Amazon Launches Kindle Fire HDX Tablets

New submitter casab1anca writes "In classic Amazon fashion, without much fanfare, a bunch of new tablets just popped up on their homepage today. The new range, dubbed HDX, is available in the usual 8.9" and 7" versions, with improved hardware and software, but perhaps equally interesting is the revamped 7" Fire HD from last year, which goes for just $139 now." Compared to the Kindle Fire HD, the new models feature a jump in display density (216 PPI to 323 PPI for the 7" and 254 to 339 PPI for the 9"), a switch from a dual-core TI OMAP Cortex-A9 (at 1.2/1.5GHz) to a quad-core 2.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon, and a bump from 1G to 2G of RAM. On the software side, Android has been upgraded from 4.0 to 4.2.2 and Amazon added a few new features to their applications. Businessweek has an interview with Jeff Bezos running today too (starting a bit down the first page).

Comments

Screen resolution

[ardmhacha]

"Exclusive 8.9" HDX display (2560x1600)"

Dear Laptops

Please increase your screen resolution to something usable.

Thanks

Ownership is being able to modify

[cervesaebraciator]

I'll not complain that my truck has no unlocked bootloader since it doesn't boot. But I wouldn't buy a truck that had only proprietary, locked bolts that no standard set sockets could turn.

While my truck does not boot, it does start up and I can change the starter motor or anything else as I please. I can swap out the engine entirely, convert it biodiesel or electric, or take it apart and sell its components as spares. That's how I know I own it: however it may have come, I can make it as different as I want.

Re:Ownership is being able to modify

[cervesaebraciator]

Yes, quite. That's part of the reason I added the bit about being able to change out the engine.

Indeed, I'm not terribly happen that vehicle computers are often locked down. But relative to, say, and iPad, the vehicle computer is one small, closed, replaceable part on a far more open system. In other words I was saying OP was not irrational or inconsistent in wanting an unlocked tablet, even if he/she happened to own a car.

But, then, now that I put it that way I don't know why anyone would object to someone wanting a more open tablet. Likewise I can't see why one ought to be regarded as hypocritical for wanting an open platform if he happens to own some things which are closed. It's a rather odd response to OP's post really.

Is it still just Amazon content consumption?

[water-and-sewer]

I have a Nexus 7 and like it, so after a year of playing with an Android tablet, I figured I knew what all tablets were like. Then a friend let me try his Kindle and I was bewildered how locked down and confusing it was.

It was great for downloading books and movies from Amazon but from no where else, and I wasn't overly impressed by its other features. It was also freaking HEAVY.

I concluded it was simply a window/screen through which you send your money to Amazon, and not good for much else. Give me a stock Android tablet any day. On my Nexus I've got a Nook app, but I've also got several other ebook readers (Aldiko is great). And I guess I could put a Kindle app on it if I wanted.

Amazon has a great book store and lots of other media too. But if the new Kindle is just a better version of their last Kindle, they can keep it - give me stock Android and a choice of apps any day of the week over a device that's been locked down to be a simple content consumption (hate that word) device.

WTF, where is my laptop with a 9"

[bored]

2560x1600 display.

Dell, Hp, Asus, etc????? Hello!!!!!!

Idiots.