Sep 28

Amazon Kindle Fire tablet unveiled: Android-based, 7-inch display, $199 price tag

Posted in: 7-inch, amazon, amazon kindle, AmazonKindle, Android, breaking news, kindle, slate, tablet, Today's Chili
Okay, so it wasn’t much of a surprise, but Amazon finally has a tablet, and as expected its name picks up where the Kindle left off: Fire. Of course, rumors of an Amazon tablet date back to this time last year (if not before), but it seems that Jeff and co. have wisely chosen to get this thing out on the open market before having yet another wild and wacky holiday quarter. Bloomberg has curiously reported on some of the details before the event itself kicks off, noting that the 7-inch device will run a version of Android while acting much like a “souped-up Kindle.” The real kicker, however, is the price — at just $199, it’s bound to turn heads, regardless of whether you were interested in a slate before. Naturally, that bargain-bin sticker explains the lack of an embedded camera and microphone, though consumers will find WiFi (no 3G, sadly) and a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime. It’s also quite clear that Amazon’s hoping to make a bigger splash on the content side of things than has been made already by Apple, and with the deals flowing like wine, we wouldn’t be shocked if it does just that.

Update: Itching for specs? How’s about a 7-inch IPS (!) panel, Gorilla Glass coating, a 1GHz TI OMAP dual-core CPU, 512MB of RAM, 8GB of internal storage and a chassis that weighs 14.6 ounces. There’s also access to things you’d expect to have access to: Android Appstore (though no access to Google’s Android Market!), Kindle books, magazines, etc. — all stored for free via Amazon Cloud Storage. Per Jeff: “Delete it and get it back when you want.” Oh, and Whispersync now works with movies and TV shows! “When you get home, switch to your big screen TV. Your movie will be right where you left it.” While it’s clearly Android underneath, the actual UI looks effectively nothing like it — considering TechCrunch‘s intel that Amazon went and did its own thing without Google’s blessing, we guess that makes some level of sense. Oh, and pre-orders are set to start today (but only for Americans… boo), with shipments heading out on November 15th.

Update 2: We’ve added the first commercial video after the break.

Update 3: Check out our hands-on impressions right here!

Keep up with the unveiling at our liveblog of the Amazon event.

Gallery: Amazon launches Kindle Fire tablet in NYC!

Gallery: Amazon Kindle Fire

Continue reading Amazon Kindle Fire tablet unveiled: Android-based, 7-inch display, $199 price tag

Amazon Kindle Fire tablet unveiled: Android-based, 7-inch display, $199 price tag originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Sep 2011 09:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 27

Is a second generation Kindle Fire tablet hitting early next year?

Posted in: amazon, amazon kindle, AmazonKindle, Android, blackberry playbook, BlackberryPlaybook, kindle, playbook, RIM, slate, tablet, tablet pc, TabletPc, Today's Chili

Shortly after information started leaking out about the warmly-named Amazon tablet, gdgt offered up some supplementary details from sources explaining why the Fire looks an awful lot like the PlayBook. According to the anonymous informants, the thing was built using the same template as RIM’s device. Apparently the product is more or less being rushed out the door to make it out in time for the holidays. It seems that there may be another pressing reason for the rush to bring the reader-friendly tablet to market — namely a much improved second generation device, which is currently on-tap for the first quarter of next year. Why so close? Well, the newer tablet’s release date has supposedly been secured for some time, while its predecessor was pushed back for various reasons. It wouldn’t be the first time that Amazon launched two Kindle products months apart, with the Kindle DX arriving shortly after the Kindle 2. It’s not exactly the same thing, given that one device wasn’t meant to replace the other, but it certainly doesn’t bode well for the company’s ability to schedule. There are still some questions here, of course — even if the above is true (and that’s certainly a big “if”), that doesn’t mean that this second-gen tablet will hit its own mark. If it does, however, a lot of early adopters may get burned by the Fire.

