Amazon prepping color Kindle w/ video streaming.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by TimW

A Kindle is a dedicated reader. There's almost no likelihood that a color tablet will have "Kindle" stamped on it.

A Nook is a dedicated reader. There's almost no likelihood that a color tablet will have "Nook" stamped on it.

[OtterBooks]

Originally Posted by TimW

A Kindle is a dedicated reader. There's almost no likelihood that a color tablet will have "Kindle" stamped on it.

If Amazon is as smart as I suspect they are, they won't carry over the Kindle name to a tablet. But I won't be surprised if they do.

[TimW]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

A Nook is a dedicated reader. There's almost no likelihood that a color tablet will have "Nook" stamped on it.

Exactly. A Nook could be a dedicated reader or a game-playing, video capable, ereader hybrid or even a textbook-reading computer program. The meaning of "Nook," or "nook," or "NOOK" is rather unclear at best.

[Hellmark]

Originally Posted by TimW

Exactly. A Nook could be a dedicated reader or a game-playing, video capable, ereader hybrid or even a textbook-reading computer program. The meaning of "Nook," or "nook," or "NOOK" is rather unclear at best.

The original nook only reads books, the nook simple touch is as much of a dedicated reader as the Kindle is despite the non book features as a web browser (which the Kindle also has), the nook color originally was just a book reader. It was only after people started hacking it to add features that B&N added any, and even then it doesn't add much compared to what people do on their own.

[TimW]

Originally Posted by Hellmark

The original nook only reads books, the nook simple touch is as much of a dedicated reader as the Kindle is despite the non book features as a web browser (which the Kindle also has), the nook color originally was just a book reader. It was only after people started hacking it to add features that B&N added any, and even then it doesn't add much compared to what people do on their own.

To get back on topic, I don't think "Kindle" will appear on any device but a dedicated reader or app. If they muddy the definition of "Kindle," IMHO that would be a grave error.

[ucfgrad93]

Originally Posted by TimW

To get back on topic, I don't think "Kindle" will appear on any device but a dedicated reader or app. If they muddy the definition of "Kindle," IMHO that would be a grave error.

Agreed. I also hope that they keep the eink screen in a dedicated reader like B&N is doing.

[TimW]

Originally Posted by ucfgrad93

Agreed. I also hope that they keep the eink screen in a dedicated reader like B&N is doing.

J. Bezos seems completely intent on maintaining a reading experience that is completely booklike. Since his only aversion to touch readers was with the glare from a touch overlay, I wouldn't be surprised if he uses an IR touch on the next K version.

[ilovejedd]

Originally Posted by TimW

To get back on topic, I don't think "Kindle" will appear on any device but a dedicated reader or app. If they muddy the definition of "Kindle," IMHO that would be a grave error.

I don't see anything wrong with Amazon using the "Kindle" name for their new tablet as long as the reading experience isn't compromised (assuming you're fine reading on an LCD) and reading is still the primary function (kinda like the Nook Color). Sure, it might handle videos, music, apps, etc, much better than the Nook Color but first and foremost, it should act as an ereader.

Now if they make it so it functions more like an iPad or generic Android tablet, then yes, they shouldn't use the Kindle name.

[TimW]

Originally Posted by ilovejedd

I don't see anything wrong with Amazon using the "Kindle" name for their new tablet as long as the reading experience isn't compromised (assuming you're fine reading on an LCD) and reading is still the primary function (kinda like the Nook Color). Sure, it might handle videos, music, apps, etc, much better than the Nook Color but first and foremost, it should act as an ereader.

Now if they make it so it functions more like an iPad or generic Android tablet, then yes, they shouldn't use the Kindle name.

J. Bezos describes a Kindle as a device that vanishes into the background as you immerse yourself in the author's words. A device that "might handle videos, music, apps, etc," is not a Kindle. It would handle a Kindle app very well but that wouldn't make it a Kindle. I would venture a guess that an Amazon tablet would have the Amazon name & smiley arrow branded on it...but not Kindle.

[Hellmark]

If they made a color tablet akin to what ilovejedd described, then then it would still fit that design. It is when you start adding other features, that it starts getting away from it.

