Do you think either price point is sustainable? The Nexus 7 and Fire are essentially operating in the same market that low end notebook makers have operated in for years. Low margin, high volatility. One big problem or recall could be disastrous. If Apple is overcharging at the high end it seems as if Asus and Amazon are undercharging at the low end. I'm not sure these guys can keep this up but I'll enjoy it while it lasts.Reply
It's sustainable, but it's a margin game. ASUS is definitely set because of the advertising that Google can put out, like on the search's site (google.com), but it's actually a benefit to both either way. If not for direct profit, for the followup devices because people heard good things about it. But the economics are tough to figure because of a ton of other factors.Reply
Neither Google nor Amazon probably care too much about how sustainable or even profitable it is... They both win in the long run by expanding their platform and ecosystem, and they're both earning ad revenue off the devices either way. Same reason Apple's never gonna release a sub-$350 tablet despite some journalist's pipe dreams (at least in the short term), they're a premium hardware company and it makes no business sense for them.Reply
>We'll likely see a Kindle Touch that has a backlight like the Nook Glow.
Just nitpicking but, eInk readers can't be backlit. The nook glow is Front lit. LEDs shine light from the side onto a reflective film to light the reader from the front.Reply
No, but I just spoke with Peter Larsen, Vice President of Kindle. He said that the Fire HD 7" and new Fire will be available October 25th. The e-readers will be available sooner worldwide. More info in the full preview shortly.Reply
Any information on the Fire HD screen brightness/contrast? Many tablets, including the IPad, are useless outdoors in semi to full sun. I have found the Motorola XYBoard works pretty good in bright conditions (but the backlighting may be the reason the battery life is shorter in that tablet).Reply
Nothing announced, and I kept getting cut off when trying to test anything. Brightness seemed good, but I won't say it's worth carrying/using outdoors until I get one outdoors.Reply
I'm clearly not a techie - but I'm not sure what one-year 4G data package means. I understand that downloading things, etc on the internet uses data. I'm grandfathered in to Verizons unlimited data package so I've never had to monitor my data usage. So basically, my question is - is 4G enough for a year/month? What if I go over? I'm pretty clueless as to how this works.Reply
"8GB on an HD device is DOA"...so we're giving you a WHOLE ADDITIONAL 8GB!!11 (oh, what we're not going to say is that 8GB doesn't cost us any less than 16GB did because of new flash process nodes...but it's an upgrade!)
If 8GB is 'DOA' then 16GB is in the ICU on full life support and anything without expandable storage has a managable chronic disease. I know all the reasons, I get the business angle, but that doesn't make my analogy any less apt.Reply
You're completely right. 16GB is not enough. They offer an upgrade to 32GB on the WiFI model and 64GB on the LTE model.
They want $70 for the upgrade either way, though. I suspect this high upgrade cost is due to Amazon trying to recoup the money they're not going to make off the users that want more storage.
Still. If the software is up to snuff, $370 for a tablet with 32GB of storage and a 1920x1200 screen is still really a pretty good deal. Only if the software is less laggy than it was before. I'm hearing reports that they're running ICS as the underlying OS, so that makes me hopeful.Reply
Actually, I was thinking of the expandable storage route as the true customer-friendly solution. I guess there are enough people who just don't care or are happy to search for WiFi or burn through data allotments given how well non-expandable devices sell.Reply
That seems like it might be a problem especially since they're running a gingerbread variant, apparently. Also, the hands-on reports that I've read indicate that page turning can be laggy. The new Paperwhite Kindle does look interesting, especially if it supports epub. Reply
Amazon's Android fork is still Gingerbread based? That seems like it would be a nightmare in the long run, as far as keeping their app store and Fire compatibility semi respectable...Reply
32 Comments
Back to Article
crimson117 - Thursday, September 06, 2012 - link
>One of the two saving graces - excellent pricing and Amazon Prime stream - is gone completely.What does that mean - has one of those two features already been confirmed to have been cut out going forward? Reply
QuesoLoco - Thursday, September 06, 2012 - link
The Nexus 7 is price competitive with the Fire, so the Fire no longer has that benefit alone. Replycrimson117 - Thursday, September 06, 2012 - link
Ah, got it, thanks. Replytayb - Thursday, September 06, 2012 - link
Do you think either price point is sustainable? The Nexus 7 and Fire are essentially operating in the same market that low end notebook makers have operated in for years. Low margin, high volatility. One big problem or recall could be disastrous. If Apple is overcharging at the high end it seems as if Asus and Amazon are undercharging at the low end. I'm not sure these guys can keep this up but I'll enjoy it while it lasts. ReplyJamezrp - Thursday, September 06, 2012 - link
It's sustainable, but it's a margin game. ASUS is definitely set because of the advertising that Google can put out, like on the search's site (google.com), but it's actually a benefit to both either way. If not for direct profit, for the followup devices because people heard good things about it. But the economics are tough to figure because of a ton of other factors. ReplyImpulses - Friday, September 07, 2012 - link
Neither Google nor Amazon probably care too much about how sustainable or even profitable it is... They both win in the long run by expanding their platform and ecosystem, and they're both earning ad revenue off the devices either way. Same reason Apple's never gonna release a sub-$350 tablet despite some journalist's pipe dreams (at least in the short term), they're a premium hardware company and it makes no business sense for them. ReplyEcwfrk - Thursday, September 06, 2012 - link
It was cut out of the original Fire when the Nexus came out at the same price point. ReplyEcwfrk - Thursday, September 06, 2012 - link
>We'll likely see a Kindle Touch that has a backlight like the Nook Glow.Just nitpicking but, eInk readers can't be backlit. The nook glow is Front lit. LEDs shine light from the side onto a reflective film to light the reader from the front. Reply
Jamezrp - Thursday, September 06, 2012 - link
You're right. Keep up the nitpicking, keeps us all honest. ReplyMumrik - Friday, September 07, 2012 - link
Nitpicking: "to be excessively concerned with or critical of inconsequential details. "I take it both of you then consider the difference between front lit and back lit displays inconsequential :-) Reply
juddzilla - Thursday, September 06, 2012 - link
Has anything been said on whether the kindle fire is finally going to be released in the UK?! ReplyJamezrp - Thursday, September 06, 2012 - link
No, but I just spoke with Peter Larsen, Vice President of Kindle. He said that the Fire HD 7" and new Fire will be available October 25th. The e-readers will be available sooner worldwide. More info in the full preview shortly. ReplyColin1497 - Thursday, September 06, 2012 - link
They announced:1) An upgraded Fire, but it's basically the same basic device they have now, just more refined, faster CPU, more RAM. $159
2) 7" Fire HD with 1920x1200 resolution
3) 8.9" Fire HD with 1920x1200 resolution
4) 8.9" Fire HD LTE with 1920x1200 resolution and a $50/year data plan.
