Amazon Challenges Apple With Kindle TV
Amazon will soon release set-top Kindle TV later this year that can stream video over the internet. This is a challenge to Apple TV device. The device is being developed by Amazon’s Lab126 in Cupertino, California.
No info on specs or cost yet but we do know the Amazon TV box will plug into TVs and provide Amazon’s digital media content.
Amazon Allow Kindle Fire Users To Block Ads For $15
Amazon has a change of heart over this weekend by changing pricing policy by allowing Kindle Fire HD users to pay $15 extra to turn off ads that are built into the devices.
From Amazon:
With Kindle Fire and Kindle Fire HD, there will be a special offers opt-out option for $15. We know from our Kindle reader line that customers love our special offers and very few people choose to opt out. We’re happy to offer customers the choice.
Kindle Fire HD 7-inch is $200 and ships September 14. The Kindle Fire 8.9-inch will retail at $300 and ships November 20. And adding 4G, with LTE and 32GB storage for only $500. The device will feature an HDMI output for sharing content on a TV. And the display will be using no-gap lamination techniques and antiglare polarization to improve readability. The dual-antenna Wi-Fi antenna system should improve Internet speed and streaming-media quality.
Amazon is also going to release a smartphone that runs on Android OS 4.0 and Nokia Maps.
Amazon Goes After Apple With New Cheaper Kindle Fire HD
Amazon has unveiled new larger Kindle tablets to challenge Apple’s iPad. The Kindle Fire HD has to screen size, the large version has an 8.9-inch screen and the other a 7-inch version.
Kindle Fire HD 7-inch is $200 and ships September 14. The Kindle Fire 8.9-inch will retail at $300 and ships November 20. And adding 4G, with LTE and 32GB storage for only $500. The device will feature an HDMI output for sharing content on a TV. And the display will be using no-gap lamination techniques and antiglare polarization to improve readability. The dual-antenna Wi-Fi antenna system should improve Internet speed and streaming-media quality.
But the Kindle will not be able to compete with Apple when it comes to the number of downloadable apps.
Amazon acknowledged that it is not seeking to make a lot of money off the devices, saying it was more important to get consumers hooked on its vast library of music, e-books and movies.
Amazon is also going to release a smartphone that runs on Android OS 4.0 and Nokia Maps.
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite And Fire Shown In Ads
Amazon has shown ads during the NFL Kickoff for two new devices that appear to be the new Kindle Fire and Paperwhite Kindle e-reader. The new Fire appeared to have a camera and a larger bezel, or frame, around the screen.
Amazon is also going to release a smartphone that runs on Android OS 4.0 and Nokia Maps.
Kindle Paperwhite Leaked
A photo obtained by Verge shows that Amazon is getting ready to release the next version of Kindle called Kindle Paperwhite. The new device is suppose to have these features: higher contrast, high resolution, integrated lighting, and eight weeks of battery life.
Amazon is widely expected to unveil this new Kindles next week.
Google Steps Into Risky Territory With Homepage Advertising
Google has gone down the path of adding self promotion on their main search homepage. This is a risky move for the search company as it is going against their homepage values, Which is:
“Our homepage interface is clear and simple, and pages load instantly. Placement in search results is never sold to anyone, and advertising is not only clearly marked as such, it offers relevant content and is not distracting.”
The appearance of the Google’s Nexus 7 tablet ad has stirred up several bloggers. This is Google’s answer to competing with the impending launch of Apple’s new mini iPad and Amazon’s new Kindle.
Apple iPad Closing In On Amazon Kindle
ChangeWave research found that 32 percent claimed in November to have an iPad as their e-reader while Amazon has 47 percent. 75 percent of iPad owners were very satisfied but only 54 percent of Kindle owners were similarly confident. Looks like the iPad is fast gaining on the Kindle.
Amazon Kindle Ad Taunts Apple iPad
Amazon is taunting Apple’s iPad in a new ad promoting the Kindle. In the commercial, Amazon shows a geeky iPad owner frustrated with not being able to read his device in daylight, while the bikini-clad Kindle user next to him has no such problem.
Amazon is trying very hard to get users to buy Kindle when the company knows it is a much inferior product to Apple’s iPad. iPad has higher resolution, colour display, backlighting and more compared with the Kindle.
Amazon Adds Video And Audio To Kindle App For iPad, iPhone
Amazon has updated their Kindle app for ebook with multimedia features, with books that can play back audio and video when you view them on Apple’s iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad. Starting toady, some Kindle e-books include full video playback as well as embedded audio.
Amazon Competes With iPad With Slimmer Kindle
Amazon could soon release slimmer 0.36 inch thick Kindle which is slightly thinner than 0.5 inch Apple iPad. It will be very difficult for Amazon to get anywhere with the Kindle if it has no colour and a device which is only for reading books.
Amazon planned to release the thinner Kindle this August.
