Amazon 10-inch tablet PC to start mass production in 1Q12

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by =X=

There are a lot of apps missing from the Amazon market. You can't compare 10K apps to 400K+

If Amazon delivers a closed system they will be shooting themselves in the foot. They've already committed to the Android platform with their Appstore why backtrack and make an Amazon only solution.

=X=

I can always find an alternative to a "missing" app.

My prediction is that a 7" tablet will be locked down, priced less than a Nook Color, and be marketed to average consumers who won't really care that they're locked into Amazon's ecosystem.

The 10" tablet, OTOH, will be an open Android device with better specs, a higher price tag, and aimed at the geek/professional types. That way, Amazon has both markets covered.

[sadievan]

Originally Posted by SCION

I replaced the stock ROM, so it's basically a regular Android tablet. It's great in that respect. The screen is fabulous. I'm just tired of the weight and would like something with a microphone. Whatever I get will need to have a great screen (resolution/dpi) because it will primarily be used as an eReader.

Thanks Scion.

Sometimes I think I want an iPad and sometimes a 7" tablet.

Carol

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Because the purpose of launching this tablet is precisely to sell content - sell it in their "closed system". I'm certain that a few techies will scream blue murder about it being "closed", just like they did with the Nook Color, but, nevertheless, it will sell like the proverbial hot cakes.

Exactly!

[=X=]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

I can always find an alternative to a "missing" app.

My prediction is that a 7" tablet will be locked down, priced less than a Nook Color, and be marketed to average consumers who won't really care that they're locked into Amazon's ecosystem.

The 10" tablet, OTOH, will be an open Android device with better specs and a higher price tag. That way, Amazon has both markets covered.

I actually made the same prediction in another thread(except I think their device will cost the same as the nook). Amazon could easily manage two Android app stores(kindle specific/General Android), I'm just hoping they don't.

=X=

[=X=]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Because the purpose of launching this tablet is precisely to sell content - sell it in their "closed system". I'm certain that a few techies will scream blue murder about it being "closed", just like they did with the Nook Color, but, nevertheless, it will sell like the proverbial hot cakes.

"Blue Murder" I have never heard of that term, is that like "Bloody Murder" here in the state?

Yes I can see them going both ways, but I guess I'll retract my previous post. I do see Amazon going with a closed system over an open system. Though I do honestly believe their 10" tab will be open.

Techies won't scream they'll just take it like a challenge and do what they did to the nook. Buy it, root it, ROM it and move on.

Originally Posted by sadievan

Thanks Scion.

Sometimes I think I want an iPad and sometimes a 7" tablet.

Carol

You want both

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by =X=

"Blue Murder" I have never heard of that term, is that like "Bloody Murder" here in the state?

Yes - just the same .

[sadievan]

Originally Posted by =X=

You want both

I actually do. I just need to convince my husband that I NEED both.

Carol

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by =X=

I actually made the same prediction in another thread(except I think their device will cost the same as the nook). Amazon could easily manage two Android app stores(kindle specific/General Android), I'm just hoping they don't.

=X=

I think they'll go less than the NC, with two 7" WiFi models: one with and one without Special Offers:

• Kindle Tab = $239
• Kindle Tab SO = $214

The 10" tablet will be 3G/WF with all the bells and whistles; and priced around $349~$399.

[Graham]

Originally Posted by SensualPoet

It is highly unlikely that Amazon will be selling a tablet outside of the US in 2011; I'd be willing to go out on a limb and say through all or most of 2012 as well.

Currently, Amazon does not offer any digital media, except ebooks, outside of the US. That field is exclusively left to Apple iTunes and regional players. So -- no games for Kindle, no Android apps for smartphones, no movies or TV shows for laptops and tablets. Nada.

They even block blogs to most markets and don't offer a lot of magazines to Kindle buyers outside of the US even when those magazines are widely sold in local markets (the New Yorker, for example, is not sold to Canadians for Kindle).

Sorry to hear about the situation in Canada, but Amazon does offer digital media other than ebooks outside of the US.

In the UK, Amazon has an excellent digital music store, and offers digital downloads of movie and TV shows through its subsidiary Lovefilm, both as part of the DVD rental subscription and as pay on demand.

We also have a good range of Kindle magazine subscriptions.

Graham

[Falcao]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

I'm the opposite. I have zero interest in a 10" tablet; unless it's selling for $99.

LOL! You said it first. I could pay up to $199 if it has a screen with a 4:3 ratio. I sorely need a cheap 10" tablet to read PDFs, I can watch videos at my 15" laptop.

