Mobile Commerce: Amazon's version of a tablet

In August a lightning strike fried my computer hard drive and my wireless modem, forcing me to fast-forward my decision to buy a new computer. Each time my husband has to patch my hard drive, he reminds me that I need a new one. He's graciously lending me his home computer, so I've bought some time to make a decision...PC, laptop, tablet, or a combo? There are SO many choices that I'm not even sure where to begin!

I really think I'll go laptop with a docking station for working at home. That way when I'm traveling, I'll simply unplug and go. But which brand??? Apple? Sony? Toshiba? HP? Dell? Yikes.

Then I thought, maybe I can make a desktop and a tablet work. But have you seen the price of these babies?! I knew the iPad was big bucks, but Samsung's Android-powered Galaxy Tab is no bargain either at approximately $565. That cost is prohibitive for me. Like you, I have a budget to stick to. I want to get the best possible solution for the least amount of money. Not cheap; quality at a good price.

In the fast-paced evolution of the tablet world, Amazon plans on launching the Kindle Fire, it's version of a tablet, on November 15, just in time for holiday sales.

Amazon Kindle Fire

 image copyright Amazon

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While it's not the iPad, it's going to be hard to beat at $199. It will have only 8 megabytes of memory compared to iPad's 16 (basic version) and it's about 1/2 the size of the iPad at 7". But, Fire connects to Amazon Cloud, the web hosting service where Kindle owners can store all their digital content at no cost. Apple charges a monthly fee. With the low initial investment and no monthly fees to store digital content, Amazon will be a contender in the market for mobile digital content.

In other Kindle news, Amazon has reduced the price for the basic Kindle e-reader to $79, introduced Kindle Touch, a $99 touch-screen version of the basic Kindle, and debuted the Kindle Touch 3G, which adds 3G wireless connectivity to the basic Wi-Fi offering, for $149. Best Buy will sell all four new Kindles this holiday season.

Read the full article about the Amazon Kindle Fire at Internet Retailer:
Mobile Commerce - Amazon aims to set the tablet world on Fire - Internet Retailer

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