Amazon introduces 2013 FIRE tablets

[fjtorres]

Starting at $139:

http://reviews.cnet.com/tablets/amaz...-35828167.html

The three new tablets consists of the redesigned Kindle Fire HD (2013), the Kindle Fire HDX 7, and Kindle Fire HDX 8.9.

Preorders for all three are available now. Look for the HDX 7 to ship on October 18 starting at $229 ($329 for 4G, shipping November 14) with 16GB of storage. The Fire HDX 8.9 will start at $379, ($479 for 4G) also with 16GB of storage. It ships on November 7 with the 4G version coming December 10.

The newly designed 7-inch Kindle Fire HD starts at $139 with 16GB of storage; however, Amazon did not confirm its release date with us.

The Kindle Fire HDX 7-inch features a 1,920x1,200-pixel-resolution screen (323ppi), whereas the 8.9 gets an even more impressive 2,560x1,600-pixel-resolution screen, with a 339ppi. Amazon also says to expect 100 percent sRGB color accuracy, reduced glare, dynamic image contrast -- which may be a first in a tablet -- and a higher brightness.

Each of the new HDX tablets houses a 2.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 CPU and an Adreno 330 graphics processor. Essentially, this means fast, fast, fast gaming performance, as the 800 is no joke when it comes to frame rates, even on phones. That, coupled with 2GB of RAM, and the Fire HDX might be the most graphically advanced portable device yet when it releases later this year.

Amazon says to expect up to 11 hours of mixed-use battery life and 17 hours when reading. While reading, the CPU goes into a low power state and awaits more stressful tasks before powering on again.

At 0.82 pound, the Kindle Fire HDX 8.9 is the lightest large-screen tablet I've yet heard of, and posts an even lighter load than the Sony Xperia Tablet Z's 1.06 pounds.

The new origami covers can be folded to serve as stands in either portrait or landscape orientation.

Looks like they're serious about this tablet business of theirs: tops in audio since last year and now in resolution. Oh, and their forked OS now has a Name of its own: Mojito.

More details:

Photos: http://reviews.cnet.com/2300-3126_7-10018369.html

FireHD: http://reviews.cnet.com/tablets/amaz...-35828166.html

FireHDX 8.9: http://reviews.cnet.com/tablets/amaz...-35828168.html

Oh, one more thing:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-576...e-hdx-tablets/

Amazon Kindle Fire HDX users can now get live -- and visual -- tech support no matter where they are.
The company, which unveiled its new tablets Tuesday, has added a "Mayday" button to its Quick Settings menu, letting users connect with a customer service representative via a video feed. The Amazon representative can then talk you through your problem, draw on your screen remotely to provide directions, or even take control of your device and fix the issue right in front of you. The 24/7 service comes free with the device, and Amazon said representatives should respond within 15 seconds of requests for support.

Edit: NBC has added details about the new cloud services and X-Ray for movies and for music.
http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/am...nce-8C11252610

[spellbanisher]

On the website, the new hd version is $139 for the 8gb version, $169 for the 16gb.

[afv011]

Very good hardware at excellent prices. Shame about the forked version of android though.

[spellbanisher]

Most impressive spec to me: At 13.2 ounces, this years 8.9 inch model is lighter than last years 7 inch hd model.

[Blossom]

It's live on Amazon's site now!

[DreamWriter]

Here is information on the new Kindle Fires from Amazon's Press Releases:

1 Million Pixels for a Breakthrough Price—Introducing the New $139 Kindle Fire HD:

.... Here’s what you get for $139:

• High-definition display with 1280x800 resolution and 216 pixels per inch, making movies, TV shows, books and games vivid and detailed. 66% more pixels than the previous generation Kindle Fire.
• Powerful, dual-core 1.5 GHz processor, 60% faster than the previous generation Kindle Fire.
• Dual stereo speakers with Dolby Digital Plus audio—the standard in high-end audio.
• All-new slim design that matches the look and feel of the new Kindle Fire HDX.
• Fast streaming, downloads, and web browsing with built-in dual-band Wi-Fi.
• Powered by the latest version of Fire OS—Fire OS 3.0 “Mojito”—with hundreds of new and upgraded features, platform updates, and Amazon-exclusive services.
• Kindle FreeTime extends parental controls to give parents a simple, engaging way to manage the way kids use Kindle Fire—parents select content and set time limits by content type.
• Exclusive new features such as X-Ray for Music, Prime Instant Video downloads, Second Screen, expanded X-Ray for Movies and TV, and more.
• Stay connected and productive with all-new email, calendar, and Silk web browser.
• World's best content ecosystem—over 27 million movies, TV shows, songs, apps, games, books, audiobooks, and magazines.

The new Origami covers feature an innovative design that allows you to stand Fire HD in both portrait and landscape.

