Kindle Fire gets my vote!
I'm not sure if I've mentioned my newfound hatred for televisions here. It's not the poor TV's fault - it's the people that use it. I hate how when I have guests in my living room, the couches are pointed at the TV, and eventually someone can't help themselves and turns it on, because the whole room is set up for TV watching - not chatting.
However, that doesn't mean that I hate watching TV. I just hate the TV being a background noise when I'm not watching it.
For me, the Kindle Fire is a fabulous concept. It is a device on which you can watch TV and that connects to WiFi. With an Amazon Prime membership, you can get access to a whole lot of content right away. In addition to watching videos, you can also get access to movies, magazines, and games.
I used to watch TV on my laptop, but my new netbook doesn't work well for watching TV online. Sure, I could get an iPad, but they're so expensive that I could just buy a new computer to watch TV shows on, PLUS be able to run Civ 4 (I'm addicted. Luckily, I don't have my own version of it at home. I wonder if they'll come out with a Kindle Fire version... ? Please?)
But the Kindle Fire is only $199! True, it doesn't have all the capabilities of an iPad. But again, if I really wanted all those capabilities, I could buy a laptop for the same price. $199 is a lot easier to justify as a present to myself than $600 (or however much iPads cost. So much that I've dismissed them from my mind.)
I'm a big fan of my 3G Kindle e-reader, which I bought for $170 or so, used on eBay. Now, you can buy the new 3G "touch" version for only $149.
I think that Amazon, by coming out with a cheaper option with less features than an iPad, has really put themselves in a competitive position with the iPad. Simply by NOT trying to recreate the iPad, but only recreating one popular feature, and for a price that you could easily justify spending on a Christmas present for a loved one, or on a treat for yourself.
You can read more details about the capabilities of the Kindle Fire here:
Disclaimer: This post is NOT sponsored by Amazon. I'm actually just excited about the product. The link above is sponsored by Amazon though, via their affiliate network. FYI.
The Kindle Fire will be released on November 15th, 2011, but you can order today, and be first in line in case they sell out!
What about you, readers? Would you consider buying a Kindle Fire? Do you own a Kindle e-reader? Do you already own an iPad? Do you think this device will be popular with folks that already have a TV plus a laptop that they can use to watch TV online?
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September 30th, 2011 - 10:32
I recently discovered Amazon’s tv service…I was just too impatient to wait for the new Doctor Who episodes to be available for DVD and didn’t want to wait for a friend to let me watch it on their TV since I don’t have cable, so I got the new shoes instantly on Amazon- it was heaven. Granted, it is totally unfrugal to pay $1.99 an episode, but when you’re just 2-3 shows behind and need a fix, they totally have the market cornered for this kind of service.
It’s only $199? That’s awesome…hmmm I wonder what Santa will think and if I’ll find it under the tree this year!
Shannyn @FrugalBeautiful.com recently posted..Cultivating Self-Esteem: A Grown-Up’s Guide
September 30th, 2011 - 10:36
Haha, I know Santa won’t be getting me one, but I could get myself one for sure… haha. I imagine it’ll be like my Kindle is though – TERRIBLE about making me impulse buy because it’s so easy to buy the book RIGHT NOW and have it to read RIGHT NOW, rather than waiting to go to the library, or get a cheaper used version shipped to me.
September 30th, 2011 - 11:15
I agree this may be a winner! I think it may bring the iPad price down faster or Apple will have to provide a stripped down version too.
Krantcents recently posted..10 Happiest Jobs
September 30th, 2011 - 12:19
I think the Kindle Fire will be a great product. I’m doing a 1 year anniversary giveaway next Friday and the main prize will be the new Kindle Fire.
Don’t forget to enter.
retirebyforty recently posted..If You Are Unemployed And Need A Job then…
October 1st, 2011 - 14:32
I have a man crush on Jeff Bezos.
He’s a genius, and the Kindle Fire is a perfect example of his genius. I’m not sure I’d buy one (my phone works for quick web browsing, which is all I’d do with the Fire) but as a business move, this is a “King me” move for Amazon as the focal point of online retail.
JT recently posted..Secular vs. Religious Finance: Eh, what?
October 7th, 2011 - 02:30
I was wondering why someone hasn’t come up with the ala carte tv concept sooner. There are only a couple of shows I really like watching and it would be great to catch up on the missed episodes.
One of my colleagues uses his Ipad for everything work related and it’s really slick. I am starting to consider investing in one.
First Gen American recently posted..Newsflash: Babci uses Tide