Amazon Kindle tablet line for Fall, 2013

[haven]

Amazon has introduced updated and new versions of its popular Kindle tablet line. These devices go far beyond the e-reader function of the original Kindles. The new Kindle tablets include

Kindle HDX 8.9: Snapdragon 800 processor, a 2560x1600 screen, LTE optional, up to 64 GB storage, price range $379 - $594
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DOPNLJ0/

Kindle HDX 7: same internals as the 8.9, 1920x1080 screen, price range $229 - $484
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DOPNO4M/

Kindle Fire HD 7: 1280x800 display, dual core processor, 8 or 16 GB storage, no modem option $139 - $184
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CU0NSCU/

The models with the lowest price will display ads from Amazon on the screen saver and lock screen. Remove the ads for $15.

The Kindle line of tablets is designed to use services like Amazon Prime for streaming TV and Movie content. Amazon's cloud service stores your purchases of books, music and movies.

 

[haven]

Amazon.com has announced new versions of its Kindle tablet line. The first is a totally modern large-screen tablet.

Kindle Fire HDX 8.9
8.9 inch, 2560x1600 pixel color touchscreen LCD (339 pixels per inch)
2.2 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 quad core processor
Adreno 330 graphics processor
2 GB RAM, 16 GB storage
32 or 64 GB storage optional
8 Megapixel rear facing camera
front-facing camera
estimated 12 hours battery life for general use, up to 18 hours for e-book reading
dimensions 9.1 x 6.2 x 0.31 inches
weight 13.2 ounces
4G LTE data service optional (GPS included? Please, please!)

All Kindle models include a custom operating system based on Android. The latest is called Fire OS 3.0, code name "Mojito." It's based on Android 4.2.2. The 3.0 version has several new features, including
-- enterprise features, includine Kerberos authentication and mobile device management
-- printing support for a wider range of apps
-- ability to send video content to a TV, and simultaneously use the tablet for email or web browsing

Prices for the HDX 8.9 start at $379 for the 16 GB model with "sponsored screensavers." In other words, Amazon shows ads when the screensaver or lock screen is displayed. Don't want to view ads? Then the price goes up by $15 to $394

The 32 GB model increases the price by a reasonable $50. 64 GB adds $100 to the price of the 16 GB model. Adding 4G LTE service from AT&T or Verizon adds another $100.

Example: a mid-range model with 32 GB of storage, LTE, and no ads costs $494.

The Kindle Fire HDX 8.9 has no direct competitors right now. The Google Nexus 10 has a 2560x1600 screen ($499 for 32 GB), but the Nexus 10 has a slower processor and no LTE service. The Asus Transformer Pad Infinity (2013) is expected to ship with a 2560x1600 display in 10 inch size, and a 1.9 GHz Tegra 4 processor, a keyboard dock, but no LTE for $500. A 32 GB iPad with LTE costs $729.

A 32 GB iPad Mini with LTE costs $559, pretty close to the mid-range Kindle Fire example above. But the iPad mini has a much lower pixel count, and a three year old processor. Hopefully Apple will announce an improved iPad Mini in mid-October.

Pre-orders for the Kindle Fire HDX 8.9 are available now, with delivery expected Nov. 7. Read more about the HDX 8.9 here
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DOPNLJ0/

 

[haven]

The Kindle Fire HDX 7 has specs like the HDX 8.9, but with a 7 inch screen

7 inch, 1920x1200 pixel color touchscreen LCD (323 pixels per inch)
2.2 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 quad core processor
Adreno 330 graphics processor
2 GB RAM, 16 GB storage
32 or 64 GB storage optional
front-facing camera only
slightly smaller battery, estimated 11 hours battery life for general use
dimensions 7.3 x 5.0 x 0.35 inches
weight 10.7 ounces
4G LTE data service optional (GPS included? Please, please!)
Kindle Fire OS 3.0, code name "Mojito."

Prices range from $229 for the 16 GB, no LTE, ad supported model, to $409 for the 64 GB, LTE, no ads model. The Kindle Fire HDX 7 is expected to ship October 18.

For more information http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DOPNO4M

 

[haven]

Kindle HDX 8.9 -- 9.1 x 6.2 x 0.31 inches, 13.2 ounces

Apple iPad 4 -- 9.5 x 7.3 x 0.37 inches, 23 oz

The light weight and narrower profile will make the new Kindle a lot easier to hold in one hand.

 

[haven]

One feature of the new HDX, in both 8.9 and 7 inch formats, is the claim that its display can show 100% of the sRGB color gamut. iPad claims 94%, other Android tablets lag behind in this area. Being able to accurately display the color gamut is valuable when reviewing and editing photos, as well as viewing movies.

 

[haven]

Amazon includes an interesting, maybe even revolutionary, feature in the new Kindle Fire models: the Mayday button. Assuming you've got an Internet connection, the button links you to online help. The consultant can speak to you, and guide you through any operation on the Fire tablet. The consultant shares access to your tablet, draw on the tablet screen, guide the cursor, and type in commands.

The cost for the Mayday service: $0.00. It's included in the purchase price.

Amazon says they are aiming for a 15 second response time for a consultant to respond to a Mayday request. No menu system, no form to fill out, just a connection to a human being who can help.

If Amazon can pull this off, it will be the best reason for many people to own a Kindle.

 

[reece146]

These new Amazon Kindles look great but unfortunately they are locked into the Amazon only Android ecosystem... from my understanding you can't get apps from Google Play.

Whether this is a real issue or not I do not know.

 

[1morebike]

These new Amazon Kindles look great but unfortunately they are locked into the Amazon only Android ecosystem... from my understanding you can't get apps from Google Play.

Whether this is a real issue or not I do not know.

look up "rooting kindle fire" i have a fire hd that i rooted using an online tutorial. once you have rooted you kindle you can load the google play store and use most of the apps. my plan was to use the bluetooth Garmin reviver and have maps but the kindle would not pair, but over all i'm happy with kindle