Report: "Better" Amazon Tablet Coming in January

Will early adopters feel stung come January?

Amazon today announced three new Kindles and a new Kindle Tablet, dubbed the Kindle Fire. However, previous Amazon tablet rumors suggested that there was not one but two Amazon tablets. The 7-inch Fire, which we saw unveiled today, and a larger 10-inch model that is supposedly set to launch in the first quarter of 2012. The story went that Amazon planned to launch the 7-inch model in time for the holidays and then, if it was successful, launch the big one next year.

Jeff Bezos didn't say anything about a second Fire during this morning's press conference. That said, word on the street still says the 10-inch model is coming, and soon. Ryan Block over at GDGT says that today's Kindle Fire is nothing more than a stopgap and that a "second, better version" is coming in about three months time.

"My sources tell me the second-gen Kindle tablet (or Kindle Fire, as it's now been dubbed) will be out in Q1 of 2012 -- yes, that soon. That was always the plan, but the delays of the v1 product have messed up Amazon's release cycle," he said, adding that the worst part of it all is that the second device seems to be the one that Amazon truly believes in.

We all know that the current pace of the mobile industry means that there's always another version coming. However, if Block is right and Amazon is releasing a superior version so soon after the first Kindle Fire goes on sale (it hits shelves November 15), we can see early adopters being very peeved. While there's definitely a market for 7-inch tablets, the Kindle Fire is supposed to be a media device, and we can't help but feel that though people may be drawn in by the appeal of this current Kindle Fire, they might realize it's a little bit dinky to be watching telly on when the 10-inch model arrives.

Amazon has not commented on rumors of a second, larger Kindle Fire, nor has it denied reports that a 10-inch model is coming in the new year.

Would you recommend the Kindle Fire to a friend or would you advise them to wait until after the holidays?

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anonymous@guest , September 29, 2011 8:50 AM

Today, without knowing it, I was shopping for a Kindle, and during my comparing the models (I was going to go for the 3Gwifi -- shazam! I hear about this "newer and better" model. The dilemma is simple: spend money now and be happy for a few months, then find out, I have a dated Kindle, and feel like I wasted money. The alternative now seems to be, not spending ANY money, so I wonder about Bezos playing these games with the consumers. This happens with all this new technology, and I am increasingly reluctant to make outlays-especially with money so tight and not having a clue about what the future will bring. This is the Apple tease I am sick of.and it doesn't make me like the Kindle more,
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eklipz330 , September 29, 2011 8:54 AM

i highly doubt amazon will choose to alienate their customers like that. the 10" will probably be ~$75 more, and have everything this one has including a bigger screen.

and if it's a big screen you're looking for, this obviously won't fit the bill
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media_wonder , September 29, 2011 9:11 AM

Its called buying stuff when it comes out and then selling it when something better comes out so you get it for cheap.
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wopr11 , September 29, 2011 9:13 AM

I'd recommend to buy both - leave the small one for reading and the big one for movies, videos and games. Heck at $199 I could buy one for every member of my family.
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eddieroolz , September 29, 2011 1:13 PM

Given that the current Amazon tablet seems low powered and is suggested to be a "stopgap", this is natural.
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anonymous@guest , September 29, 2011 7:58 PM

So if the 7 inch tablet is called the Fire... then maybe the 10 inch will be called the Inferno. That would be about the coolest thing Amazon could ever do.
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back_by_demand , September 29, 2011 8:38 PM

The thing I like about a 7" tablet, over a 10" tablet, is that if it is intended as a colour eBook reader then it is already the same kind of size as a paperback book, which would make it more comfortable to hold and read.