Wow. Reply
Jamezrp - Thursday, September 06, 2012 - link
Not quite. The 7" has a 720p display. Will update (they weren't clear on that fact at all). ReplyColin1497 - Thursday, September 06, 2012 - link
I know, I see the changes to amazon.com now that tell everything. Replybaf - Thursday, September 06, 2012 - link
Any information on the Fire HD screen brightness/contrast? Many tablets, including the IPad, are useless outdoors in semi to full sun. I have found the Motorola XYBoard works pretty good in bright conditions (but the backlighting may be the reason the battery life is shorter in that tablet). ReplyJamezrp - Thursday, September 06, 2012 - link
Nothing announced, and I kept getting cut off when trying to test anything. Brightness seemed good, but I won't say it's worth carrying/using outdoors until I get one outdoors. Replylauradrum - Thursday, September 06, 2012 - link
Please keep us posted on how well you can see it in sunlight! ReplyMr Alpha - Thursday, September 06, 2012 - link
41% faster than iPad 3?Hmm... I'm not so sure about that. My iPad 3 can reliably to 26Mbps Reply
ahar - Thursday, September 06, 2012 - link
You want me to take my clothes off? Replylauradrum - Thursday, September 06, 2012 - link
I'm looking at Amazon's website. When will these items be available for order? ReplyColin1497 - Thursday, September 06, 2012 - link
Supposedly preorder today, 7" shipping Sept. 14, but they're not up yet that I can see. ReplyColin1497 - Thursday, September 06, 2012 - link
The new Fire's aren't up yet, but the accessories are. Search Kindle Fire HD and you get a ton of cases, etc. Replylauradrum - Thursday, September 06, 2012 - link
They are up now. ReplyJamezrp - Thursday, September 06, 2012 - link
Everything is up for Pre-order now. apparently i needed to cap that and nothing else. Replylauradrum - Thursday, September 06, 2012 - link
I'm clearly not a techie - but I'm not sure what one-year 4G data package means. I understand that downloading things, etc on the internet uses data. I'm grandfathered in to Verizons unlimited data package so I've never had to monitor my data usage. So basically, my question is - is 4G enough for a year/month? What if I go over? I'm pretty clueless as to how this works. ReplyJamezrp - Thursday, September 06, 2012 - link
It's solely through AT&T, and has nothing to do with any current plans as of yet. I'll talk to AT&T to confirm more details. ReplyMadMan007 - Thursday, September 06, 2012 - link
"8GB on an HD device is DOA"...so we're giving you a WHOLE ADDITIONAL 8GB!!11 (oh, what we're not going to say is that 8GB doesn't cost us any less than 16GB did because of new flash process nodes...but it's an upgrade!)If 8GB is 'DOA' then 16GB is in the ICU on full life support and anything without expandable storage has a managable chronic disease. I know all the reasons, I get the business angle, but that doesn't make my analogy any less apt. Reply
smartypnt4 - Thursday, September 06, 2012 - link
You're completely right. 16GB is not enough. They offer an upgrade to 32GB on the WiFI model and 64GB on the LTE model.They want $70 for the upgrade either way, though. I suspect this high upgrade cost is due to Amazon trying to recoup the money they're not going to make off the users that want more storage.
Still. If the software is up to snuff, $370 for a tablet with 32GB of storage and a 1920x1200 screen is still really a pretty good deal. Only if the software is less laggy than it was before. I'm hearing reports that they're running ICS as the underlying OS, so that makes me hopeful. Reply
MadMan007 - Thursday, September 06, 2012 - link
Actually, I was thinking of the expandable storage route as the true customer-friendly solution. I guess there are enough people who just don't care or are happy to search for WiFi or burn through data allotments given how well non-expandable devices sell. ReplytuxRoller - Thursday, September 06, 2012 - link
That seems like it might be a problem especially since they're running a gingerbread variant, apparently. Also, the hands-on reports that I've read indicate that page turning can be laggy.The new Paperwhite Kindle does look interesting, especially if it supports epub. Reply
Impulses - Friday, September 07, 2012 - link
Amazon's Android fork is still Gingerbread based? That seems like it would be a nightmare in the long run, as far as keeping their app store and Fire compatibility semi respectable... Reply