Amazon Unveils $199 Kindle Fire Tablet

[DainBramaged]

Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN), the world’s largest online retailer, unveiled its Kindle Fire tablet computer, taking aim at Apple Inc. (AAPL)’s bestselling iPad with a device that’s smaller and less than half the price.

The Kindle Fire will have a 7-inch display and sell for $199, compared with $499 for Apple’s cheapest iPad, Amazon executives said in interviews with Bloomberg Businessweek. The device, a souped-up version of the Kindle electronic- book reader, will run on Google Inc.’s Android software, the Seattle-based company said.

Chief Executive Officer Jeff Bezos is betting he can leverage Amazon’s dominance in e-commerce to pose a real challenge to Apple’s iPad, after tablets from rivals such as Hewlett-Packard Co. and Research In Motion Ltd. have fallen short. Sales of Amazon’s electronic books, movies and music on the device may help make up for the narrower profit margins that are likely to result from the low price, said Brian Blair, an analyst at Wedge Partners Corp. in New York.

“Amazon is really the only other guy, the only other potential tablet player, that has a similar offering to what Apple has,” Blair said in an interview last week. “If you look across their product offerings, they have content that none of the other tablet makers currently have because they have content on the media side.”

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-09-28/amazon-unveils-199-kindle-fire-tablet.html

[Crazy Dave]

1. They got me hooked on the kindle

I'm sure this new one will be on my Christmas wish.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

2. Moreover it will not have the post sales restrictions that Apple forces on users

which makes it a much better option

[woo me with science]

3. What post sales restrictions?

I'm curious. Thanks.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

4. Apple maintains control of applications on the Ipad post sale

You can not sell or acquire independent apps that are not Apple approved.

Kind of like Ford saying you can only run their brand of gas or Microsoft saying you can only use their network.

Once sold, it is no longer Apple's property but they and many others seem fine with them controlling it.

[woo me with science]

8. Thank you.

This kind of thing seems to be spreading. It's a big problem with the newer cars that have proprietary computer systems that prevent you from going to a cheaper local mechanic or a "guy" you know who fixes cars.

And everything is more expensive as a result. There was a post in the Lounge just last week from someone who had to pay over 150 dollars just to get a new key for the family car because it had to be programmed through the computer. They wouldn't just cut a key for ten dollars anymore.

[DaveJ]

10. Ace Hardware can also make transponder keys

They are something like $60. But yeah, there are various ways the price of things are being forcibly increased. I would hope this money makes it into the pockets of honest Americans but somehow I doubt it.

[DainBramaged]

13. Uh, name me a car they make computer programmable keys for

te entire reason keys are laser cut or programed is to reduce theft, but no one wants to hear about it till their car is gone. Programmable keys have helped to reduce vehicle theft dramatically, but this is DU, if a dealer charges to do anything, they are just bad people......but how could you know that, you're working on assumptions.

[DaveJ]

14. If the exorbitant cost makes it into the hands of someone honest that's great

I said "I doubt" is does, I did not say "I know." As far as which keys Ace Hardware makes, give them a call. It's my understanding they make keys for most modern cars cheaper than the dealer charges. Dealers typically charge twice as much as other places. If you want to pay twice as much that's your option.

[DainBramaged]

21. Doe Ace hook up a Ford, Chrysler, GM, Honda, Toyota, or Nissan computer to the car to program the

key? And if the key is defective do they still charge you for the defective?


You have no idea what you are talking about.



This is a 2010-12 camaro laser cut key, it ONLY comes with a remote since the remote is standard. it will cost about $225 if you lose it or want another even though the car comes with two. The machine to cut the key costs around $15,000. And it takes about 20 minutes to cut and then program the key to the owners car. This key with remote isn't available at Ace hardware. And if you think it's because people want to pay twice as much for a key, you're sadly mistaken. I guess you think this and the technician's time are worthless...

[DaveJ]

26. I said they make transponder keys, not laser cut keys

Thanks for the pic, it looks like corporations are coming up with new ways to extort large sums of money from people all the time. Are you making a portion of the $225 or is most of that going to the corporation?

