Finally.. I was really happy to see Amazon's update to Fire2 or Fire HD tablet lineup. It was really good to see some nice alternatives coming at really attractive price point. I think Amazon win me over as their customer for 8.9 inch tablet already. Whenever it comes out. I will be getting it. Unless, I hear back some real bad feedback before I get it.. Which considering Amazon's reputation is highly unlikely. I hope it will put some good pressure on Apple to lower their iPad's prices not just come up with lowered size form factor.
We are living in really exciting times.. In our lifespan we are lucky to see such an enormous growth in technology and more importantly changes in our living habits and vastly improved quality of life. All thanks to great companies like Intel, Cisco, MIcrosoft, Sun, Google, Apple, Oracle, Amazon, Samsung and so many more.. oh.. how can I miss my favorite Facebook ;-) Irrespective of their stock performance or whether they exist currently or not.. it was the great innovation at some point by these companies.. which made it all this possible..
I think I got carried away a bit.. Coming back to Tablets.. I was impressed a lot with Google Nexus7.. but Amazon's line up... I think surpassed Google's.. mostly because of the form factor options.. Though.. there is small catch with Kindle Fire.. It is suppose to be Ad supported.. and it has minor glitch with OS which is Android forked.. Amazon Customized.. I am mostly fine with both the options.. I am not really worried about less number of Applications and games availability on Kindle Fire.. I think it is good in a way.. that these game could be filtered and choices will be less and much better. Let us see.. I hope Amazon will not disappoint me.
Let me know your views.. looking forward to hear back from you all..
JOE KLAMAR/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES
Amazon announced four new Kindle Fire models as it tries to pick up steam in the tablet market before the holiday season.
=======================================================================================
We are living in really exciting times.. In our lifespan we are lucky to see such an enormous growth in technology and more importantly changes in our living habits and vastly improved quality of life. All thanks to great companies like Intel, Cisco, MIcrosoft, Sun, Google, Apple, Oracle, Amazon, Samsung and so many more.. oh.. how can I miss my favorite Facebook ;-) Irrespective of their stock performance or whether they exist currently or not.. it was the great innovation at some point by these companies.. which made it all this possible..
I think I got carried away a bit.. Coming back to Tablets.. I was impressed a lot with Google Nexus7.. but Amazon's line up... I think surpassed Google's.. mostly because of the form factor options.. Though.. there is small catch with Kindle Fire.. It is suppose to be Ad supported.. and it has minor glitch with OS which is Android forked.. Amazon Customized.. I am mostly fine with both the options.. I am not really worried about less number of Applications and games availability on Kindle Fire.. I think it is good in a way.. that these game could be filtered and choices will be less and much better. Let us see.. I hope Amazon will not disappoint me.
Let me know your views.. looking forward to hear back from you all..
APPLE RIVALS
Gadgets galore before iPhone
Amazon, Motorola, Nokia hope to blunt big announcement
By Anick Jesdanun
Associated Press
NEW YORK —Itwasabig week for gadget announcements as Amazon, Nokia and Motorola all tried to generate interest in their products before Apple’s expected announcement of a new iPhone next Wednesday.Amazon announced four new Kindle Fire models and a new line of stand-alone ereaders on Thursday, a day after Nokia and Motorola unveiled five new smartphones between them. Makers of consumer electronics are refreshing their products for the holiday shopping season. Apple’s rivals are hoping that a head start on the buzz will translate into stronger sales. Nokia and Microsoft, in particular, are trying to generate interest in a new Windows operating system out next month. The two phones announced Wednesday by Nokia are its first to run Windows Phones 8.
Sales of Apple’s iPhones are still strong, though the company lost the lead in smartphones to Samsung this year. Samsung Electronics benefited from having its Galaxy S III out in the U.S. in June, while Apple was still selling an iPhone model released last October. A new iPhone is expected as early as this month, allowing Apple to recapture the attention and the revenue. Apple dominates the market for tablet computers.
