Kindle Fire 2 HD 8.9 is a direct threat to Apple’s new iPad
Amazon’s recently introduced Kindle Fire 2 HD 8.9 tablet is a direct threat to Apple’s new iPad. Amazon revamped its successful Kindle Fire tablet with three models. Raising stiff competition to Google and Apple, Amazon has now three small inch tablets. They are a refreshed version of the original Kindle Fire, its HD version (both have the same 7-inch displays) and new 8.9-inch Kindle Fire HD. The last one will be the premium model of the firm’s Android tablets. Well, the retailer might have devised the model to fight both the mainstream iPad and its rumored mini version.
Here we go to review the new Amazon Kindle Fire HD 8.9. The device is set to come with lots hardware improvements as well as software features. Amazon really wants to stick its Kindle Fire users to the new device. Of course, going by earlier reviews, it looks that the larger Kindle Fire can certainly hold the customers. Amazon can again do magic in tablet market. Besides other Android product makers, Apple will also find severe threat in Amazon’s products.
Form Factor and Design
Amazingly, the Kindle Fire 8.9 HD is slimmer than any of its possible rivals; the Nexus 7 and Apple iPad. The device measures in at 240 x 164 x 8.8mm with the slimness going beyond both Nexus 7 and iPad, which respectively tout 10.45mm and 9.4mm. When it comes to the weight, the device is up with 567gms, which makes it lighter than iPad that weighs at 652gms. But, here the smaller Nexus 7 weighs only at 340gms.
Display Screen
Well, the new Kindle Fire sports an 8.9-inch IPS LCD display that packs 1920 x 1200 pixels. Though smaller than iPad, the Kindle Fire display doesn’t come anywhere close to the new iPad’s stunning 2048 x 1536 pixels. Apple’s Retina Display brings this amazing resolution to iPad. But, it is a great improvement from Nexus 7’s 800 x 1280 pixels screen.
Processor & Other Innards
The new Kindle Fire is supported by a powerful 1.2GHz dual-core TI OMAP4460 processor. Plus, the device gets further strength from 1GB of RAM. It is nothing in front of Nexus 7 that comes with a Tegra 3 quad core processor. The device comes in three memory versions; 16GB, 32GB and 64GB. For connectivity, the tablet shows off Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, dual-antenna, Bluetooth and 4G LTE. Making a major difference from its original, the new Kindle Fire has dual stereo speakers. Therefore, you can enjoy Dolby Audio quality when the tablet is placed in landscape mode.
Camera
Amazon has integrated an HD front camera on Kindle Fire 8.9 HD. The device’s original version missed both the cameras. Though a market success, the original Kindle Fire was blamed for its lack of cams. It is here Amazon has brought a front camera on all new models of its Kindle Fire tablet. Well, it looks quite logical that a tablet comes only with a front camera. Most people don’t use a tablet’s rear camera for making images or videos. Yet, front camera is a must, because video chatting is one of the notable features of the device.
Price and Availability
Amazon is to ship the large Kindle Fire to market on November 9, 2012. The device’s lower 16GB version will come for $299; meanwhile, 32GB version will go for $369 and 64GB for $599. It is when Apple sells its iPad versions respectively for $499, $599 and $699. Google’s 7-inch Nexus tablet’s 8GB version goes for $199 and 16GB goes for $249.
Final Words
Doubtlessly, the new Kindle Fire HD 8.9 is a direct challenge to Apple iPad, which has a 9.7-inch form factor. Amazon seems to have reduced the size to 8.9-inch to still make it a small tablet. On the other hand, for Nexus 7 and other 7-inch tablets, Amazon’s small Kindle Fire HD 7-inch will be a threat. Amazon is now secure even if Apple comes with a small mini iPad as rumored.
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