Why would you buy one?

[NYCHitman1]

If you know how to sideload apps, then this tablet can do everything you need it for. Also, you can root it and I bet there will be more roots and mods soon.

You are still missing the point. The point is that while they (the consumers) have classified it as an Android tablet, it should not be so. It is a media consumption device, at best. No if's, and's or but's about it.

Also, not everyone wants to root so that point is moot as well. 1% of mobile device users hack into their devices. That's an extremely small percentage of people.

 

[grvthang]

I think at this point we're splitting hairs over the definition of a "tablet".

 

[A.Nonymous]

I think at this point we're splitting hairs over the definition of a "tablet".

No where on Amazon's page does it even mention the word Android. Clearly they don't want the consumers thinking of it as just another Android device. They could have WebOS or something else underneath it and it would make no difference to Amazon. Only in the featured reviews does it say the word tablet. None of Amazon's hype about the device even mentions the word. Clearly Amazon has no interest in having this thing marketed as an Android device and very little interest in having it marketed as a tablet. Calling it an Android tablet is forcing a label on it that Amazon doesn't want it to have.

 

[grvthang]

No where on Amazon's page does it even mention the word Android. Clearly they don't want the consumers thinking of it as just another Android device. They could have WebOS or something else underneath it and it would make no difference to Amazon. Only in the featured reviews does it say the word tablet. None of Amazon's hype about the device even mentions the word. Clearly Amazon has no interest in having this thing marketed as an Android device and very little interest in having it marketed as a tablet. Calling it an Android tablet is forcing a label on it that Amazon doesn't want it to have.

So what you're saying is that it uses the Android OS, it runs Android applications, and it has the form factor of a tablet, but because Amazon doesn't call it a tablet, it's not an Android tablet? Sort of like if I had a child that had the sexual organs of a male and I decide to say it's a girl, that makes the child a girl.

 

[Whatstreet]

The Kindle Fire is the illegitimate offspring of an Android tablet and an eReader. Something of a mongrel really.

 

[RawRmon]

Does it really matter what it is? All I know is that it is amazing(to me). I can't put the little sucker down. I rooted it and have had no problem installing Android Market apps into it, and to be frank i probably would have been perfectly content if I hadn't rooted it. I just felt the need to root it because I was getting annoyed with the carousel format and wanted some market apps that were not in the Amazon store.

For what I payed, to expect something so grandiose would have been ludicrous. Thankfully, unlike a lot of people, I did my research and knew exactly what I was buying.

 

[rasmith3530]

So what you're saying is that it uses the Android OS, it runs Android applications, and it has the form factor of a tablet, but because Amazon doesn't call it a tablet, it's not an Android tablet? Sort of like if I had a child that had the sexual organs of a male and I decide to say it's a girl, that makes the child a girl.

grvthang, you're putting words in A.Nonymous' mouth. He didn't say those things, he merely noted what Amazon itself has said, or more correctly, not said, in THEIR marketing campaign of THEIR device.

As I previously stated, I do believe their is a market for this device, and probably a large one at that. That said, I will also state my belief that there will be a lot of returns, primarily from those who've bought into all the media "iPad killer" hype, and then discovered the devices limitations. These will be folks who do not root their devices or install custom ROMs, but rather just want their device to act like an iPad or full Android tablet does.

 

[kennychaffin]

So I've seen this new tablet for about a few days now and Amazon said it's cheap. I had to look it up! £200?! Really...

My question is why would you buy an android tablet that doesn't support the android market unless hacked when you could get the flytouch3 which is 3inchs bigger or one of samsungs 8.9" tablets?

This confused me so anybody own a fire and would tell me what's so great?

Thanks, Jack

One? I bought mine a week ago and have been using it for that time. Just ordered 4 more.

Certainly it is not a full android tablet, but that's what I use my Xoom for. The Fire is perfect as a media consumption device.. particularly for Amazon but also Netflix and others... (and does 98% of what the Xoom does)

 

[Djjasonk]

Fire is an easy to use device marketed towards average non techie ppl. It will get the job done for 70% of ppl. Power users will scoff at it like hardcore gamers do the wii. My mom will think its awesome and that's why it will be successful.