Gadgets galore before iPhone
Amazon, Motorola, Nokia hope to blunt big announcement
By Anick Jesdanun
Associated Press
NEW YORK —Itwasabig week for gadget announcements as Amazon, Nokia and Motorola all tried to generate interest in their products before Apple’s expected announcement of a new iPhone next Wednesday.Amazon announced four new Kindle Fire models and a new line of stand-alone ereaders on Thursday, a day after Nokia and Motorola unveiled five new smartphones between them. Makers of consumer electronics are refreshing their products for the holiday shopping season. Apple’s rivals are hoping that a head start on the buzz will translate into stronger sales. Nokia and Microsoft, in particular, are trying to generate interest in a new Windows operating system out next month. The two phones announced Wednesday by Nokia are its first to run Windows Phones 8.
Sales of Apple’s iPhones are still strong, though the company lost the lead in smartphones to Samsung this year. Samsung Electronics benefited from having its Galaxy S III out in the U.S. in June, while Apple was still selling an iPhone model released last October. A new iPhone is expected as early as this month, allowing Apple to recapture the attention and the revenue. Apple dominates the market for tablet computers.
JOE KLAMAR/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES
Amazon announced four new Kindle Fire models as it tries to pick up steam in the tablet market before the holiday season.
=======================================================================================
Seven out of every 10 tablets shipped in the second quarter were iPads, according to research firm IHS iSuppli.
Rivals have been trying to compete with smaller, cheaper models — such as Amazon’s Kindle Fire. On Thursday, Amazon announced new models, including ones with screens nearly as large as the iPad’s.
Now there’s speculation that Apple will be coming out with a smaller iPad as well.
Here’s a look at what to expect:
New iPhone
Apple has come out with a new iPhone each year, and that’s likely to continue. The new model is expected to work with fourth-generation, or 4G, cellular networks that phone companies have been building. That capability is something the S III and many other iPhone rivals already have. A bigger iPhone screen is also possible. Apple will host an event in San Francisco on Wednesday. Sales usually begin a week or two after such an announcement. One thing is known: Apple plans to update its phone software this fall and will ditch Google’s mapping service for its own, as a rivalry between the two companies intensifies.
Smaller iPad
Apple has done well selling its full-sized tablet computer, which has a screen that measures nearly 10 inches diagonally. Many companies have tried to come out with iPad alternatives, but the ones that have had moderate success have tended to be those with smaller, 7-inch screens and lower price tags. There’s speculation that Apple will come out with a mini iPad this fall — possibly with a 7.85-inch screen — to compete with those rivals. Apple hasn’t said anything about its plans.
Rekindling the Fire
Amazon.com’s 7-inch Kindle Fire is one of the smaller tablets with decent sales. Starting next Friday, it will sell an updated version with a faster processor, more memory and longer battery life. It will also cut the price to $159, from $199, making it far cheaper than the iPad, which starts at $399 for the 2011 version still on sale. (The most recent ones start at $499.) Amazon is also releasing higher-end models under the Kindle Fire HD line. A 7-inch one will go for $199, while an 8.9-inch one will go for $299. There’s also a $499 model that can use the 4G cellular networks that phone companies have been building. A data plan will cost an extra $50 a year. The smaller HD model will start shipping next week, while the larger ones will be available Nov. 20.
Amazon also refreshed its line of stand-alone ereaders, offering the Paperwhite, with its own light source.
Motorola’s return
Though it’s a pioneer in the cellphone industry, Motorola hasn’t had a hit since the Razr phone came out in 2004. Under new owner Google, Motorola Mobility is trying to change that.
On Wednesday, Motorola announced three new smartphones bearing the Razr name. Verizon Wireless started taking orders for the first of the new phones, the Droid Razr M. It’s a cheaper, smaller phone than the Razr that Motorola launched last year. The $99 Razr M will be in stores next Thursday, the day after Apple’s announcement.
