Quantcast
Destructoid Japanator Tomopop Flixist
Dtoid Forums now support TapATalk and ForumRunner on your iOS/Android devices. Whoot.

Amazon announces $199 7-inch tablet called Kindle Fire photo

Amazon is getting into the tablet game with the newly announced Kindle Fire. It was revealed at a press conference this morning in New York, where Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos proudly showed off the 7-inch offering. It will be priced at only $199, which had to make the boys at Cupertino wince a bit. 

This isn't some plastic e-reader like the other Kindle offerings. It runs Google's Android, which is displayed on a full-color IPS LCD display, covered with Corning's Gorilla Glass. Expect 8 hours of battery life. There's 8GB of memory and WiFi, too. All data is synced through the cloud, with full access to all of Amazon's digital offerings.

What you won't find are all the extras: microphone, camera, 3G. It's just enough for you to read, browse the 'net, stream movies and music...and play games. Being Android App ready, you can play games on this tablet. Games like Plants vs. ZombiesAngry Birds and the lovely Fruit Ninja were shown at the event.

If nothing else, this is a kick in the balls to all those other Android tablet makers that are selling devices for $500. Do you see yourself gaming on an Amazon tablet?








More gaming stories around the web. Got news? Submit yours to tips@destructoid.com

Dale North is Destructoid's Editor-In-Chief, a founding editor, and specialist in Japanese gaming. An accomplished musician, Dale was reporting from Japan during the earthquakes of 2011. Luckily, he got the fuck out alive and is home in America now with his wife and beloved corgi, Einstein. Dale is also a co-founder of Destructoid's sister anime site Japanator. Likes Corgis, Sega Saturn, PSP, iPhone, Photographic tools. Meet the rest of the team



Post a comment! You can also post a photo below:

Comment with Facebook





Click connect and comment instantly!

Comment with Dtoid





New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds

41 comments | showing # 1 to 41
prev next

DethLocke's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/28/2011 11:18
DethLocke
the price is right for what it does, ill wait and see what the nook 2 does though.
Dancing Mad's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/28/2011 11:18
Dancing Mad
No. I do not.
njsykora's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/28/2011 11:21
njsykora
Here's a thing, it does a little more than what the regular Kindle does, its a little prettier than the regular Kindle and its a little more expensive than a regular Kindle.

See, its really not that hard people. If I'm ever in the market for a tablet I'll likely grab this, I don't need a camera or 3G stuff, that's what my Android phone is for.
Clance's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/28/2011 11:21
Clance
Fuck off with alll these shitty things.
Trygle12's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/28/2011 11:21
Trygle12
Maybe.

It looks awesome and it seems that the price is more than right for the whole deal.

Also I want this to pressure tablet manufacturers to bring tablets to a more palatable price for the average joe.
superdeeduper51's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/28/2011 11:21
superdeeduper51
Tablets are kind of nifty, but I would probably never buy one. My lappy is serving me just fine right now.
DinnertimeNinja's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/28/2011 11:22
DinnertimeNinja
Not entirely interested in a Tablet at this point but I AM incredibly happy that someone has entered the market with a quality product at a reasonable price which should help drive the OTHER companies to compete by lowering prices.

I mean, $700 for a tablet is beyond stupid. I can get a great laptop at that price!
Tristrix's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/28/2011 11:28
Tristrix
I dunno, maybe. Sounds like something I might put on the wish list for christmas.
kidplus's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/28/2011 11:30
kidplus
I'm a hell of a lot more interested in this than every other tablet on the market. Tablets look like fun toys but not for $600.
Shinta's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/28/2011 11:32
Shinta
Not a bad price I guess. I don't need the extras it cut out. But honestly, I don't need this at all so I'm going to pass.
RTD Spector's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/28/2011 11:33
RTD Spector
Haha Kindle .. Fire .. I get it
Elsa's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/28/2011 11:35
Elsa
tablets are predicted to start outselling PC's... so yeah, the competitive pricing is bound to heat up - which is nice, because the consumer wins!
Hugh G Rection's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/28/2011 11:35
Hugh G Rection
I could use one of these. I like to read on the subway and right now I use my phone. The type is rreaaaaaalllly small.

And for those of you who will say "well just bring a book". Sometimes i feel like reading CNN and sometimes i feel like reading Conan, be nice to have an affordable portable with out all the extra BS.
IdlePye's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/28/2011 11:44
IdlePye
Seems stupid to me to even have kindle in the name why not just call it the amazon tab, the reason I love my kindle is the e-ink that makes it just like reading a book, I dont want to melt my retina with an LCD just before I go to sleep.
Baby Choo Choo's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/28/2011 11:45
Baby Choo Choo
I need a tablet, but I'm just going to wait for the Asus Transformer 2. I would get the upcoming Sony tablet, but they seem set on charging as much as humanly possible for the damn thing. This Kindle Fire seems pretty cool, but not for me.
MeanderBot's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/28/2011 11:49
MeanderBot
SD card slot or GTFO
Arttemis's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/28/2011 11:50
Arttemis
The price makes it perfect. I have a smartphone, but it would be nice to have something bigger while lounging on the couch. My wife has been really wishing for a tablet...
D Sane's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/28/2011 12:02
D Sane
7 inches doesn't really sound that big, and since that guy in the picture can palm it pretty easily, I'm not sure that this is what I'd get considering actual phones aren't that much smaller. I'd probably get this if they had a 10-12 inch screen but all of those features sound nice.
The Silent Protagonist's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/28/2011 12:14
The Silent Protagonist
I've been wanting a tablet, this is the right price and feature set for me, though I would be interested in hearing if it supports more memory storage and specifically if it has SD card support.

