Amazon 7" rumor real

[s44]

TechCrunch hands-on report (no pics)

I hope this does well (and can't wait for the video apk to be released/hacked for other devices), but it looks like a direct Nook Color competitor rather than something an enthusiast can be enthused about:

It is multi-touch, but from what I saw, I believe the reports that it relies on a two-finger multi-touch (instead of 10-finger, like the iPad uses)

My understanding is that the Kindle OS was built on top of some version of Android prior to 2.2.

I believe it is running on a single-core chip (though I’m not 100 percent sure). My understanding is that the 10-inch version, if it comes, will have a dual-core chip.

I also believe the device only has 6 GB of internal storage.

There were a few references to an SD card expansion, but I couldn’t find a slot on the hardware itself.

Free Amazon Prime is a cool consumer thing, but given the hardware limitations I'm not sure why I'd get this for $250 instead of a first-gen Galaxy Tab.

 

[Cogman]

hmmm. IMO what made the kindle great WAS the E-Ink.. Who knows, maybe they will be able to compete better with the nook, though, I can't help but feel betrayed that they decided to make just another tablet (only this time with crappy hardware).

 

[Oyeve]

Uhoh, another pending apple patent lawsuit.

 

[Slick5150]

The fun thing about my Nook Color though is that I have access to both the Nook AND Kindle apps.

 

[sygyzy]

hmmm. IMO what made the kindle great WAS the E-Ink.. Who knows, maybe they will be able to compete better with the nook, though, I can't help but feel betrayed that they decided to make just another tablet (only this time with crappy hardware).

I agree. If I wanted to read books on a color backlit display I would use my Android tablet or buy an iPad. I don't understand why Amazon is going this route. If they are just going to sell it as a cheap tablet, that's cool but it really looks like they are specifically marketing it as an eReader (custom Android skin and all).

 

[Pliablemoose]

Amazon is using these as a marketing device as well, I've considered getting a Kindle Special Offers, just for the special offers.

If you were Amazon, wouldn't it be enticing to essentially build portals to your website?

I think this is a killer idea, a multifunctional tablet sold cheaply that sends customers to your web store. Apple does it with iTunes, Amazon will do it with their whole flipping store.

The free Amazon Prime is a heck of a deal too...

 

[Cogman]

Amazon is using these as a marketing device as well, I've considered getting a Kindle Special Offers, just for the special offers.

If you were Amazon, wouldn't it be enticing to essentially build portals to your website?

I think this is a killer idea, a multifunctional tablet sold cheaply that sends customers to your web store. Apple does it with iTunes, Amazon will do it with their whole flipping store.

The free Amazon Prime is a heck of a deal too...

The only thing that would REALLY differentiate this tablet is free for life cellular internet (Wispernet, similar to the current kindle).

If they don't do that, I don't think they will sell well.

 

[goog40]

Google must be pissed. This probably will be the most popular Android tablet and the Google integration has been completely stripped.

 

[ponyo]

Given all the hype about this supposed amazing Amazon tablet, I'm rather underwhelmed. For months we've been hearing about how Amazon was making some super tablet with quad-core maybe Kal-El and super duper hardware subsidized by Amazon. And now we get this Barnes and Noble clone with basically a custom rom? :hmm:

Amazon will promote this thing like crazy so it will sell well but this is basically color kindle on last year hardware. Good for the masses and Amazon bottom line but yawn for the rest of us.

I rather have Nook Color with CM7 or 3g Galaxy Tab. I still like my 3g Galaxy Tab best out of all my tablets.

 

[Dulanic]

Given all the hype about this supposed amazing Amazon tablet, I'm rather underwhelmed. For months we've been hearing about how Amazon was making some super tablet with quad-core maybe Kal-El and super duper hardware subsidized by Amazon. And now we get this Barnes and Noble clone with basically a custom rom? :hmm:

Amazon will promote this thing like crazy so it will sell well but this is basically color kindle on last year hardware. Good for the masses and Amazon bottom line but yawn for the rest of us.

I rather have Nook Color with CM7 or 3g Galaxy Tab. I still like my 3g Galaxy Tab best out of all my tablets.

