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Amazon, Apple Expected to Strut Their Small-Tablet Stuff Soon
After a few years of rumors and hints, All Things Digital says that a smaller iPad will debut in October. And Amazon may be trying to steal their thunder with a revamped Kindle tablet: Nerval's Lobster writes with a report at SlashCloud that "Amazon could be readying a new set of Kindle tablets for unveiling in early September. That's the widespread speculation following the online retailer's invitations to media for a Sept. 6 event in Santa Monica, Calif. Even by the coy standards of most tech companies' event invitations, Amazon's is notably bereft of detail. It will take place at 10:30 AM PST at Barker Hangar, a noted (and quite large) event space. But the timing of the event is auspicious: with Apple rumored to be unveiling a smaller iPad in the near future, and the holiday shopping season a few months away, early September could prove the ideal time for Amazon to whip back the curtain from a new tablet and dominate the media conversation, at least for a few days."
Please excuse my friend. Like many technical people, he is under the impression that a spec sheet defines a product, rather than nuances of user experience.
Everyone from Archos to Yarvik who already make 7" tablets should sue Apple for blatantly ripping off their IP.
Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
Clearly Apple is stealing the design of the Kindle Fire in an attempt to create confusion in the market place.
"Have you ever thought about just turning off the TV, sitting down with your kids, and hitting them?"
I think a second, smaller iPad will actually fragment the iPad market and send the message to the world that there are choices in the tablet market. Right now people are patrified to plunk down $600-$800 on "the wonrg" tablet. They know they can't go wrong with the iPad so they buy that. When there are two iPads to choose from that mentality should start to change. People will start asking themselves, "what's the right tablet for me?"
Surface needs to be very cheap if Microsoft wants to make a splash. Microsoft cannot afford another failed product but I'm not sure if they understand how much money a successful product is going to cost them.