[Dulin's Books]

i dont think you can build a 10" tablet(lcd display) and retail it for $199. we'll see in a day or so when we get pricing on the new pocketbook 10" shown in the other thread

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by Daithi

Well, this is kind of good news and bad news. Good news is that Amazon will probably be announcing something anytime now. Bad news is that I'll have to wait until next year for the 10.1" tablet, as I have zero interest in a 7" tablet.

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

I'm the opposite. I have zero interest in a 10" tablet; unless it's selling for $99.

My feeling too! I want a replacement for my aging JE100 and I like the 7" size (provided it's 16:9 and not 4:3).

Originally Posted by Dulin's Books

I dont think it will be tomorrow. Samsung has its IFA presser tomorrow. But it would make sense to have something announced at IFA IF they will be selling it in Europe too from launch. If not then they may wait until next week when IFA is over

I hope they'll be selling to Europe from day one and that we'll hear soon about it...

Originally Posted by =X=

There is the Acer Ionica 100. That fits that build. It's a 7" screen running HC 3.2 and goes for $320.
The only bad part is i heard the screen is good not great. I'd like to see it in person.

I'm waiting for that one to hit the market (which should be September 9th...) And then I need to find a shop that sells it. So, Amazon at least has that much time to announce a 7" reader

Originally Posted by din155

Also, the battery life of just 5 hrs, ideally it should have been in the range of 7-10 hrs. Again it's just review and I have not seen it in person so nothing much to comment about it.

I never read more than 2 hours a day on my backlit reader now. So, a battery life of over 2 hours is fine with me (one reason I want to replace my JE100, battery life has dropped from 4 hours to less than 2. Either I buy a new battery (Nokia battery) or a new device...)

Originally Posted by SensualPoet

It is highly unlikely that Amazon will be selling a tablet outside of the US in 2011; I'd be willing to go out on a limb and say through all or most of 2012 as well.

Currently, Amazon does not offer any digital media, except ebooks, outside of the US. That field is exclusively left to Apple iTunes and regional players. So -- no games for Kindle, no Android apps for smartphones, no movies or TV shows for laptops and tablets. Nada.

But they do sell the Kindle device itself.

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

My prediction is that a 7" tablet will be locked down, priced less than a Nook Color, and be marketed to average consumers who won't really care that they're locked into Amazon's ecosystem.

And that would be fine for me as the main reason for me to get one would be to read. And I already read mobipocket on my JE100, so why not on a new Amazon device?

Originally Posted by Graham

Sorry to hear about the situation in Canada, but Amazon does offer digital media other than ebooks outside of the US.

In the UK, Amazon has an excellent digital music store, and offers digital downloads of movie and TV shows through its subsidiary Lovefilm, both as part of the DVD rental subscription and as pay on demand.

We also have a good range of Kindle magazine subscriptions.

Graham

Ah, but that's Amazon.co.uk. And they won't sell outside the UK and Ireland either. Amazon.de won't sell outside Germany, Switzerland and Austria and Amazon.fr won't sell outside France. We in Mainland Europe can't even buy the Kindle from Amazon.co.uk and are redirected to Amazon.com...

But, if they announce a new 7" tablet before I buy the Acer, and that tablet has what I am looking for, for a decent price, even if they won't sell beyond the US shores, I'll get it. There are always ways!

[carld]

A reasonably priced 10.1" Amazon tablet would make me very happy.

[kjk]

I'm actually hoping Amazon's rumored big foray into tablets means they are going to expand their digital offerings globally in a big way as well.

[stonetools]

Originally Posted by kjk

I'm actually hoping Amazon's rumored big foray into tablets means they are going to expand their digital offerings globally in a big way as well.

Its clear to me that Amazon wants to make a big play for the video AND gaming market. Its the sole reason for the big screen 10" tablet.

From a business POV, the video market is far more lucrative than the ebook market. Movies sell for 19.99 and rent for 4.99, whereas with ebooks, people loudly insist that's its "unconscionable'to pay more than $9.99 for an ebook and won't even consider a rental or streaming/subscription model.
Mobile gaming is also huge, with the iPad leading the way. Amazon wants some of that action.
I see no evidence at all that Amazon is interested in opening the tablet experience. I don't see a "business case" for an open 10" tablet. Free advertising for Google maybe? Why would Amazon want that? My expectation is that the 10" tablet will be as closed as the 7" tablet.