Amazon has just announced their entry level tablet that is branded as the Kindle Fire HD. This is a brand new device that has upgraded specs across the board from the prior Kindle Fire models.
“Two years ago, we revolutionized the tablet industry with the breakthrough $199 price point for tablets—now we’re doing it again with the $139 price point,” said Jeff Bezos, Amazon.com Founder and CEO. “$139 now gets you a 1280×800 216 ppi HD display, a dual-core 1.5 GHz processor, Fire OS 3.0, dual speakers with Dolby audio, vast selection and Amazon-exclusive features like Prime Instant Video downloads, Second Screen, Kindle FreeTime, X-Ray and more.”
Amazon is really appealing to a wide audience with their entire new line of tablets. The HDX models are focusing on the upper echelon of prices with their 8.9 inch costing around $400, not everyone can afford that. The new Kindle Fire HD is very accessible in price and should be a solid entry level device that should appeal to a new audience.
The tablet itself features a 7 inch capacitive touchscreen display with a resolution of 1280×800 pixels. This is basically 66% more pixels than the previous generation Kindle Fire. Underneath the hood is a dual-core 1.5 GHz processor, 60% faster than the previous generation Kindle Fire and 1 GB of RAM. You will be able to get a solid audio experience with the inclusion of the Dolby Stereo speakers.
If you have prior models of the Kindle Fire the entire visual experience is changing. You will be able to actually get a grid view for your apps, similar to the traditional Android experience. If you like to watch movies and television shows, Amazon has introduced a new service called “Second Screen.” It will take content from your tablet and put it on your TV. So if you want to watch a movie and then check your email, only the movie plays on the TV and email on the tablet. It will also have X-Ray for Music, Prime Instant Video downloads, Second Screen, expanded X-Ray for Movies and TV, and more.
Finally, we all remember when Amazon acquired the eBook discovery website GoodReads. You will be able to tap into the ecosystem right on your navigation bar and leave reviews, get recommendations and participate in book culture. Oh, you will also be able to buy about a million Kindle eBooks, if that’s your thing.
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New slimmer and lighter design, HD display, high-performance processor, dual speakers with Dolby Digital Plus audio, and Fire OS 3.0 “Mojito”
Kindle Fire HD comes with access to the exclusive benefits of the Amazon ecosystem—Prime Instant Video, Kindle Owners’ Lending Library, Kindle MatchBook, AutoRip, and the world’s leading digital catalog with over 27 million movies, TV shows, songs, apps, games, books, audiobooks, and magazines
SEATTLE–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Sep. 25, 2013– (NASDAQ: AMZN)—Two years ago, Amazon revolutionized the tablet industry with the $199 Kindle Fire. Today, Amazon is doing it again: introducing the new $139 Kindle Fire HD. Kindle Fire HD is available for pre-order starting today at www.amazon.com/fire-hd.
“Two years ago, we revolutionized the tablet industry with the breakthrough $199 price point for tablets—now we’re doing it again with the $139 price point,” said Jeff Bezos, Amazon.com Founder and CEO. “$139 now gets you a 1280×800 216 ppi HD display, a dual-core 1.5 GHz processor, Fire OS 3.0, dual speakers with Dolby audio, vast selection and Amazon-exclusive features like Prime Instant Video downloads, Second Screen, Kindle FreeTime, X-Ray and more.”
Here’s what you get for $139:
- High-definition display with 1280×800 resolution and 216 pixels per inch, making movies, TV shows, books and games vivid and detailed. 66% more pixels than the previous generation Kindle Fire.
- Powerful, dual-core 1.5 GHz processor, 60% faster than the previous generation Kindle Fire.
- Dual stereo speakers with Dolby Digital Plus audio—the standard in high-end audio.
- All-new slim design that matches the look and feel of the new Kindle Fire HDX.
- Fast streaming, downloads, and web browsing with built-in dual-band Wi-Fi.
- Powered by the latest version of Fire OS—Fire OS 3.0 “Mojito”—with hundreds of new and upgraded features, platform updates, and Amazon-exclusive services.
- Kindle FreeTime extends parental controls to give parents a simple, engaging way to manage the way kids use Kindle Fire—parents select content and set time limits by content type.
- Exclusive new features such as X-Ray for Music, Prime Instant Video downloads, Second Screen, expanded X-Ray for Movies and TV, and more.
- Stay connected and productive with all-new email, calendar, and Silk web browser.
- World’s best content ecosystem—over 27 million movies, TV shows, songs, apps, games, books, audiobooks, and magazines.
The new Origami covers feature an innovative design that allows you to stand Fire HD in both portrait and landscape.
In addition to the new Kindle Fire HD, Amazon also today introduced the new Kindle Fire HDX tablets—to learn more about these new tablets and many of the features listed above, visit www.amazon.com/kindle-pr.
The new Kindle Fire HD is available for pre-order starting today and will begin shipping October 2. Visit www.amazon.com/fire-hd to learn more.[/showhide]
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Michael Kozlowski is the editor-in-chief at Good e-Reader and has written about audiobooks and e-readers for the past fifteen years. Newspapers and websites such as the CBC, CNET, Engadget, Huffington Post and the New York Times have picked up his articles. He Lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
