Amazon tablet arriving this summer?

[Papi]

Originally Posted by kranu

As previously stated, the image in the article is an obvious mock up. You can't base your assumptions off of that. I have the feeling that Amazon will have some new technological trick up their sleeves. For example, it could have an E-Ink/LCD Hybrid screen. That option would make the most sense to me, since it would knock out the Nook Color as well.

Yep, non one remembers Samsung bought Liquavista ?

[bhartman36]

Originally Posted by kranu

Yes, the image is definitely Photoshopped. Just look at the image on the screen. The Amazon Kindle text is stretched vertically, and even then, it couldn't fill the entire screen.

Good call.

Originally Posted by kranu

On the contrary, this would be a very good deal for Samsung. They could use the Galaxy Tab technology to help Amazon. They'll gain a considerable cut for making the hardware, and with Amazon's content backing it up, it must be pretty terrible for it to be a flop.

It'd be a great deal for Samsung. But what's in it for Amazon? They won't be able to price the tablet effectively, if their plan is to sell a rebranded Galaxy Tab.

Originally Posted by kranu

I'm not sure if you've noticed, but Amazon has been developing the foundation to break into the cellphone market for quite a while now. They've created Amazon Wireless (to sell the phone), Mp3/Cloud Player (to sell their music), Android Market (to sell their apps), and plenty of other things. I think they would simply be able to provide better service all around.

Amazon Wireless (from what I can tell right now) sells other people's phones, not Amazon's. Putting up a storefront is a long, long way from manufacturing a branded device. The MP3 Cloud Player and Cloud Storage are great ways to sell media across devices. It doesn't necessarily point to Amazon developing a branded device. Why go through the trouble of manufacturing hardware that's the same as everyone else's if your main objective is to sell content?

Originally Posted by kranu

I have the feeling that Amazon will have some new technological trick up their sleeves. For example, it could have an E-Ink/LCD Hybrid screen. That option would make the most sense to me, since it would knock out the Nook Color as well.

I think it would certainly imperil the Nook Color if Amazon did that. I see that scenario as at least plausible. Amazon would be able to build on the Kindle and still provide color to compete with the tablets out there. My only question there would be, can they do it for a price people will buy? If it comes at a price > $500, it's going to be hard for it to compete.

[murraypaul]

Originally Posted by kranu

I'm not sure if you've noticed, but Amazon has been developing the foundation to break into the cellphone market for quite a while now. They've created Amazon Wireless (to sell the phone), Mp3/Cloud Player (to sell their music), Android Market (to sell their apps), and plenty of other things. I think they would simply be able to provide better service all around.

Amazon Wireless sells someone else's phones. Mp3/Cloud Player someone else's music, Android Market someone else's apps.
They are a retailer. They sell things other people make. They are very good at it. They created the Kindle to create a market to sell someone else's books to.
They make money as a channel for selling content, and by doing it more efficiently than others.

[jocampo]

Agree with murraypaul

That's why I see no benefit for Amazon in creating another Android Tablet; one more in the now almost saturated market of Android Tablets.

When you analyze what they are doing, they "sell" tons of Android Tablets already, but not as a retailer, but with their Kindle for Android app. So what added benefit they are going to bring with an physical tablet and hardware? Maintaining the apps (Android and iOs, and now webOs as well) is enough to be worried and busy for a while, plus they are reaching each and all those customers that bought an Android Tablet already.

Maybe not possible right now (because issues with the eink refresh rate ) but I see more of a benefit for Amazon in producing and selling their own eink color device instead of a regular tablet. That would be a real market hit! And something really new.

[Blossom]

As someone who just got her first Android phone. I would defiantly buy a Android tablet from Amazon. I think our first clue was then opening of a App shop that they are going to be having their own device.

I think we all love customer service Amazon has and we trust the name brand. I will buying one when they come out.

[yolbulduran]

I can access computers at my office and home. I don't want a computer at bus or metro. But I may use Kindle3 only for reading something.
I really need, a real color e-ink screen, to read comics (manga) on e-readers.

[jocampo]

Originally Posted by Blossom

As someone who just got her first Android phone. I would defiantly buy a Android tablet from Amazon. I think our first clue was then opening of a App shop that they are going to be having their own device.

I think we all love customer service Amazon has and we trust the name brand. I will buying one when they come out.

Right,

But think about this. What will or can be different? Even using a Galaxy Tab, you can still enjoy the same good service. To give you an idea: I had an issue downloading an mp3 song on my Galaxy Tab, and I received the same good service anyway.

Unless they totally re-design the Kindle app. on that hypothetical Amazon tablet, I can't think about something different and exciting about it.

[SCION]

Originally Posted by jocampo

Right,

But think about this. What will or can be different? Even using a Galaxy Tab, you can still enjoy the same good service. To give you an idea: I had an issue downloading an mp3 song on my Galaxy Tab, and I received the same good service anyway.

Unless they totally re-design the Kindle app. on that hypothetical Amazon tablet, I can't think about something different and exciting about it.

