (which ships today): Kindle, Wi-Fi, 6" E Ink Display cannot be shipped to the selected address. A non-US address was selected for this US-only Kindle. BEZOS!!!
- yusefnapora 15y ago
  Did you select the one with special offers? I believe that one's US only. Perhaps the other one will work?
rapind 15y ago
I love this form factor and price, but is anyone else concerned about the whole cloud proxy (remote EC2 / S3 cache)? This puts all of your browsing history on their servers so forget privacy. It would even enable them to do things like substitute their own ads in place of the originals etc. On the one hand the predictive thing seems really cool and the techy in me is excited about the idea. On the other hand I'm really not a fan of a remote cache from a privacy perspective.
- orijing 15y ago
  I'd imagine you can opt out of that by either installing another browser (like Skyfire) or going to some settings in Silk. I don't think Amazon will track your browsing without your explicit approval, and I'd imagine it would be much easier to send each request as a stateless request to any of its EC2 instances.
endlessvoid94 15y ago
I have a serious question. Will I be able to use/read instapaper on this device? This is a big deal to me.
- shrikant 15y ago
  Set up Instapaper to deliver to your Kindle automatically on a schedule [1], and you're golden. [1] http://www.instapaper.com/user/kindle http://www.instapaper.com/user/kindle
- wanorris 15y ago
  There is no Instapaper for Android at present. Read It Later is available in the Amazon Appstore, so it is likely to work on the Kindle tablet.
lleims 15y ago
Someone else from outside the US thinking about pre-ordering it? On one hand it's just 127 pounds or 147 euros, but on the other I don't know what kind of experience those using it outside of the US will have: no Cloud Drive, no movies/tv shows, etc etc.
- antimarketing 15y ago
  Amazon Prime is available from Amazon UK.
codex 15y ago
Expect Google to match or beat Amazon pricing for tablets RSN--especially given their acquisition of Motorola. There really is no money in Android, especially for OEMs without a content or advertising play.
jolan 15y ago
They're sure getting their jabs at Apple in everywhere they can: "There are two types of companies: those that work hard to charge customers more, and those that work hard to charge customers less. Both approaches can work. We are firmly in the second camp." "System Requirements: None, because it's wireless and doesn't require a computer."
- ConstantineXVI 15y ago
  The requirements line has been there since the K1. Not an explicit jab at Apple as much as "this isn't complex technology, relax".
bgarbiak 15y ago
The price tags are awesome, but I'm worried that most of the content will be exclusive to U.S. residents.
saturdaysaint 15y ago
It's a shame to see that text-to-speech is absent from the light $79 model (it's present in the touch). At 6 ounces, that would be exactly the model I'd want to have TTS, which has been a killer feature for me. I actually prefer the robotic voice to most audiobook narrators for a lot of material - the affectless delivery must be how my internal voice reads a lot of books. Here's hoping Amazon puts TTS functionality into their Android/iPhone apps sooner than later - I'd gladly pay a $20 in-app purchase...
pnathan 15y ago
I am kinda waiting for the DX to drop in price. I really want that bigger e-ink screen, but it's not worth $379 to me.
- funksta 15y ago
  I'm pretty disappointed that they didn't update the DX. I was hoping for a DX with touch and decent PDF support, and would have payed $400+ for it. As it stands, it looks like they have orphaned it instead.
- ableal 15y ago
  See if my comment elsewhere here is of use to you http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=3048411 http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=3048411 I find the smaller E-ink screens a great fit for comfortable reading of fiction, or non-fiction prose like biography or history, where one doesn't need to skip around much, and the font size adjustment may come in handy.
  - tszyn 15y ago
    Do you have an opinion about what size Kindle (e-ink) is best for Web browsing? You'd think the DX would be better, but what about the weight?
    - ableal 15y ago
      I wouldn't recommend trying web browsing on E-ink, unless it's through some Readability filter or similar. The screen updates are too slow for it, and the DX browser didn't render perfectly. I suspect the CPUs don't have the oomph for the modern web. Note that my experience is on a 2010 vintage DX with no WiFi - it is limited to 3G on Amazon's dime. In Europe that's only Wikipedia and the Amazon store.
      - tszyn 15y ago
        Thanks. Reading from LCD screens gives me eye strain, so I was thinking of reading blogs, news and software docs on the Kindle. Do you think that might work?
pnathan 15y ago
I am kinda waiting for the DX to drop in price. I really want that bigger e-ink screen, but it's not worth $379 to me.
gizmo 15y ago
People in Europe are getting screwed again. - Small Kindle: $79 - Power Adapter: $10 - Cost in USA: $89 (free shipping) Okay, so I see a banner that they ship to Europe. Excellent, I click it. Then I get a new banner, saying that my country qualifies for free shipping (pending some conditions). I go through the checkout process and I'm faced with the following list: - Kindle + Adapter: $119 - Shipping: $27 (what happened to the free shipping banner you advertised with on the Kindle page AFTER I selected my country!?) - Tax: 0 - Import duties: $28 -------------- - Grand total: $174 That's twice the amount you have to pay in the US. Really, Amazon? Can't you just tell me it's going to cost that much BEFORE I go through the entire checkout process?
- estel 15y ago
  The price increase is because Amazon don't have an ad-supported network for non-US territories; so the $79 Kindle becomes the $109 Kindle. The UK store is selling this Kindle for £89. Are you really that surprised that Amazon add $50 for shipping and import duties on this product? I don't think this particular case is an example of Amazon screwing the international market. Not releasing the Fire or Touch on the international markets whatsoever is them screwing us ^.^
  - gizmo 15y ago
    I'm annoyed because Amazon added a big banner on the US website that the kindle was available in my country but neglected to mention what the price was going to be. In order to find out I had to go through the checkout process and type in my CC number (even though my CC is already on file) just to get to the point where they tell me what it's going to cost. I expect the number on the site to roughly correspond to the amount I actually have to pay. I don't expect there to be nearly a $100 difference. That's a hostile sales tactic and I don't appreciate it. After I select my country (on the kindle page itself) the price should immediately change to $109 (+$28 shipping + $28 duties). Then I wouldn't be complaining.
- riobard 15y ago
  No, not just Europeans. Canadians will have to pay the same price for the device and power adapter, plus $14 import duties. I thought NAFTA should eliminate the difference, but it turned out not to be the case. Other good things for geeks like Google Voice, iPhone, etc only available, or available first during initial launch, makes me want to relocate to the US. Sigh. That being said, Amazon.com's product page is really a nightmare for non-US customers. You'll NEVER find a link to the product page for your country. They only show it AFTER you click checkout and proceed when warn you that it won't deliver to your address. Bizarre.
nphase 15y ago
Is anyone else more interested in Silk than the Kindle Fire?
- 9999 15y ago
  Yes, I'm far more interested in Silk. It's a caching layer over the entire web. That is nuts. I'd love to know more about the internals of it. Do they only grab static files or is their some dynamic content caching? What's the threshold of requests before moving a page/site into Silk? Is there a way to opt out of using it if you have privacy concerns (sending every one of your requests through their system first will be a big issue for a lot of people). This may not seem that groundbreaking since Opera has already done this, but Amazon seem to be doing it on a much grander scale.
mun2mun 15y ago
In the product page http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0051VVOB2 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0051VVOB2 the word Android appeared once only. Interesting.
- cincinnatus 15y ago
  I'm surprised the number isn't zero. From the Google strategic point of view this device is not Android.
  - orangecat 15y ago
    Sure it is; if it succeeds it will encourage more app developers to target Android.
nodata 15y ago
> 8GB internal. That's enough for 80 apps, plus either 10 movies or 800 songs or 6,000 books. Anyone know how 8 gigs enough for 10 movies? The quality can't be great. Can these things plug into a tv?
- georgekv 15y ago
  Well it is a 7in. screen so that could possibly reduce the file size needed. And they're using the Kindle WhisperSync for use with compatible TVs, PCs, etc. (http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/?nodeId=200775230 http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/?nodeId=...)
- danssig 15y ago
  When I use Handbrake to rip directly from DVD to Apple TV format the video comes out at just over 700 megs.
Batsu 15y ago
What I want to see is how the app market will pan out. I can only assume (and didn't previously consider) that this will not carry Google branding at all - that means the Android Market, Gmail, Maps, etc, apps will all be missing. The Android Market would be the big loss here. Amazon seems to take more control over the selling of your product than you do once you submit to their Appstore, but if you want to show up on their tablets, you won't have a choice.
simonh 15y ago
Funny how all of the e-ink kindles have 4:3 aspect ratio screens but the Fire is widescreen. It lends credibility to reports that it's based on a previously existing Android tablet design. Amazon must realise it's sub-optimal, but now developers will be stuck supporting it even if they later release a 4:3 device.
- sliverstorm 15y ago
  Widescreen is the modus operandi for color screens any more. Video is widescreen now, and 4:3 screens are harder to come by. I doubt the Fire will ever be 4:3.
yusufg 15y ago
Unfortunately Kindle Fire is only available for shipping in the US. I think the Amazon account linked to it might also need a credit card with a US billing address
brainlock 15y ago
And again, all of this is US only. I don't understand this, they are able to ship a standard Kindle to Europe, why not a Kindle Touch?
whackedspinach 15y ago
How much does their Android experience differ from the norm? How wide is my app selection?
whackedspinach 15y ago
How much does their Android experience differ from the norm? How wide is my app selection?
tomkarlo 15y ago
The fact that you now have a sub-$80 e-reader seems to be getting overlooked in today's news... in some ways I think that's really the innovative part here, and what will drive a lot of high margin ebook sales for Amazon in the next few years.
