By While some are waiting to see what sort of phone Amazon could come up with, many folks would be perfectly satisfied with knowing what to expect from the company’s Kindle Fire tablets for 2013. The guys at BGR procured some pretty clear shots of what will be known as the 7-inch Kindle Fire 2013 models. It’s a 7-inch tablet — nothing extraordinary about how it looks — though BGR does note that the tablet has a bit more of a “hard-edged” aggressive look thanks to less rounded edges.
Specs
We weren’t able to get a look at the 8.9-inch HD models that Amazon is also said to be bringing out, though those models are expected to look the same (except bigger, obviously). With that, we’re also told that this list of specs are pretty much final for the 7-inch model:
- 7-inch 1,920 x 1,200 display
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor (possibly 2.3GHz)
- 2GB of RAM
- 16GB, 32GB or 64GB of internal storage
- WiFi, or optional WiFi + cellular data
- Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, likely with custom Amazon bits
The 8.9-inch model will be quite close to that, though the added 2,560 x 1,600 resolution and an 8 megapixel camera will obviously put it a class above the 7-incher. It’s a far cry from previous Kindle Fire releases, where Amazon tends to be a bit more reserved compared to other OEMs. We’re not sure what inspired them to go all out here, but we can’t say we’re complaining.
Availability
Apparently the 7-inch model is so ready that we could see it unveiled in just a couple of weeks’ time (and knowing Amazon, they might put it up for sale that same day). The 8.9-inch model might not be here until November, though, which is a bit of a bummer.
It’ll also be interesting to see how Amazon prices these things. The company tends to introduce products at very reasonable and attractive price points, but with the juicy internals these tablets are sporting we’d be pleasantly surprised if they continued that trend. Let’s hope to hear more about these in the days to come.
Sounds similar to what Kobo did.
The placement of the volume and power buttons is definitely something different, but it looks very Toyish -_-‘
I think the placement makes a lot of sense. You can toggle the volume without really moving your hands.
I still don’t see a tablet in my personal use, but those are some solid specs for tablet users. Very nice.
Speaker placement looks really nice.
and it’ll be bogged down by the crappy amazon UI. looks nice though.
well, i mean great specs but will it be better that the new nexus? i mean it it a snapdragon 800 processor!!! and what about pricing?
I say stick with the new nexus 7. I <3 mine now that the bugs seem to be worked out.
This whole idea that companies want a sleek design with hidden buttons and functional bits is getting old. Most manufacturers are looking for design ideas from a minimalist approach then shove lots of crappy custom programs inside.
I understand there are always designs based on the era. But an industrial-like design with functiionalty would be appreciated. Decent sized buttons with proper placement. larger front speakers, etc.
I may be no designer or even have artistic ability. But give me a checklist of proper items, material and placement and I bet I could design one hell of a tablet!
Looks promising.
I like the 64 gb option-something that is very hard to get from android oem’s.
perhaps they have this new option for downloading prime movies/shows and watching them when they are offline?
Just posted this above but thought it might be fitting here too. Pretty neat little device and not too overly pricey:
http://www.kingston.com/us/usb/wireless#mlw221
No Play Store. Not for me.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2365224
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUW6KARo8Y4
This is what the N7 should have been, but I still love my new N7. I’m sure this will probably be more expensive. It’ll probably have less dev support too.
The button placement is an improvement and front facing speakers are even better. The only downside from the looks of it is no front facing camera. If they only are going to have 1 to keep the cost lower then ditch the fancy rear one and do front only. I’ve used the rear one on my 8.9 twice; once to try it out and once awkwardly out of necessity. It’s pointless.
Marianne, I just wanted to let you know that typically a “front facing camera” means that it is a camera facing toward the front of the device and in this case that means facing toward the person using the device (or on the same side of the screen). Aside from that, how do you like the 8.9 overall? I am thinking about getting one once the new one comes out. I like the size, not too big (for me 10 inch is too big) and not too small (7 inches).
Gah, I was smoking crack when I wrote that. Not really, but it would appear so. I totally know what a front-facing camera is and for whatever reason thought it had rear facing. It’s such a pos camera I neve use it anyway, so I guess it wouldn’t matter which side since I never use it. I’d use a rear camera for one thing; a running/athletic coach type app to analyze running form. I did a good form running clinic once and the guy had an Ipad with one of those apps and being able to frame by frame and show where you’re striking with your feet and your lean is quite valuable. I wouldn’t record anything else with it though…too ridiculous holding up a tablet for recording. Overall I really like the 8.9. It’s a great size for being portable/good on battery, while not being so small that you might as well have a phone. I like having the $50 for 1 year of data plan to use in a pinch, but to be honest, I leave the mobile data disabled 99.9% of the time because the 200mb or whatever little amount it is, is next to nothing. Like I said, in a pinch it’s ok. I don’t intend to renew it though as I’m sure it will cost more and I’ve gone months without needing it. Plus, I was able to get the OpenGarden app to work between my phone and Kindle, so i can just tether to the phone if I wanted to. I agree 7″ is too small. On other features, the lack of SD port has never been a problem for me. I use mine primarily for Netflix and YouTube (I’ve sideloaded several things and yes, that’s a must as out of the box the Kindle is too crippled). I didn’t try to root it and haven’t really had a need to. I try to make a point if I’m going to buy an app to do it from the Kindle store (usually) now since I’ve been bitten by the fact I don’t have Play to get things I’ve already paid for, but other than that, not too much of a biggie and I’ve been able to find APKs for most things not available in the Kindle app store. That’s probably the biggest downside really, but *most* things I can find elsewhere. For a future one, I wouldn’t shell out the extra coin to get a mobile data ready one though; I’d just stick to wifi. 8.9 is definitely worth it though vs a 7.
Thanks for the reply! I didn’t have much to say but wanted to just comment on the lack of expandable storage. I found this the other day that might prove to be a decent solution for some. I say some because I’m not sure that it can be used to install/store apps and app data so mostly just digital media but still a neat little product especially that you can use it to charge your phone/tablet in a pinch.
http://www.kingston.com/us/usb/wireless#mlw221