Kindle Fire Tablets now starting at $99 with 6 to 8.9 inch

[Roland00Address]

Edit: Sneaky amazon taking down pages and putting new ones up. Updated with more to update info.

Quick Summary

• New cheap 6 and 7 inch models, cortex a15+1280x800 ips for cheap
• Kids tablets with bumpers and 2 year Accidental Warranties included
• The high end HDX 7 inch gets an os bump but no other change
• The high end HDX 8.9 inch gets a very minor cpu 805 Snapdragon bump, a bigger graphics bump, wireless AC, and new os

Now you are going to see these chips marketed as quad cores but understand it is a cortex a15 dual core + cortex a7 dual core in a big little for a total of 4 cores.

Supposedly though it can use both the a7 and the a15 together at the same time according to mediatek's marketing.

Developers page , Press Release, New HDX 8.9 , Press Release, HD 6 and HD 7, Press Release, Kids Edition

$99+ special offers HD 6 Amazon Link
Fire HD 6 (4th Gen)
MTK8135 quad-core 2xA15 1.5 gz + 2xA7, 1.2 GHz
PowerVR G6200
1 GB RAM
8 or 16 GB storage
6" 1280x800 HD Resolution IPS Screen, 252 ppi
B/G/N no a so no 5 GHz, 4.0 Bluetooth low energy, No GPS
FireOS 4.x based off android 4.4.2
169 mm x 103 mm x 10.7 mm
270 grams

$139+ special offers HD 7 Amazon Link
Fire HD 7 (4th Gen)
same specs as HD 6 unless I mention a change
7" 1280x800 HD Resolution IPS Screen, 216 ppi
8 or 16 GB storage
191 mm x 128 mm x 10.6 mm
345 grams

$149 Kids Edition HD 6 Amazon Link
Fire HD 6 Kids edition, same as the HD 6 but with a gummy case
2 year warranty where if breaks they will replace it (accidental warranty)

$189 Kids Edition HD 7 Amazon Link
Fire HD 7 Kids edition, same as the HD 7 but with a gummy case
2 year warranty where if breaks they will replace it (accidental warranty)

$199+ special offers HDX 7 Amazon Link
Fire HDX 7 (3rd Gen) still being sold will get newer os
Snapdragon 800 2.2 ghz
Adreno 330
2 GB RAM
1920x1200 IPS
A/B/G/N, 4.0 Bluetooth, GPS
will get FireOS 4.X

$379+ special offers New Model HDX 8.9 Amazon Link
Fire HD 8.9 (4th Gen)
Snapdragon 805 2.5 GHz
Adreno 420
2 GB RAM
2560x1600 IPS
A/B/G/N/AC, 4.0 Bluetooth low energy, GPS
FireOS 4.x based off android 4.4.2
231 mm x 158 mm x 7.8 mm
375 grams

 

[jpeyton]

The Kindle HD 6 has an IPS screen according to Amazon.

Looking at The Verge's hands-on video, FireOS 4 (KitKat) is running pretty darn fast/smooth, even on its lower end Mediatek CPU. Impressive at $99, which is usually where you see off-brand tablets live.

 

[Roland00Address]

My personal opinion. I am so glad it is cortex a15 instead of a7 and has a 1280x800 resolution for a $100 tablet. While these are not the tablets for me I am glad the bottom of the market from a name brand is not pure crap. I hope the screen is ips so this will put pressure on the other tablets makers.

That said this cpu supposedly launched last year in 2013 and supposedly there were devices with this chip at CES in January, but I have yet to see a mediatek cortex a15 in an actual device to my understanding all of them that I know of are a7 or older chips. Does any body have any more info on this chip such as devices that use it or benchmarks even though android benchmarks stink

----

I do not like the fragmentation of Android and how this is a fork. I do not like how it does not have the Google store.

I do appreciate that Kindle tablets have helped brought down the prices of tablets in general. Remember it was originally the Ipad for $500 comming out in April 2010 with a single core, samsung has the 7" running froyo in March 2011 and it was $400+, the 1st gen kindle fire for $200 in Sept 2011.

 

[Eug]

What would you recommend for Kindle textbooks/reference books with colour pictures?

Does it have to be a Fire? What about getting the Kindle app on an iPad?

How bad does it look on the cheaper Fires? I don't want to spend $400 on a Kindle Fire when I'll already have an iPad Air 2.

 

[Ravynmagi]

Fire HD 6 and 7 look pretty decent for their price. A $99 tablet with HD IPS display, impressive.

And I like all the colors it comes in. Why is it often the cheap tablets come in a variety of colors, but the expensive tablets when get only one or two color options? Boring.

The Fire HDX 7 stays the same, but it's getting a Fire OS 4 update. Thank good, this is one of the major reasons I ended up not buying an HDX because I was so worried it wouldn't get updated when the new tablets came out, like they did with last years tablets. Hopefully the 2013 HDX 8.9 is also getting the Fire OS 4 update as well.