Is a second generation Kindle Fire tablet hitting early next year? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 15:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 26

Kindle Fire tablet purportedly on tap for Wednesday, set to ship in November

Posted in: amazon, amazon kindle, AmazonKindle, Android, kindle, slate, tablet, tablet pc, TabletPc, Today's Chili

“Kindle Fire.” Can’t say that’s the name we would’ve thrown together if given five minutes to dwell and assured that we’d take on absolutely no risk at all for it failing, but hey — who are we to question Jeff Bezos? TechCrunch is keeping the Kindle tablet rumors fresh with a new helping of intel, hitting the wires just two days prior to the outfit’s September 28th press event. According to the publication, “Fire” (mocked up above) was chosen in order to differentiate it from the e-ink siblings that’ll sell alongside of it, and we’re told to expect a mind-numbing amount of content deals to make it ever more attractive in a realm that iOS currently dominates. Moreover, a dual-core Texas Instruments OMAP chip is now being tipped, and if all goes well, the sub-$300 device should ship in November. Meanwhile, B&N engineers are reportedly toiling away on the Nook Color 2, and we wouldn’t be shocked in the least to see it hurry into an announcement just to phunk with Amazon’s flow. We’ll be there live on Wednesday to break it all down — water sprinklers in tow, naturally.

Update: gdgt is suggesting that there’s a reason the Kindle Fire will look a lot like the PlayBook — it’s a good read, and it can be found here.

Kindle Fire tablet purportedly on tap for Wednesday, set to ship in November originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 17:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 20

Amazon’s Kindle Library Lending service rolls in to Seattle, in full beta regalia

Posted in: amazon, amazon kindle, AmazonKindle, e reader, e-book, e-books, e-readers, feature, kindle, Today's Chili
Saddle up, kids, because it looks like Amazon’s Kindle Library Lending service is inching its way toward launch. According to the Digital Reader, the retailer’s OverDrive-powered feature has begun rolling out to two Seattle-area libraries, where some users have already succeeded in downloading e-books from their local repositories. Early testers are also reporting that they’ve been able to access a wide collection of digitized works using the beta service, with equipped libraries reportedly boasting “thousands” of e-books. Neither Amazon nor Overdrive have formally announced a rollout, but we’ll let you know as soon as we hear more.

[Thanks, Nathan]

Amazon’s Kindle Library Lending service rolls in to Seattle, in full beta regalia originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Sep 2011 16:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink The Digital Reader, The eBook Reader Blog  |  sourceAmazon  | Email this | Comments

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Sep 02

This Is What Amazon’s Kindle Tablet Looks Like

Posted in: amazon, AmazonKindle, Apple, ipad, kindle, rumor, tablet, Today's Chili, top

Behold the new Amazon Kindle! A full color 7-inch tablet that is basically a front to all their books, music, movies and products, just like we imagined. TechCrunch has a nice description, so we made a nice mock-up. More »

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Sep 01

Amazon’s @author lets you tweet, pester your favorite writers via Kindle

Posted in: amazon, amazon kindle, AmazonKindle, e reader, e-book, e-books, e-readers, ebooks, kindle, minipost, Today's Chili, twitter

If the Amazon Kindle’s passage-sharing Twitter integration wasn’t social enough for you, the outfit just unleashed a new option: @author. The new feature uses Twitter as a springboard to connect writers to their fans, giving users a chance to nitpick their favorite authors line-by-line. If you’ve ever shared a quote using the Kindle, you know the drill: highlight some text and type out your tweet — just make sure you preface it with the @author marker. This limited beta is launching with only a handful of writers, but between Robert “Rich Dad” Kiyosaki and Brad “Identity Crisis” Meltzer, we’re sure you can find something to ask.

