The soon-to-be-launched new Amazon tablet that was recently announced by Jeff Bezos on September 28 has been creating quite a buzz among tech enthusiasts. The Kindle Fire offers the functionality of a tablet as well as a color eBook reader, but at an attractively low price.
The Fire is primarily designed as a media consumption device that runs on a modified version of the Android operating system. Does the Kindle Fire have what it takes to blow away the competition in the tablet world and be the tablet to beat, or does it fall short? Read on to find out.
Kindle Fire Features
- 7-inch color touchscreen (IPS) (1024 x 6000 screen resolution)
- 8GB internal storage memory
- 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi connectivity
- Amazon Cloud for unlimited content storage
- Light, weighs only 413 grams
- A single charge provides up to 8 hours of use
- Headphone jack, built-in stereo speakers
- Amazon Prime 1-month free trial
Design
The Kindle Fire bears a strong resemblance to the BlackBerry Playbook in terms of the weight and feel of the device. The design itself is very streamlined, including only one power button on the unit. With its relatively small dimensions of 7.5 x 4.7 x 0.45 inches, the Fire is small enough to fit in a reasonably sized pocket or be held in one hand.
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The 7-inch IPS (in-plane shift) multi-touch display provides a maximum resolution of 1024 x 600 at 16 million colors. The ISP technology used provides an excellent range of viewing angles, making it possible to view the screen at 178° and more.
Despite having a lower resolution than the iPad, text on the Fire’s screen looks sharp and crisp. The screen doesn’t use e-ink technology, though, so if you want a Kindle primarily for reading, I recommend one of the earlier models that feature an e-ink screen to minimize eye strain over long periods.
connectivity
The Fire isn’t too strong on the connectivity front. There is support for Wi-Fi, but no support for Bluetooth, 3G or GPS. The headphone jack is very useful for watching movies or listening to music in private.
User interface
Amazon took a leaf out of the Apple book and went for simplicity when designing the Fire. The user interface is very simple and provides easy navigation through the touch screen. There’s a screen to flip through all your digital content plus an icon tray to store your favorite items.
final thoughts
When all is said and done, the Kindle Fire isn’t a killer iPad, but it sure packs a punch with its specs and is a great entry for Amazon into the tablet market. The lack of cameras, additional internal storage options, and 3G connectivity will be off-putting to some people looking for a full tablet experience, but for many looking for a pure media consumption device, what the Fire offers will suffice.
The Fire’s low price and media capabilities are very attractive, making it worth serious consideration for anyone interested in enjoying media on the go.