Kindle Fire

[Phlashman]

Yeah it's kind of wierd, a lot of people in the know say that Amazon has rushed this out for Xmas, that's why they are using the RIM Playbook hardware. It's probably also why no-one in the tech press wasn't actually allowed to touch the thing at the Launch event except Amazon employees.

They say the real Amazon Tablet will be out next year, they just didn't want to give Apple another competition free Xmas.

[MoBiUGeArSkIn]

Maybe they'll announce the Kindle INFERNO next summer

Maybe they'll announce the Kindle INFERNO next summer

Or maybe before we get to that, it'll fall flat on its arse and Amazon will be forced to hold a FIRE SALE to get rid of stock

I do think that this will be a success (unlike every other non-Apple tablet so far...) because of the price, brand, and content...But Amazon needs to sort its services out and release it outside the US sooner rather than later.

[Phlashman]

Reviews are out:

Engadget:

The Kindle Fire is quite an achievement at $200. It's a perfectly usable tablet that feels good in the hand and has a respectably good looking display up front. Yes, power users will find themselves a little frustrated with what they can and can't do on the thing without access to the Android Market but, in these carefree days of cloud-based apps ruling the world, increasingly all you need is a good browser. That the Fire has.

When stacked up against other popular tablets, the Fire can't compete. Its performance is a occasionally sluggish, its interface often clunky, its storage too slight, its functionality a bit restricted and its 7-inch screen too limiting if you were hoping to convert all your paper magazine subscriptions into the digital ones. Other, bigger tablets do it better -- usually at two or three times the cost.
So, the Kindle Fire is great value and perhaps the best, tightest integration of digital content acquisition into a mobile device that we've yet seen. Instead of having a standalone shopping app the entire tablet is a store -- a 7-inch window sold at a cut-rate price through which users can look onto a sea of premium content. It isn't a perfect experience, but if nothing else it's a promising look into the future of retail commerce.

http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/14/amaz ... re-review/

The Verge

If you're thinking about getting the Fire, you have to decide not just whether you want a tablet, but what kind of tablet you want. This isn't an iPad-killer. It has the potential to do lots of things, but there are many things I have yet to see it do, and I wonder if it will get there given the lean software support. It's my impression that Amazon believes that the Fire will be so popular that developers will choose to work on its platform rather than on Google's main trunk of Android, but that's just a theory right now.

Still, there's no question that the Fire is a really terrific tablet for its price. The amount of content you have access to — and the ease of getting to that content — is notable to say the least. The device is decently designed, and the software — while lacking some polish — is still excellent compared to pretty much anything in this range (and that includes the Nook Color). It's a well thought out tablet that can only get better as the company refines the software. It's not perfect, but it's a great start, and at $200, that may be all Amazon needs this holiday shopping season.

http://www.theverge.com/2011/11/14/2560 ... ire-review

Gizmodo

If you like what Amazon Prime has going on in the kitchen, the Fire is a terrific seat. It's not as powerful or capable as an iPad, but it's also a sliver of the price—and that $200 will let you jack into the Prime catalog (and the rest of your media collection) easily and comfortably. Simply, the Fire is a wonderful IRL compliment to Amazon's digital abundance. It's a terrific, compact little friend, and—is this even saying anything?—the best Android tablet to date.

http://gizmodo.com/5858779/kindle-fire- ... ompetition

So basically, do you want a cheap tablet? Yay or Nay?

For many people the answer will be yes (but not over here yet), but I'd imagine it'll be a bit like what Android phones are experiencing right now, in that a lot of people got android phones as they look on the surface like iPhones with less of a price tag. But after a year or so with the Android phone, you realise it's isn't an iPhone and your iPhone owning friends are much happier with their phones, getting better apps sooner, getting new features and upgrades even on old devices... etc. etc.

I think a little down the line Kindle Fire owners will realise it isn't a cheap iPad and that their iPad owning friends are much happier and jump ship.

For many people the answer will be yes (but not over here yet), but I'd imagine it'll be a bit like what Android phones are experiencing right now, in that a lot of people got android phones as they look on the surface like iPhones with less of a price tag. But after a year or so with the Android phone, you realise it's isn't an iPhone and your iPhone owning friends are much happier with their phones, getting better apps sooner, getting new features and upgrades even on old devices... etc. etc.

I think a little down the line Kindle Fire owners will realise it isn't a cheap iPad and that their iPad owning friends are much happier and jump ship.

I think to be fair you are sounding ridiculus. Many people who don't have i-phones are very happy with their phone and the features they have. Not everyone wants or needs an i-phone. A kindle fire is not a cheap i-pad or has ever tried to be one. It is a fancy super duper kindle. A device you can read books on, watch video, listen to music and browse the internet for under £200 sounds great to me

my HTC sensation which is an android phone offers everything I need. I can't imagine what else I would want from a phone that would warrant wanting an iphone. I think it's fair to say that if you're an apple bum boy everything around you doesn't seem as great but in the real world iphone isn't all that.

Don't get me wrong iphones are good but I still don't see the point of that price tag. When this finally makes its way over I will definitely put my cash down for it. I want a cheap tablet to read books, comics and surf the net. The fact kindle does all that is all good to me.

[Born2beSlicker]

I can't imagine what else I would want from a phone that would warrant wanting an iphone. I think it's fair to say that if you're an apple bum boy everything around you doesn't seem as great but in the real world iphone isn't all that.

That's like saying there's no difference between a McDonalds and a proper 5* Restaurant. If you only have McDonalds, you don't know how food could be any different.

[Phlashman]

I'm just going on experience, most of the android owners I talk to in real life are disappointed with their phones.

But it is awesome being an Apple "Bum Boy" isn't it Slickbeans?

[Born2beSlicker]

You do realise that comes off as if we bum each other, right?

[Phlashman]

Well that's what comes with being a bum boy.... and a lot of Santorum.


I'll end now.

I can't imagine what else I would want from a phone that would warrant wanting an iphone. I think it's fair to say that if you're an apple bum boy everything around you doesn't seem as great but in the real world iphone isn't all that.

That's like saying there's no difference between a McDonalds and a proper 5* Restaurant. If you only have McDonalds, you don't know how food could be any different.

I don't really see the difference though your iphone is good I'm not debating that but my android does everything I want or need. Why pay for something more expensive if something else does it at half the price. I've not had any issue with the phone I have and I've got a tone of apps and games to keep me happy for months on end.

I honestly can't see what I don't get from my android heck if I had a windows 7 phone which was my original intention getting a contract out I think I would be just as happy.

[Born2beSlicker]

Eating at McDonalds is cheap and tastey for the most part, but you know you're getting low-grade ingredients and it's slapped together in a minute while being heated under a hot lamp. While eating home cooked meals or at a nice place will make you just as full, but you'll likely have better quality food that tastes better and an overall better experience.

Why buy first party controllers when third party does the same thing for cheaper? Because first party is better made most of the time.

Typically the same can be said about Android vs iOS vs WP7. WP7 is a very elegant OS, but Android is more cobbled together and shoved on hardware that isn't made to run it as efficiently as iPhones or some WP7 phones. Android "gets the job done" and that's fine for people who don't care a great deal. There is a reason however why iOS is regarded as the "best" critically and with users in most cases.

Because maybe I don't see the point in putting large amounts of money on a device when I can get one cheaper that does exactly what I want. Its not always about getting the best sometimes its just about getting something that simply offers what you want. Cheap or not I'll definitely get a kindle fire was going to get a kindle anyway.

But it's got a glossy screen. That kills one of the Kindles best attractions IMO. My iPad is slag to read in bright light.