Thinking Fire?

It's the HOT new thing - Kindle Fire, Amazon's $199 tablet - but what makes it burn? It sure isn't tech specs. No cameras. Some unknown Android version, presumably rather old, with Amazon's custom interface hacked on top. No Android Market. No Google Apps. This is Android, in some form, under the hood - but it's a uniquely Amazon device. It is not a Google Experience product. There's only one mention of Android on the product page. Amazon is not selling this as an Android tablet. They're selling it as an Amazon tablet. It's use of Android means little. The seven-inch screen won't win many fans in a ten-inch world. So why is it selling like hotcakes?

The price. Nobody can compete with Amazon's price. Even with the features missing, $199 is a bargain for this device. Most likely too good to be true, in fact. The Kindle Fire is almost certainly a subsidized device, something Amazon is selling at a loss in order to push content. This is no surprise, since that's what Kindle has always been about. Just, realize this before you buy it as an iPad alternative. This is a Kindle for video, kids' books, and magazines - one that has basic tablet functionality to help people justify the pricing.

But there's other choices - Lenovo offers the IdeaPad A1 - a cuter, more functional device. Coming out a couple weeks before the Kindle Fire, the A1 will also feature an old Android version, and a 7" screen. But it will be a much less customized Android experience. It'll be a real Android toy. With all the accompanying Google apps. $199 for a 2GB version (Kindle Fire is 8GB) and $249 for a 16GB version. Seems like the better deal to me. It has cameras, too :) Guess what - with the Kindle App for Android, you'll even be able to read your Kindle books on it !

The Kindle Fire is a good choice for some. It looks like Amazon has made easy-to-use a top priority. I'm recommending it to my Grandma, who'd love some form of email and Facebook but can't figure out her computer at all, partially because mouse control is a major challenge for her. But unless simplicity comes above all else, or the the Kindle picture books, magazines, and Amazon video tempts you dearly, I think there will be lots of better choices at the same price point as we get closer to Christmas shopping time.