Amazon Kindle inches closer to iPad in tablet fray

WSJ/Market Watch ^ | November 27, 2012 | Dan Gallagher

[Mad Dawgg]

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) — Amazon.com Inc. is expected to pick up share in the tablet market in the fourth quarter with strong sales of its Kindle devices, though Apple Inc.’s iPad will remain the dominant product line in the segment, according to a brokerage report on Tuesday.

Analysts at Pacific Crest said supply-chain research shows increased production orders for the Kindle Fire HD, which Amazon (US:AMZN) now sells in a variety of sizes and configurations. The broker raised its forecast for the Kindle line, which is now expected to account for 13% of tablet shipments for the year compared with 11% expected a month ago.

[Mad Dawgg]

The wife decided we needed kindle Fires for Christmas. They look cool and all but I read my ebooks using the Kindle Fire App on my laptop. Not sure its gonna knock my socks off and trying to tell my wife I wasn't all the excited about it was just not conducive to a quiet and restful household for the Holidays. She started getting the "You are not following my commandments" wrinkle on her forehead when I broached the subject. So I thought discretion would be the better part of valor on this particular issued and proceeded to nod and smile. "She who must be obeyed" is now happy again and I guess will make the appropriate sounds of joy and happiness when I receive my Kindle Fire. (I talked her down from the more expensive HD when I noted I would use it to read ebooks which really don't benefit one bit by being viewed on an HD screen.)

[yldstrk]

I used to lay around reading for fun. The past few years I have been so upset all I can read for any length of time is the Bible, I certainly can’t read some stupid novel. I wish I could

[wastedyears]

I don’t understand why men always capitulate to their wives.

[FreedomPoster]

I recently got an iPad Mini, and really like having a device this size. Much more convenient than a laptop or a large tablet (which last I never bought because I always thought them too big and ungainly).

Try it, you may end up liking your Fire more than you thought you would.

[Malesherbes]

Very wise of you. You seem to be able to read your wife without HD.

[Tax-chick]

the more expensive HD

Ah, that would be why my husband is saying he "needs" a new Kindle. Whatever.

[redgolum]

I have a “plain” Kindle KB (keyboard). Honestly it is a much better way to read books.

My wife has the Fire, and loves it. When we were at my parents for Thanksgiving, my brother in law, who is a big Apple Fanboy, got to play with the Fire. He was impressed enough that he thought about buying one.

They aren't as powerful as an Ipad, but do a lot of the same stuff.

[Mercat]

I too have the Kindle app, on my iPad. I love being able to carry the iPad around with several books on it. I also love being able to brighten the page and enlarge the print. Then, if I’m tired of the book, I can send and receive email, texts, surf the net etc. I’m not sure of the capabilities of the newest Kindle but although it’s quite a bit more expensive, I do love my iPad.

[Mad Dawgg]

"I don’t understand why men always capitulate to their wives."

Always? not even close. Its just that arguing over purchasing something as cheap as a 130 bucks is not worth it especially when we spend so little on non-essentials.

When she started talking about purchasing a new car, I would not relent. I've owned one new car in my life and unless I get to a point where money is never a concern (like winning a multimillion dollar lottery jackpot) I will never buy a new automobile again. Its just not worth the outlay of capital.

She believes these gadgets will be fun and we will use them alot. Me I use a laptop and love it. I can't for the life of me see where this gadget will replace my laptop. But hey if she gets a bit of enjoyment out of it then who am I to squelch it.

[Mercat]

I’m reading a lot of classics. This year I’ve read Nicholas Nickleby, Paradise Lost, Dante’s Divine Comedy, some Shakespeare, and of course, the Lord of the Rings Trilogy and the Hobbit. If you prefer sacred or theology I recommend the two books on Jesus of Nazareth by Pope Benedict, Men and Women He Created Them a new translation of John Paul II’s work on the theology of the body, and anything by C.S. Lewis.

[Lee'sGhost]

“I don’t understand why men always capitulate to their wives.”

Which would explain your name.

[redgolum]

It is simpler than listening to the whining.

Same reason why my bride lets me buy books and a rifle every once in a while. The cost is less than seeing me drool at the gun shop or book store.

[Sawdring]

I had a Kindle Fire and liked it but I liked my old kindle first edition with the ink screen because you could very easily read outside or at the beach. I just bought a Nexus 7 and I like that for browsing the web and doing all my reading except for outside. If I want to read outside I load up my first kindle and take it with me. The Swype function on the keyboard is also great on the Nexus 7, I’m not sure if the newer Kindle Fires come with it.

[Mad Dawgg]

"Try it, you may end up liking your Fire more than you thought you would."

my major concern is that if I understand it right a Kindle Fire is "touchscreen" which for me is a problem.

First I like a keyboard and a touchscreen interface seems so slow to me.

Second I hate fingerprints on my screen it annoys me to the point of being an obsession.

Third for some reason my hands get very dry which means I am using hand cream every day which aggravates the issue of fingerprints on my screen.

[LadyBuck]

You can be right, or you can be happy :-)

[Terry L Smith]

Nothing electronic shall ever replace, in my humble hovel, a real book! I may be old school, but books, my glider rocker, and either sunlight, moonlight, or electric light (incandescent bulbs only, the others are not in my budget), and a cup of tea or coffee, and I’m fine.

You can’t break a printed book. It will not have software issues, battery fires, or broken in frustration glass screens.

[Exit148]

I have an iPhone so thought of sticking with Apple when hinting for a mini pad for CHRISTmas.

Son#3 has a Kindle Fire and when I held it, it seemed heavy and bulky. Is the iPad Mimi easier to hold than the Fire. I’m not big on apps. I just like to go and bookmark where google takes me-— mostly current news. So my tastes are simple.

Would I like Apple or Amazon Kindle do you think?

[Bertha Fanation]

Wish my wife were on Fire

[Exit148]

I have an iPhone so thought of sticking with Apple when hinting for a mini pad for CHRISTmas.

Son#3 has a Kindle Fire and when I held it, it seemed heavy and bulky. Is the iPad Mimi easier to hold than the Fire. I’m not big on apps. I just like to go and bookmark where google takes me-— mostly current news. So my tastes are simple.

Would I like Apple or Amazon Kindle do you think?

[Lee'sGhost]

Sorry folks, Kindle is good, but Audible is best. I listen to books while running, moving grass, driving, doing house repairs, before going to sleep at night. I’m about to finish my third book this month and will have read 23 for this year so far...including Gone with the Wind, which is like three average books in length. Fiction, non-fiction, best sellers and classics.

Audible on Droid with bluetooth headphones rock!