My thoughts on the Kindle Fire

I had a few people email in asking on my thoughts on the Kindle Fire.  Here is what will go up on the show tonight:

I would love to tell you today's show was delayed so that I could get more info on the new Amazon Tablet - but the reality is it had more to do with Allergies and contents of my stomach not wanted to stay there. Neither alone is good when trying to record a show but combined there was nothing I could do. I bring this up because with the Kindle Fire - and it priced at $199 - I am sure there are more than a few Android tablet makers that had the same issues with their stomach that I had last night. In a nut shell - I think this kills the rest of the Android tablets. And it will have its impact on the iPad as well - but more so with other android and none iOS tablets. The Fire from what was shown today is a very impressive device at just $199.  It actually has a better resolution display than the iPad at 169 Pixels per inch vs 132 for the iPad.  Hmm - Now that seems to be a place where the iPad 3 might be able to improve upon.  In Some ways the Fire has raised the bar in a way Apple has to respond.  

 

While Apple has been given grief about having just a home button the Fire - does not even go that far - just a power button - and not even buttons for volume.  Expect that to be a point of contention for some.  But really - with all the Android people poking sticks at the iPad and iPhone for lack of inputs and buttons - I am not going to go there with the Fire.  It looks to be a minimally designed device that has some horse power and is simple to use - i.e. the iPad model.  And it is less than half the price.  Or half the price of the 16 GB iPad 1 when you can get them.  The Fire is just 8 GB and it is really meant as a streaming device - in other words all your content is up on the cloud.  For some that will be an issue - for many it will not.  If you like the 11 point multitouch with the iPad - the 2 point dual touch of the Fire may be frustrating.  

 

Is this an iPad killer No - I don't think such a thing exists.  Is it a killer of all none-iPad Tablets - Yes - I think it is.  This takes the low end of the market and blows it away.  The iPad already has the high end.  And everyone in between well they have their stomach feeling like mine was last night.