In addition to the new Kindle Fire HD, Amazon also today introduced the new Kindle Fire HDX tablets—to learn more about these new tablets and many of the features listed above, visit www.amazon.com/kindle-pr.

The new Kindle Fire HD is available for pre-order starting today and will begin shipping October 2.

Introducing Kindle Fire HDX—Powerhouse Tablets Built for Work and Play:

.... The new Kindle Fire HDX family features:

• Stunning exclusive HDX display—beyond HD with exceptional pixel density (323 ppi for 7”, 339 ppi for 8.9”), perfect 100% sRGB color accuracy, reduced glare, dynamic image contrast, and improved brightness for better viewing in any lighting conditions.
• Powerful quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor running at 2.2 GHz provides over 3x the processing power compared to the previous generation, plus the latest graphics engine and 2x more memory for fast and fluid performance. These are the only tablets with a processor over 2 GHz.
• Startlingly light design—at just 13.2 ounces, the 8.9” Kindle Fire HDX is the lightest large-screen tablet, 34% lighter than the previous generation.
• Powered by the latest version of Fire OS—Fire OS 3.0 “Mojito”—with hundreds of new and upgraded features, platform updates, and Amazon-exclusive services like X-Ray for Music, Cloud Collections, Goodreads, and more.
• New Mayday button delivers revolutionary live tech support—one touch connects you to an Amazon expert who can guide you remotely through any feature—24x7, 365 days a year, and it’s free. 15 seconds or less is the Mayday response time goal.
• All-day battery life—up to 11 hours of mixed use and 17 hours of reading.
• Updated email, calendar, and Silk browser to stay connected and productive.
• New enterprise features including hardware and software-encryption, Kerberos Intranet, secure Wi-Fi connections, VPN integration, and wireless printing.
• Both HDX 7” and 8.9” available with ultra-fast 4G LTE wireless. Available on the AT&T network, and for the first time on the Verizon Wireless network.
• Dual stereo speakers with Dolby Digital Plus audio and virtual 5.1 multi-channel surround sound—the standard in high-end audio.
• Front-facing HD camera makes it easy to stay in touch with Skype, plus a new 8 megapixel wide- aperture rear-facing camera on the 8.9” Fire HDX offers crisp photos and 1080p HD video.
• Best video experience on a tablet with new Amazon-exclusive features like Prime Instant Video downloads, Second Screen, and expanded X-Ray for Movies and TV.
• Deep integration with the world's best content ecosystem—over 27 million movies, TV shows, songs, apps, games, books, audiobooks and magazines.

.... Pricing & Availability

The 7” Kindle Fire HDX is $229. It is available for pre-order starting today at www.amazon.com/hdx-7 and it will begin shipping October 18. The 4G version is $329—you can pre-order today to reserve your place in line at www.amazon.com/4g-hdx-7 and it will begin shipping November 14.

The 8.9” Kindle Fire HDX is $379. It is available for pre-order starting today at www.amazon.com/hdx and it will begin shipping on November 7. The 4G version is $479—you can pre-order today to reserve your place in line at www.amazon.com/4g-hdx and it will begin shipping December 10.

[Blossom]

I'm getting the HDX 7 version. I just need to wait for better covers. I do not like Amazon's idea of a cover.

[Julius Caesar]

With 2560x1600 resolution, people forget that there is no content sold by Amazon or by anyone at such high resolution. Current Amazon HD content is limited to 720p, a far cry from 2560x1600, and it must be stretched to fill up the whole screen.

And no press conference this time. Not for the Kindle Fire and not for the Kindle Paperwhite. Perhaps Amazon itself doesn't think it's worth a press conference since the upgrade is evolutionary and not revolutionary.

[Kumabjorn]

The Mayday instant support is probably a boon for those with a little more technophobia than MR membership. I could probably get back a few hours of my life every week now. It's also kind of typical that Amazon will come up with this feature.

[tubemonkey]

Hmm... no press event.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Julius Caesar

With 2560x1600 resolution, people forget that there is no content sold by Amazon or by anyone at such high resolution.

The higher resolution will still benefit the reader. Higher pixel density means sharper, crisper text.

[Julius Caesar]

Originally Posted by HarryT

The higher resolution will still benefit the reader. Higher pixel density means sharper, crisper text.

Yes, I agree with you on that. I was talking about movies.

[tubemonkey]

Some thoughts:

• dimension changes mean old cases won't work
• rear cam only on the larger, least portable model
• still lacks folder organization
• spec overkill for forked Android
• new storage option - 64GB
• additional storage still overpriced
• still lacks GPS and compass
• magnesium alloy body

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by afv011

Very good hardware at excellent prices. Shame about the forked version of android though.

Agree.

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by HarryT

The higher resolution will still benefit the reader. Higher pixel density means sharper, crisper text.

This is why I waited on buying a Kindle fire or Nexus to see if the new Fire matched the Nexus 7 in display. It looks to me like it does.