I hope the Kindle app is redesigned (specifically for their tablet). Incorporate library management features offered by the eink device (calibre friendly with regard to metada). This is why the NOOKcolor stock reader app/library is a disappointment for me and others. No recognition of metadata, not even book description. All Amazon have to do is visit the NOOKcolor forum (BN.com) to know how to do it right from day one.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by jocampo

But think about this. What will or can be different? Even using a Galaxy Tab, you can still enjoy the same good service.

If it's competitive with the Nook Color, then the difference will be a device that's $100~150 cheaper than the Galaxy Tab.

That's significant.

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by jocampo

Right,

But think about this. What will or can be different? Even using a Galaxy Tab, you can still enjoy the same good service. To give you an idea: I had an issue downloading an mp3 song on my Galaxy Tab, and I received the same good service anyway.

Unless they totally re-design the Kindle app. on that hypothetical Amazon tablet, I can't think about something different and exciting about it.

There probably wont be much difference other then the name backing it but how many here have broke their K3 and got it replaced with just a few minutes on the phone? I bought my first e-reader because I believe the customer support was top notch. When Astak fired their spokesman and customer service turned out to be a joke, I bought my Kindle 3 because of the positive posts here about Kindle's customer support.

All my dealings with their customer support have been positive and I trust them not to rip me off so that's why I would buy a Kindle Tablet.

Of course they could offer free 3G like they do on their Kindle 3...I don't think they will but hey I can dream. lol

[kindlekitten]

Originally Posted by Blossom

As someone who just got her first Android phone. I would defiantly buy a Android tablet from Amazon. I think our first clue was then opening of a App shop that they are going to be having their own device.

I think we all love customer service Amazon has and we trust the name brand. I will buying one when they come out.

yep, and having recently purchased an android phone, I have to say they leave a LOT to be desired for a reading device.

Originally Posted by yolbulduran

I can access computers at my office and home. I don't want a computer at bus or metro. But I may use Kindle3 only for reading something.
I really need, a real color e-ink screen, to read comics (manga) on e-readers.

for me, reading magazines is what I would really love a tablet for. I haven't purchased a pbook since I've had my Kindles yet I am drowning in dead trees

[jocampo]

If buying a tablet that has been endorsed by Amazon means the hardware and customer support will be a better one, I will be the 1st one in selling my Galaxy Tab and try that instead (depending of other factors like price and Android Market)

But I'm happy with my current Android Tablet. I don't read novels or computers book there; like kindlekitten said, I use my eink readers for that. And my iPad for PDFs and Magazines.

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

yep, and having recently purchased an android phone, I have to say they leave a LOT to be desired for a reading device.

for me, reading magazines is what I would really love a tablet for. I haven't purchased a pbook since I've had my Kindles yet I am drowning in dead trees

It does take some getting use to on 3.2 size screen but I read on mine since I got on Friday. It fits in my palm and with click of the volume switch on the side I can turn the page. Kindle for Android is a really nice app and it does show metadata and it will read non drm mobi books. I have dropbox installed so it's only a click and I can grab whatever book I want then move it with Astro to the Kindle folder and I can read my book.

It in by no way takes the place of a Kindle 3 but it's a great addition to have and now I have an android phone I want a tablet bad but at the prices they are at I will have to wait so hoping Amazon decides to compete with the Nook Color's price.

[murraypaul]

Originally Posted by jocampo

That's why I see no benefit for Amazon in creating another Android Tablet; one more in the now almost saturated market of Android Tablets.

When you analyze what they are doing, they "sell" tons of Android Tablets already, but not as a retailer, but with their Kindle for Android app. So what added benefit they are going to bring with an physical tablet and hardware? Maintaining the apps (Android and iOs, and now webOs as well) is enough to be worried and busy for a while, plus they are reaching each and all those customers that bought an Android Tablet already.

What is perhaps plausible is that they would have some sort of 'Amazon-compatible' logo scheme, where tablets could have the blessing of the Amazon name and come preinstalled with apps for the various types of media Amazon sell.

[djulian]

Originally Posted by murraypaul

Amazon Wireless sells someone else's phones. Mp3/Cloud Player someone else's music, Android Market someone else's apps.
They are a retailer. They sell things other people make. They are very good at it. They created the Kindle to create a market to sell someone else's books to.
They make money as a channel for selling content, and by doing it more efficiently than others.

I would normally agree w/ this wholeheartedly, but I think the very big bite that Apple has chosen to take out of their distribution profits might motivate them to branch into providing an iPad/NookColor competitive tablet.

I think Apple's demanding 30% of the price of every Amazon eBook sold through the app on any iOS devices. I wouldn't put up with that if I was Amazon--as you pointed out, they make money as the channel for content. Apple's move is just the thin (thick?) end of the wedge on eliminating Amazon's profitability as a content distributor. A low-profit tablet makes sense if it allows them to continue distributing and profiting on their eBooks, apps, streaming music/videos.

I hope they do it; I've been eying a NookColor as a gadget (not an eReader), and given the amount of content I buy through Amazon, I'd much rather buy something integrated with their services.