I like that they updated the Fire HDX 8.9 specs a little. I always felt the HDX 8.9 was a tad overpriced considering it was mostly the same as the HDX 7, just bigger. Now it's got a faster processor, better WIFI, a little easier to accept the $180 price difference.

They also have a new e-ink reader. Nice improvements, has a flat non reflective glass (so has a more tablet look to it). Page turn "buttons" on the sides, better lighting, higher resolution. But $200 for an e-ink reader, hmmm. But I'm still using a Kindle I bought about 3 years ago, so these do last longer. So maybe.

 

[Ravynmagi]

What would you recommend for Kindle textbooks/reference books with colour pictures?

Does it have to be a Fire? What about getting the Kindle app on an iPad?

How bad does it look on the cheaper Fires? I don't want to spend $400 on a Kindle Fire when I'll already have an iPad Air 2.

First, I'm in awe of your iPad Air 2. Lucky dog, you and Tim Cook BFFs? Sorry, I'm being a smart-ass.

Yeah, if you already have an iPad, probably not much need for the Fire tablet/reader. The bigger 9.7 inch screen will be great for text books. As is the 4:3 aspect ratio. So in some ways the iPad will be even better.

 

[jpeyton]

Keep in mind iPad Airs and Retina Minis are being fire-saled right now at Best Buy. With EDU discounts, the Retina Mini was $275 and the Air was $350.

 

[Ravynmagi]

Bleh, unfortunately the majority of us don't have valid EDU accounts. Though I wouldn't buy one now with the impending new iPad launch.

 

[Roland00Address]

Bleh, unfortunately the majority of us don't have valid EDU accounts. Though I wouldn't buy one now with the impending new iPad launch.

What are they going to add to the new ipad to justify the big price increase? Just more memory and more ghz? (the A7 and A8 are very similar just a tweak) Are they really going to do that when they did not do so with the iphone 6?

----

On another note I am glad we are seeing more tablets form factors. Sometimes you want something small for your pocket, yet not a phone.

 

[s44]

What are they going to add to the new ipad to justify the big price increase?

More RAM for multi window...

 

[Ravynmagi]

What are they going to add to the new ipad to justify the big price increase? Just more memory and more ghz? (the A7 and A8 are very similar just a tweak) Are they really going to do that when they did not do so with the iphone 6?

----

On another note I am glad we are seeing more tablets form factors. Sometimes you want something small for your pocket, yet not a phone.

Unfortunately I'd pay more for the newer iPad with possibly double the RAM and a TouchID scanner. Web browsing and a few other things would be much nicer if I have more RAM available.

 

[jpeyton]

Bleh, unfortunately the majority of us don't have valid EDU accounts.

You have a valid eBay account right?

 

[Zaap]

Wait, am I missing something? A $50 premium just for pre-applied toddler-wrap for the kids edition? You can buy the toddler-wrap yourself for $25, or I'm sure third party for even less.

Amazon has gullible parents' number I guess.

 

[Ravynmagi]

Wait, am I missing something? A $50 premium just for pre-applied toddler-wrap for the kids edition? You can buy the toddler-wrap yourself for $25, or I'm sure third party for even less.

Amazon has gullible parents' number I guess.

You get a $25 case and a year of FreeTime (at least a $36 value). FreeTime is educational material for kids.

 

[Roland00Address]

Unfortunately I'd pay more for the newer iPad with possibly double the RAM and a TouchID scanner. Web browsing and a few other things would be much nicer if I have more RAM available.

Well I really hope you get more ram but part of me doubt's it especially since the iphone6 still has 1 GB of RAM

Wait, am I missing something? A $50 premium just for pre-applied toddler-wrap for the kids edition? You can buy the toddler-wrap yourself for $25, or I'm sure third party for even less.

Amazon has gullible parents' number I guess.

Accidental warranty for 2 years
No kindle offers junk which amazon charges for 15 dollars more to remove
The case
The Freetime subscription for 1 year. If you do not know what free time is, it is stuff you normally pay for but is now free, and it is the stuff to make the tabblet useful for kids, its kids appropriate games with no in app purchases, its books, its TV shows. It is $36 a year with prime or $60 without prime.

Think of the kids tablet as the life simpler for a parent if the kid is 8 or under, they are going to need a case and these types of cases are the best for dropping, no amazon ads, all the stuff the parent needs to know about apps without wasting time researching to death such as age ratings and this ties easily into the parental controls, and a 2 year warranty for you know there is a good chance my kid may break it.

If you want 2 of any of the 4 things it makes sense for the price is roughly the same. Amazon bundling all 4 together especially when they control the true cost of those 4 items just upsold you $50 and thus a chance of actual profit on the device at the time of sale.

 

[Zaap]

^Makes sense. I guess since you can get the case for $25 and the 2 year protection for $25, the freetime subscription makes it worth it. (If one cares about it)

Still, if I were buying one for my kid (I won't be) I'd get the standard version, couldn't care less about a FT subscription (or much else Amazon), skip the warranty, add some cheap toddler-wrap from the inevitable plethora of third party options and tell my son, "Break it and here's the guarantee: it's broken."

