If you thought the Kindle Fire was going to be just another e-reader, it's time to take a closer look. Price is going to be a big attraction for this portable media tablet; $199 will give buyers a product comparable to the Apple iPad2 for less than half the price, which hovers in the $500+ range.
What Can You Do on a Kindle Fire
The Fire has a color touch screen, 16 million colors to be exact and in high resolution with an extra wide viewing angle. You can watch movies and TV shows, view magazines and books, surf the internet, stream music, check your email, play games, download apps, and view Word and PDF documents.
All this, on one device that costs $199.
What's Under the Hood
Ultra fast Web Browsing and a Dual Core Processor
7" touch screen, high resolution, 16 million colors
8GB internal storage
8 hour battery time on a charge for continuous reading (wireless off)
Unlimited Amazon Cloud content storage
USB port, headphone jack, built in stereo speakers
Compared to Other Kindles
The main differences between the Fire and other Kindle models are the color screen, of course, its movie and TV show viewing capabilities, its ability to use apps, play games, and stream music. It has more on-device storage, and the only other Kindle with a multi-touch screen is the Kindle Touch e-reader.
It is easy to understand what a big success Fire is predicted to be when one considers the original Kindle release. In 2007, many were disappointed to find the first Kindle was not an iPad2 contender at all; $399 was a steep price to pay for a limited e-reader with no touch screen. The only Kindle in that price range today is 3G DX, which is still an e-reader but with a larger screen (9.7").
The apps are going to be the big difference that sets Fire apart from the other Kindles. Lack of them has been a big reason why other tablet devices have been slow to catch on. The Amazon App store provides users with literally thousands of Android games and apps, including a free app of the day.
With the holidays coming up and the Kindle Fire to be released in mid-November, it looks to be a real iPad contender for Christmas shoppers. Its likeness to the Apple tablet in addition to its much lower price tag will only sweeten the pot for Fire's success.
There are some Apple diehards that want Apple and nothing else and they are willing to pay for it. Newcomers to the tablet world can now afford to get their feet wet with a price tag just under $200.
The Fire is not 3G but Wi-Fi, which means you will be able to browse the internet and download content anywhere you have a wireless connection.
I honestly don't think anyone on your shopping list will be disappointed to find a Kindle Fire under the tree this holiday season. At that price, you might want to pick one up for yourself as well.
Get the best price on the Kindle Fire tablet as well as more information on Kindle Fire accessories and other electronic devices.