tdicola 15y ago
I wonder how many people who would have jumped at a $199 tablet already got in on the $99 HP TouchPad blowout and pass on the Fire.
city41 15y ago
I find the Kindle Fire kind of an odd duck. I realize e-ink is not the most responsive screen, but having a fully android based tablet that used e-ink would have been fantastic. I would have gladly bought it. But a Kindle that lacks e-ink feels strange to me. I guess they are riding on Kindle's success, but this really isn't a Kindle. I own both a Kindle and an iPad and I flat out can not read books on the iPad. After about 30 minutes my eyes are strained and a headache is emerging. To me e-ink is not optional, but the killer feature.
xbryanx 15y ago
I want to read the news story written five years in the future about how the rapid growth of e-readers/tablets affects literacy and reading rates across multiple socioeconomic scales. I have no clue what it would say, but am pretty sure it will be written.
bufo 15y ago
Looks pretty much perfect, provided they support bluetooth keyboards.
- Apple-Guy 15y ago
  No volume buttons, no bluetooth, no mention of battery life when streaming.
nhangen 15y ago
I want to buy one, but I now have no idea which one to buy. Is the only difference between the Kindle and the touch the fact that you can touch it? What about the keyboard...is that useful or no? Buying a Fire so I can develop on it, but would also like something with e-ink, now that they are priced affordably.
- erydo 15y ago
  I have the keyboard version (i.e. Kindle 3). The keyboard is hardly ever used. If I were to buy a new Kindle, I'd probably get the one with the 5-way controller. I don't think multitouch would really be that useful for reading books; your most common action will be "turn the page", which a physical button is just fine for.
  - nhangen 15y ago
    Thanks for the feedback. I've also noticed the Kindle Keyboard and Fire seem to be the only ones without "special offers," which is interesting.
runn1ng 15y ago
All of this while KDK is still in beta. And from the looks of it it will never escape it. http://www.amazon.com/kdk http://www.amazon.com/kdk
pmsaue0 15y ago
I love that instead of trying to be everything to everyone (a la android/ipad) Amazon is aiming to be really good at a few things, and thus drive price down. I'm not so interested in movies or ebooks, does anyone know of a tablet that just does email and web? and is cheaper because of it? BTW, Silk browser seems like a bundle of awesome ideas
- smharris65 15y ago
  Well, everyone's definition of "cheaper" may vary, but the Chromebook seems okay to me: http://amzn.to/q2FqQ9 http://amzn.to/q2FqQ9
  - moe 15y ago
    Hmm, interesting. A foldable tablet with a keyboard! I think they might be onto something there.
rajasharan 15y ago
Can this be used for Android application development? Can I install .apk files through the android sdk?
baconner 15y ago
Am I the only android developer torn over whether the fire makes signing the one sided Amazon app store developer agreement worth it? Tough choice.
deleted 15y ago
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pacomerh 15y ago
I use an Ipad2 and I use it to read books and as a planner. But a tablet for $200 that can do the same?, I don't see why this wouldn't be a hit with people that don't care about details.
jeffool 15y ago
Lack of cameras (one in, one out,) and mic really surprise me.
curiousfiddler 15y ago
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0051VVOB2 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0051VVOB2 Wow, no mention of android in tech specs???
todd3834 15y ago
I'm not even sure if this is possible but I would pay a lot of money for a color screen that can switch to e-ink and back depending on what I want to do.
vsl2 15y ago
Most people here and in the press (Amazon's PR unit included) consider this a company v company debate - "Apple vs Amazon" debate. Barnes & Noble seems to be such an afterthought that the Nook Color gets little attention though it is the directly competing product in terms of product specs and price (though the NC price will have to come down from $249 to $199 or below to compete). The NC curently has what I think is a large advantage in that its easy to root via the microSD slot so it becomes a fully functioning Android tablet, including Android Market. The KF can provide Amazon media - for users, does this outweigh access to the Android market and native access to Google products? The NC still got nowhere near the appreciation from the public in its history that the Kindle Fire got in one day. I'm curious as to what strategy Barnes & Noble takes with regards to NC in resposne to KF. A reliable source tells me that the NC is 85% owned by women and the targeted primary audience for its apps are 30+ women. There are few free apps because BN doesn't want to create an expectation of "everything should be free" (i.e. get users used to paying for value). The targeted audience also is one less opposed to paying for something nor have time to find free hacks (unlike young males). I don't think this market will be sufficient to keep the Kindle Fire from dominating at the $200 price point. Everyone, including not-yet-purchased-a-tablet 30+ women, will soon likely hear of the Kindle Fire and BN will lose much of its small core audience. Given the $200 price point, I think that there may be an oppotunity for BN to make a large mainstream splash if it allows greater flexibility in the NC (including fully integrating Android Market). Otherwise, I don't see how it competes with Amazon because of "coolness" perceptions of the two companies. In that respect, Amazon competes with Apple; while BN competes with Borders (RIP).
- zmmmmm 15y ago
  > Given the $200 price point, I think that there may be an oppotunity for BN to make a large mainstream splash if it allows greater flexibility in the NC (including fully integrating Android Market). Good point. It might not have been possible before, but it might just be that Google will feel threatened enough by the Fire to want to help out a competitor and let them officially use the Google apps. It would certainly make it a no brainer for me. Of course, it might be a dumb decision for BN (Android Market => install Kindle App => no need to buy books from BN any more)
tlogan 15y ago
The interesting thing is that this will be probably the first successful Android tablet but Google will have absolutely zero benefits from its success. Actually, it might even hurt Google position in mobile/tablet market. Two random examples: The word Android was barely mentioned on Amazon site. On device itself, the web and content to be consumed is showed Amazon.com but not thru Google search. EDIT: Why is this comment downvoted? I'm kinda new on this hacker news and I'm under impression if I express opinion with a couple of examples supporting it that is not trolling... What kind of comment should be made to point out that it seems like Google will have zero benefits and even hurt it from this Android tablet?
- mrud 15y ago
  I am not sure but your first sentence sounds a little bit trollish. I think the Galaxy Tab 8/10 the Xoom or the Eee Pad Transformer are quite successful and established in the market. Yes Google does not directly benefit from the android fork amazon created but i think it is also a quite good and interesting example of the often called openness and freedom of Android. It is quite refreshing to see a big company using Android as the base and modifying it completely to their needs.
  - tlogan 15y ago
    Galaxy Tab 8/10 the Xoom or the Eee Pad Transformer are the best selling Androids up to date but to call them successful is quite of a stretch. For example, last week a Lenovo executive claimed that Samsung's Galaxy Tab sales were far lower than what Samsung vaguely stated: 20,000 actual sales, rather than two million (http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2392422,00.asp#fbid=EJqX4HbEf2I http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2392422,00.asp#fbid=EJq...).
bryanlarsen 15y ago
The big question for me: does it support sideloading? If so, I'll definitely be purchasing one.
chwahoo 15y ago
I own a tablet (Motorola XOOM) and have used an iPad on a couple of occasions. Those tablets are pitched as substitutes for the PC, suggesting that you might produce content using them. (Apples early release of an office suite for iPad is further evidence of this focus.) However, so far, I've really only found tablets useful for content consumption. The Kindle Fire makes the bold (and I think right) choice to optimize for consumption. I suspect its smaller form factor will appeal to how more people will actually use these things. Similarly, I don't think people really want high-quality cameras or video on their tablets. The Kindle Fire is exactly the right product for Amazon to release (given their strengths), and I suspect it might be match the needs of a larger group of people than the iPad. However, content production in tablets will surely improve over time and I don't think iPad/Windows 8/Android are misguided. I'm just betting that Amazon latched on to a real hole in the market that can be profitable right now.
pkulak 15y ago
Does anyone know what Amazon's plans are for merging in the latest Android releases into their fork? It would be a real shame if it took off in an entirely new direction from this point on. A shame for me, because I don't want to develop for a brand new OS.
mrb 15y ago
How does the split-browser architecture of Silk handles HTTPS? Everything the EC2 backend does, like recompressing images, pre-rendering pages, resolving DNS records, etc, would require man-in-the-middle interception and decryption of TLS/SSL connections. Not good. I hope they leave HTTPS connections untouched. That said, for plain HTTP traffic, if they can manage to significantly reduce page loading times, well done. I would prefer to see the fundamental problem resolved of course (lower latency on wireless networks), instead of relying on a complex back-end which will no doubt have issues of its own (availability, bugs, etc).
swah 15y ago
Hold on, brazilian fellas... One day the Kindle will be sold on Brazil, and we'll no longer have to buy the ones smuggled from Paraguai from that famous auction site.
danssig 15y ago
"There are two types of companies: those that work hard to charge customers more, and those that work hard to charge customers less. Both approaches can work. We are firmly in the second camp." I've always had a lot of respect for Bezos and what he's done but this lowers my opinion of him. Not only is it a petty cheap shot, it's not even true (so does he not know somehow, or is he lying?). Most tablet makers were having a hard time competing with the iPad on price. It's incredibly cheap for what it does.
- dablya 15y ago
  Maybe he was talking about this: http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2011/08/999-ebooks-lawsuit/all/1 http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2011/08/999-ebooks-lawsuit/al...
Vitaly 15y ago
Now it doesnt have the most appealing difference the regular kindle had over iPad. With it's IPS display it will be now just as impossible to read in bright sunlight.