 

[Roland00Address]

^Makes sense. I guess since you can get the case for $25 and the 2 year protection for $25, the freetime subscription makes it worth it. (If one cares about it)

Still, if I were buying one for my kid (I won't be) I'd get the standard version, couldn't care less about a FT subscription (or much else Amazon), skip the warranty, add some cheap toddler-wrap from the inevitable plethora of third party options and tell my son, "Break it and here's the guarantee: it's broken."

I understand your logic and I would do that with an older son or daughter but for a kid 3 to 8 they do not have the ability to make intentions and plan out the future yet, that part of the brain is still developing. Most kids about the age of 4th grade age (10) can now start doing this but even then it is a spectrum with some kids ahead and some behind, and it is only completely matured around 30.

Thus I will gladly pay the $50 dollars to make my life simpler for know my luck it will break, for the kid did not know better and can not forsee accidents, and there is benefit to the software.

That said in my opinion anyone older than 8 should spend the extra money and invest in a real google or apple tablet.

 

[Strk]

I understand your logic and I would do that with an older son or daughter but for a kid 3 to 8 they do not have the ability to make intentions and plan out the future yet, that part of the brain is still developing. Most kids about the age of 4th grade age (10) can now start doing this but even then it is a spectrum with some kids ahead and some behind, and it is only completely matured around 30.

Thus I will gladly pay the $50 dollars to make my life simpler for know my luck it will break, for the kid did not know better and can not forsee accidents, and there is benefit to the software.

That said in my opinion anyone older than 8 should spend the extra money and invest in a real google or apple tablet.

Yeah, I was going to say something similar. It is impressive what a 3 year old can break.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

The Kindle Voyage is what I've been waiting for, but I am surprised at the high price.

 

[gorcorps]

The Kindle Voyage is what I've been waiting for, but I am surprised at the high price.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IOY8XWQ/...pf_rd_i=507846

Yup me too. I have a couple dings on my current paperwhite that you can see when the light is on, but it still works. I was holding out on replacing it until the next gen came out, but this is more pricey than I expected.

I'm also not sure how I'd like a glass screen. The soft ones we've had seem like they don't scratch easily like any of my glass devices. Of course I still managed to damage it so what do I know.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IOY8XWQ/...pf_rd_i=507846

Yup me too. I have a couple dings on my current paperwhite that you can see when the light is on, but it still works. I was holding out on replacing it until the next gen came out, but this is more pricey than I expected.

I'm also not sure how I'd like a glass screen. The soft ones we've had seem like they don't scratch easily like any of my glass devices. Of course I still managed to damage it so what do I know.

Well, I guess I know what I'll be asking the wife to get me for Christmas!

 

[Eug]

OK here's my scenario.

Yes I am best buds with Tim Cook so the iPad Air 2 is on my list. No seriously, if it gets 2 GB and Touch ID I will buy one immediately. However that will largely be for home surfing use.

I also am considering using a different tablet strictly at work for reference books and lunchtime Netflix. I've been told that the Fires have a better Kindle book interface than the Kindle apps on non-Amazon tablets, but I don't know how true that really is since I'm new to Kindle.

Come to think of it I already have a 1280x800 7" Nexus 7 2012 at work, so I suppose I wouldn't be gaining much hardware wise by getting a 7" Fire HD 7, and viewing reference books on a 7" screen may not be ideal. However, at $149 (or if similarly priced in Canada), I still would possibly consider it if the interface was significantly better than on the Nexus 7.

However, if the interface really is that much better and I really wanted an optimal setup, now I'm thinking probably the ideal situation would be to get an 8.9" HDX for work.

Who here has used both the Fire and the iPad or Android Kindle app? If the latter aren't too bad, maybe I'd just be better off lugging my iPad around when necessary.

 

[Chiropteran]

The Fire HDX 7 stays the same, but it's getting a Fire OS 4 update. Thank good, this is one of the major reasons I ended up not buying an HDX because I was so worried it wouldn't get updated when the new tablets came out, like they did with last years tablets.

Have they officially said that old HDX 7 tablets will get updated to the new OS?

Great news if so.

edit:
Ah this article explains it - http://liliputing.com/2014/09/amazon-unveils-fire-os-4-sangria-smartphones-tablets.html

Fire OS 4 will ship with all 4th-generation Fire tablets, and it’ll be available as a free over-the-air update for 3rd-generation tablets as well.

 

[Tom]

The 6 inch size is an interesting variation on the tablet/smartphone scene. I always thought it's an unwieldy size for a phone but as a very inexpensive tablet it might be a cool pocketable size.

Just wish it could work with Google apps and Play store.

 

[Chiropteran]

The 6 inch size is an interesting variation on the tablet/smartphone scene. I always thought it's an unwieldy size for a phone but as a very inexpensive tablet it might be a cool pocketable size.

Just wish it could work with Google apps and Play store.

It's easy to side load singular apps, I use the latest version of android chrome on my kindle fire hdx.