Amazon plans to release three new Kindle Fires this year
Hot on the heels of Apple’s new iPad, Amazon ups its game
Sales of Apple’s new iPad must be striking fear into the tablet-peddling hearts over at Amazon. Just days after its launch, Apple sold three million new tablets to its adoring fans. That doesn’t bode well for its Kindle Fire rival. According to Chinese news organization Cens, Amazon is preparing to release not one, not two—but three new Kindle Fires this year.
If the report rings true, we can expect a low-end, seven-inch model with a resolution of 1024 by 600; a medium- to high-end model with a resolution of 1280 by 800; and, of course, that higher-end version we’ve already been hearing about at 8.9 inches with a 1920 by 1200 resolution. Current iPad owners might scoff at the Kindle Fire’s less glamorous specs, but Amazon’s version is also a lot cheaper. That makes it wildly popular among first-time users—just take a look at Amazon’s numbers.
After launching its seven-inch 8GB first-generation tablet last year, Amazon sold five million units, making it the world’s second largest tablet PC supplier. Not surprisingly, the online retailer’s App Store is also continuing to grow, and jumped from 4,000 to 31,000 apps in its first year (still a small number compared with Apple’s 500,000+ apps). It’s the main shop for Kindle Fire users, and serves as a convenient alternative to Google Play for Android users.
Additionally, the manufacturing of Amazon’s newest tablets will offer business opportunities to Taiwanese factories. Cens reports that the company will cut production costs and improve the low profit margin of its Kindle Fire by expanding cooperation with Taiwanese suppliers. Supporting businesses include Quanta, Hon Hai and Prime View, among others.
Via: Cens
In: Smartphone · Tagged with: Amazon, Fires, Kindle, plans, release, This, three, Year