Kindle Fire
Sep 28, 2011 | 10:28 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Del Ray, Alexandria, Virginia
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Sep 28, 2011 | 10:48 am
#4
Join Date: Nov 1999
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cnet's take
The specifications, however, are lower than other comparable high-end tablets. While it has a dual-core processor, it lacks many of the other typical features found in a tablet, such as a camera, microphone, and 3G wireless access. It also only has 8 gigabytes of storage space. The device is more intended to compete with Barnes & Noble's Nook Color, which is essentially a stripped down Android tablet.
The Kindle Fire will also use an older version of Android intended for smartphones, but Amazon remade the user interface, giving it a completely different feel from rival tablets. It can also play games and can surf the Internet using its own custom Amazon Silk browser that uses a combination of cached content on the device and on the Web. The company claims it can predict your browsing habits and preload favorite websites for faster browsing.
The Kindle Fire will also use an older version of Android intended for smartphones, but Amazon remade the user interface, giving it a completely different feel from rival tablets. It can also play games and can surf the Internet using its own custom Amazon Silk browser that uses a combination of cached content on the device and on the Web. The company claims it can predict your browsing habits and preload favorite websites for faster browsing.
Sep 28, 2011 | 11:50 am
#9
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Texas
Programs: American Airlines British Airways
Posts: 1,752
It is a replacement for and an extension to the current Kindle line.
The reason I say that is that the screen is too small, the OS/interface is too peculiar to Amazon, and the target market is different.
It is best used for what I use the Kindle DX for, a reader, or with the new capabilities as an extension to that into other forms of media that the others could never make. For example, I loaded mp3 files on the DX, but only used them once as I recall. All of the buttons and nonintuitive actions were just too much trouble. I expect the interface to the Fire to be easier to use. If not, back it goes. Then I will allow myself to be absorbed by the Borg, I mean Apple empire.
The reason I say that is that the screen is too small, the OS/interface is too peculiar to Amazon, and the target market is different.
It is best used for what I use the Kindle DX for, a reader, or with the new capabilities as an extension to that into other forms of media that the others could never make. For example, I loaded mp3 files on the DX, but only used them once as I recall. All of the buttons and nonintuitive actions were just too much trouble. I expect the interface to the Fire to be easier to use. If not, back it goes. Then I will allow myself to be absorbed by the Borg, I mean Apple empire.
Sep 28, 2011 | 12:56 pm
#12
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: NYC
Posts: 7,030
Why should I care that "the OS/interface is too peculiar to Amazon"? Perhaps if I were an Android fanatic or developer, as a user?
For many people, a 7" screen is too small. For those who like the size, you can save a lot of money while giving up little if any usability, from what I've seen so far.
For many people, a 7" screen is too small. For those who like the size, you can save a lot of money while giving up little if any usability, from what I've seen so far.
Sep 28, 2011 | 1:13 pm
#13
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Texas
Programs: American Airlines British Airways
Posts: 1,752
I don't care if you care. I was asked for a list of reasons why I think it is a Kindle and not a tablet. That's one of them.
I am sure I will be very happy with the Fire when it arrives, but a tablet it is not. It is a way as the press has pointed out to extend what Amazon sells, not a way to sell a computer of any sort. Here Amazon is in the media distribution business, not the hardware business. This is the razor.
I am sure I will be very happy with the Fire when it arrives, but a tablet it is not. It is a way as the press has pointed out to extend what Amazon sells, not a way to sell a computer of any sort. Here Amazon is in the media distribution business, not the hardware business. This is the razor.
Sep 28, 2011 | 1:20 pm
#14
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Tri-State Area
Posts: 4,728
Thanks for injecting some humor in this thread. We're less than 12 hours since the announcement and folks are already taking shots at each other
I have both the K3 and iPad2, and this looks like a great product [line] -- something for everyone! I'm a happy long time amazon shareholder and look forward to a great 4Q earning report come early 2012.
Peace people
Sep 28, 2011 | 1:37 pm
#15
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: San Jose, California, USA
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Posts: 3,167
The form factor is perfect for me (10" tablets are too big, IMHO) and the price is perfect, too, but I agree that this isn't a general purpose tablet.
If it had a camera, GPS, and an SD slot, then it would be the perfect upgrade from my current tablet. But the Kindle Fire looks like a fantastic e-reader, which is what it's designed to be.
If it had a camera, GPS, and an SD slot, then it would be the perfect upgrade from my current tablet. But the Kindle Fire looks like a fantastic e-reader, which is what it's designed to be.