Only One iPad, please
Differentiation is better than sameness. The new Kindle may not be as expansive as the iPad, and good for them. If the new Kindle was more alike it would just be another device trying so hard to be an iPad.
The iPad, of course, is like a mini-computer-meet-iPod. Its a little bit of work and a little bit of entertainment in a very portable Apple device for a starting price of $500.
The new Kindle is not. Its really just an entertainment device. No I can't create content on it for work – I can only consume. A weakness? No. Not when its priced starting at $79. And with its access to Amazon content, it opens up a true market distinctive.
Amazon was smart not to follow Sony's, Samsung's, & Blackberry's lead.
Expert marketing strategist and friend of Matchstic, Laura Ries, said it this way:
In every category, you see room at the top and room at the bottom for a big brand.
All the other tablets tried to copy iPad on features and were at similar price points. They wanted to be iPad killers.
You can't kill iPad when it is as strong and dominant as it is.
But you can compete with iPad and be the low cost alternative.
There are a lot of other opinions out there on the release, including a good one by reporter Kunur Patel in Advertising Age.
What do you think – smart move or missed opportunity for Amazon?
Image cited from PC Magazine's article, Amazon Unveils $199 Kindle Fire Tablet.
5 Comments
"I think Amazon was smart to approach the tablet market in this fashion. The Kindle Fire is purely a medium to receive content – nothing more, nothing less. I think this device will see great success "competing" with the iPad. We've seen this path taken by several products and companies over the years and they have enjoyed great success being what they are and not trying to be what another product is.
With that said, I think Amazon missed a serious opportunity on the hardware front. By omitting the 3G connectivity, they killed the functionality of their "cloud device." The Kindle Fire only has 8GB memory – that wouldn't get me very far. I think the power of 3G connectivity is underestimated and will ultimately be the limiting factor to Amazon's success."
- Caitlyn Mayers
"Amazon was extremely smart in making the product they did, it fits their specific market and that market will purchase the product. I feel like they did something we learned as children, if you want to be different don't follow the crowd. Right on Amazon for not making an iPad killer!"
- C_Rocka
"Now there may be too many Kindles. A fine product, but if Amazon can copy one thing from Apple, it's learning to edit."
- Alvin Diec
"Great thoughts all. Completely agree about the 3G!"
- Dustin Britt
"Great topic! At one time, I know Coke was another similar circumstance. Also, if I may point out something completely off topic, you have a typo in your headline. :) 'Thank/than' Tought you might like to know."
- Lewis Moats