391 points by rkudeshi 15y ago

rodh257 15y ago

Is there a live video feed of this Kindle event at all?

pedrokost 15y ago
Here's some blogs: http://live.thisismynext.com/Event/Amazon_Tablet_event_live_blog http://live.thisismynext.com/Event/Amazon_Tablet_event_live_... http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/28/live-from-amazons-tablet-event-in-nyc/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/28/live-from-amazons-tablet-... If there's a video feed let us know!
- estel 15y ago
  Sadly it seems they've said they're not providing one.

muxxa 15y ago

A large USP of the Kindle is it's E-Ink display (leaving aside other ereaders from sony etc. for now). I have often recommended people to 'get a kindle' when asked about reading books electronically; this will no longer be the case. I think this new addition dilutes the Kindle brandname.

achompas 15y ago
I don't understand this rationale at all. How does the Kindle Fire devalue the Kindle brand name? The Fire is a different product from the e-ink Kindles. You can still say "get a Kindle touch for $99" or "get a Kindle with hard keys for $79."
- CodeMage 15y ago
  It doesn't devalue it, it dilutes it.
  - achompas 15y ago
    Semantics...would you argue the iPod nano diluted the iPod brand?
- muxxa 15y ago
  Audio is the core feature of the original iPod. Reading is the core feature of the Kindle. Reading from an lcd screen is a significantly worse experience than from e-ink. My point is that Amazon releasing the Kindle Fire is akin to if Apple released the iPod Touch (which had new features such as web browsing, youtube etc.) with degraded 8-bit audio.
  - gbog 15y ago
    I suppose you are right. Kindle brand could be stronger if tight to e-ink eye confort and even black and white, which make the thing austere and monacal, and not toyish like iPad. I don't know, is touchable e-ink coming in near future? Then they could have waited for that, and improve a lot Kindle OS (allow for plugins, real browsing, epub, viable pdf, email, etc) meanwhile.
    - jarek 15y ago
      Touchable e-ink has existed for a while. See for example Kobo Touch.
      - nkassis 15y ago
        Yeah touch has been around I have a sony reader that's at least 4-5 years old now that has a touchable e-ink display. The reasons they went with a lcd is color and response(refresh?) time on e-ink display. You can't watch a movie or play games or browse the web on e-ink kindles.
  - ZeroGravitas 15y ago
    The iPod Touch is no where near as good an iPod as the classic, since it lacks the physical UI (the key differentiator for the iPod, not sound quality which has been variable) but makes up for it by adding extra features. So Apple pretty much did exactly what you suggest.
  - mikeash 15y ago
    The iPod Touch is a considerably worse iPod than its predecessors. This doesn't seem to have hurt its sales much, nor the iPod brand.

rkudeshi 15y ago

Looks like Bloomberg got early access and published before the actual press conference by accident. The most relevant details: The Kindle Fire will have a 7-inch display and sell for $199, compared with $499 for Apple’s cheapest iPad, Amazon executives said. The device, a souped-up version of the Kindle electronic-book reader, will run on Google Inc.’s Android software, the Seattle-based company said. The Kindle Fire doesn’t have an embedded camera or a microphone. The device offers Wi-Fi connectivity, though not 3G access, and comes with a 30-day free trial of Amazon Prime, the company’s $79-a-year membership service that includes streaming video and free two-day shipping.

