I've resisted buying a Nook at the rock-bottom Android tablet pricing because there's no camera for video chat. Here's a Kindle Fire with all of these great Cloud features, but no camera. How do the marketing departments of these large companies not understand that a tablet is a communications tool? It is not a consumption tool.
Asus Transformer can get the Amazon app system (Kindle, AppStore & good ol' Amazon.com) plus all of the Google ecosystem plus every other Android App on the planet. Its twice the price and ten times the capability.
Do all of the Best Buy customers and 50+ age group just buy crap-gadgets because they're made by a big name? At least those who buy an iPad2 get what they pay for, a good device. And I loathe Apple's closed system, but the iPad is the winner so far.
Agree or hate on me?
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Where is the Fire's camera? Are we too stupid to miss it?
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chazzersize's pick
I think you're overlooking that Amazon isn't trying to build an iPad competitor, they're offering a device that's designed primarily for the consumption and usage of Amazon services. That's why they're offering it such a low price. Leaving out a camera is one small way to keep the price down, and it's a trade-off that some people will be willing to make in exchange for a device that costs 60% less than the cheapest iPad.
That doesn't mean everyone is willing to make the trade-off or is looking for other things in a tablet, and fortunately there are plenty of other options out there (like the Transformer you mentioned).
I'm not sure I'd pick up a Kindle Fire -- I'm pretty happy with my iPad and I already have an e-ink reader for ebooks -- but I'm glad that Amazon introduced it and I think it'll put some pricing pressure on everyone (including Apple).
That doesn't mean everyone is willing to make the trade-off or is looking for other things in a tablet, and fortunately there are plenty of other options out there (like the Transformer you mentioned).
I'm not sure I'd pick up a Kindle Fire -- I'm pretty happy with my iPad and I already have an e-ink reader for ebooks -- but I'm glad that Amazon introduced it and I think it'll put some pricing pressure on everyone (including Apple).
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chazzersize's pick
I think you are missing the point of the device. Amazon does not want to compete with the iPad, they want to make this a device which, though similar, will appeal to a consumer mostly interested in the consumption aspects of a tablet. It is for the consumer that likes the content consumption features of an iPad but can't justify the price. Amazon is saying "If you want to create content and communicate with others, get an iPad. The rest of you, here is the device for you."
There is a great editorial by Nilay Patel over at "This is my next..." where he explains Amazon's approach, and he does a much better job of articulating this point:
thisismynext.com/2011/09/28/editorial-kindle-fire-...
There is a great editorial by Nilay Patel over at "This is my next..." where he explains Amazon's approach, and he does a much better job of articulating this point:
thisismynext.com/2011/09/28/editorial-kindle-fire-...
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chazzersize's pick
I agree but the more choices there are for consumers the better. I think the fire is simply a device to sell more Amazon services and products. You cant fault them for that strategy. Consumers do need to educate themselves and know what devices they are buying, I can see hordes of people being upset when they cant "facetime" on there shiny new Fire. BTW typing this on the Transformer.
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I disagree. I really believe that a tablet is more of a consumption device than a communications device. From what I've seen, most people around me, myself included, that have a tablet, whether it be an Android tablet, iPad, or TouchPad, only use it to play games, watch movies, read books, or browse the web. I have yet to see a single person use their tablet as a communications device probably because it's still not the norm and many people actually don't have wifi fast enough to make it worthwhile. Lastly, just to point out that I'm not limited to observing my own age group, I've seen 4 year olds up to 40 something year olds use tablets.
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I think I'm too stupid to want a camera on anything that big, let alone iPad size.
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For what it's worth I've yet to use the cameras on my iPad 2 in any meaningful way and not convinced they are necessary on a modern tablet.
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I have pre-ordered the Fire. I own a Touchpad. I've never used the camera on the TP. I want the Fire as the latest Kindle device, for reading books and magazines in color. I have a handicap that makes handling print materials difficult.
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A camera is not a deciding factor for this level of device. This isn't a laptop replacement - this is a PMP/Internet tablet.
The only reason I think they'd want to include a camera is for scanning barcodes, but who's going to carry this thing into a store?
The only reason I think they'd want to include a camera is for scanning barcodes, but who's going to carry this thing into a store?
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Now I think the question has been answered by Lenovo: "Do it your way — when and where you want." is.gd/cI9WeU
The IdeaPad A1 is $200 with a camera and Android Market. Why buy Amazon's cameraless, locked-down Fire at the same pricepoint?
The IdeaPad A1 is $200 with a camera and Android Market. Why buy Amazon's cameraless, locked-down Fire at the same pricepoint?
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thanks man even i refuse to see that, for me its a major factor u can't make a tablet without a camera not in the the 21st century.
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Believe it or not there is a whole segment of the population that doesn't want a camera pointed at them from every device they own.
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