Amazon Kindle Fire

jinkang · Sep 28, 2011

It's all over the news, as I'm sure you are all aware.

The tablet is only $199 and they also released improved e-ink readers (three types, $149, $99, and $79).

I'm mostly interested in the ad-enabled ones, as this seems like an interesting approach.

Do you think this will cement the trend towards e-reading?

detail: http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2011/09/amazon/

kuwisdelu · Sep 28, 2011

We have a discussion on it in the Roundtable here.

If we want to keep the techy discussion in here, I am wondering what kind of specs it's going to have at those kinds of prices (and what quality screen?), and to what extent Amazon has customized Android. Will it be as locked down and ereading-focused as the Nook? Or will it be more of a full-on fork that they intend to develop as a general tablet OS?

jinkang · Sep 28, 2011

kuwisdelu said:
We have a discussion on it in the Roundtable here.

If we want to keep the techy discussion in here, I am wondering what kind of specs it's going to have at those kinds of prices (and what quality screen?), and to what extent Amazon has customized Android. Will it be as locked down and ereading-focused as the Nook? Or will it be more of a full-on fork that they intend to develop as a general tablet OS?

Thanks!

Well.. it's interesting. The spec is very similar to Playbook since it's more or less the same manufacturer I believe. The screen is 7" and supposed to support up to 1024 x 600 pixels. So it's definitely a casual gaming/movie-watching platform. [http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/37511/Amazon_Announces_Kindle_Fire_A_199_7Inch_LCD_Tablet.php]

As for OS...it's locked down tight. In fact, Amazon has their own 'AmazonStore' and you can't access Android Market unless you root it, from what I hear. I think they are tooting it as 'curated' market with some additional stuff of their own (like Rio.)

So, as far as specs go... I don't think it competes with iPad2 since there is camera or mic....but it's the price that really kills competition I think. And the weight. Can't forget about the weight...

leahzero · Sep 28, 2011

Anyone have the processor specs yet? All I've heard confirmed is it's a dual core.

jinkang · Sep 28, 2011

leahzero said:
Anyone have the processor specs yet? All I've heard confirmed is it's a dual core.

It's OMAP 4 dual-core, codenamed Ice Cream Sandwich. LG Optimus 3D seems to use it.

jinkang · Sep 28, 2011

jinkang said:
It's OMAP 4 dual-core, codenamed Ice Cream Sandwich. LG Optimus 3D seems to use it.

And might I add, it's supposed to be the next gen. for android devices so I imagine it's powerful.

kuwisdelu · Sep 28, 2011

jinkang said:
It's OMAP 4 dual-core, codenamed Ice Cream Sandwich. LG Optimus 3D seems to use it.

Err, wha? Ice Cream Sandwich is the code name for the next version of Android, not for an ARM SoC.

kuwisdelu · Sep 28, 2011

jinkang said:
Thanks!

Well.. it's interesting. The spec is very similar to Playbook since it's more or less the same manufacturer I believe. The screen is 7" and supposed to support up to 1024 x 600 pixels. So it's definitely a casual gaming/movie-watching platform. [http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/37511/Amazon_Announces_Kindle_Fire_A_199_7Inch_LCD_Tablet.php]

As for OS...it's locked down tight. In fact, Amazon has their own 'AmazonStore' and you can't access Android Market unless you root it, from what I hear. I think they are tooting it as 'curated' market with some additional stuff of their own (like Rio.)

So, as far as specs go... I don't think it competes with iPad2 since there is camera or mic....but it's the price that really kills competition I think. And the weight. Can't forget about the weight...

jinkang said:
And might I add, it's supposed to be the next gen. for android devices so I imagine it's powerful.

If that's right, I wonder what Amazon's margins are — if any.

Tirjasdyn · Sep 28, 2011

Basic Info

Display7" multi-touch display with IPS (in-plane switching) technology and anti-reflective treatment, 1024 x 600 pixel resolution at 169 ppi, 16 million colors.

Size (in inches)7.5" x 4.7" x 0.45" (190 mm x 120 mm x 11.4 mm).

Weight14.6 ounces (413 grams).

System RequirementsNone, because it's wireless and doesn't require a computer.

On-device Storage8GB internal. That's enough for 80 apps, plus either 10 movies or 800 songs or 6,000 books.

Cloud StorageFree cloud storage for all Amazon content

Battery LifeUp to 8 hours of continuous reading or 7.5 hours of video playback, with wireless off. Battery life will vary based on wireless usage, such as web browsing and downloading content.

Charge TimeFully charges in approximately 4 hours via included U.S. power adapter. Also supports charging from your computer via USB.

Wi-Fi ConnectivitySupports public and private Wi-Fi networks or hotspots that use the 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, or 802.1X standard with support for WEP, WPA and WPA2 security using password authentication; does not support connecting to ad-hoc (or peer-to-peer) Wi-Fi networks.

USB PortUSB 2.0 (micro-B connector)

Audio3.5 mm stereo audio jack, top-mounted stereo speakers.

Content Formats SupportedKindle (AZW), TXT, PDF, unprotected MOBI, PRC natively, Audible (Audible Enhanced (AA, AAX)), DOC, DOCX, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP, non-DRM AAC, MP3, MIDI, OGG, WAV, MP4, VP8.

DocumentationQuick Start Guide(included in box); Kindle User's Guide (pre-installed on device)

Warranty and Service1-year limited warranty and service included. Optional 2-year Extended Warranty available for U.S. customers sold separately. Use of Kindle is subject to the terms found here.

