It is not quite a tablet, but it is not quite an e-reader either. Or is that "it is not just a tablet, but it is not just an e-reader", instead?
Bit hard to say, but if I had to make a baseless assumption, that was probably the point.
A lot of tablet makers have been making the mistake of trying to replace laptops, or even desktops, with their cute little devices, when, in reality, people want something that can idly browse the net, watch movies, play music, show them books, and play games on. This does not require copious power, or massive screens, or complicated front ends, but it does mean the machine has to be smooth, seamless, and responsive, because nothing screws up relaxing on the couch faster than a herky-jerky computer doing anything but what you want it to.
Apparently the Kindle Fire
I kinda want one. But only kinda. Having an Android phone an dealing with Amazon’s Appstore
If this thing were more "Android" and less "Amazon", I would be all over it, but even as it is, more options are always good things.
Once they start shipping, it’ll be probably less than a week before the Fire is rooted and stock Android is put on. Kinda like the Nook.
People ask me (cause apparently I “do” computers and portable stuff, which I don’t, I just read packages/reviews alot) which should they consider, a Kindle, a Nook, or a Ipad. I tell them NOT the Kindle. Which of the other two depends on what they want out of the tablet, but NOT the Kindle. For much the same reasons you stated, plus more. I doubt the Fire will change my mind on that. Most of the folks I know aren’t up to rooting either.
I have a Nook Color running stock Android off of the SD card, and it does everything I need it to. I actually have a card with Honeycomb installed, and one with Gingerbread. I normally use the Honeycomb one, but Gingerbread is a little more stable and complete. It works pretty well, and runs the Nook Android app just like any “real” tablet would, plus I have the option to install the Kindle app if I really want to.
Add to the above: The bonus with the Nook is that it always looks at the SD card first for the bootloader – no rooting necessary. That means that if you need to send it in for service or warranty repairs, all you have to do is take the card out and it will boot back to the stock Nook software with no problems, and no worries about voiding your warranty.
I love my kindle. Honestly, I don’t see why some people dislike the kindle.
That said, I think this fire thing should have 3g. That it doesn’t is a big problem. But I’m not a fan of tablets in general.
@ wizardpc: Oh, I know, but something tells me that rooting this particular device will completely destroy the Amazon-integration that makes it so intriguing…
@ Ruth: Honestly, Better Half and I have been thoroughly impressed with the Kindle precisely because of its seamless Amazon integration. But it is not a tablet, and putting it in the same arena as actual, honest-to-God tablets (or even devices that can be made into tablets) is not exactly fair. Likewise, a fully-Amazon-integrated tablet, while interesting, presents a whole host of problems that a fully-integrated e-reader does not.
@ Jake: For precisely that reason (the ability to stick in the card and take it out whenever you want), a semi-”rooted” Nook is at the top of my “potential tablet” list, despite all of the other actually-Android tablets running about out there… The pricepoint cannot be beaten, and the flexibility is appealing.
@ Heather: I could totally see a tablet taking over most of my computing needs except hardcore typing and gaming. But, yeah, advertising the whole “cloud” thing and how it ties in with Amazon-served music and videos, and then not putting 3G in it? Bad idea. At least provide the option, though Lord knows it would not be free like the Kindle’s.
Oh I like the Kindle hardware, but I have issues with Amazon frankly (they have a history of deleting purchases out of libraries with no notice for example) where I don’t want them in charge my ebook library. I try to avoid buying digital anything from them frankly.
Understandable – the one time they did that and it made public news, I cannot say as though I was terribly happy with it either. Me, I definitely prefer Baen’s DRM-free take on the situation, and they seem to be doing pretty well despite/because of it.