[Rumor] Scoot over nook, the Kindle want some of that Android tablet action.

[bhartman36]

Originally Posted by zinj

That's why there's great potential if this device has a Mirasol display.

Bezos has said that a color Kindle device is "years" away. I don't think the current Mirasol displays are cheap enough to be competitive, are they? It's not going to be much of an advantage for Amazon if they release a $1,000 Wifi-only tablet -- especially if the screen quality isn't up to snuff compared to LCD.

I can't look at any of this and definitively say "Impossible!", but I haven't heard anything so far that convinces me it's likely. B&N developed the color Nook to distinguish the Nook from the Kindle. Kindle developing a tablet makes them...just like everyone else, in a crowded field, where everyone else has a head start, and Apple is the main player.

That's not a business plan. It's a kamikaze mission.

[Piper_]

Originally Posted by 6charlong

Everyone is talking about a Kindle that can render in color, but aren't we talking about Amazon moving away from AZW? The Kindle app on my PC and on the iPad can't render color. So are you proposing they're going to support ePub? Maybe something else?

Mine renders color. Using azw doesn't remove color. The eink devices just can't show it, so what you're seeing is most likely the result of some authors and publishers converting the mobi to greyscale themselves.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by bhartman36

It's not even about the fact that they haven't launched a tablet by now, though. They haven't even launched a media player device (a la iPod, Archos, etc.). If they felt the need to promote their music/movies that way, why haven't they built a device like that? And what you count as an advantage, the prevalence of tablets now, can also be a disadvantage: The field is very crowded, and it'll be harder to compete.

You just don't get it do you.

[SCION]

I believe it'll be able to compete on price alone for the target market. You know the tablet is going to practically be a give away if it's locked into Amazon content. The NOOKcolor is $250. There's no competition at that price point.

[RockdaMan]

So in succinct terms: why does Amazon need it's own media device/tablet?

[SCION]

Originally Posted by RockdaMan

So in succint terms: why does Amazon need it's own media device/tablet?

For folks who don't want an eink Kindle, but like the Kindle brand and what it offers. If I had a choice between the NOOKcolor and a comparable Amazon device (which includes access to library books), I would have purchased the Amazon device.

[RockdaMan]

Originally Posted by SCION

For folks who don't want an eink Kindle, but like the Kindle brand and what it offers.

And why don't the other Android Phones/Tablets work for them?

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by SCION

For folks who don't want an eink Kindle, but like the Kindle brand and what it offers.

Exactly. That's what I meant when I said the others are not Kindles. It's the brand and the link to Amazon that matters.

[SCION]

Originally Posted by RockdaMan

And why don't the other Android Phones/Tablets work for them?

It's about an integrated experience and solid customer support. The NOOKcolor is the only example of this (perhaps not so much the customer support).

[RockdaMan]

Originally Posted by SCION

It's about an integrated experience and solid customer support.

Whispersync works really well on my Android tablet.

Stuff from the MP3 store downloads and connects flawlessly to iTunes and then to my iPod.

Maybe for branding, maybe to sell an LCD tablet, but I don't otherwise see how Amazon improves on all of this. It would be like them doing a cell phone.

[SCION]

Originally Posted by RockdaMan

Whispersync works really well on my Android tablet.

Stuff from the MP3 store downloads and connects flawlessly to iTunes and then to my iPod.

Maybe for branding, maybe to sell an LCD tablet, but I don't otherwise see how Amazon improves on all of this. It would be like them doing a cell phone.

I used the NOOKcolor as a reference. The NOOK app as a standalone doesn't compare to the "potential" feature set of the NOOKcolor. The NOOKcolor is a half-baked device as an eReader tablet. Amazon have much more content to link to and they understand library management (though it took them awhile). You're missing the point of a dedicated device and the target market.

Those who are happy with their iExperience will not be interested perhaps. It's not necessarily about improving, it's about catering to those who don't care for the Apple thing. It's all about choices.

[WillysJeepMan]

Originally Posted by SCION

I believe it'll be able to compete on price alone for the target market. You know the tablet is going to practically be a give away if it's locked into Amazon content. The NOOKcolor is $250. There's no competition at that price point.

If the Amazon tablet is as locked down as the current Kindles I do not believe it will be a viable competitor to the nook color. The nook color wouldn't be as popular as it is if it were locked down as tight as a kindle.

You bring up a good point regarding price point due to being locked down. It will be interesting. I wonder how much people would be willing to pay for a locked down kindle tablet.

[SCION]

Originally Posted by WillysJeepMan

If the Amazon tablet is as locked down as the current Kindles I do not believe it will be a viable competitor to the nook color. The nook color wouldn't be as popular as it is if it were locked down as tight as a kindle.

You bring up a good point regarding price point due to being locked down. It will be interesting. I wonder how much people would be willing to pay for a locked down kindle tablet.

I was specifically referring to being locked down to the Amazon bookstore. I always buy my books from Amazon and remove the DRM. It wouldn't bother me at all if I could only read Kindle/mobi books on it. Prices are set by the publishers now. Rarely does a book cost more at Amazon. No one offers the selection that they do anyway.

You're right about the NOOkcolor not being as popular if it was locked down. The Kindle brand is very strong though. I believe it would do well. Again, it's about the target market.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by bZkindle

I wonder if amazon will partner will a provider for 3G or if it'll be wi-fi only?
There obviously won't be free 3G with such an internet capable device.

Whatever they do, I hope there's at least a WiFi only model. Most people don't need 3G and the fees associated with it.

As to 3G, I don't see why any tablet maker has to partner with a provider. Just include the capability and let the consumers seek out their own plans.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by bhartman36

And what you count as an advantage, the prevalence of tablets now, can also be a disadvantage: The field is very crowded, and it'll be harder to compete.

The field may be crowded in the overpriced business range (iPad, Galaxy Tab, Xoom, PlayBook, etc), but it sure isn't crowded in the consumer range (Nook Color).

We need more $250 tablets. Amazon would be wise to exploit this open market.