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This will be an interesting experiment. Most of the others who have taken the iPad on directly have not faired too well. This is a new concept and IF the consumer embraces it, the market could change. If not, these will be another failed attempt. The types of media and the pricing would seem to make these more likely to survive than die, but time will tell.
 User Rank
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I think where the Fire and the Nook stand apart from other tablets is that they have a system in place for the users to consume content. The Fire is made to read ebooks from Amazon, watch movies from Amazon Prime, it can download apps from the Amazon app store, and the interface is optimized for Amazon purchases.
All the other reviews I have seen of the Fire so far seem to ding it for its lack of processing power and its web surfing ability. Though these are drawbacks for any tablet, my view is that this first generation Fire was rushed to market for the holidays, I think we will see a much improved version some time next year. Even though there are known short falls the the Fire I had pre-ordered one, and I am looking forward to playing around with it and testing out its functionality when it arrives this week.  User Rank
Platinum NO RATINGS
I like having a high end and low end table market here. This is a new area so customers should have choice. If I want a devise that is mainly a reader where I can surf the web as a secondary requirement, these devises will fit the bill.
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I do like having a lower end option as well, the main reason I had ordered a Fire was for my 3 year old to use. He like to play on my iPad and I have used it to read some kids books to him (via both the kindle and nook apps). I have wanted to get him his own tablet for a while, but could not see spending $500 on an iPad for him, but at $200 the fire fit the bill as something I could give him and not really worry about. But like I said, I will be playing around with it for a few days before I hand it over :-)
 User Rank
Iron NO RATINGS
I'm tempted to pick one up at these prices. It's no longer a commitment. It's just a fling.
 User Rank
Platinum NO RATINGS
Why do I feel like the Kindle Fire is better than the new Nook even though the Nook has more going for it? Is it just the fact I dislike the name?
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The price point is certainly an advantage, although the lack of wifi leaves me wondering whether I'll go for it.
 User Rank
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If there was ever a holiday season to have some lower price but functional options to consider, this is it. I think these tablets should do well simply on volume.
 User Rank
Iron NO RATINGS
I'd still like an iPad, but I really can't afford one. So the question is: will I be happy with a low end option or just resent myself for not having enough money to get what I really want?
 User Rank
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"the lack of wifi leaves me wondering whether I'll go for it."
All the tablets on the market have WiFi feature, I think you mean 3G, right? User Rank
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@Tenacious,Both the Nook and the Fire have WiFi but neighter have 3G. I have found that I only use my iPad in places with WiFi and I do not even use the 3G service. I think if I traveled more then the 3G would be something I would make use of, but as it is the majority of use for my tablet is at home and the office. when I do take it out with me it is normaly to someplace that has WiFi.
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Ugh sorry--I meant to write 3G! Thanks for the insight, though. Good to see in actual use the wifi is sufficient.
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It all depends on how much someone travels. I don't so just having WiFi works for me. I think people who travel a lot will want 3G.
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To keep the price low, Amazon does cut corners on its Kindle Fire. But there are some important features that shall stay, like:
1. Microphone input - Without it, you can't not make any voice call, or voice commanding, the cost to add a microphone shall be minimal, but it is missing now. 2. 3G connection - If the old Kindle can support 3G, I think Kindle Fire shall have 3G capability, at least on the future release. Missing the following features is Ok with me: 1. 10" display, it is better for portability. 10" is too big to carry around, even for a lady's handbag 2. GPS functionality, no 3G data, no GPS, that is it 3. Camera: rarely use the camera on my smart phone, the result is mediocre at the best. Serious photoes shall be taken by SLR. User Rank
Platinum NO RATINGS
Value Hiker,
I personaly would not need 3G, but I can see where others would, and I think that would be give the Fire added value to some users. If they do end up adding a Mic to the next gen Fire then I think they should add a front and rear facing camera so the user can take advantage of video chat. I would like to see a 10in version, I enjoy the screen size on my iPad, i think it makes reading magazines and graphic novels more enjoyable. not to mention watching video.I dont find it too big to travel with, it fits nicely in my laptop bag. User Rank
Platinum NO RATINGS
Telefreq: I have WiFi access both at home and at workplace. However, I still find 3G is quite useful for checking email while hiking, compare merchandise price at store, and read news on the train. Of course, the heavy data usage shall not rely on 3G
I also like a front face camera for video char, but not a rear face one, since most of these cameras have so-so quality. 10 inch is too big for ladies to carry around in their hand bags. Anyway Apple did not give a damn about female customers, otherwise it won't call the device an iPad. :) Like the width of the railway road, it seems the tablet device is consolidated to either 7" or 10", even they are just random selected size.  User Rank
Blogger NO RATINGS
The lack of 3G takes a little away from the ability to stream all those shows via prime, netflix, and hulu plus. Does anyone know how much memory this thing comes with?