Amazon has never really been in the business of pushing the powerful hardware. Amazon's goal is to get this in as many peoples hands as possible. It worked for the Kindle and I believe it will work here.

I will say I do hope for a color eink Kindle soon though. I personally don't give a shit about color, but I know do.

 

[ponyo]

Amazon has never really been in the business of pushing the powerful hardware. Amazon's goal is to get this in as many peoples hands as possible. It worked for the Kindle and I believe it will work here.

Which is fine and smart business decision. I was just commenting on the BS Amazon super tablet rumor. Sort of like the BS 1920x 1080 or higher ipad3 rumor Apple fans are spreading. Where is Apple going to source such high resolution panel?

 

[Dulanic]

Which is fine and smart business decision. I was just commenting on the BS Amazon super tablet rumor. Sort of like the BS 1920x 1080 or higher ipad3 rumor Apple fans are spreading. Where is Apple going to source such high resolution panel?

Weird I never heard the high end tablet rumor for Amazon. I wouldn't have believed it anyways. As for a 1920x1080 panel in the ipad3 lol haha right.

 

[BladeVenom]

Uhoh, another pending apple patent lawsuit.

And it's going to be rectangular. Apple invented the rectangle.

 

[s44]

For months we've been hearing about how Amazon was making some super tablet with quad-core maybe Kal-El and super duper hardware subsidized by Amazon.

BGR (the main rumor source) said the 10" powerful one was delayed until Q2 next year.

Of course, they also said that the 7" would be dual and that one quad, so I'm not expecting anything that will make my imminent Transformer 2 purchase obsolete.

 

[Deeko]

I would be amused if these become the best selling Android tablet, yet are devoid of Google services.

 

[Dangerer]

Does it have special offers? No special offers, no thanks.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Um, so Amazon is basically ripping off the Nook Color? It better be a dual core, or otherwise it will be pretty embarrassing considering the Nook Color came out almost a year ago.

 

[Geekbabe]

I bet a lot of folks will buy this,particularly current kindle owners. While I wouldn't turn down a chance to play with one frankly the 7 inch form factor is too small for me. I'm a lot more interested in seeing the 8.9 inch Samsung Galaxy tabs, IMHO that is the sweet spot size wise.

 

[zerocool84]

Um, so Amazon is basically ripping off the Nook Color? It better be a dual core, or otherwise it will be pretty embarrassing considering the Nook Color came out almost a year ago.

Why does it have to be dual-core? People are not understanding this device, it's supposed to be a cheap device to get people to buy more from Amazon.com and lock them into their eco-system, nothing more, nothing less. That's why it comes free with Amazon Prime. If it's optimized enough to not need a dual core then so be it. This isn't something to be a killer device, it's made to be cheap enough to get into as many people's hands as possible and so-far Amazon hasn't made a crappy electronic device so I for one am anticipating this.

 

[Deeko]

Yea...it will get people to buy Kindle books, buy Amazon MP3s, rent movies from Amazon Instant, shop on Amazon.com, and maybe buy some apps from the Amazon app store. Its a vessel for Amazon to sell things on, just like Android is free because its another platform to sell ads on.

 

[Pliablemoose]

I would be amused if these become the best selling Android tablet, yet are devoid of Google services.

Now that you mention it, they will be, I'd bet $ on it.

I actually already did bet $ on it....

 

[Deeko]

Yea Amazon has two big factors on their side. They have a lot of consumer goodwill, moreso than most of the mobile companies, and they are generally willing to sell "selling vessels" like this for a loss. I really think this could be the first device to truly compete with the iPad in terms of sales.

 

[annomander]

Yea Amazon has two big factors on their side. They have a lot of consumer goodwill, moreso than most of the mobile companies, and they are generally willing to sell "selling vessels" like this for a loss. I really think this could be the first device to truly compete with the iPad in terms of sales.

It'll compete in sales in much the same way that the present Kindle competes with the iPad, they are both aimed at different markets.

 

[Deeko]

Yes and no. The Amazon tablet is not trying to steal the ereader market. It wants people that are considering a Kindle but end up getting the Nook Color or iPad instead out of desire to have something more versitle.

 

[BladeVenom]

Why does it have to be dual-core?

Moore's Law.