Motorola will have two high-end models, the Razr HD and Razr Maxx HD, later this year. It’s emphasizing long battery life — up to 21 hours of talk time for the Maxx HD, or 10 hours of video streaming.
Calling on Windows
Microsoft will release a new version of the Windows operating system Oct. 26, one that’s designed to work on both traditional computers and tablet devices. A new version of the Windows Phone system is coming out, too. Once-dominant phone maker Nokia has been struggling in the shadow of Apple and Android, and it’s counting on the new Windows system for a revival. On Wednesday, Nokia and Microsoft unveiled two new devices under Nokia’s Lumia brand — the 820 and the 920.
Nokia CEO Stephen Elop says the new phones will go on sale in the fourth quarter in “select markets.” He didn’t say what they would cost or which U.S. carriers would have them.
Samsung, which surpassed Nokia as the world’s largest maker of mobile phones in 2011 and overtook Apple in smartphones this year, showed off a Windows 8 phone last week. It didn’t announce an availability date either.
Surface
Microsoft plans its own tablet computer, too. It’s new territory for Microsoft, which typically leaves it to others to make devices using its software. Now, it will be competing against its partners.
The Surface tablet will come in two versions, both with 10.6-inch screens, slightly larger than the iPad’s. One model will run on phone-style chips, just like the iPad, and will be sold for a similar price. A heavier, more expensive version will run on Intel chips and be capable of running standard Windows applications. The Surface will go on sale Oct. 26.
New BlackBerrys
A year ago Research In Motion disclosed that it was working on a nextgeneration phone system for the BlackBerry, which now looks ancient next to the iPhone and Android devices. It was supposed to be out in time for this year’s holiday season. That won’t happen.
In June RIM pushed the release of BlackBerry 10 devices into early next year, saying it wasn’t ready. That means RIM will not only compete with the new iPhone and Android devices out this fall, but it will also have to contend with the new Windows devices.
BEBETO MATTHEWS/ASSOCIATED PRESS
Motorola announced three new Droid Razr smartphones, the M, HD and Maxx HD. Motorola hasn’t had a hit since the Razr line was introduced in 2004, but new owner Google hopes to change that.
Rivals have been trying to compete with smaller, cheaper models — such as Amazon’s Kindle Fire. On Thursday, Amazon announced new models, including ones with screens nearly as large as the iPad’s.
Now there’s speculation that Apple will be coming out with a smaller iPad as well.
Here’s a look at what to expect:
New iPhone
Apple has come out with a new iPhone each year, and that’s likely to continue. The new model is expected to work with fourth-generation, or 4G, cellular networks that phone companies have been building. That capability is something the S III and many other iPhone rivals already have. A bigger iPhone screen is also possible. Apple will host an event in San Francisco on Wednesday. Sales usually begin a week or two after such an announcement. One thing is known: Apple plans to update its phone software this fall and will ditch Google’s mapping service for its own, as a rivalry between the two companies intensifies.
Smaller iPad
Apple has done well selling its full-sized tablet computer, which has a screen that measures nearly 10 inches diagonally. Many companies have tried to come out with iPad alternatives, but the ones that have had moderate success have tended to be those with smaller, 7-inch screens and lower price tags. There’s speculation that Apple will come out with a mini iPad this fall — possibly with a 7.85-inch screen — to compete with those rivals. Apple hasn’t said anything about its plans.
Rekindling the Fire
Amazon.com’s 7-inch Kindle Fire is one of the smaller tablets with decent sales. Starting next Friday, it will sell an updated version with a faster processor, more memory and longer battery life. It will also cut the price to $159, from $199, making it far cheaper than the iPad, which starts at $399 for the 2011 version still on sale. (The most recent ones start at $499.) Amazon is also releasing higher-end models under the Kindle Fire HD line. A 7-inch one will go for $199, while an 8.9-inch one will go for $299. There’s also a $499 model that can use the 4G cellular networks that phone companies have been building. A data plan will cost an extra $50 a year. The smaller HD model will start shipping next week, while the larger ones will be available Nov. 20.