Amazon’s @author lets you tweet, pester your favorite writers via Kindle originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Sep 2011 09:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aug 24

Engineer hacks a Kindle, creates easy to use prototype for sister with cerebral palsy

Posted in: amazon, amazon kindle, AmazonKindle, e reader, e-book, e-books, e-readers, hack, hacked, kindle, mod, mods, Today's Chili, video

This may not be Amazon’s next version of the Kindle, but this rad mod does fill a very unique purpose. Glenn, an electrical engineer, created what he’s calling the Frankenkindle for his sister, who has cerebral palsy. This e-reader features controls that are much easier for her to use than the stock buttons on the factory offering. Using the keypad from a children’s reader and Amazon’s pride and joy, the fully functional device is only lacking a permanent mount for the hacked digital library and some wire organization. In between the buttons and the Kindle, he’s customized a Teensy USB microcontroller to interpret and pass along the proper input commands. While fully aware the device will need some user testing, Glenn intends to tailor this bad boy to his sister’s specific needs — and if that wasn’t enough he’s got more tricks up his sleeve that will help others with physical disabilities. If you’re wanting a quick walk through, check out the video after the break.

Continue reading Engineer hacks a Kindle, creates easy to use prototype for sister with cerebral palsy

Engineer hacks a Kindle, creates easy to use prototype for sister with cerebral palsy originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 24 Aug 2011 07:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aug 22

Amazon grabs two more Kindle related domains, keeps gadget writers in work

Posted in: amazon, amazon kindle, AmazonKindle, e reader, e-book, e-books, e-readers, kindle, minipost, rumors, Today's Chili
Amazon is sending book-loving gadget fans into a frenzy with another round of domain name buys. It registered KindleScribe and KindleScribes.com to go along with the KindleAir and KindleSocialNetwork addresses it picked up earlier this month. All that’s left to do is speculate wildly on what they could represent (Thin and light e-reader? Tablet-style touchscreen? Kindle that comes pre-loaded with the Social Network?) and hope the new devices come packing Jeff’s newly patented mobile airbags.

Amazon grabs two more Kindle related domains, keeps gadget writers in work originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 22 Aug 2011 09:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aug 13

Amazon axes copied content, duplicate Kindle Store ebooks get the boot

Posted in: amazon, amazon kindle, AmazonKindle, Books, e reader, e-book, e-books, e-readers, kindle, Today's Chili

If we take a can of Spam and call it “Engadget’s precooked pork meat product,” you’ll still know it’s the same mystery meat you ate for lunch, right? Under the idea of “private label rights,” authors can do just that: sell their works to others who can rebrand and resell them. This week, Amazon cracked down on duplicate ebooks in its Kindle Store, pulling titles because they “diminish the experience for customers.” One copycat who got the smack down called it a “kick in the pants” when his 22 titles got yanked. He did, however, admit he had the swift one coming. Aping authors can expect more book banning Kung Fu as Amazon continues to rid itself of “undifferentiated or barely differentiated versions of e-books.” Hi-yah!

Amazon axes copied content, duplicate Kindle Store ebooks get the boot originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 13 Aug 2011 16:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aug 10

Amazon releases web-based Kindle Cloud Reader app, optimized for iPads

Posted in: amazon, amazon kindle, AmazonKindle, Android, app, Apple, apps, AppStore, cloud, e reader, e-book, e-books, e-readers, ios, ipad, iPhone, itunes, kindle, Mac, PC, reader, Today's Chili
Amazon may have changed its Kindle iOS app to comply with Apple’s revised in-app subscription policy, but the retailer has now come out with its own, web-based alternative, known as the Kindle Cloud Reader. Compatible with both Chrome and Safari, the new app is essentially a browser version of the Kindle eBook reader, providing PC, Mac and Chromebook users with access to their digitized libraries. The tool also offers local storage, allowing for offline reading, though Amazon’s device limit still applies, so if your library’s already strewn across multiple gadgets, the app’s reading functionality may be limited. The company unveiled the Cloud Reader today with relatively little fanfare or explanation, but its site highlights the service’s main attractions, including its iPad optimization. Interestingly enough, the reader still isn’t compatible with iPhones (or, as Android Community discovered, any Honeycomb tablets), though we imagine it’s only a matter of time before Amazon’s cloud coverage expands even further.

Amazon releases web-based Kindle Cloud Reader app, optimized for iPads originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Aug 2011 05:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink TechCrunch, Android Community  |  sourceKindle Cloud Reader  | Email this | Comments

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