apaprocki 15y ago
It wasn't an accident. It was a straight news "scoop". The news headline came across the wire at 9:31am: *AMAZON TO UNVEIL KINDLE FIRE TODAY, SELL TABLET AT $199 BN 9:31 Just to be sure, I checked with the news team. :)

kyleslattery 15y ago

Apparently there will be a $79 regular Kindle as well: http://thisismynext.com/2011/09/28/amazon-launches-79-kindle/ http://thisismynext.com/2011/09/28/amazon-launches-79-kindle...

armandososa 15y ago
Wow. That looks a lot like an old Palm device.
AndreiVajnaII 15y ago
That's the news I've been waiting for. I mean, other than the new tablet, I was interested in their plans for the e-ink reader, so that I can decide whether to wait for a new version, or buy the Kindle 3. Kindle 3 and Kindle Fire are two very different devices and it's best for them to announce their plans regarding both.
Lewisham 15y ago
Great price point. It's basically in impulse zone: "This book is 6 dollars cheaper at Kindle price... if I buy 12 it pays for itself..." but note there's no physical keyboard. Without a touch screen, it looks like it won't do note-taking, which is a bummer.
- AndreiVajnaII 15y ago
  But there's also a $99 touchscreen e-ink reader, so there you go. :) http://thisismynext.com/2011/09/28/amazon-touchscreen-kindle-price-release-date-pictures/ http://thisismynext.com/2011/09/28/amazon-touchscreen-kindle...
  - Lewisham 15y ago
    I'm not too hot on the touchscreen. I don't need it. I like the physical page turning buttons on my wife's Kindle 3... they have a satisfying weight to them and they sit nicely where your fingers already are. I don't want to tap tap tap my e-ink screen all day.

cleverjake 15y ago

Outside of the amazing marketing and stance that amazon holds, this really doesn't seem like much. I don't see a lot that my parents would get excited about at least, and if they aren't the market, I am not sure who is.

acangiano 15y ago
It's not much compared to the iPad, but not everyone can afford the iPad. The $199 price point puts it in a different category. Heck, at $199, it's the kind of gift I'd easily buy for a friend or family member's birthday.
SteveJS 15y ago
If it can web browse with Flash then (modulo the dead end hp touchpad) it's the cheapest tablet web browser that can play games on facebook. My wife is a long time Apple fan since she was a Graphic Designer, but she turned her nose up at the iPad due to lack of Flash and some specific games she wants to play on Facebook.

ableal 15y ago

Interesting detail: an official-looking "Java TM Powered" swirly cup logo on the bottom right of the Quick Start guide for the new Kindle: http://kindle.s3.amazonaws.com/KindleQuickStartGuide.pdf http://kindle.s3.amazonaws.com/KindleQuickStartGuide.pdf (also in that PDF, a figure that shows the bottom side with micro USB socket and power switch, which was what I was looking for)

ConstantineXVI 15y ago
The K3 and (IIRC) K2 had the Java logo as well. Java's used for the KDK, don't know how deep in the stack Java goes, though.

gamble 15y ago

I'm not surprised that they decided not to launch the Fire tablet outside the US. At $199 they have to be selling near cost in the US, hoping to make their profit on media sales. Amazon's media stores are minimal at best outside the US. They still don't sell music or video in Canada, for example. Amazon is going to have a hard time playing at the same level as Apple until they step up their legal game and treat the rest of the world as more than an afterthought.

dabeeeenster 15y ago

I wonder if they are selling these at a loss? I can see it going down well in the XDA/Hacker community...

dabeeeenster 15y ago
Weird - according to this http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2393740,00.asp#fbid=rvUyoF1ILbc http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2393740,00.asp#fbid=rvU... it is running 2.3? But they say they are not doing anything to prevent root - awesome!
- tucosan 15y ago
  This is what actually interests me, a rooted kindle fire. Only thing I care for is the hardware, I could not be less interested in amazons version of android though. Since I did not get a HP Tablet, this might be the next best thing to get a cheap tablet running a modded version of android.

paolomaffei 15y ago

one thing i didnt understand.. this fire thingy has an eink display or not? and what about the digital library of books someone was talking about?

dts 15y ago

One thing I'm surprised about here is how much Amazon is bothering to mention the tech behind everything in all the promo copy I've seen so far. This is something Apple never does and I think its a misstep for Amazon here. Claiming that silk uses the "raw computational horsepower of Amazon EC2" on the homepage of Amazon.com is a completely useless detail for 99% of people who will buy this device. Why not use the audience attention better and focus on what matters with this. Full color touch. Amazon content. Apps. Half the price of an iPad.

Steko 15y ago
It's important to feature it but you need to feature it in a way that people will instantly connect with the essence of the performance gain ala Firewire/Thunderbolt/Retina -- I'm pretty sure if this was an Apple launch they would be calling this RocketWeb or somesuch and there would be a bar chart showing the same pages in RocketWeb downloading 3 times faster (maybe they had this, I haven't watched the keynote yet).

latch 15y ago

Kindle Touch is what I wanted..yay. Now, if only they would open up their KDK and give it useful API calls, I'll be happy.

CodeMage 15y ago
My reaction to the "Kindle Touch" concept: Ewwww, fingerprints all over my precious books. I can't help agreeing with muxxa.
- latch 15y ago
  The e-ink screen doesn't have fingerprint problems the way tablets/phones do. It's more plastic, no gloss..(of course, I'm assuming the Touch is still like that).
  - ConstantineXVI 15y ago
    I haven't had fingerprint issues at all on my Nook v2 (which uses the same sort of screen and touch sensor), so I doubt it'll be worth worrying about on the Kindle Touch.

orenmazor 15y ago

so, sounds like Apple's skimming the top end of the tablets, and Amazon's skimming the bottom end.

tjogin 15y ago
In terms of quality of experience, I think Amazon's product is going to be perceived as runner up to the iPad, while other Android devices will be perceived as the lower end. Other Android manufacturers are probably going to start competing with Amazon's offer as well, lowering prices and cutting corners in the process.
- orenmazor 15y ago
  I'm really interested to see how this plays out. From casual observation, I see a lot of people wanting a non-ipad tablet as their requirement, and the amazon one will fit the bill perfectly (cheaper, non-ipad, relatively hackable, is going to have a lasting presence as a product line - unlike touchpad/playbook).

cbs 15y ago

So I'm reading along... getting interested... sounds promising... purchase might be on the horizon... Amazon has painted over the rough surfaces of Google’s Android operating system Now I won't even consider buying it until the cyanogenmod port is in decent shape. Why do manufactures always do this to android? The custom UI looks nicer (arguable, roll with it), but always kill usability because they don't understand how to have their software play nice and feel right on android. It might be better on the kindle fire because the biggest offenders I see are the dialer and text message app, but I won't hold my breath.

kyleslattery 15y ago
This is more than just a skin, like the handset manufacturers do. It's not supposed to be an Android device, it's an Amazon device.
- cbs 15y ago
  bleh, thats even worse.
smackfu 15y ago
They aren't making an Android table, they are making a Kindle tablet that runs some Android programs.
- dmix 15y ago
  I imagine thats what they said in the boardroom. But its still a layer ontop of Android.
  - tjogin 15y ago
    It isn't, really. They've built their Kindle product on the Android codebase, but it isn't Android and they won't be allowed to even call it an Android tablet, because they're not dancing to Google's tune. The new Kindle tablet may be sort-of compatible with Android today, but this isn't likely to remain the case since there is no feedback loop or collaboration between Google and Amazon in this.

