Ron Schenone

If Amazon Builds An Android Kindle Tablet, Would You Buy One?

Posted by on Mar 21, 2011 | 3 Comments

According to Amazon it has sold millions of its popular eBook reader, Kindle. The Kindle is advertised on Amazon as a device that not only allows the reader to download eBooks, but also newspapers and magazines. Its 3G model is also unique since it provides free access to the Amazon site from anywhere that 3G service is available. With a battery that Amazon claims will last for over a month, the Kindle is in fact a very popular and reliable device.

So could an Android Kindle Tablet actually be in the Amazon arsenal coming our way soon? Amazon has been on a recent hiring adventure looking for Android developers. At first some thought it was for the upcoming Android application store soon to hit Amazon shelves. But now it seems that some are thinking that Amazon could be in the process of building an Android Kindle Tablet of its own.

So what would Amazon accomplish by having its own tablet computer? Amazon is and has been in direct competition with Apple for music downloads, Barnes and Noble [at one time], for eBook downloads, and also against Netflix for the movie streaming plus rental business. Amazon also has what I would describe as a trustworthy reputation. For the most part all of my deals with Amazon have been great and I am even a Prime member. I now have access to its free movie rental service, which like Netflix and DirecTV provides old movies of little or no value (just my personal opinion).

What Amazon may be looking at is how the company can position itself — kind of like an online Walmart of sorts. Amazon having its own tablet computer would allow the company to not only offer Android applications, but also movies, music, and TV shows it controls to a device that it also would make. This is not to say that the device wouldn’t also offer other third party applications or downloads. Amazon, because of its reputation, could become the next great tablet company.

I see this situation like standing at a craps table in any gambling casino. Standing around the table are representatives from all of the major tablet producers, soon to be tablet producers, the music, movie, and TV entertainment industries. No one is exactly sure who is going to throw a 7 or 11, make the point, or crap out. With billions of dollars at stake it should be interesting to see what happens.

Would you buy an Android Kindle Tablet?

Comments welcome.

Source – Betanews

Source – slashgear

  • Dick

    Like many things at my age – Depends.

    Price? Screen size? Touch screen? Price?
    Did I mention price?

    My primary need is an eBook reader. I have the Sony with the 7″ touch screen and like it. I chose it over the Kindle because of a few things Amazon does. They like to lock you in. Non-user replaceable battery, their own format, etc. Will they do this with their tablet?

    Have to get more information before deciding. Then wait for the early adopters to get burned and prices to drop.

  • http://www.pkgamer.net SpyderBite

    I would prefer to have an eBook function already built in to my wireless device and not the other way around.

    I currently use the Kindle software on my Blackberry Bold so I have no need to purchase a separate tablet device to read books. If Amazon adds Android (or any of the other mobile OS options) it will certainly attract those who settled for the iPad.

    Personally, I’m awaiting the Blackberry Playbook tablet. It will work on an OS I’m already familiar with as well as continue to offer the secure Pushed email and messaging that I’ve enjoyed for years.

    Certainly won’t become my primary mobile device. But, I may be tempted to get it just to have something for travel or as an alternative to bringing a book to bed with me.

  • DLFDOS

    YES, I WOULD DEFINITELY PURCHASE AN AMAZON TABLET.
    I HAVE BEEN HOLDING OUT WAITING ON THE SIDE LINES FOR SUCH AN ITEM TO APPEAR. I HAVE NOT PURCHASED THE KINDLE, NOOK, IPAD OR SAMSUNG TABLET, BELIEVING THAT AMAZON, WOULD HAVE THIS TYPE OF ITEM BEING MARKETED IN THE NEAR FUTURE.