Amazon Ordered Color Kindle Tablets, Expected Before Holidays - Page 8

tubemonkey · 05-14-2011, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stonetools

Amazon could then have a 10" "Ipad killer" at the $499 plus category. There is a lot more profit margin in that than the $250 7" category. Plus 10" is a lot better for showcasing Amazon's VOD service offerings.

Of course there is. The profit margin is always higher when you overcharge a product.

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.

Zanshin · 05-14-2011, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Of course there is. The profit margin is always higher when you overcharge a product.

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.

Why do you think people buy 10" e-readers and tablets? Reading technical PDF files, magazines, comics, etc... is just not as good on a 7" display. It's just too small.
So maybe you don't need a 10" tablet but a lot of people do.

blue_skies · 05-14-2011, 09:50 AM

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.

Dulin's Books · 05-14-2011, 12:17 PM

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.

elcreative · 05-14-2011, 01:31 PM

Not just 3.1, my Android tablet with 2.x works just fine with a USB keyboard...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dulin's Books

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.

Dulin's Books · 05-14-2011, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elcreative

Not just 3.1, my Android tablet with 2.x works just fine with a USB keyboard...

right, sorry. thanks for clarifying. I meant Honeycomb specifically. HC 3.0 did not have the USB host support.

SensualPoet · 05-14-2011, 07:19 PM

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.

OtterBooks · 05-14-2011, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SensualPoet

But the thought that Amazon will deliver an Amazon-branded Android tablet can be discarded.

I wouldn't discard it. In fact I would add a possible smartphone to the lineup.

carld · 05-14-2011, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OtterBooks

I wouldn't discard it. In fact I would add a possible smartphone to the lineup.

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.

tubemonkey · 05-14-2011, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carld

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.

If it's a $250~$300 tablet, I'm interested. If it's another overpriced $500 tablet, count me out.

carld · 05-14-2011, 10:21 PM

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.

SolRaven · 05-15-2011, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carld

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.

You can already get an iPad 1 for that price.

carld · 05-15-2011, 02:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SolRaven

You can already get an iPad 1 for that price.

For $499, yeah. And I'll still pass because of the price and because of Apple.

SensualPoet · 05-15-2011, 09:48 AM

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.

OtterBooks · 05-15-2011, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SensualPoet

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.

As you said, time will tell, but those kids at Amazon are keeerazy. I think they have ambitions bigger than people realize. It was a CE product they released they changed an industry. They may very well just say "let's leave it at that," but I suspect otherwise. I was a bit surprised that they sell an Amazon DVD writer. edit: in fact they have an entire CE line called Amazon Basics: cables, batteries, SD cards, DVD/CDR media, antennae, remote controls..

Can't say much for the source, but it's interesting: Amazon.com Plans Whole Line of Android Tablets

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05-14-2011, 09:50 AM	#108
blue_skies Evangelist Posts: 405 Karma: 1143880 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Ohio Device: Mobiscribe Wave B&W; Kindle Scribe; Boyue Mimas & 62+; KindleKeyboard	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, 12:17 PM	#109
Dulin's Books Wizard Posts: 2,806 Karma: 13500000 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Portland, OR Device: Boox PB360 etc etc etc	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.

05-14-2011, 07:19 PM	#112
SensualPoet Wizard Posts: 2,302 Karma: 2607151 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Toronto Device: Kobo Aura HD, Kindle Paperwhite, Asus ZenPad 3, Kobo Glo	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, 10:21 PM	#116
carld Wizard Posts: 2,698 Karma: 4748723 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	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.

05-15-2011, 09:48 AM	#119
SensualPoet Wizard Posts: 2,302 Karma: 2607151 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Toronto Device: Kobo Aura HD, Kindle Paperwhite, Asus ZenPad 3, Kobo Glo	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.