Quote:
Originally Posted by mitchbr47
I also was reading about the Fire yesterday. I don't think it will drastically affect the iPad for these reasons...
Apple has a great track record with their devices.
Tire is only available in the US. 50% of iPads are sold overseas.
limited the Fo only wifi- no 3G connectivity
smaller screen at 7 inches
only 6GB of storage space. That can fill up fast.
Might be ok if everything is stored on the Cloud. But then Wifi connection must be used to access it.
no camera or microphone for Skype
though it uses Android in the background
limited number of Apps currently available
Amazon can track everything that you do every web visit, transaction, etc.
To access movies you need an Amazon Prime account. 30 day trial included. Membership is $79 a year.
Maybe some don't realize that an iPad has both Nook and Kindle apps for books
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1. Apple has a great track record with their devices. Absolutely true, but so does Amazon
2. Kindle Fire is available only in US. A clear advantage for iPad, but probably temporary. Previous Kindles are available world-wide.
3. Wifi only, no 3G. Again true, but a mixed blessing. 3G adds a minimum monthly cost of $15 to iPad ownership and a more realistic cost of $40 per month if you are using the data feed at all. Cumulative 2 yr cost of ownership: Kindle Fire - $199, iPad $859 to $1459 (and potentially more)
4. iPad 10" screen vs Kindle Fire 7" screen. True, but a mixed blessing. The increase in screen size comes with an increase in weight. iPad weighs in at 21 oz, the Kindle fire at 14 oz both without covers. A typical paperback (I used Silva's, The English Assassin, 491 pages} weighs 10 0z.
5. Only 6GB of storage space. That can fill up fast. Might be ok if everything is stored on the Cloud. But then Wifi connection must be used to access it. Good point and a clear advantage of iPad. How much this will mean in real life remains to be seen.
6. No camera or microphone for Skype. Clear advantage for iPad, if you use Skype. But isn't this what your smart phone is for?
7. You need to have Amazon Prime for movies and this costs $79 per year. I think this is an advantage. It eliminates the needs for NetFlix and saves money at the same time. It also provides free two-day shipping on anything you buy from Amazon and hassle free returns, if for ANY reason you don't like what you purchased.
8. iPad has both Nook and Kindle apps for books. True and there is also an Apple app for the iPad. I've used all three and have found that it is best to have all your books in one 'library'. All of these apps function well, but I have found I prefer using the Kindle app on my existing Kindle, iPad and Computer.
I am both a Kindle and Apple fanatic. I've owned Apple computers since my Apple 2 and then the original Mac. I am now on my iMac and have a mac.com e-mail address. I'm also a iPhone and iPad user. I've used Kindles since they first came out and found that the only one I did not like was the Kindle DX with its 10" screen and 19 oz weight. Just too heavy to be comfortable for extended reading.
In the final analysis both are great at what they do, but the two year cost of ownership: $199 for the Kindle Fire vs $1459 for the iPad with 3g capability makes the Kindle an easy decision for me.