Kindle Fire Tablet announced

[Nick]

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-09-28/amazon-unveils-199-kindle-fire-tablet.html

Not what I was expecting. Cheap - yes ($199) but no camera or mic, and a 7" screen. And I think that's critical for communications... skype video calling, google talk video chat, etc.

Still, the price may drive many towards it.

 

[BackLoafRiver]

Pretty disappointing. The lack of 3g isn't necessarily a deal breaker either but is pretty much a let down, especially since the trend has been to include the capability to compute on the go. But, hey, at least is has wi-fi. On the upside, the free trial of Amazon Prime is pretty awesome.

If you are going for "just an e-reader" then I might be tempted to get this over the Nook. Since I would be in the market for a tablet, it's hands-down an ipad.

 

[Glenn]

The 7" screen is surprising. I would have thought they would have gone with a 10" since that's what most others are using.

I could see a price drop before Christmas if it doesn't sell that well.

 

[Geoff]

As I've progressed through various strengths of reading glasses, I can't imagine a 7" display on something where I'd be reading a book on it. Personally, I'd like bigger than 10".

 

[drjeff]

As I've progressed through various strengths of reading glasses, I can't imagine a 7" display on something where I'd be reading a book on it. Personally, I'd like bigger than 10".

These days I know that I need to go to the eye doc when I get the urge to bring my built in magnification glasses from work (know as loupes) home when I want to read

And I really, really need to goto the eye doc when my standard 2.5x magnification pair that I use for most stuff in the office isn't enough and I want to bring home my 5.0x mangnification pair that I just use for a few specific procedures! :lol: As crazy as it sounds, I had to do that recently when I was trying to help my kids find Waldo on their "Where's Waldo" Calender! :lol: And i'm pretty sure that i'm not the only parent that's sought some extra magnification when trying to help their kids find that stupid pain in the a$$ character! :lol: :smash: :smash:

 

[Edd]

I have a Nook Color and this doesn't appear to be a huge step forward. I buy items occasionally on Amazon but I don't stream movies or use it for music. If you're already on the Amazon train and are interested in a tablet this thing makes some sense.

I use the Kindle app on my Touchpad and, after browsing the newstand on Amazon, was surprised to see that the Nook magazine selection blows the Kindle options away. That was a month ago. With the release of this tablet Amazon may have improved the selection.