bennesvig 15y ago

I'm guessing this means no free Kindle this November like Kevin Kelly was predicting. http://www.kk.org/thetechnium/archives/2011/02/free_kindle_thi.php http://www.kk.org/thetechnium/archives/2011/02/free_kindle_t...

smackfu 15y ago
I bet if you add this new price point to the graph, you can plot a new curve that makes it not go to zero.
- achompas 15y ago
  I called this graph ridiculously dumb and got downvoted for it. The idea was ridiculous, but the thought experiment was fun. Still, hardware costs are not trivial. There's no way Amazon gives something away for free (with 10 ebook purchases) just yet.
saraid216 15y ago
That graph looks suspiciously like a countdown until the Fire would be released.

yardie 15y ago

Exactly what is the differentiation between a tablet and e-reader? This thing is aimed squarely at the BN Nook Color. Why is it being compared to the much more expensive and feature-full iPad?

yusefnapora 15y ago
I think that the iPad comparisons are due to the content available (movies, tv, music) and especially the App Store. If you want to do anything with the Nook Color that's not included in the tin you need to root it. The kindle browser sounds nice too. I can see a lot of people who balk at the iPad's price tag snapping these up.

patrickgzill 15y ago

The picture I saw seems to make it the same size and shape as the B&N Nook Color.

achompas 15y ago

Bezos, on Amazon's refreshed e-Ink readers: So meet the family. These are premium products at non-premium prices. People are going to love these products. This is Amazon's mission statement for product development. They will not compete with Apple's "revolutionary, magical" phones and tablets; instead, they'll sell quality tablets and readers to the average person at great prices. This populist attitude has been missing from the tablet market since the iPad's release. The Fire will be the first successful Android tablet because the user base already exists. With the last few Kindle generations, Amazon has groomed customers to pay for electronic content. These users will buy Kindle Fires and e-Ink Kindles in droves, buy more books, and tell their friends. At this price, Amazon won't steal Apple's customers. They will simply introduce a new segment of people to the tablet market. Developers need to think about this as another golden ticket. Here's the iOS gold rush, part deux. EDIT: changed "luxurious" to "revolutionary" after reading a comment below. I need more coffee.

jkincaid 15y ago
"With this price, though, Amazon won't steal Apple's customers.." I think a lot of people with iPads would have been more than happy to spend half as much to get an easy-to-use tablet.
- achompas 15y ago
  I hesitate to agree because it seems like the iPad and Fire will provide different experiences. For what it's worth, I couldn't justify an iPad for $500. I would absolutely consider a Fire for $200 (or a Fire 3G for $250-300).
  - LearnYouALisp 15y ago
    He or she is saying that some people who were not looking for the advanced features bought the iPad because it was the only tablet available beyond some minimum.
    - CWuestefeld 15y ago

Nate75Sanders 15y ago

Anybody know if there are comprehensive specs anywhere? I can't find information about the resolution anywhere. Additionally, it looks like most sites thought it was going to cost $250.

deleted 15y ago

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smackfu 15y ago

Main Amazon pages don't seem to be updated, but this URL is: http://www.kindle.com http://www.kindle.com Interesting stuff: * Will still sell current Kindle as "Kindle Keyboard" for same price. * New non-touch Kindle is 2 ounces lighter than old Kindle, but has half the battery life. * The new touch Kindle is 1 ounce lighter than old Kindle, with same battery life. * Kindle Fire is 6-7 ounces lighter than an iPad 2. * All the prices that were quoted are "with special offers" and the non-ad ones cost more.

yusefnapora 15y ago
Thanks for that link and summary. I'm glad there's still an option to buy the non-ad supported models; I was afraid they'd phase them out. Maybe they'll even go crazy and let me use my own screensaver images without jailbreaking!
- toyg 15y ago
  I'd be happy to PAY for new screensavers or any other way to have custom screensavers without going through the pain of jailbreaking -- i have one of the recent versions which are difficult to root.
ableal 15y ago
Thanks for the link, looks good. The price "with special offers" is U.S. only, but most everybody else can also buy from amazon.com at 109 USD. Seems that E.U. Europeans get to pay VAT: "Your international shipment is subject to VAT. This is the same VAT rate you pay when you buy products in your country. There are NO customs duties or any other fees."
- AndreiVajnaII 15y ago
  Also, it seems that the Kindle Touch is not available in Europe!?
  - estel 15y ago
    Nor is the Kindle Fire.

martingordon 15y ago

Finally, someone other than Apple gets that it isn't about what it is (i.e., specs), it's about what it does (i.e., content).

pw 15y ago

The product listing is up: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0051VVOB2 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0051VVOB2

revorad 15y ago

YES! I think with this, Android finally becomes appealing to me. I just wasn't going to spend money on crappy Dell, Samsung or Acer tablets. I've been happy with my e-ink Kindle, now for $199 I'll happily buy Fire.

deweller 15y ago

Here are the specs on Amazon's site: http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Color-Multi-touch-Display-Wi-Fi/dp/B0051VVOB2 http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Color-Multi-touch-Display-Wi-Fi...

julianb 15y ago

Interested to see what type of web browser they ship on these new devices.

cobrabyte 15y ago
I was checking out the specs on the Fire at Amazon's product page and got to the bottom, where they talk about Amazon Silk -- the 'split browser' used on the Fire. It appears to offload intensive processing to Amazon EC2 instances. Very cool stuff and, to me, more newsworthy than the launch of a tablet. I'd like to hear more details on Silk. More info (and video from Silk developers): http://amazonsilk.wordpress.com/2011/09/28/introducing-amazon-silk/ http://amazonsilk.wordpress.com/2011/09/28/introducing-amazo...
- julianb 15y ago
  Interesting. Found some more details here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0051VVOB2#silk http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0051VVOB2#silk
- iam 15y ago
  Really, really cool. I hope they extend Silk to all their products.

atmz 15y ago

I love how Bloomberg released an article describing the press conference in the past tense half an hour before it started; Amazon hasn't caught up with Apple's secrecy yet. Amazon is doing the right thing, which wouldn't be that surprising except that every other Android vendor has done the wrong thing. Amazon is presenting a unified, controlled environment to users (which most of them want), provides both content and app delivery services, and is selling tablets cheap enough to as not to compete directly with Apple. It will do well.

antimarketing 15y ago
This is a common media strategy. It is a win-win situation: a) Amazon rep. unofficially approves a "leaky" article just before the press conference. b) Bloomberg journalist guarantees a front page story on their web page. c) Amazon reaps the benefits of more coverage You are forgetting that Amazon Press Conferences, without these advance buzz giving messages would not be even 10% of what Apple conferences are. Now they get at least a half of that. Everybody in America is waking up. Everybody in Europe is bored at work. Everybody in Asia is enjoying their evening. Ideal.