Regardless, I need a nice mobile device for web browsing and was looking at a portable 4G hotspot. This would go nice with that.
mix's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/28/2011 12:37
mix
This is a sick price point and something like this to watch movies on the go or in bed makes me happy but I still want the "new" ASUS eee transformer but can not justify spending more than $600 on a tablet.

8gb also scares me as that is not a lot of video or music content.
nfm1337's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/28/2011 13:14
nfm1337
I'm kinda interested. The price is right and I sure have no use for cameras and stuff.
Dale North's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/28/2011 13:20
Dale North
for pron surfing at least?
Icehearted's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/28/2011 13:30
Icehearted
I like where you're going with this, Dale.

The size puts me off a bit, but for the price and specs this could be fun while at the local coffee shop, and with Amazon Prime this could also be the thing that finally turns me away from Netflix (as if I needed more reasons anyway).

And yes, I see myself gaming on this thing. It doesn't need Sony or Nintendo printed on it to be a valid gaming device, especially during my quiet time when I;m making bears.
theestampede's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/28/2011 13:34
theestampede
I don't need all that extra stuff, just the net, movies, and music; so if I'm into a tablet I'll def look into this.
Arttemis's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/28/2011 13:43
Arttemis
@Icehearted - You make bears?
JamnOnTheOne's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/28/2011 13:48
JamnOnTheOne
So Amazon released a product on par with the Barnes and Noble Nook Color?
CrazyCowboyDon's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/28/2011 14:27
CrazyCowboyDon
Toss a Tegra 3 in it and we'll talk.
Cowboy TTop's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/28/2011 14:37
Cowboy TTop
After the whole HP Touchpad rush shows that cheaper is the best way to get sales, I'd say i'd be interested in getting one of these, just in case my PSVita isn't as open media wise.

I'd love an iPad, but can't afford one. A Kindle Fire (love the name), would make a nice small media player. And if the 8gb is too small, it should surely take SD cards or USB sticks.

Once everyone gets serious on the tablet price like this, more of us will buy one.
josmeister's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/28/2011 14:46
josmeister
I might bloody buy this.. Or just a normal Kindle
MCBattery's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/28/2011 14:46
MCBattery
I'm actually thinking about selling my iPad 1 and picking one of these up.
I really like the free Cloud service,and Amazon Prime unlimited TV and Movies for $80 a year Idea.

Plus after carrying around an iPad for a year,the smaller size sounds good to me.
Smackybutts's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/28/2011 16:02
Smackybutts
I refuse to buy a tablet until pressure-sensitive stylus support is implemented. The only thing I would do on a tablet is read e-books (check) and draw/paint (fail).
RoninZero's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/28/2011 16:18
RoninZero
I hope one of these overheats and catches fire. Not because I want to see anything bad happen to anyhow, but I just want to see Amazon Kindle a Fire. It'll be SO. DAMN. LITERAL.
fightmejimmy's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/28/2011 16:42
fightmejimmy
I'll wait for the Kindle Inferno or the Kindle , and all the extras those will entail.
Icehearted's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/28/2011 16:56
Icehearted
@Arttemis
Look up "cat orgy"
???
Profit!
PalinRMA's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/28/2011 18:33
PalinRMA
Getting one, can't wait.
bastardmaster's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/28/2011 20:01
bastardmaster
Well the only thing stopping me from getting a Kindle was the lack of being able to read full color magazines and comics on it. If this is going to support those things then I'm in.
Montag 451's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/28/2011 20:07
Montag 451
I'm typing this on my iPad 2, I read books on both my Sony reader and kindle. Completely different beast. The purpose of the reader is the screen, just lovely. As much as I love my ipad the screen isn't good for a proper book so sort of defeats the object. Excellent for the web, games, films etc I'm sure but don't really see the point of it being a kindle. Why not amazon releases tablet.
Noah's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/29/2011 04:25
Noah
Not for gaming. Just because it runs Android doesn't mean it's good for games. My entry level smart phone runs Android 2.2, PvZ and Angry Birds, but isn't for gaming.

A $200 media player with Android for web browsing and emails is pretty rad, though
Fenrir151's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/29/2011 04:25
Fenrir151
This looks...interesting.
MjolnirX's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/29/2011 07:12
MjolnirX
Nice price, but needs 4g.
prev next

Comment with Facebook





Click connect and comment instantly!

Comment with Dtoid





New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds

Comments policy

Destructoid is an open discussion community. You don't need to "audition" to post a comment - just speak your mind. We respect differing opinions on the site, so have at it. Be smart, funny, insightful, clueless, or cute -- but back it up with substance. Keep your cool, keep it fun. We only ask that you act respectfully and above all: don't be a troll and ruin it for everyone else. Don't bring down gamers or we'll, you know, gently shoot you in the face and stuff you into a flaming mailbox. Each comment is your opportuntity to make this community awesomer. Is that even a word?

Avoiding the banhammer only requires common sense: spamming, trolling, racism, NSFW stuff, and other forms of sucking will not be tolerated. If anyone is griefing please report abuse. Be good. Don't suck!