05-13-2011, 11:15 PM | #106 | |
monkey on the fringe
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A 12" screen is even better; but neither size is very portable. I absolutely refuse to get a tablet larger than 7". If I needed 10", then I just use my netbook. |
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05-14-2011, 04:41 AM | #107 | |
Connoisseur
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So maybe you don't need a 10" tablet but a lot of people do. |
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05-14-2011, 08:50 AM | #108 |
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If I get a large tablet, I would like to be able to use a USB wireless keyboard (and mouse?) at times to make it function as more of a netbook when I travel.
I have looked at the combo units that some companies sell which are netbooks with a removable tablet portion... but I prefer typing on an unattached keyboard. I hope Amazon's tablet will work for me in this manner. I am also hoping for a really long battery life and competitive pricing. |
05-14-2011, 11:17 AM | #109 |
Wizard
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Android 3.1 , which is the new update that started rolling out a few days ago, has USB host function. So any Android device at 3.1 or higher will be able to use keyboards and mice.
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05-14-2011, 12:31 PM | #110 |
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Not just 3.1, my Android tablet with 2.x works just fine with a USB keyboard...
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05-14-2011, 01:22 PM | #111 |
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05-14-2011, 06:19 PM | #112 |
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There is no particular reason for Amazon to release an Android tablet because it would have to compete in the $500 and up space (and some of the larger screen sizes with decent onboard memory approach $1000). Meanwhile, Amazon's Kindle audience has been trained to play in the sub $200 and even sub $150 market. They also expect very long battery life. As nice a device as the KDX is, the 9.7" is lovely but the $389 price point is a barrier. Amazon would sell it for $225 if they could make a profit on it but it can't.
Android tablets with decent specs are all far out of the price range of the KDX, let alone Kindle 3 audience. Amazon will not be releasing a 7" or 10" tablet for $249 just to compete with B&N's Nook Color. At best, Amazon will find some way to deliver a very good e-book reading experience, that adds colour to embrace magazines and text books, and possibly rudimentary video. It is unlikely to do this with current LCD screens; this is where Mirasol may come in. It may make sense to add fully mp3 player to deliver audible.com content, perhaps editions enhanced with still pictures which play during the audio. Who knows? But the thought that Amazon will deliver an Amazon-branded Android tablet can be discarded. Amazon does not make toaster ovens, wide screen TVs or Internet radios. It is focussed on selling other's physical goods and its own library of entertainment content. The Kindle e-ink readers filled a void and directly impact Amazon's ability to thrive in the content space. An Android tablet simply does not meet the barre for a business case within the company. It would be MUCH cheaper to simply do deals to ensure its Amazon Kindle app is pre-installed on any existing Android hardware that to try to commission, sell and support its own "me too" devices. |
05-14-2011, 07:41 PM | #113 |
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05-14-2011, 08:15 PM | #114 |
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Yeah, I agree. Bezos stopped just short of confirming that they do indeed have a tablet in the works. I'd say it's at least 95% certain that we'll see an Android tablet from Amazon this year. I'm hoping for a summer release, but it'll certainly be out in time for the holidays.
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05-14-2011, 08:46 PM | #115 | |
monkey on the fringe
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05-14-2011, 09:21 PM | #116 |
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I'd jump on a $299 10-inch tablet, even at $399. But at $499 I'd probably pass. I'm not that interested in a 7-inch tablet, but I'd give it a look if that's all Amazon brings out.
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05-15-2011, 01:40 AM | #117 |
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05-15-2011, 01:57 AM | #118 |
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05-15-2011, 08:48 AM | #119 |
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Actually, carld, you can get an Apple® - iPad™ with Wi-Fi - 16GB at places like Best Buy in the US for $399. But now that the iPad 2 is out ... it still seems expensive, doesn't it?
And, Otterbooks, time will tell of course. But the likelihood that Amazon would also get into Amazon branded smartphones ... simply not going to happen. Amazon is not a CE company: it is a retailer of other people's goods and entertainment content. Amazon is a very well run company with a clear vision of where it is going and how it got to where it is today. It is a conduit, not a manufacturer. |
05-15-2011, 10:53 AM | #120 | |
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Can't say much for the source, but it's interesting: Amazon.com Plans Whole Line of Android Tablets Last edited by OtterBooks; 05-15-2011 at 10:58 AM. |
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Tags |
amazon, color tablets, kindle |
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