Amazon also refreshed its line of stand-alone ereaders, offering the Paperwhite, with its own light source.
Motorola’s return
Though it’s a pioneer in the cellphone industry, Motorola hasn’t had a hit since the Razr phone came out in 2004. Under new owner Google, Motorola Mobility is trying to change that.
On Wednesday, Motorola announced three new smartphones bearing the Razr name. Verizon Wireless started taking orders for the first of the new phones, the Droid Razr M. It’s a cheaper, smaller phone than the Razr that Motorola launched last year. The $99 Razr M will be in stores next Thursday, the day after Apple’s announcement.
Motorola will have two high-end models, the Razr HD and Razr Maxx HD, later this year. It’s emphasizing long battery life — up to 21 hours of talk time for the Maxx HD, or 10 hours of video streaming.
Calling on Windows
Microsoft will release a new version of the Windows operating system Oct. 26, one that’s designed to work on both traditional computers and tablet devices. A new version of the Windows Phone system is coming out, too. Once-dominant phone maker Nokia has been struggling in the shadow of Apple and Android, and it’s counting on the new Windows system for a revival. On Wednesday, Nokia and Microsoft unveiled two new devices under Nokia’s Lumia brand — the 820 and the 920.
Nokia CEO Stephen Elop says the new phones will go on sale in the fourth quarter in “select markets.” He didn’t say what they would cost or which U.S. carriers would have them.
Samsung, which surpassed Nokia as the world’s largest maker of mobile phones in 2011 and overtook Apple in smartphones this year, showed off a Windows 8 phone last week. It didn’t announce an availability date either.
Surface
Microsoft plans its own tablet computer, too. It’s new territory for Microsoft, which typically leaves it to others to make devices using its software. Now, it will be competing against its partners.
The Surface tablet will come in two versions, both with 10.6-inch screens, slightly larger than the iPad’s. One model will run on phone-style chips, just like the iPad, and will be sold for a similar price. A heavier, more expensive version will run on Intel chips and be capable of running standard Windows applications. The Surface will go on sale Oct. 26.
New BlackBerrys
A year ago Research In Motion disclosed that it was working on a nextgeneration phone system for the BlackBerry, which now looks ancient next to the iPhone and Android devices. It was supposed to be out in time for this year’s holiday season. That won’t happen.
In June RIM pushed the release of BlackBerry 10 devices into early next year, saying it wasn’t ready. That means RIM will not only compete with the new iPhone and Android devices out this fall, but it will also have to contend with the new Windows devices.
BEBETO MATTHEWS/ASSOCIATED PRESS
Motorola announced three new Droid Razr smartphones, the M, HD and Maxx HD. Motorola hasn’t had a hit since the Razr line was introduced in 2004, but new owner Google hopes to change that.
2 comments:
The mobile app developers must be going a little crazy trying to scale their program displays correctly though with all these different form factors. Just thinking how iOS app developers already have to deal with the iPhone 3, iPhone 4, iPad, and iPad 3 resolution varieties.
I definitely agree with putting more market pressure on Apple to lower the price points, though ultimately I think Apple will still try to position itself as the high end luxury sort of tablet.
Thanks Ben for your comment.. on mobile programming.. actually it is not that too bad.. if programmers design their code for apps properly it can take care of different versions. Off course, you do need to take care of different additional capabilities of the systems/hardware but I don't think it is that bad.
Having said that, I have only taken some basic programming bootcamp and haven't done any production grade app programming.. but principally, it is easily doable..
Apple definitely carries premium and they will continue to.. their entire framework and ecosystem will always have edge. it is widely rumored that they are coming up with smaller form factor Table along with iPhone5 or couple of weeks/months later... definitely before holidays season. But with Amazon selling 9 inch tablet for $300.. it will hurt them in that segment for sure.. Let us see.. competition is always good and healthy for everyone..
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