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Amazon just killed all other Android tablets dead, along with the Playbook if it wasn't dead already.
Google must be pleased with themselves (not). If Andy Rubin had been a Microsoft plant to bleed Google billions of dollars in the mobile space and make companies like Samsung and HTC to pay Microsoft on top of that, he couldn't have done it any better.
Amazon using Google's old source code against them is just the coup de grâce.
I have a free Kindle, and I'm temped by the $99 Kindle Touch. That's going to be huge for Xmas.
Actually it is $139 if you don't want ads, but that is still a great deal, and I'll get one.
AllthingsD:
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Amazon rolled out a whole new line of Kindles today that are priced so low, there had to be a hitch.
Well, there is: Amazon is using advertising to subsidize the cost of the hardware.
For example, the Kindle Touch with Special Offers costs only $99, but if you want one without ads it will cost $40 more. The new Kindle, without a touchscreen, costs $109 — that’s $30 more than the attractive $79 pricetag for the ad-subsidized model.
The Kindle Fire goes on pre-order today for a flat $199, so it’s unclear whether it will come with offers or not.
Having an iPad I have absolutely no interest in the Kindle Fire, but as I said above I think it will reshape the tablet space by killing all non-Apple competition very, very dead.
Pretty much how I see it. Frankly, every Android tablet I've played with has been junky. Amazon doing this pretty much drives a nail through damn near all of them. Why would you even consider Xoom? Etc. It's $199 price + complete end to end marketplace governed by Amazon's app store (not Google's) pretty much guarantees them a widespread launch, control of a marketspace and profits end to end.
I'm not saying I have much interest, but for someone just getting in, this may be a very interesting option.. and using AWS as a cacheing relay server system is frankly a fairly brilliant use of their online storage farm... and something others aren't in a position to counter at all.
I'm not saying it WILL be, but technically, yes, it SHOULD be. By caching back pulled websites and optimizing before delivery, it means pages should require less bandwidth to download.
For example, Engadget's webpage in full is about 1.3Mb. However, going through a cacheing server that compresses for target, it's 460k. So, even if two devices have the exact same bandwidth same connection, same processor, one is downloading 3X the data that the other one is. Thus, for the end user, the "bump" will be noticeable.
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Originally Posted by DaveF
With this web server stuff, could browsing on the Fire be faster than on an iPad 2?
I'm not saying it WILL be, but technically, yes, it SHOULD be. By caching back pulled websites and optimizing before delivery, it means pages should require less bandwidth to download.
For example, Engadget's webpage in full is about 1.3Mb. However, going through a cacheing server that compresses for target, it's 460k. So, even if two devices have the exact same bandwidth same connection, same processor, one is downloading 3X the data that the other one is. Thus, for the end user, the "bump" will be noticeable.
Unless I'm missing something, that would make a huge difference with a poor 3G connection. Thing is, the Fire is WiFi only, so if you have good internet bandwidth at home, it won't make any noticeable difference. When web browsing on an iPad 1 on WiFi, the limiting factor is ALWAYS processing speed (you get the checkerboard screen) not data load/network.
The big reason why you need that processing power though is because of what's being re-rendered. Think about it this way; a webpage built for a set size is being re-rendered by your device or your web browser. This is true of everything that uses tables, CSS overlays, and any coding. Every browser on every desktop reformulates that for it's view.
Here, Amazon knows the target device and browser. Their caching server reduces the total size of download and pre-processes for the target device, which means all of those things that are normally done by the browser / onboard processor require far less work. A "table=100%" option is in cache changed to the exact metrics of the target device, so the device isn't re-computing for it's screen.
Graphics are re-rendered toward target device output, and so on.
So, it's not just reducing size - though that's more to it then you'd think, it's also about rendering correct for a device. Also, if Amazon is correct, since theirs strips call-out code (ie, "google Metrics; ad-servers; etc.) then the time to render is reduced significantly again by pre-populating that back to those metrics servers without your device having to deal on the wait.
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Originally Posted by Ted Todorov
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Unless I'm missing something, that would make a huge difference with a poor 3G connection. Thing is, the Fire is WiFi only, so if you have good internet bandwidth at home, it won't make any noticeable difference. When web browsing on an iPad 1 on WiFi, the limiting factor is ALWAYS processing speed (you get the checkerboard screen) not data load/network.
With Amazon offering Prime users full access to streaming on this device, it makes Prime streaming actually a cool add on and ads value to that service; for people who want to ditch a netflix bill now that they've divided, that's a value added service of about $10 a month.