User Rank
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512M memory, 8G internal flash, no SD card slot -i.e. no memory expansion
 User Rank
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Moreover it will have a dual-core processor, a fast browser, a good display, and lots and lots of content.
User Rank
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I can see your point about wanting 3G on the tablet when out and about. I tend to use my phone for quick stuff when I am out, since I always have it one me. As for checking email while hiking, that is something I try to avoid LOL.
I can see where the size would be an issue for a woman who wanted to carry it in her hand bag. A 10in iPad is def not something that is going have an easy fit. at the end of the day there really is no way to build a tablet that will work for everyone. But I think the fire is a good additon to the market. User Rank
Iron NO RATINGS
I'm with you TelecomFreq : I resist the urge to check email when hiking. Heck, I resist the urge to go hiking at all!
 User Rank
Iron NO RATINGS
Last fall I got my first look at the initial model of the Galaxy Tab and I wondered how Samsung would position the tablet in the market relative to the iPad.
Sure the Galaxy Tab, with its 7-inch screen, was small enough to fit in certain pockets but it did not deliver some of the magic that iPad fans craved. With the Galaxy Tab originally retailing for as much as $600 to $650 without a contract with wireless carriers, that put it in the range of certain models of the original iPad. Back in the summer, the Consumer Electronics Association held a research summit that included the results from a survey to find the optimal price for tablet computers. Based on that survey, the sweet spot ranged between $300 and $445; the optimal price point was $328. That may be what consumers want to pay but I don't see high-end tablets with 10-inch screens dipping that low unless retailers are anxious to move inventory. User Rank
Platinum NO RATINGS
Based on that survey, the sweet spot ranged between $300 and $445; the optimal price point was $328.
@Joao, when you say optimal price, is it optimal from user point of view ? What about the profitability of the company which is releasing the tablet ? User Rank
Iron NO RATINGS
@yalanand
The survey was of U.S. adults who expect to buy a tablet computer. The question they posed was "At what price would you begin to think a tablet computer is . . . " The possible answers were "Too Expensive, Getting Expensive, A Bargain, Too Inexpensive" set against a range of prices from $1 to $850.  User Rank
Blogger NO RATINGS
We bought a Kindle for my daughter a while back. The screen broke twice. The first time they replaced it no cost. The second time we did not replace it, because the books were getting expensive and she was mostly reading real books -- borrowed or from the library.
There is something to be said for real books -- still. User Rank
Platinum NO RATINGS
Joao-Pierre,
Did the summit talk about size that customers would want? is there as much of a market for the 7in as there is for the 10in? User Rank
Iron NO RATINGS
TelecomFreq
I don't recall if there was a comment during the presentation on customer preference in screen sizes. However checking the slides from that presentation, of the more than 100 tablets announced at CES 2011 some 25 percent were equipped with 7-inch screens and 21 percent had 10-inch screens. The rest of the landscape was highly fragmented. 6-inch screens represented only 6 percent of the announced tablets at CES 2011, 10.1-inch screens were 5 percent, 8-inch screens at 4 percent, 8.9-inch screens at 2 percent, and all other screen sizes were each just 1 percent of the announced tablets. So that means manufacturers planned to roll out a few more new 7-inch models versus 10-inch tablets. I don't know what the sales volume has been for each category though. User Rank
Platinum NO RATINGS
Joao-Pierre,
Thanks for the info. I will be interested to see if sizes settle into more of a standard over the next few years, and what consumers buy.  User Rank
Platinum NO RATINGS
I think connectivity will become the strong determining factor for success or failure of these devices.
These are all about taking media, info , entertainment with you. When people encounter the limits of wi-fi they will opt for a more powerful and versatile tablet.  User Rank
Blogger NO RATINGS
Connected in what way?