Included in the BoxKindle Fire tablet, U.S. power adapter (supports 100-240V), and Quick Start Guide.

Little Ming · Sep 28, 2011

Apparently root-friendly too. Or so they say.

Tirjasdyn · Sep 28, 2011

My daughter will be getting one of these for Christmas. She's been begging for a tablet...not needing an computer is a big plus. We've found that very limiting in the original iPad.

I'm looking at the eink tablet for a reader for myself...still iffy on it though. The touch Nook was extremely disappointing. Menu handling sucked so bad that it seems like you get a random menu each time, (highlights, notes or the main book menu). Hopefully that isn't a problem with the new kindle tablets.

Also I've seen a few reports of B&N stock dropping at this announcement. I'd bet that Amazon has a wider margin than B&N does right now.

jinkang · Sep 28, 2011

kuwisdelu said:
Err, wha? Ice Cream Sandwich is the code name for the next version of Android, not for an ARM SoC.

Right, my bad.

Weight14.6 ounces (413 grams).

That's sweet... more than anything else, I like the fact that I don't need two hands to carry it.

alleycat · Sep 28, 2011

I'm really tempted to buy one.

No one has yet come out with a tablet that's quite perfect for me (that's not a complaint about the tablets themselves, just my preferences); there always seems to be one or two things I don't like about them.

cray · Sep 29, 2011

i'll be getting one of these whenever they come out. nov 15?

not that i'm was looking for it but i just won a contest at work and the prizes were a choice between the kindle fire, a new nano or a neatreceipts mobile scanner.

i didn't have to think too hard about which to choose....

alleycat · Oct 24, 2011

Well, I just put in my order for a Fire. It's going to be my Christmas present to myself this year (it's got to be more useful than the battery-powered tie rack someone gave me for Christmas one year).

I'm sure there will be things I like about it, and a couple of things I don't. I do wish it had a slide-out keyboard.

Torgo · Oct 24, 2011

kuwisdelu said:
If that's right, I wonder what Amazon's margins are — if any.

I'd be unsurprised to find that they're taking a loss on them, at least to begin with.

Cath · Oct 24, 2011

With the margins in mind, remember, amazon will be building a tablet with the purpose of selling you content (primarily books from what I understand) and not offering content with the purpose of selling the device.

I suspect this will result in more limited functionality than a more expensive tablet and access to fewer applications (because they want you to buy from them). I believe it will be closest to the nook, not the iPad - possibly an excellent eReader, but frustrating for wider tablet use. My husband's nook was a gateway device to a full-blown tablet -- prepare to be hooked!!

thothguard51 · Oct 24, 2011

I got mine pre-ordered. Will use mostly for reading and maybe a little web browsing from time to time. I could have gone with the cheaper models just for reading, but I wanted the ability to web surf or watch a movie if traveling and stuck somewhere. I really don't need a full tablet, (Yet), since I have a great laptop for all my other computing task...

Price was the biggest decision maker for me over the ipad...

jinkang · Oct 24, 2011

thothguard51 said:
I got mine pre-ordered. Will use mostly for reading and maybe a little web browsing from time to time. I could have gone with the cheaper models just for reading, but I wanted the ability to web surf or watch a movie if traveling and stuck somewhere. I really don't need a full tablet, (Yet), since I have a great laptop for all my other computing task...

Price was the biggest decision maker for me over the ipad...

The only concern for me is that Amazon keeps track of all sites I would visit. Besides that, I'm more or less sold here too.

Torgo · Oct 24, 2011

jinkang said:
The only concern for me is that Amazon keeps track of all sites I would visit. Besides that, I'm more or less sold here too.

I'll be interested to see whether Silk is even legal. It is eerily reminiscent of Phorm.

alleycat · Nov 14, 2011

Amazon has started shipping. I got a confirmation that mine will be delivered tomorrow.

Fun with new toys!

Caitlin Black · Nov 15, 2011

Ugh. We only recently got the original Kindle available in Australia! Don't tell me there's a better one out in the States already. *stern face, wags finger*

There's a catalogue for a store here that I saw tonight, with a 6" eInk Kindle for $139. We've only had Kindles for about 2 or 3 months!

*wonders how long it'll be before the Kindle Fire is available in Australia*

alleycat · Nov 15, 2011

There are three or four models of the older type Kindles available in the US (small, large, large with keypad), and then the Fire.

Tirjasdyn · Nov 15, 2011

Got notification that my daughter's will be here by the end of the week. I'm planning to shell out for prime for this but there has been some clarification that there is a netflix app and an email app preinstalled. Reviews are saying the email app is the basic Android mail app (the one no one ever uses on android devices because dedicated gmail and yahoo apps have been there from the start.)

cray · Nov 15, 2011

alleycat said:
Amazon has started shipping. I got a confirmation that mine will be delivered tomorrow.

Fun with new toys!

me too.

Amazon Kindle Fire

Learning

Revolutionize the World

Learning

The colors! THE COLORS!

Learning

Learning

Revolutionize the World

Revolutionize the World

Outline Maven

Outline Maven

Learning

Still around

Superior Life form

Still around

Formerly Phantom of Krankor.

The mean one

A Gentleman of a refined age...

Learning

Formerly Phantom of Krankor.

Still around

Wild one

Still around

Outline Maven

Superior Life form