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 Samsungs 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.

Amazons 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.

There has been a general rule in the tablet space that the bigger the tablets display, the more appealing it is. Thats why Apple has stuck with the iPads 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 doesnt mean better.

One of the key components in the Kindle Fires sales pitch is the integration of Amazons 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 Fires launch, only Apple and Amazon will be providing so many integrated offerings.

One of the interesting side stories to the Kindle Fire launch is that Amazons 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.

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.

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 havent 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.

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 hasnt wielded so much influence. That leaves an opening for Amazon and its Kindle Fire to strongly influence Android in the tablet market.

Much has been made about Microsofts 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 Amazons 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.

Most research firms agree that over the next several years, Apples 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. Its quite possible that the Kindle Fire contributes to iOS decline.