User Rank
Blogger NO RATINGS
Seven reasons the new kindle is better than an iPad - including native usb: http://m.zdnet.com/blog/diy-it/7-reasons-the-kindle-fire-is-better-than-the-ipad/278
User Rank
Platinum NO RATINGS
Noreen,
USB would be nice on the iPad, as would the ability to add an SD card for extra storage. User Rank
Platinum NO RATINGS
Apple is less likely to add the SD card slot on any devices, no matter it is iTouch, iPhone, or iPad. Apple's whole market segmentation is based on these flash sizes: 16G, 32G, or 64G. I doubt anyone will pay Apple the premium price ($100 to $200 dollars more) for high end devices when you can buy 32G SD card under $30 dollars.
User Rank
Platinum NO RATINGS User Rank
Blogger NO RATINGS
The problem with a wireless connection is that it's gonna cost you a minimum of $20 a month, plus all the bogus taxes.
User Rank
Platinum NO RATINGS
Asa,
I see your point but i do not 100% agree with you on that. I think there will be some people who will want the 3G/4G for connectivity and useage when they are out, but I have not really run into many issues with finding WiFi at places. I also think that smart phones are so advanced now (other than blackberry that is) that its not a big deal to jump on your phone to use 4G to get info in a pinch. I agree there will be people who will need to be connected more than WiFi will allow so for them a 3G model of a tablet would be a better fit. User Rank
Platinum NO RATINGS
I am sure Amazon’s forthcoming Kindle Fire tablet will hurt the sales of iPad and put price pressure on Apple. It would be interesting to see if Apple slashes its prices of iPAD ?
User Rank
Platinum NO RATINGS
I can not see Apple cutting the price to the iPad, that is unless the Fire really hurts their sales, but I just dont see that happening. Not this soon anyway. A few years from now might be a dif story depending on how Apple does in the post Jobs era.
User Rank
Platinum NO RATINGS
I think it is interesting that both these companies are keeping Android " under the covers" and providing their own interface. The Amazon device goes even further and doesn't work with most of the Android Marketplace apps. Amazon has a real tie to their content , whereas B&N does not. That could be the most improtant factor in who wins this battle.
User Rank
Iron NO RATINGS
Good point. Android has the perception of complete openness which isn't as seamless as might be expected. These solutions are somewhat proprietary. However, this is an issue across all media delivery devices that claim to use apps - be it tablets, televisions, or even blu-ray players. Sadly these efforts create situations of absolute winners and losers. The situation leaves many developers and content providers scratching their heads and hedging their bets over which platforms to support. Where Amazon deserves credit is they have the media resources to keep the consumer engaged. Be it books, video, and services to only be imagined utilizing their imdb metadata.
However, without true openness, it will always be an us vs them battle.... User Rank
Platinum NO RATINGS
Like unix in the PC era, fragmentation will be the no.1 issue to android platform.
User Rank
Blogger NO RATINGS
I still have that luxury buyer's lust for an iPad. But I wish they had designed the latest one with a USB port. Who wants to pay top dollar for a device and then have to buy an accessory to download from an SD card?
 User Rank
Platinum NO RATINGS
Call me cynical, but I'm predicting cannibalization and psychic gridlock more than market expansion from the new wave of "book-oriented" tablets. Oddly enough, when the Kindle was more specialized, I actually think it was better off.
Now that it kinda, sorta competes with an iPad, it pretty much falls short. I think there are a lot of people who would rather have nothing than a pale imitation. I could be wrong but I'm guessing that people would rather save for a month or two more and buy an iPad than get something with limited applications that comes up short.  User Rank
Iron NO RATINGS
Due to the unfortunate series of setbacks suffered by Apple in recent weeks, I predict they will lose ground to Barnes and Noble both in feature set and overall reliability. Barnes and Noble is now the big One book retailer in the United States, and is poised to capitalize on its elimination of Borders with its Nook e-reader. No one wants to see Apple creating an alternative distribution network for books as it did for phonorecords anyway. And the demise of the implacable Steve Jobs makes it unlikely they will have the strategic insight to carry out such innovation.