j15e 15y ago

They show a lot the device in kid's hands : because 7" is too small for grown up? I have played with a RIM Playbook once and the size factor was the same concern. Seems like under 9-10" it can't be a replacement for my laptop in any situation and it feels more like a toy. (Disclaimer : I own an iPad)

pohl 15y ago
I'm guessing they show it in smaller hands so that the device appears larger.
sharmajai 15y ago
Your tablet can never be a replacement for your laptop. Period.
- thenduks 15y ago
  Hmm I'm not so sure... My iPad can replace my laptop for basically everything but work. Web browsing, listening/browsing/buying music, twitter et al, emails, games, books, movies/tv shows, etc, etc.
  - sharmajai 15y ago
    "My iPad can replace my laptop for basically everything but work" - so I guess my point stands. I was trying to argue against OP's point that all these things "Web browsing, listening/browsing/buying music, twitter et al, emails, games, books, movies/tv shows, etc, etc" can be done on a Playbook too.
    - deleted 15y ago
      [deleted]
    - thenduks 15y ago
      Ok, fair enough. I thought what you were trying to argue was "Your tablet can never be a replacement for your laptop. Period."

cletus 15y ago

If Amazon want to not make comparisons with the iPad, something I'd strongly suggest, they should stop making statements like this: > The Kindle Fire will have a 7-inch display and sell for $199, compared with $499 for Apple’s cheapest iPad, Amazon executives said in interviews with Bloomberg Businessweek. Also, it's disingenuous. Of course a 7" "tablet" is cheaper than Apple's 10" tablet. Film at 11. That being said, I'm very pleased to see this. I didn't think e-ink readers would be abandoned by Amazon but I didn't see them being a high priority either yet here we are with updated models (and me having just bought a Kindle like 2-3 months ago, grrr). I'll have to look into it and see if the new ones are faster refresh (really the only thing I care about). If so I'll probably buy (another) one. What the hell. Although I'm not entirely convinced of the touch interface on an e-ink device. I guess we'll see. Come to think of it, I might just buy one of the $199 tablets too. It's almost impulse territory too. I do think Amazon could do really well with this. I imagine these will be popular holiday items. And like everyone has said, they are going to promote the hell out of these. That all being said, I'm not giving up my iPad just yet. :)

smackfu 15y ago
I disagree. Every time Amazon gets a sentence printed that says the Amazon table is $300 cheaper than the iPad, they win. They want to have them be mentioned in the same comparison, because that encourages the consumer to think "do I really need $300 more of tablet?"
- pork 15y ago
  This is precisely what you want the consumer thinking, and it's amazing that a simple fact like that eluded the likes of Samsung, etc.
  - drivebyacct2 15y ago
    ? How does this relate to Samsung? Their related phone and tablet devices are priced nearly identically to Apple's offerings with nearly identical specs.

buff-a 15y ago

And it has a browser that renders on the cloud. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_u7F_56WhHk&feature=player_embedded http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_u7F_56WhHk&feature=playe...

abuzzooz 15y ago
Isn't that what Opera does on their mobile platform?
- malnourish 15y ago
  Mostly correct. Opera servers compress pages before passing them along to the mobile device. [0] [0] http://www.opera.com/mobile/features/ http://www.opera.com/mobile/features/
- jarek 15y ago
  Currently on Opera Mini, yes. Personally I think it's a good idea, and can't wait for it to expand to pre-compiling Javascript.

latch 15y ago

Just tried to order the new non-touch Kindle (which ships today): Kindle, Wi-Fi, 6" E Ink Display cannot be shipped to the selected address. A non-US address was selected for this US-only Kindle. BEZOS!!!

yusefnapora 15y ago
Did you select the one with special offers? I believe that one's US only. Perhaps the other one will work?

rapind 15y ago

I love this form factor and price, but is anyone else concerned about the whole cloud proxy (remote EC2 / S3 cache)? This puts all of your browsing history on their servers so forget privacy. It would even enable them to do things like substitute their own ads in place of the originals etc. On the one hand the predictive thing seems really cool and the techy in me is excited about the idea. On the other hand I'm really not a fan of a remote cache from a privacy perspective.

orijing 15y ago
I'd imagine you can opt out of that by either installing another browser (like Skyfire) or going to some settings in Silk. I don't think Amazon will track your browsing without your explicit approval, and I'd imagine it would be much easier to send each request as a stateless request to any of its EC2 instances.

endlessvoid94 15y ago

I have a serious question. Will I be able to use/read instapaper on this device? This is a big deal to me.

shrikant 15y ago
Set up Instapaper to deliver to your Kindle automatically on a schedule [1], and you're golden. [1] http://www.instapaper.com/user/kindle http://www.instapaper.com/user/kindle
wanorris 15y ago
There is no Instapaper for Android at present. Read It Later is available in the Amazon Appstore, so it is likely to work on the Kindle tablet.

lleims 15y ago

Someone else from outside the US thinking about pre-ordering it? On one hand it's just 127 pounds or 147 euros, but on the other I don't know what kind of experience those using it outside of the US will have: no Cloud Drive, no movies/tv shows, etc etc.

antimarketing 15y ago
Amazon Prime is available from Amazon UK.

codex 15y ago

Expect Google to match or beat Amazon pricing for tablets RSN--especially given their acquisition of Motorola. There really is no money in Android, especially for OEMs without a content or advertising play.

jolan 15y ago

They're sure getting their jabs at Apple in everywhere they can: "There are two types of companies: those that work hard to charge customers more, and those that work hard to charge customers less. Both approaches can work. We are firmly in the second camp." "System Requirements: None, because it's wireless and doesn't require a computer."

ConstantineXVI 15y ago
The requirements line has been there since the K1. Not an explicit jab at Apple as much as "this isn't complex technology, relax".

bgarbiak 15y ago

The price tags are awesome, but I'm worried that most of the content will be exclusive to U.S. residents.

saturdaysaint 15y ago

It's a shame to see that text-to-speech is absent from the light $79 model (it's present in the touch). At 6 ounces, that would be exactly the model I'd want to have TTS, which has been a killer feature for me. I actually prefer the robotic voice to most audiobook narrators for a lot of material - the affectless delivery must be how my internal voice reads a lot of books. Here's hoping Amazon puts TTS functionality into their Android/iPhone apps sooner than later - I'd gladly pay a $20 in-app purchase...

pnathan 15y ago

I am kinda waiting for the DX to drop in price. I really want that bigger e-ink screen, but it's not worth $379 to me.

funksta 15y ago
I'm pretty disappointed that they didn't update the DX. I was hoping for a DX with touch and decent PDF support, and would have payed $400+ for it. As it stands, it looks like they have orphaned it instead.
ableal 15y ago
See if my comment elsewhere here is of use to you http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=3048411 http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=3048411 I find the smaller E-ink screens a great fit for comfortable reading of fiction, or non-fiction prose like biography or history, where one doesn't need to skip around much, and the font size adjustment may come in handy.
- tszyn 15y ago
  Do you have an opinion about what size Kindle (e-ink) is best for Web browsing? You'd think the DX would be better, but what about the weight?
  - ableal 15y ago
    I wouldn't recommend trying web browsing on E-ink, unless it's through some Readability filter or similar. The screen updates are too slow for it, and the DX browser didn't render perfectly. I suspect the CPUs don't have the oomph for the modern web. Note that my experience is on a 2010 vintage DX with no WiFi - it is limited to 3G on Amazon's dime. In Europe that's only Wikipedia and the Amazon store.
    - tszyn 15y ago
      Thanks. Reading from LCD screens gives me eye strain, so I was thinking of reading blogs, news and software docs on the Kindle. Do you think that might work?