I'm not saying that the the 10" can't do the same job, just that the size of the 7" is right for that specific role.
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gokanis , September 29, 2011 8:44 PM

woofda9Today, without knowing it, I was shopping for a Kindle, and during my comparing the models (I was going to go for the 3Gwifi -- shazam! I hear about this "newer and better" model. The dilemma is simple: spend money now and be happy for a few months, then find out, I have a dated Kindle, and feel like I wasted money. The alternative now seems to be, not spending ANY money, so I wonder about Bezos playing these games with the consumers. This happens with all this new technology, and I am increasingly reluctant to make outlays-especially with money so tight and not having a clue about what the future will bring. This is the Apple tease I am sick of.and it doesn't make me like the Kindle more,

You know, its not about you, but thats ok. Actually for $200 the new kindle is not too bad, I was looking at the new touch reader, but for $60 more, I can watch movives, play a couple games. Not a bad deal. Do I want to wait for a 10 inch version and maybe another $100 and a camera and other stuff I don't need, not sure. Lets wait on the reviews and see what happens, bigger is not always better.
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dark_lord69 , September 29, 2011 8:53 PM

I would tell them to wait...
Also...
You said "better" in title of the article.
Ok, I get that it will be bigger but how will it be "better".
You make that claim with nothing to back it up aside from a quote using the word "better" from Ryan Block. How do we know this guy isn't just thinking bigger IS better? I would be fine with the 7" version if I knew that the 10" version wasn't going to be any faster... On the other hand I'd rather have one that is faster and if that will be the case in January then I'd be willing to wait... Since I don't know for sure I think I'll wait.
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alexmx , September 29, 2011 9:10 PM

Three months ago I got the KSO, I feel like it is outdated but then I think that it is meant for reading mostly, so I don't think I need to replace it.

I'm considering a Kindle Fire for my multimedia needs though. I hope that the 10" model costs 300 USD tops
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13thmonkey , September 29, 2011 10:00 PM

why would early adopters be put-out, they know the next version is coming soon. If they didn't announce it, then they could be put out.

Please make the site work in IE9 without compatability mode on, the submit button doesn't work.
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bourgeoisdude , September 29, 2011 10:25 PM

eklipz330i highly doubt amazon will choose to alienate their customers like that. the 10" will probably be ~$75 more, and have everything this one has including a bigger screen.and if it's a big screen you're looking for, this obviously won't fit the bill

$75 more? If that's the case you by both and it'll still be cheaper than the iPad. It'd be brilliant for marketing.
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guanyu210379 , September 30, 2011 1:58 AM

www.bild.de/digital/multimedia/computer/amazon-ipad-kindle-ebook-reader-apple-tablet-20213610.bild.html

Hmmm...Kindle Fire only for US and not for Germany eh? Hey Amazon you wanna play with us your customer? Well, you get the game!
We ain't buying anything from Amazon starting today until the Fire is also available in Germany.
This ain't the way you should treat your customers.
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alextheblue , September 30, 2011 5:46 AM

gokanisActually for $200 the new kindle is not too bad, I was looking at the new touch reader, but for $60 more, I can watch movives, play a couple games. Not a bad deal.
I agree that $200 is a good price point. However, the Kindle Fire and the Kindle Touch are like fire and ice, bad pun intended. The Kindle Touch (or just about any eReader with the e-ink Pearl screen) is completely awesome for reading books. Just as good as an actual book even in direct sunlight. The Kindle Fire and other similar tablets use various types of LCD and LED displays. They're good for most things, but for reading books, they're sub-par. It would be good for the occasional reading, but not good for long reading sessions, or reading in bright light.

Also, battery life on a tablet is measured in hours between charges, including the Kindle Fire. On an e-ink Kindle reader? Measured in weeks, even a month or more depending on usage.
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alextheblue , September 30, 2011 6:20 AM

guanyu210379www.bild.de/digital/multimedia/com [...] .bild.htmlHmmm...Kindle Fire only for US and not for Germany eh? Hey Amazon you wanna play with us your customer? Well, you get the game! We ain't buying anything from Amazon starting today until the Fire is also available in Germany.This ain't the way you should treat your customers.
Haven't you been reading the news? German courts are where Apple goes to get competing tablets banned. For them its like a drive-through order. "Yes, I'd like a number 7, no pickles, Pepsi, and also ban that latest tablet I don't like. Yes, the Amazon one this time."
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guanyu210379 , September 30, 2011 11:16 AM

alextheblueHaven't you been reading the news? German courts are where Apple goes to get competing tablets banned. For them its like a drive-through order. "Yes, I'd like a number 7, no pickles, Pepsi, and also ban that latest tablet I don't like. Yes, the Amazon one this time."

Who said that? Only Samsung got such treatment (stupid ban), other tablets are still free to buy.

Report: "Better" Amazon Tablet Coming in January

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