Quote:
Originally Posted by fjtorres
ZDNet has a review *and* an evaluation of the business model:
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/btl/amazon...74?tag=nl.e539
Basically, folks, it is neither an iPad not a NookColor.
It actually has more in common with the XBOX360 and PS3 than the NookColor.
It is a walled-garden terminal designed for consuming (and selling, natch) content.
Yes, you can sideload apps and content--they *said* it could at the intro--but if the SD Card slot and 16GB on-board storage matters to you it is because you expect it to behave like a standalone portable computer, which it is *NOT*. If you want a portable computer, you don't want a FIRE.
As pointed out in the ZDNet review, the 8GB local storage on the FIRE is more of a local offline cache for its cloud-based storage. Think of eink readers and small-capacity PMPs, where primary storage is on a PC and you load up from the PC what you intend/expect to use, rather than loading it up with *everything* you own. Well, the FIRE uses its cloud storage as the primary storage and the onboard as an offline cache. If you're not comfortable with that design, the FIRE is not for you
It'll be interesting to see how many people are okay with it, but judging by its acceptance on gaming consoles which are even more limited as to sideloading, Amazon's bet is a good one. I suspect ZDNet is closer to being right than to being wrong when they say that iPod will lock up the high-end buyers, FIRE will lock up the low end, and between the two they'll crush everything caught in the middle.
(Though I *personally* think the Win8 Tablet PCs will have something to say about the high end.) |
Businesses not consumers will buy the Win8 tablets in very big numbers.