pnathan 15y ago

I am kinda waiting for the DX to drop in price. I really want that bigger e-ink screen, but it's not worth $379 to me.

gizmo 15y ago

People in Europe are getting screwed again. - Small Kindle: $79 - Power Adapter: $10 - Cost in USA: $89 (free shipping) Okay, so I see a banner that they ship to Europe. Excellent, I click it. Then I get a new banner, saying that my country qualifies for free shipping (pending some conditions). I go through the checkout process and I'm faced with the following list: - Kindle + Adapter: $119 - Shipping: $27 (what happened to the free shipping banner you advertised with on the Kindle page AFTER I selected my country!?) - Tax: 0 - Import duties: $28 -------------- - Grand total: $174 That's twice the amount you have to pay in the US. Really, Amazon? Can't you just tell me it's going to cost that much BEFORE I go through the entire checkout process?

estel 15y ago
The price increase is because Amazon don't have an ad-supported network for non-US territories; so the $79 Kindle becomes the $109 Kindle. The UK store is selling this Kindle for £89. Are you really that surprised that Amazon add $50 for shipping and import duties on this product? I don't think this particular case is an example of Amazon screwing the international market. Not releasing the Fire or Touch on the international markets whatsoever is them screwing us ^.^
- gizmo 15y ago
  I'm annoyed because Amazon added a big banner on the US website that the kindle was available in my country but neglected to mention what the price was going to be. In order to find out I had to go through the checkout process and type in my CC number (even though my CC is already on file) just to get to the point where they tell me what it's going to cost. I expect the number on the site to roughly correspond to the amount I actually have to pay. I don't expect there to be nearly a $100 difference. That's a hostile sales tactic and I don't appreciate it. After I select my country (on the kindle page itself) the price should immediately change to $109 (+$28 shipping + $28 duties). Then I wouldn't be complaining.
riobard 15y ago
No, not just Europeans. Canadians will have to pay the same price for the device and power adapter, plus $14 import duties. I thought NAFTA should eliminate the difference, but it turned out not to be the case. Other good things for geeks like Google Voice, iPhone, etc only available, or available first during initial launch, makes me want to relocate to the US. Sigh. That being said, Amazon.com's product page is really a nightmare for non-US customers. You'll NEVER find a link to the product page for your country. They only show it AFTER you click checkout and proceed when warn you that it won't deliver to your address. Bizarre.

nphase 15y ago

Is anyone else more interested in Silk than the Kindle Fire?

9999 15y ago
Yes, I'm far more interested in Silk. It's a caching layer over the entire web. That is nuts. I'd love to know more about the internals of it. Do they only grab static files or is their some dynamic content caching? What's the threshold of requests before moving a page/site into Silk? Is there a way to opt out of using it if you have privacy concerns (sending every one of your requests through their system first will be a big issue for a lot of people). This may not seem that groundbreaking since Opera has already done this, but Amazon seem to be doing it on a much grander scale.

mun2mun 15y ago

In the product page http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0051VVOB2 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0051VVOB2 the word Android appeared once only. Interesting.

cincinnatus 15y ago
I'm surprised the number isn't zero. From the Google strategic point of view this device is not Android.
- orangecat 15y ago
  Sure it is; if it succeeds it will encourage more app developers to target Android.

nodata 15y ago

> 8GB internal. That's enough for 80 apps, plus either 10 movies or 800 songs or 6,000 books. Anyone know how 8 gigs enough for 10 movies? The quality can't be great. Can these things plug into a tv?

georgekv 15y ago
Well it is a 7in. screen so that could possibly reduce the file size needed. And they're using the Kindle WhisperSync for use with compatible TVs, PCs, etc. (http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/?nodeId=200775230 http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/?nodeId=...)
danssig 15y ago
When I use Handbrake to rip directly from DVD to Apple TV format the video comes out at just over 700 megs.

Batsu 15y ago

What I want to see is how the app market will pan out. I can only assume (and didn't previously consider) that this will not carry Google branding at all - that means the Android Market, Gmail, Maps, etc, apps will all be missing. The Android Market would be the big loss here. Amazon seems to take more control over the selling of your product than you do once you submit to their Appstore, but if you want to show up on their tablets, you won't have a choice.

simonh 15y ago

Funny how all of the e-ink kindles have 4:3 aspect ratio screens but the Fire is widescreen. It lends credibility to reports that it's based on a previously existing Android tablet design. Amazon must realise it's sub-optimal, but now developers will be stuck supporting it even if they later release a 4:3 device.

sliverstorm 15y ago
Widescreen is the modus operandi for color screens any more. Video is widescreen now, and 4:3 screens are harder to come by. I doubt the Fire will ever be 4:3.

yusufg 15y ago

Unfortunately Kindle Fire is only available for shipping in the US. I think the Amazon account linked to it might also need a credit card with a US billing address

brainlock 15y ago

And again, all of this is US only. I don't understand this, they are able to ship a standard Kindle to Europe, why not a Kindle Touch?

whackedspinach 15y ago

How much does their Android experience differ from the norm? How wide is my app selection?

whackedspinach 15y ago

How much does their Android experience differ from the norm? How wide is my app selection?

tomkarlo 15y ago

The fact that you now have a sub-$80 e-reader seems to be getting overlooked in today's news... in some ways I think that's really the innovative part here, and what will drive a lot of high margin ebook sales for Amazon in the next few years.

tdicola 15y ago

I wonder how many people who would have jumped at a $199 tablet already got in on the $99 HP TouchPad blowout and pass on the Fire.

city41 15y ago

I find the Kindle Fire kind of an odd duck. I realize e-ink is not the most responsive screen, but having a fully android based tablet that used e-ink would have been fantastic. I would have gladly bought it. But a Kindle that lacks e-ink feels strange to me. I guess they are riding on Kindle's success, but this really isn't a Kindle. I own both a Kindle and an iPad and I flat out can not read books on the iPad. After about 30 minutes my eyes are strained and a headache is emerging. To me e-ink is not optional, but the killer feature.

xbryanx 15y ago

I want to read the news story written five years in the future about how the rapid growth of e-readers/tablets affects literacy and reading rates across multiple socioeconomic scales. I have no clue what it would say, but am pretty sure it will be written.

bufo 15y ago

Looks pretty much perfect, provided they support bluetooth keyboards.