[TimW]

Originally Posted by Hellmark

If they made a color tablet akin to what ilovejedd described, then then it would still fit that design. It is when you start adding other features, that it starts getting away from it.

"Asked today about the possibility of Amazon launching a multipurpose tablet device, the company's president and CEO Jeff Bezos said to “stay tuned” on the company’s plans. In an interview at Consumer Reports' offices, Bezos also signaled that any such device, should it come, is more likely to supplement than to supplant the Kindle, which he calls Amazon’s 'purpose-built e-reading device.'"

http://news.consumerreports.org/elec...eff-bezos.html

Emphasis mine.

[Hellmark]

Originally Posted by TimW

"Asked today about the possibility of Amazon launching a multipurpose tablet device, the company's president and CEO Jeff Bezos said to “stay tuned” on the company’s plans. In an interview at Consumer Reports' offices, Bezos also signaled that any such device, should it come, is more likely to supplement than to supplant the Kindle, which he calls Amazon’s 'purpose-built e-reading device.'"

http://news.consumerreports.org/elec...eff-bezos.html

Emphasis mine.

I don't think anyone here is arguing that it would replace the kindle. The difference is some are saying that Amazon make make a color tablet as an additional part of the Kindle line (but not replacing), and some are saying that it would be separate from the Kindle line.

[stonetools]

I called the 10'' tablet a while ago. It makes perfect sense for Amazon, with it's desire to sell it's movies and video streaming services. Although on this forum Amazon = ebooks, we should remind ourselves that ebooks form only one of Amazon's revenue streams- and most likely not the most profitable one, either. I think Amazon definitely wants to take on Apple in the movie, music and video game markets, all of which are likely bigger than the ebook market.
I think it likely that Amazon will lock the device to it's own app store- that's the model that has been shown to work and be profitable. That won't matter all that much, as I expect most android apps will be available in the amazon market, although it wouldn't surprise me if the nook app doesn't make it, for the reasons that tube monkey cites.
I am sure that Amazon will continue it's Kindle eink line for at least a while longer, although I think the K4 will likely be a touchscreen . No matter what techies may think, the market has spoken: consumers love and expect that their mobile devices have a touchscreen interface . The current Kindle looks more and more dated with its clunky physical keyboard interface. Expect a touchscreen K4 by no later than spring of next year.
You might see 4" Touchscreen device focused on music, but that's more doubtful . I doubt we will see an Aphone.

As to the names of these devices, Kindle is a pretty powerful brand name now. I could see Amazon calling the 10" tablet a Kindle tablet and the 4" device a Kindle player.it's easier and cheaper to EXTEND a brand name [ IMac , iPod , iPhone , iPad ] than to create one from scratch. Another example: Samsung - Galaxy phone , tab, player, and Galaxy II . It's kind of up to amazon's marketing team.

[OtterBooks]

Originally Posted by TimW

To get back on topic, I don't think "Kindle" will appear on any device but a dedicated reader or app. If they muddy the definition of "Kindle," IMHO that would be a grave error.

I agree it would be an error. I have a feeling they may do it anyway, though.
In fact I think it would be an error to even use the word "ereader" in the tablet's marketing other than to point out that it runs the Kindle app.

Originally Posted by stonetools

As to the names of these devices, Kindle is a pretty powerful brand name now. I could see Amazon calling the 10" tablet a Kindle tablet and the 4" device a Kindle player.it's easier and cheaper to EXTEND a brand name [ IMac , iPod , iPhone , iPad ] than to create one from scratch. Another example: Samsung - Galaxy phone , tab, player, and Galaxy II . It's kind of up to amazon's marketing team.

Any new device with "Amazon" attached to it is not starting from scratch, imo. The "i" prefix in Apple's product lineup is far more ambiguous and flexible. Samsung had more need to associate similar devices with each other because of their enormous range of electronic products that includes dishwashers and such. imo.

[Sil_liS]

Originally Posted by OtterBooks

In fact I think it would be an error to even use the word "ereader" in the tablet's marketing other than to point out that it runs the Kindle app.

Yes, but this would give people the opportunity to say that they read a kindle book, in the kindle app, on the kindle tablet.