With the launch of the Amazon Kindle Fire only a few weeks away, just about everyone is speculating on how it might affect the tablet business. For its part, Amazon believes that it should be able to secure a sizable portion of the tablet space with its device and, thus, put some real pressure on the leader in the market, Apple. Chances are that Amazon might be right. Based on the data available now, Amazon has reportedly ordered more Kindle Fire units than it initially anticipated. What’s more, the company’s decision to make it easy for the millions of people who visit Amazon every day to find the tablet on its home page has improved sales, and that will only continue to help them in the future. Meanwhile, other tablet vendors trying to grow their market share will find themselves overshadowed by not one, but now two premier tablet makers. When the Kindle Fire launches, it might just change the tablet space in several major ways. This eWEEK slide show looks at the various ways the Kindle Fire could reshape the table market.
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It’ll Make Android More Relevant
Although there are several Android-based tablets on store shelves, the operating system has yet to catch on. In fact, only Samsung’s Galaxy Tab 10.1 can be considered a major hit in the marketplace. But the Kindle Fire, which will run Android, could change all that. With a $199 price tag and a brand that people trust, to boot, the Kindle Fire could put Android on the tablet map.
A Price War Will Ensue
Amazon’s decision to price the Kindle Fire at just $199 was a shock to many industry observers. At that price, the device is now much cheaper than the iPad 2, which starts at $499, and substantially more affordable than the vast majority of Android tablets available now. In this economy, such pricing is quite appealing. Expect a price war to ensue among tablet makers after the Kindle Fire launches.
Maybe Bigger Doesn’t Mean Better
There has been a general rule in the tablet space that the bigger the tablet’s display, the more appealing it is. That’s why Apple has stuck with the iPad’s 9.7-inch display, and companies like Samsung and Motorola have 10.1-inch screens. But if the Kindle Fire with its 7-inch multi-touch display is as successful as many believe it will be, maybe it can buck that trend and prove once and for all that in the tablet space, bigger doesn’t mean better.
It’ll Make Integrated Services Important
One of the key components in the Kindle Fire’s sales pitch is the integration of Amazon’s many services, including its Cloud drive, MP3 download store and Kindle e-books. If the Kindle Fire becomes a success, it could force other companies trying to make it big in the tablet market to think seriously about offering integrated services like that. After all, after the Kindle Fire’s launch, only Apple and Amazon will be providing so many integrated offerings.
The Android Market Could Take a Hit
One of the interesting side stories to the Kindle Fire launch is that Amazon’s tablet will provide applications through its own application marketplace. In other words, the Android Market could find itself in some deep trouble if the Kindle Fire takes off. Be sure to keep a close eye on that story after the Kindle Fire launches.
More Than One Company Can Succeed
Just about everyone assumes that the Kindle Fire will be a wildly popular device when it launches. As long as it lives up to that hype, it will prove what no other device before it has: More than one tablet can succeed in this market.
Timing Is Everything
Looking back at the past year, the decision on the part of other Android tablet vendors such as Motorola and Samsung to launch their devices so early in 2011 might have been an issue. With the economy the way it is, consumers are holding back their cash for the holiday shopping season in many cases. So they haven’t even considered buying the Xoom or countless other Android-based tablets. Amazon, however, is launching its Kindle Fire in November—a prime time to capitalize on the holidays.
It’ll Take Power From Google
In the Android ecosystem, Google has mostly controlled its own fate thus far. Not only does Google develop Android, but it also inks deals with vendors to install Android on some of the top handsets in the space. In the tablet market, however, Google hasn’t wielded so much influence. That leaves an opening for Amazon and its Kindle Fire to strongly influence Android in the tablet market.
Microsoft Might Need to Rethink Its Strategy
Much has been made about Microsoft’s intentions to get into the tablet space with Windows 8. However, the company might need to rethink its strategy after seeing how the Kindle Fire performs on store shelves. So far, Microsoft is promising all kinds of functionality on tablets running Windows 8, but the Kindle Fire is decidedly simpler than that. If Amazon’s claims are to be believed, consumers are prepared to make it a big hit. Depending upon that level of success, Kindle Fire might just force Microsoft to change its tablet strategy.
A Swifter iOS Decline?
Most research firms agree that over the next several years, Apple’s iOS tablet market share will decline. However, those same firms believe that overall the Apple OS will stay atop the market. With the Kindle Fire launching with much fanfare, that decline in iOS market share might just happen sooner than some think. After all, if the Kindle Fire can deliver on its promise, there might be a host of people who decide to drop $200 on that device, rather than the $500 it takes to buy an iPad 2. It’s quite possible that the Kindle Fire contributes to iOS’ decline.
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With the launch of the Amazon Kindle Fire only a few weeks away, just about everyone is speculating on how it might affect the tablet business. For its part, Amazon believes that it should be able to secure a sizable portion of the tablet space with its device and, thus, put some real pressure on the leader in the market, Apple. Chances are that Amazon might be right. Based on the data available now, Amazon has reportedly ordered more Kindle Fire units than it initially anticipated. What’s more, the company’s decision to make it easy for the millions of people who visit Amazon every day to find the tablet on its home page has improved sales, and that will only continue to help them in the future. Meanwhile, other tablet vendors trying to grow their market share will find themselves overshadowed by not one, but now two premier tablet makers. When the Kindle Fire launches, it might just change the tablet space in several major ways. This eWEEK slide show looks at the various ways the Kindle Fire could reshape the table market.