Amazon has unveiled three new tablet models that start at $50, to be released Sept. 30.
The retail giant has released three new tablet models that have been "built from the ground up for entertainment." Unlike the iPad, which is designed for productivity, these are what you would actually pick up when you want to just relax, read, watch videos or play games.
Betanews reports that the three models, simply named "Fire," are all at low-cost prices.
First, the Fire HD10. With a 10.1-inch widescreen display, this has Amazon's "largest display on [their] thinnest tablet" yet. It's available in 16GB or 32GB models and comes in black. Prices start at $229.99 up.
Next, the Fire HD8. Smaller and lighter than the HD10, this gadget only measures 7.7mm thick (like the HD10). It is available in 8 GB or 16 GB models, and comes in different colors: black, magenta, blue and tangerine. Prices start at $149.99 up.
Both the HD10 and HD8 run on a quad-core processor with up to 1.5 GHz processing speed; and 1280 x 800 resolution, at 149 ppi (HD10) and 189 ppi (HD8). Both are equipped with Dolby Stereo Audio speakers, 5-megapixel rear camera, and a 720p HD front camera that's great for Skype. Both possess an up to 8-hour mixed-use battery life.
Then here comes the most famous model for it's stark affordability, the Fire tablet. This is equipped with a 7-inch IPS display, 8 GB of internal storage space and also comes in black. And for it's price of $49.99 a piece, it's a steal. Buyers can also preorder six for the price of five.
The Fire tablet runs on a quad-core with up to 1.3GHz processing speed; comes with a 2-megapixel rear camera, and a VGA front camera as well. Battery life is up to 7 hours.
All models have expandable memory up to 128GB via microSD, and have unlimited cloud storage for Amazon content. All three also have access to Amazon Underground, "a one-of-a-kind app store experience where over $10,000 in apps, games, and even in-app items are actually free."
However, in a Forbes blog, tech analyst Patrick Moorhead explains that the Fire tablet is ad subsidized and has a lot of ads on the lock screen. It also possesses a generic processor and graphics, only has 1 GB of RAM, 5 GB of available (usable) storage, SD display, and will not run Google Play content—meaning, this tablet was only meant to work in the Amazon universe, compatible only with downloadable data from the retail giant.
On the good side, Amazon says the Fire tablet is durable, twice as durable as the iPad Air 2.
