Amazon Ordered Color Kindle Tablets, Expected Before Holidays

[Sil_liS]

Originally Posted by bhartman36

As far as the app store goes, Amazon should learn the lesson of Archos, SlideMe, etc. Put out your own tablet with 1/10th or even 1/2 of the apps on the Android Market, and it's not going anywhere.

You can get access to the Android market on Archos, but it works just fine with the limited number of apps that you have access to out of the box.

[=X=]

Originally Posted by abookreader

Mine's rooted too, although I'm working on doing the thing where you put the Android OS on the micro SD card instead so I don't have to mess around with trying to avoid Barnes firmware updates that break the root. It still isn't quite a full fledged tablet though.

Once you put CM7 on it does become a full fledged tablet. It is just as cable as an iPad. And comes close the Tab.

Originally Posted by bhartman36

I think Amazon has lost their mind because I can't see any way for the rumored Amazon tablet to distinguish itself....

I think you seriously underestimate the power of branding, that alone is enough.

But even if you don't buy that argument here is some more info. Amazon has released a press release a few months back. They are working on a tablet optimized Kindle App. They have released an App store and cloud storage.

Originally Posted by bhartman36

The ecosystem makes Amazon's position in the tablet world a little better. I'll admit that much. But I think it's a mistake to look at Amazon's App Store like it's serious competition to the Android Market (let alone Apple's App Store).

That's what I thought at first, but guess what Amazon has been doing since they released the appstore. They have been giving away one free app a day. I now own more apps from the Amazon store than I do on the Google Market. You think I'm going to do away with the app store anytime soon? Their pulling an Microsoft a la 3.1 before you know it the appstore will be a must.

=X=

[bhartman36]

Originally Posted by =X=

I think you seriously underestimate the power of branding, that alone is enough.

How many examples do we have of something with an Amazon tablet selling like hotcakes? I can only think of one, unless you divide the Kindle devices up and call them all different successes (which I think would be a mistake). One success isn't a lot to build on. Add to that the fact that when Amazon went into the e-reader business, it was a pretty small field. You don't have that with tablets. Apple is the 1600lb gorilla, and whatever fight Amazon still has left in them after that can be taken up by B&N, RIM, Archos, or even HP. And except for B&N, that's not even counting the Android tablets that are going to flood the market at all kinds of price points. Essentially, Amazon will be swimming with sharks, covered in blood.

Originally Posted by =X=

But even if you don't buy that argument here is some more info. Amazon has released a press release a few months back. They are working on a tablet optimized Kindle App. They have released an App store and cloud storage.

All of that is wonderful, and they can take advantage of it without selling a single tablet. All they need to do is to allow other tablets into those portals, and they'll make boatloads of money.

Originally Posted by =X=

That's what I thought at first, but guess what Amazon has been doing since they released the appstore. They have been giving away one free app a day. I now own more apps from the Amazon store than I do on the Google Market. You think I'm going to do away with the app store anytime soon? Their pulling an Microsoft a la 3.1 before you know it the appstore will be a must.

=X=

Giving away free apps is nothing special. How many free apps are already on the Android Market, Apple's App Store, HP's App Catalog, etc.? Highlighting one free app a day doesn't suddenly make the Amazon App Store huge. They need apps, and lots of them. If they can't at least have parity with the Android Market, the Amazon App Store is not a lot different from SlideMe, the Archos App Store, or any of the half dozen or so other alternative Android app stores.

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by bhartman36

I think Amazon has lost their mind because I can't see any way for the rumored Amazon tablet to distinguish itself.

For one thing the AFFS screen from Hydis is supposed to be readable in full sunlight. That is in the very least intriguing.

[bhartman36]

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

For one thing the AFFS screen from Hydis is supposed to be readable in full sunlight. That is in the very least intriguing.

It depends on how readable it is. I can read from my cell phone screen outside, if I crank up the brightness. From what I'm reading, AFFS has a wider viewing angle than IPS, but I'm not reading anything about less glare. I don't see anything about it having a different reflective quality than IPS.

[murraypaul]

Originally Posted by Giggleton

Cue video and audio in ebooks. Or don't, I'll stick with my eink thank you very much.

Amazon already sell eBooks with audio and video, but they only work in the Kindle reading apps, not on actual Kindle devices.

[DMB]

This discussion seems to be focusing entirely on the US market. What about the international market? Does anyone know how well the nook does outside the USA?

Obviously, both Amazon and Apple are global brands. I would think that would be a factor in Amazon's planning.

[charleski]

Originally Posted by abookreader

I wouldn't give up my Kindle for reading but I'm definitely in the market for a solid mid-range tablet.

Yeah, that's why this is exciting, especially if you're outside the USA and can't get a nook easily. I certainly won't be giving up my eInk reader for books, but would like a cheap and capable LCD tablet - I'm guessing that Amazon will be pricing this down at the same level as the nook (or less).

[ProfCrash]

Given that the Nook is not sold outside of the US, it does not do all that well. There are ways of gettings Nooks outside of the US but they require a bit more extra leg work.

[Zanshin]

Originally Posted by bhartman36

From what I'm reading, AFFS has a wider viewing angle than IPS, but I'm not reading anything about less glare.

Glare isn't caused by the screen itself. It's the coating of the glass that they put in front of the screen. TN, IPS, FFS, it doesn't make a difference.

Now about that FFS screen. The only way it could be more comfortable for reading than other screen is if it emits less light for the same result. I personally didn't find any information about that.

[Barty]

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

For one thing the AFFS screen from Hydis is supposed to be readable in full sunlight. That is in the very least intriguing.

I'm highly skeptical. It's still backlit LCD right? I don't know what better viewing angle gives you: I've never been bothered by the viewing angle on my iPad (IPS panel).

I think the amazon tablet will succeed based on branding alone. If you like amazon and want an android tablet, why not, assuming it has good specs and pricing, which it will. A product doesn't have to be groundbreaking to be successful.

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by Barty

I'm highly skeptical. It's still backlit LCD right? I don't know what better viewing angle gives you: I've never been bothered by the viewing angle on my iPad (IPS panel).

I think the amazon tablet will succeed based on branding alone. If you like amazon and want an android tablet, why not, assuming it has good specs and pricing, which it will. A product doesn't have to be groundbreaking to be successful.

I have no idea if it's 'all that' or not (could be a bunch of bull), just that some of the info out there is intriguing...

From the mfg...

Technological Features of AFFS:

Improved internal reflection ensures greater outdoor readability
Special embossed resin layer on gate area enhances inner reflectance
BMless pixel structure enables high transmittance and high aperture ratio
Reflective polarizer lowers surface reflectance and minimizes light scattering
Control of external and internal light coming from the back light or color filter lowers power consumption

In response to the needs of the times and to the continued demand for more advanced products, HYDIS has further developed its AFFS technology into AFFS+, a technology that offers lower power consumption, improved transmission of color and images, and impressive internal LCD panel reflection, thus guaranteeing perfect readability even under the brightest sunlight. Viewiz+ is the label given to products using AFFS+ technology.

AFFS improves upon the IPS horizontally aligned field by creating an electric fringe enabling high transmittance and wide viewing angle.

...and yes, it will likely be successful just because it's from Amazon (as long as they don't royally screw up somehow which I doubt).

[Zanshin]

I found this about the AFFS+ technology : http://www.motioncomputing.com/choos...splay2_J34.htm
Sounds interesting on paper.

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by Zanshin

Sounds interesting on paper.

Yes. Could be total junk in reality, but I'd really like to see it in action.

[CRussel]

Having used a Motion Tablet PC in full sunlight, it's definitely useable where a normal LCD is not.