Cheaper Amazon Kindle Fire 2 coming in May?

Earlier, news broke out that online retail giant Amazon was planning launch to the successor of the Amazon Kindle Fire soon. Now, more reports have begun pouring in claiming Amazon will launch not one but two versions of the Amazon Kindle Fire 2, a 7 inch and 9 inch version. The two are said to land in May. Furthermore, according to reports, they will be cheaper compared to the original Kindle Fire.

The news comes to us courtesy of China Times. According to their source close to Amazon’s supply line, Foxconn (the same factories that assemble the iPhone 4S and iPad 2) has been contracted for the production of the Kindle Fire 2, replacing Taiwan-based Quanta Computer.

By having the next-generation slate assembled by Foxconn, Amazon will have more control on parts used for the Kindle Fire 2, unlike in Quanta where the OEM made the decisions. This means that the tablet will either be cheaper or more powerful with the same price tag.

Amazon manufacturers the Kindle Fire at a loss, but makes up for this loss with the sale of digital content purchased on the tablet via their online store. The Kindle Fire has put a dent on iPad 2 sales using this business model. Expect the same model to be used with the Kindle Fire 2.

We’re still hoping the Amazon launches the Kindle Fire in the UK.

Tags: Amazon, Foxconn, Kindle Fire, Kindle Fire 2, Quanta, Tablet
Category Tablet News |

Apple’s Tim Cook says you will “hate” cheap tablets – was he referring to the Amazon Kindle Fire?

Speaking at the Goldman Sachs Technology and Internet Conferences, the successor of Steve Jobs, Tim Cook, said, “Price is rarely the most important thing. A cheap product might sell some units. Somebody gets it home and they feel great when they pay the money, but then they get it home and use it, and the joy is gone.

“The joy is gone every day that they use it until they aren’t using it anymore. You don’t keep remembering ‘I got a good deal’ because you hate it.”

Of course, since Cooks is the CEO of one of the most valuable companies in the World, Apple, it’s expected of him to try and convince you that Apple’s iPad 2 is better than anything else available in the market. And, the Cupertino firm has been successful in doing so. The iPad 2 is the dominant force in the tablet market.

However, since Cook expressed his disdain for cheap tablets, which tablet in particular was he referring to? Since there is only one budget tablet that is making waves in the US, we can only assume that Cook was referring to Amazon’s Kindle Fire.

Aside from indirectly taking a whack at Amazon’s Kindle Fire, it seems the CEO’s statement would make us believe that his company doesn’t at all feel threatened by any tablet made by the competition such as Samsung’s Galaxy Tab 10.1 or ASUS’ Transformer Prime. However, with Apple’s legal attacks against Samsung’s Galaxy Tab 10.1 in various places around the world, we highly doubt Apple doesn’t feel at all threatened.

Do you agree with Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook when he says you will “hate” cheaper tablets? Give us your thoughts.

Tags: Amazon, apple, CEO, iPad, ipad 2, Kindle Fire, Tablet, Tim Cook
Category Tablet News |

Apple said to be scrambling to get apps done for iPad 3 launch in March

According to reports, the Cupertino firm Apple is said to be scrambling to get apps ready for the launch of the iPad 2’s successor in March.

The news comes to courtesy of The Verge. According to their sources who wish to remain anonymous, Apple is said to be in “crunch mode” and is “working at ‘an increased rate”, making sure that it has apps for the next generation iPad, once it is officially unveiled. The apps are also to be used for Apple’s TV ads, promoting the iPad 3.

Apple is said to be focusing on apps with intense graphics. This lines up with AllThingsD’s report that the iPad 3 will sport a retina display, an enhanced GPU, and a more powerful processor. Other reports suggest that the next generation iPad will be named the iPad 2S instead of the iPad 3, just like the iPhone 4 and its successor the iPhone 4S.

If the report is true, Apple is said to be officially unveiling the tablet in its favorite venue, the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco. Also, Tim Cook, Apple’s current CEO, will be taking center stage to unveil the new iPad.

AllThingsD was on the money when they predicted the iPad 2 was landing in March of 2011. Will they be on the money again with the iPad 3 (or iPad 2S)? Give us your thoughts.

Tags: App, apple, iPad, ipad 2, iPad 2S, iPad 3, Tablet
Category Tablet News |