Only dual-core CPUs instead of the Nexus 7's quad-core, but I don't know how much difference that will make for day-to-day use.
The Fire HD is 13.9 oz (394g) and the Fire HD 8.9" is 20 oz (567g). The Nexus 7 is a svelte 340g, but I don't think the extra couple of ounces on the Fire HD will hurt too much. The iPad is 662g, and let me tell you, it gets heavy after a while. (Pretty screen, though.)
Looks like a great launch: The $199 Fire HD provides twice the storage of the entry Nexus 7 but otherwise comparable specs (and HDMI output as a bonus). The Fire HD 8.9" is smaller and lighter than an iPad - and a lot cheaper at $299 vs. $499 for the entry model. You can get a 7" and an 8.9" and still have a dollar left over compared with the iPad.
Of course, Amazon is being Amazon, and we antipodeans aren't allowed to actually buy the damn things, but apart from that, it looks like a great launch. My best hope is that this will prod some of the other tablet companies into motion.
1
I just got my Fire a few months ago and already it's obsolete. Woe is me. (It's only a 1024*600 display, for one thing.)
I'm probably going to have to get one of these. I wonder how hard it will be to get all my books transferred over. Is it possible at all?
Posted by: Steven Den Beste at Friday, September 07 2012 11:09 AM (+rSRq)
2
If you got the books on Amazon, they should download straight to the device.
I'm using the Kindle App on my Nexus 7, and it has a "sync" option that goes and gets all my books (and my magazine subscriptions). On a real Kindle it's probably even easier.
Posted by: Pixy Misa at Friday, September 07 2012 11:22 AM (PiXy!)
3
When are the new units supposed to hit the street? I bought my Fire at my grocery/variety store (it's hard to explain Fred Meyer to someone who hasn't seen it) and I wonder when the new ones will come into stock.
Posted by: Steven Den Beste at Friday, September 07 2012 01:04 PM (+rSRq)
4
Sounds like the 7" version will ship this month, and the 8.9" model in November.
Posted by: Pixy Misa at Friday, September 07 2012 02:55 PM (PiXy!)
5
CNet reports that ads are mandatory on all Fire HD devices now (my Fire is ad-free). I suppose you could always root it and install Fedora ARM release, but sheesh.
Posted by: Pete Zaitcev at Saturday, September 08 2012 07:34 AM (RqRa5)
6
Yeah, that's annoying, but it explains how they came in $50 cheaper than the Nexus 7.
Posted by: Pixy Misa at Saturday, September 08 2012 01:09 PM (PiXy!)
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I noticed that the front page of amazon, introducing the fire hd's, now mentions future options for removing the ads. *censored* that, I'll wait until I can buy one without the ads at all.
Posted by: RickC at Sunday, September 09 2012 04:06 AM (WQ6Vb)
8
Edit link doesn't work on Chrome. Ignore that previous comment, I was wrong.
Posted by: RickC at Sunday, September 09 2012 04:07 AM (WQ6Vb)
9
Perhaps the Australian delay on the Fire HD is the 4G/LTE component. Negotiating a carrier deal or clearing the actual wireless components through Australian regulatory boards.
I wonder if this is going to put Google into a squeeze since their content store isn't a patch on Amazon's. I can see people going for the Fire as it has so much content available so easily, DRM concerns aside.
Posted by: Andrew at Sunday, September 09 2012 12:58 PM (Ob5uo)
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