Ok, I get it. You are fine with corporations charging $225 for a key. We will just need to agree to disagree.

[woo me with science]

27. I agree with you.

This is about profits. I am hearing similar stories about other minor parts that you used to be able to buy for 15 bucks at Ace and install yourself...like windshield wipers.

Keep doing this, and you very quickly put owning and maintaining a car out of the reach of ordinary Americans.

In the history of our family and friends over decades, I cannot think of anyone who had their car stolen because of an inadequate key lock. I will take the risk of theft any day over paying $150 for a key.

[DainBramaged]

28. They are coming up with ways to keep people's cars from being stolen

Jesus is it that hard for you to understand? Do you have any idea what the 5 most stolen cars in America are? I don't think so,

Honda Civic (1995)
Honda Accord (1991)
Toyota Camry (1989)
Ford F-150 (1997)
Chevrolet C/K 1500 (1994)


And what feature are they ALL lacking? Programmable keys. But that's OK, you just keep thinking the world is out to gyp you.

And this was about the Fucking Kindle tablet, not your personal gripe with car companies. And those UAW guys, to question their integrity is pretty much expected. And I happen to BE UAW, so your little insult from your first post is not taken kindly.

[Yavin4]

11. Can You Develop Your Own Apps for the IPad?

How does that work?

[DaveJ]

12. I believe you need an Apple computer and programming skillz

Then you need to pay Apple $200 to list it so people can download it.

[surrealAmerican]

15. ... and they reserve the right to approve your application, ...

... or not: if perhaps it's too similar to one of their own, or they feel it conflicts with their idea of what an ipad should do.

[Yavin4]

32. And Folks Praise Apple Because?????

That sounds facist.

[FreeJoe]

22. How is this different?

From what I've seen, you'll need to get your content from Amazon.

[DaveJ]

29. I created an Android app for free

This is why I got an Android phone and not an iPhone. If I were not interested in development I would have nothing against Apple or Kindle though.

[FreeJoe]

30. It remains to be seen...

It remains to be seen whether you can get that app onto your Kindle Fire without having to go through the Amazon marketplace. I hope that there is some means for side loading apps, but I suspect that it will require some form of jailbreaking.

[DainBramaged]

5. PS I don't do LBN GD is my home (except for Lounge kittehs)

[n2doc]

6. It would be good to have choices

Because the tablets put out there so far have sucked, aside from Apple's. However, Amazon will need to figure out how to get lots of people to write apps for it, that is the biggest advantage apple has.

[FreeJoe]

24. It's Android

They've hidden it reasonably well, but it is based on the Android OS. Presumably most apps written for Android devices will work on it.

[jtrockville]

7. Not an ink screen on the fire. Aren't ink screens better for reading?

[Crazy Dave]

16. On my kindle there's no backlight on the "ink" screen

Just like a regular book, you have to turn a light on if reading in a dark room. Supposed to be better if you read in direct sunlight but I can honestly say, I never read in direct sunlight.

[Arkansas Granny]

18. I have read mine in direct sunlight and it works just fine. No glare, no washout.

[Crazy Dave]

33. Just sunburn and skin cancer n/t

[jtrockville]

23. Ink screens don't have backlight. But the fire isn't an ink screen.

I think I'd rather have an ink screen for reading.

[Fuddnik]

25. Same thing with my Nook.

[jtrockville]

34. Have you ever tried to read on a NON-ink screen?

[dixiegrrrrl]

9. tried to play the demo video, it crashed my FF browser, twice.

[kentauros]

17. Use Opera then.

It worked perfectly, no problems on my copy of Opera 11.51 :D

[totodeinhere]

19. You might need to upgrade your Flash plugin to the latest version if you

haven't already. It worked fine on my version of Firefox 7.

[Initech]

20. I'm all for anything that brings down the insanely high cost of tablets.

Right now I'm using an HP Web-OS based tablet that I scored in the fire sale, but the limited functionality and selection of apps are beginning to annoy me. I really want to ditch Apple for good and get into Android-based phones and tablets.

[Lucian]

31. It looks similar to the Barnes & Noble nook color.

And the new Kindle touch looks exactly like my nook touch.

I see no reason to buy either.