 User Rank
Iron NO RATINGS While I am excited about the new tablets and the new price points I still think the technology has a long way to go and the tablet of next year will be measurably better. I think these new tablets will age quickly so I am waiting! User Rank
Blogger NO RATINGS
Special secret on Apple: The make mucho $ on flash memory because they build in their own flash chips and charge a premium. It's nice to have a proprietary product, no?
User Rank
Platinum NO RATINGS
I played around with the Fire last night, the UI is smooth for interacting with all Amazon content. the Amazon Prime video plays nicely, and i flipped through a few of the books in my digital library and it was smooth and easy to read. I found the WiFi to be very slow, and the web surfing to be VERY cluncky.
there is access to the Amazon App Market so I will go through this weekend and add some apps and play around with those. But as of right now the quality of web browsing is a major draw back for me. User Rank
Blogger NO RATINGS
Thanks for this first hand insight TelecomFreq.
I'd love to hear more of your experiences as you further explore the tablet. User Rank
Platinum NO RATINGS
No prob, I will be sure to post an update after I add apps to the Fire and play around with those.
 User Rank
Iron NO RATINGS I am always keen to buy an iPad but can hardly find it affordable (valuable?) due to the current economic status. But thanks to Amazon's new tablet with all the features at an affordable cost, there are options. And the Fire doesn't seem like a bad choice. Looking forward to those reviews.  User Rank
Iron NO RATINGS
TelecomFreq,
I am also interested in what you can find from the Fire. Another thought on these two devices. Because they don't support cell phone network, the wifi becomes the only effective way to communicate. I am not sure if they can really compete with iPad. Maybe they can be supplyment only to the consumers. Also their wifi functions got to be reliable and convinient. Otherwise, I don't see where they can stand a chance on the market. User Rank
Platinum NO RATINGS
The weekend was full of app testing and more playing around with the fire. I loaded some apps and games and though they took a very long time to download the Fire seems to handle them just fine. I downloaded Angry Birds and Cut The Rope and both of those rum seamlessly. I also downloaded a lot of childrens content from the Amazon App store and that all tested ok as well.
I still think the WiFi is slow and web surfing isnt the best experirence but for reading and apps it seems to work well enough. I handed the Fire over to my son once it was all set up and ready to go and he was able to navigate it without issue, right away and found cut the rope and started to play. navigating around the Fire seems to be easy enough since my 3 year old is not having an issue with it. overall I say this device is worth the $200 it will set you back. User Rank
Platinum NO RATINGS
@TelecomFreq, thanks so much for the feedback! Did you have any way of comparing the Fire download speeds to anything else in your house to know if they were slow or really, REALLY slow? Just curious...
User Rank
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Street Smart,
I had it set up next to my iPad and the iPad was MUCH faster when both downloading and surfing the web. User Rank
Platinum NO RATINGS
Thanks @TelecomFreq! Sounds like the Fire would be fine for one-time app downloads but could feel slow for web surfing or large downloads such as movies.
But for a three-year-old? Pure genius! User Rank
Iron NO RATINGS
Heared a rumor that Amazon is in a talk with Taiwan's Foxxon for a samrtphone in 2012. Things are getting more interesting if the news confimred. But I can see it makes sense for Amazon if they really go for smartphone. Lots of exciting things.
User Rank
Iron NO RATINGS
TelecomFreq,
Thank you for the update. That's a good test. I'd think the device is good (even wifi is not that bad) since you didn't expereince any problem during the weekend. Especially if your 3 year old son can use it without problem, I'd say Amazon has done a good job. It's worth $200. In terms of wifi speed, I think people shall have a realistic expectation from a $200 device. If they want a more fancy and faster device, they shall consider other ones (like iPad or Galaxy). From your testing, It looks like Fire is an attractive device. User Rank
Iron NO RATINGS
Oh yeah, the creativity has finally started. Ever since Apple got its Tablets into the market with a massive success, everyone now wants a piece of this pie. Amazon's Kindle has been doing pretty well since its inception. They even have a newer one coming out shortly. But seems like the iPad's will continue to dominate the tablet world at least for now. As more and more authors are still writing their books and trying to sell them to the mass consumers – the iPad still will be the primary choice.
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Blogger NO RATINGS
I was in Barnes & Noble the other day and couldn't believe the size of the new Nook section they had installed. Only one problem: It didn't seem like many people were buying them, but they were using the Nook area as a handy place to park their kids to play games while they browsed elsewhere.
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