How will it kill other tablets? Its entirely cloud based, limited to 8gb onboard space. You cannot add your own video content, you have to have wifi access. You will not be able to add other reading apps like Nook. Yor limited to Amazon's market place apps. This is hardly a replacement for most tablets that let you add up to 32gb of SDHC storage, plays multiple format audio and videos, and allow you to read from various vendors. This is strictly a portal for Amazon, not a bad thing if you are using it, but hardly a replacement for an open device
First, you're comparing with an iPad. Ok, let me explain how this is a real factor: lots of people aren't storing a lot of video content on their tablets (I'm storing none) but the use of Netflix has (had) been important. Amazon Prime is a good counter for that, and I pay for it already.
The 8GB is enough to store about 4-7 movies locally or numerous books, tons of apps, etc. The most popular iPad is the 16GB... by a huge, huge margin. I don't think this kills say, iPad, but it makes almost useless almost all android based tablets. It's $199 (half to 1/3 the price) which makes it far more attractive to those users... it becomes a "cheaper then netbook/cheap notebook" option that has been missing. Since it has end to end support from Amazon, it's built in ecosystem is more developed then anything on the market except for Apple.. and it's not even close. All the Android tablets look like they are in total dissarray in comparison.
So, it depends on how you look at it. I will tell you, the price point plus ecosystem are going to be huge factors that put a major punch into anything in the Android side of the house. I ordered two. The price is a killer factor. At $200, I'd let my kids play with it. Realize I could buy 2 of these for the same as a Galaxy (and pocket $100) .. the price point is a huge huge item... and a big crush to a lot of people who want to get something with a major name brand they know and like.
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Originally Posted by Dave Scarpa
How will it kill other tablets? Its entirely cloud based, limited to 8gb onboard space. You cannot add your own video content, you have to have wifi access. You will not be able to add other reading apps like Nook. Yor limited to Amazon's market place apps. This is hardly a replacement for most tablets that let you add up to 32gb of SDHC storage, plays multiple format audio and videos, and allow you to read from various vendors. This is strictly a portal for Amazon, not a bad thing if you are using it, but hardly a replacement for an open device
I do have a friend here and there that watches video on their iPad, but they know enough about VLC to make it happen. Everyone else? No video. Only use Kindle. And they stream music rather than load up mp3's. And without those space hogs, 8GB is actually not that bad. The only thing you can't do that tablets are pretty good at is video conferencing. But it will surf faster and the form factor allows you to read Kindle one handed. It should run 90% of the games. Oh, and It runs Flash.
And the Amazon market isn't anything to sneeze at. 95% of my Market apps are on Amazon anyway. So it's not as hobbled as you think.
None of these thing suit me at all, so I'll stick with my Galaxy Tab. But my wife would love this -- it would be a nice step up from her iPod.
It's got a USB port and allows sideloading via mass storage devices. You can hook up a 2tb drive with your own apps and content if you want. They expect it to be rooted on day 1 too but the need will be lower than other tablets I'd think.
Well once again good if you are in range of Wifi, but what f you are traveling with none. Will this device let you add video locally, I see no indication that it will, nor the ability to DL Amazon Prime videos to said 8gb of local storage, it appears to stream only.
They list that it supports MP4 file format (that's video content) so if it supports that file format, by default it supports locally stored video. They'll pump up the streaming, but there is no point in naming file format supports if you can't actually access them.
Also, since Amazon supports the Unbox (local store) client on Android tablets now, I doubt that's a feature they'd reserve for say, the Xoom and Galaxy but wouldn't do on their own.
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Originally Posted by Dave Scarpa
Well once again good if you are in range of Wifi, but what f you are traveling with none. Will this device let you add video locally, I see no indication that it will, nor the ability to DL Amazon Prime videos to said 8gb of local storage, it appears to stream only.
Well once again good if you are in range of Wifi, but what f you are traveling with none. Will this device let you add video locally, I see no indication that it will, nor the ability to DL Amazon Prime videos to said 8gb of local storage, it appears to stream only.
In six months with an iPad 2, with trips to NYC, Chicago, and Indianapolis, my wife has never activated 3G. Wifi is everywhere, and if it's not working for a bit, the iPhone fills in. To my surprise, wifi gets you very, very far with a tablet.
And her 16GB iPad is only half full, and most of that is photos.
I can imagine an 8GB wifi-only tablet could work pretty well for a lot of people. Especially at $199 with no contract.
Do I wish it had a 3g option? Kinda, and I expect rev two definitely will, or maybe even 4g. We'll see. I have 3 other 3g devices (with the PSP vita on the way, that will be #4) so for me personally this is a non issue.
(Edit, holy crap I forgot about one... iPhone, iPad, Chromebook (which I have free 3G for life on and never activated!) and the Kindle 3G, which I have used sparingly but could live without it on... Plus the Vita coming, sheesh!)
People said the iPad wasn't a content creation device but the Fire REALLY isn't aimed at that. It's a pure consumption device that relies on solid net connection. If that's not interesting to you don't buy it, but you can't really trash it for not doing everything it wasnt designed to do.
