Tablets: Why the Kindle Fire Isn’t Just Another E-Reader
Do you think the new Kindle Fire is a tablet? There seems to be a misunderstanding as to whether the device is a tablet or just another e-reader. This question arose once rumors started about Amazon introducing another tablet and, of course, once it made its debut. Some refer to the device as an e-reader and it is considered a serious competitor to Apple’s iPad. If that’s true, shouldn’t it be called a tablet?
If you compare the Kindle Fire’s features with those of the iPad 2, it’s pretty obvious that they’re not in the same league. Although the new Kindle can’t compare to the features of the iPad across the board, it does have some qualities that are comparable to or better than some of the tablets on the market, including the iPad.
What is interesting is that the size, hardware and software features can be different between tablets, but the fact is that most have the ability to be used as an e-reader. This article will discuss why the Kindle Color should be taken seriously as a tablet.
Size doesn’t matter with these devices. One of the reasons the new Kindle Color may have a hard time gaining acceptance among tablets is its size. Most tablets are 10 or more inches in size. Readers are typically seven inches or shorter. It seems that once the 7-inch e-readers were redesigned with faster processors and an updated operating system, the name change to tablet became inevitable.
Tablet portability is important. The ability to carry a tablet in a bag or backpack is essential. Although the ten-inch tablet is larger, it is sometimes carried in its own case or backpack because it is too large to carry in a bag or even in one hand.
The tablet and the e-reader have the same connectivity capabilities. Tablets and e-readers can be connected via 3G and/or WiFi. Connectivity is important depending on how you want to use your tablet. If you want to always have access to the Internet, then a 3G tablet is for you. However, if you can connect via your home network or other WiFi connections, then 3G is not necessary. Also, with 3G there is a cost associated with the data provider chosen for access. The Kindle Fire is a Wi-Fi only device. The Apple iPad gives you the choice of WiFi or 3G or both.
What is a media consumption tablet? E-readers are for reading e-books, magazines, and newspapers and can allow you to listen to audio, while some tablets go a step further. Tablets offer the same thing, it also includes the ability to watch videos, movies, TV shows, and music. The Amazon tablet is known as a media consumption tablet due to its tight integration with Amazon. It is designed to make it easy for the user to download and consume multimedia content.
Tablets are now being manufactured to allow the use of multi-touch screens for application selection and the use of an on-screen keyboard. Also, some tablets are designed not only for personal use, but also for business productivity. The Kindle tablet cannot be used for productivity; it’s strictly a digital media hoarder. Although it’s not as versatile as other tablets, the fact that it can accommodate videos, movies, TV and much more ensures its place in the tablet category.
What about storage? Neither the iPad nor the Kindle Color have a storage expansion slot, nor do they have a port that can be used for an external storage device. Both use a micro USB connection to charge the device. The iPad comes in three storage sizes, 16 GB, 32 GB, and 64 GB. If you want additional storage with the iPad, you’ll have to pay for it. The Kindle Color, on the other hand, has 8 GB of internal memory, but all its content is backed up in Amazon’s cloud. Users will be able to download and delete content in the cloud just like on a storage card or external drive. Due to the cloud, additional storage can be a moot point. One other point, the Kindle Fire has a micro USB port, and like most of the Kindle family, the device can be accessed to transfer and download files via a micro USB cable.
The Kindle Fire does have some redeeming qualities, but because it doesn’t have a camera, a microphone limits participation in social chat, but the tablet itself doesn’t take away from being an entertaining and versatile device. Even though the Kindle Fire doesn’t have similar features to most tablets; it has some big differences that separate it from other tablets.
Some of the most notable features of the Kindle Color tablet are Amazon Silk, which is the fast and efficient web browser that is integrated with the device, and Amazon Cloud. The other cool thing is Whispersync, where users can watch a video or TV show, pause it, and then come home and resume it. This can be done via HD TV, Roku, or TIVO. Additionally, Amazon offers a 30-day subscription on Amazon Prime that offers access to commercial free instant streaming of movies and TV shows.