Amazon has introduced seven new versions of its Kindle, ranging from US$69 to $599, the Los Angeles Times reported.
The new line of products, launched last week, include a Kindle
e-reader at $69, an upgraded Kindle Fire tablet for $159, another three HD
Kindle Fires, a 7-inch Wi-Fi version, an 8.9-inch Wi-Fi version, and 8.9-inch 4G version, priced from $199 to $ 599.
There are another two versions of Paperwhite e-reader introduced which are “thinner than a magazine and lighter than a paperback”, as described by the company’s Chief Executive Jeff Bezos.
There are another two versions of Paperwhite e-reader introduced which are “thinner than a magazine and lighter than a paperback”, as described by the company’s Chief Executive Jeff Bezos.
According to a Washington Post report, Amazon’s market share decreased to 4 percent in the
first-quarter from 17 percent in the December, whereas Apple enlarged its
market share to 68 percent in the first quarter.
The launch of the new series of products is
therefore viewed by many as a direct challenge to Apple as well as other brands
in the keen competition of tablet market.
“This wasn’t a product announcement as much as it was a declaration of
war,” said Michael Gartenberg, an analyst at market research firm Gartner Inc.,
the Washington Post quoted.
Aimed beyond a
one-time deal, Amazon is prepared to introduce its massive library of movies and
television shows to its consumers. “We want to make money when people use our
devices, not when they buy our devices,” Bezos said, the Los Angeles Times
reported.
“People don’t
want gadgets anymore. They want services. Kindle Fire is a service. It greets
you by name, it comes out of the box with your content preloaded, it makes
recommendations for you,” added Bezos, according to the Washington Post.
But not all
of the people buy this kindly offer of recommendations. In his blog “Amazon KindleSpecial Offers are a disgrace”, technological journalist Jamie Lendino commented
that the Amazon product was the only one forcing consumers to view ads among
different tablets. And customers have to pay another $30 or $40 to deactivate
the ads. Compared with Google Nexus 7, Apple, Barnes & Noble Nook Simple
Touch with GlowLight, “none of the competing vendors resort to such deceptive
tactics,” wrote Lendino.
Negative
repercussions withstanding, the news drove Amazon’s stock up to a record high.
And the new line of Kindle Fire tablets will also be introduced to UK
Image: Tom's Hardware
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