That article is dead on. Amazon is playing the 'Keep it Simple Stupid" card; they are introducing a tablet that is an impulse buy item that people will gobble up for Christmas. They avoid entirely the disaster that is Google's Marketplace.. in Google's Android Marketplace an App A MIGHT work on your device (but with fragmentation, who knows) but with Amazon doing their own tablet running their own store, users will always know exactly which apps run, etc.
Keep it Simple. Frankly, it's a brilliant concept. And the price IS impulse buy territory. I didn't blink twice thinking about committing to two.
Actually, the question about local storage is answered right on their page under battery life:
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Up 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.
So if you can get 7.5 hours of video with wireless off, you must be using local storage ;)
How will it kill other tablets? Its entirely cloud based, limited to 8gb onboard space. You cannot add your own video content, you have to have wifi access. You will not be able to add other reading apps like Nook. Yor limited to Amazon's market place apps. This is hardly a replacement for most tablets that let you add up to 32gb of SDHC storage, plays multiple format audio and videos, and allow you to read from various vendors. This is strictly a portal for Amazon, not a bad thing if you are using it, but hardly a replacement for an open device
It will not kill the iPad (or even threaten it much). It will kill Android tablets plus the Playbook.
The Fire has a complete ecosystem, they don't. The Kindle is cheap, they aren't. The Kindle performs its limited functions without lag, they are too busy trying to display Flash banner ads to render your webpage. They will never be able to compete on price because Amazon can afford to sell Kindles at a loss and make it up in book sales and Amazon Prime -- Samsung, HTC, RIM and co. can't.
The iPad has the even fuller ecosystem and sets the standard in responsiveness. It is also far more capable in exchange for the cheap.
Matt's link (thanks) describes the 8GB storage as enough for 80 apps PLUS 10 movies - OR 800 songs - OR 6,000 books. That's enough to get one through a weekend in the wilds.....
I ordered mine. With all the talk about it having to be a loss leader at a $250 price point, $199 came as a shock!
I had a Kindle reader with ads. They're harmless, and only appear when you shut the device off. In my case it was either one for Amazon or one for Visa. For what you save, it's a no brainer.
(Was just about to post this when I noticed Matt's quote re battery life, answering the video storage question!)
Is it telling that Amazon wouldn't let anyone actually use the Fire at the announcement? Hold it to check the weight, but you couldn't manipulate the screen at all (according to Ars).
Originally Posted by mattCR
So if you can get 7.5 hours of video with wireless off, you must be using local storage ;)
The iPad with its 12 hours of video playback is going to be very hard to beat in the battery life dept. for a very long time. Its competitors had better hope for 110V comes to every airplane seat and other such place much sooner than later...
The Kindle performs its limited functions without lag, they are too busy trying to display Flash banner ads to render your webpage.
That's a myth the iSheep hang on to. No one enables Flash to auto load on Android and it's set to on demand out of the box. Banner ads are white boxes with green arrows in them. Plus the new generation of Android phones to a one beat the iPhone 4 in browser loading tests. But I digress...
Dave, if you frequently use your tablet over 3g and transfer movies to watch offline, the Fire may seem very limited in what it can do. But everyone I know owns a wifi only tablet, so for most people, there aren't really any limitations to a wifi only Fire that they haven't already gotten used to. But I suspect the next gen after Fire will have that access, only because a popular 7" tablet is going to show a lot of people the convenience of the form factor (ie, fits into purses & pockets). Many people expect a tablet to be iPad sized, but there are a number of advantages to have a smaller size, especially if being an eReader is one of the primary functions.
Is it telling that Amazon wouldn't let anyone actually use the Fire at the announcement? Hold it to check the weight, but you couldn't manipulate the screen at all (according to Ars).
Yes, it isn't ready -- but considering the Nook Color, they haven't embarked on "mission impossible". But to anyone expecting an iPad competitor -- it isn't.
I think that's true. I think the iPad for right now remains the Lexus device. The thing is, Amazon is clearly aiming for the Toyota Corolla buyer. And there are a lot of people in that crowd. That said, I can think of one flight in the last three years I had that was 7 hours+ on a straight shot.. for the most part, 3/4 is about as long as I'd ever need.
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Originally Posted by Ted Todorov
The iPad with its 12 hours of video playback is going to be very hard to beat in the battery life dept. for a very long time. Its competitors had better hope for 110V comes to every airplane seat and other such place much sooner than later...
I don't ever expect Apple to 'respond' other company's products, and I sure don't expect anything out of them next week that will address this price point, but I will simply say that this really has me smiling, Amazon has clearly played to their strenghts and Apple's perceived weaknesses, and they have been building their cloud tech for YEARS, it's not something any other hardware manufacturer, save Apple or Google itself, will be able to compete with for a long long time.
I love the competition. I thought Android itself would be good competition to spur Apple on, but that it has finally really shown itself in something that only peripherally uses Android works for me too.