Apple-Guy 15y ago
No volume buttons, no bluetooth, no mention of battery life when streaming.

nhangen 15y ago

I want to buy one, but I now have no idea which one to buy. Is the only difference between the Kindle and the touch the fact that you can touch it? What about the keyboard...is that useful or no? Buying a Fire so I can develop on it, but would also like something with e-ink, now that they are priced affordably.

erydo 15y ago
I have the keyboard version (i.e. Kindle 3). The keyboard is hardly ever used. If I were to buy a new Kindle, I'd probably get the one with the 5-way controller. I don't think multitouch would really be that useful for reading books; your most common action will be "turn the page", which a physical button is just fine for.
- nhangen 15y ago
  Thanks for the feedback. I've also noticed the Kindle Keyboard and Fire seem to be the only ones without "special offers," which is interesting.

runn1ng 15y ago

All of this while KDK is still in beta. And from the looks of it it will never escape it. http://www.amazon.com/kdk http://www.amazon.com/kdk

pmsaue0 15y ago

I love that instead of trying to be everything to everyone (a la android/ipad) Amazon is aiming to be really good at a few things, and thus drive price down. I'm not so interested in movies or ebooks, does anyone know of a tablet that just does email and web? and is cheaper because of it? BTW, Silk browser seems like a bundle of awesome ideas

smharris65 15y ago
Well, everyone's definition of "cheaper" may vary, but the Chromebook seems okay to me: http://amzn.to/q2FqQ9 http://amzn.to/q2FqQ9
- moe 15y ago
  Hmm, interesting. A foldable tablet with a keyboard! I think they might be onto something there.

rajasharan 15y ago

Can this be used for Android application development? Can I install .apk files through the android sdk?

baconner 15y ago

Am I the only android developer torn over whether the fire makes signing the one sided Amazon app store developer agreement worth it? Tough choice.

deleted 15y ago

[deleted]

pacomerh 15y ago

I use an Ipad2 and I use it to read books and as a planner. But a tablet for $200 that can do the same?, I don't see why this wouldn't be a hit with people that don't care about details.

jeffool 15y ago

Lack of cameras (one in, one out,) and mic really surprise me.

curiousfiddler 15y ago

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0051VVOB2 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0051VVOB2 Wow, no mention of android in tech specs???

todd3834 15y ago

I'm not even sure if this is possible but I would pay a lot of money for a color screen that can switch to e-ink and back depending on what I want to do.

vsl2 15y ago

Most people here and in the press (Amazon's PR unit included) consider this a company v company debate - "Apple vs Amazon" debate. Barnes & Noble seems to be such an afterthought that the Nook Color gets little attention though it is the directly competing product in terms of product specs and price (though the NC price will have to come down from $249 to $199 or below to compete). The NC curently has what I think is a large advantage in that its easy to root via the microSD slot so it becomes a fully functioning Android tablet, including Android Market. The KF can provide Amazon media - for users, does this outweigh access to the Android market and native access to Google products? The NC still got nowhere near the appreciation from the public in its history that the Kindle Fire got in one day. I'm curious as to what strategy Barnes & Noble takes with regards to NC in resposne to KF. A reliable source tells me that the NC is 85% owned by women and the targeted primary audience for its apps are 30+ women. There are few free apps because BN doesn't want to create an expectation of "everything should be free" (i.e. get users used to paying for value). The targeted audience also is one less opposed to paying for something nor have time to find free hacks (unlike young males). I don't think this market will be sufficient to keep the Kindle Fire from dominating at the $200 price point. Everyone, including not-yet-purchased-a-tablet 30+ women, will soon likely hear of the Kindle Fire and BN will lose much of its small core audience. Given the $200 price point, I think that there may be an oppotunity for BN to make a large mainstream splash if it allows greater flexibility in the NC (including fully integrating Android Market). Otherwise, I don't see how it competes with Amazon because of "coolness" perceptions of the two companies. In that respect, Amazon competes with Apple; while BN competes with Borders (RIP).

zmmmmm 15y ago
> Given the $200 price point, I think that there may be an oppotunity for BN to make a large mainstream splash if it allows greater flexibility in the NC (including fully integrating Android Market). Good point. It might not have been possible before, but it might just be that Google will feel threatened enough by the Fire to want to help out a competitor and let them officially use the Google apps. It would certainly make it a no brainer for me. Of course, it might be a dumb decision for BN (Android Market => install Kindle App => no need to buy books from BN any more)

tlogan 15y ago

The interesting thing is that this will be probably the first successful Android tablet but Google will have absolutely zero benefits from its success. Actually, it might even hurt Google position in mobile/tablet market. Two random examples: The word Android was barely mentioned on Amazon site. On device itself, the web and content to be consumed is showed Amazon.com but not thru Google search. EDIT: Why is this comment downvoted? I'm kinda new on this hacker news and I'm under impression if I express opinion with a couple of examples supporting it that is not trolling... What kind of comment should be made to point out that it seems like Google will have zero benefits and even hurt it from this Android tablet?

mrud 15y ago
I am not sure but your first sentence sounds a little bit trollish. I think the Galaxy Tab 8/10 the Xoom or the Eee Pad Transformer are quite successful and established in the market. Yes Google does not directly benefit from the android fork amazon created but i think it is also a quite good and interesting example of the often called openness and freedom of Android. It is quite refreshing to see a big company using Android as the base and modifying it completely to their needs.
- tlogan 15y ago
  Galaxy Tab 8/10 the Xoom or the Eee Pad Transformer are the best selling Androids up to date but to call them successful is quite of a stretch. For example, last week a Lenovo executive claimed that Samsung's Galaxy Tab sales were far lower than what Samsung vaguely stated: 20,000 actual sales, rather than two million (http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2392422,00.asp#fbid=EJqX4HbEf2I http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2392422,00.asp#fbid=EJq...).

bryanlarsen 15y ago

The big question for me: does it support sideloading? If so, I'll definitely be purchasing one.

chwahoo 15y ago

I own a tablet (Motorola XOOM) and have used an iPad on a couple of occasions. Those tablets are pitched as substitutes for the PC, suggesting that you might produce content using them. (Apples early release of an office suite for iPad is further evidence of this focus.) However, so far, I've really only found tablets useful for content consumption. The Kindle Fire makes the bold (and I think right) choice to optimize for consumption. I suspect its smaller form factor will appeal to how more people will actually use these things. Similarly, I don't think people really want high-quality cameras or video on their tablets. The Kindle Fire is exactly the right product for Amazon to release (given their strengths), and I suspect it might be match the needs of a larger group of people than the iPad. However, content production in tablets will surely improve over time and I don't think iPad/Windows 8/Android are misguided. I'm just betting that Amazon latched on to a real hole in the market that can be profitable right now.

pkulak 15y ago

Does anyone know what Amazon's plans are for merging in the latest Android releases into their fork? It would be a real shame if it took off in an entirely new direction from this point on. A shame for me, because I don't want to develop for a brand new OS.

mrb 15y ago

How does the split-browser architecture of Silk handles HTTPS? Everything the EC2 backend does, like recompressing images, pre-rendering pages, resolving DNS records, etc, would require man-in-the-middle interception and decryption of TLS/SSL connections. Not good. I hope they leave HTTPS connections untouched. That said, for plain HTTP traffic, if they can manage to significantly reduce page loading times, well done. I would prefer to see the fundamental problem resolved of course (lower latency on wireless networks), instead of relying on a complex back-end which will no doubt have issues of its own (availability, bugs, etc).

swah 15y ago

Hold on, brazilian fellas... One day the Kindle will be sold on Brazil, and we'll no longer have to buy the ones smuggled from Paraguai from that famous auction site.

danssig 15y ago

"There are two types of companies: those that work hard to charge customers more, and those that work hard to charge customers less. Both approaches can work. We are firmly in the second camp." I've always had a lot of respect for Bezos and what he's done but this lowers my opinion of him. Not only is it a petty cheap shot, it's not even true (so does he not know somehow, or is he lying?). Most tablet makers were having a hard time competing with the iPad on price. It's incredibly cheap for what it does.

dablya 15y ago
Maybe he was talking about this: http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2011/08/999-ebooks-lawsuit/all/1 http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2011/08/999-ebooks-lawsuit/al...

Vitaly 15y ago

Now it doesnt have the most appealing difference the regular kindle had over iPad. With it's IPS display it will be now just as impossible to read in bright sunlight.