Those awaiting an Amazon Kindle Fire HD 2 release date don't have to wait much longer. The company just recently unveiled upgrades to the HD tablet lineup, with the new Kindle Fire HDX. The tablets will be available in 7 and 8.9-inch varieties, with some features to help Amazon attempt to compete better with other tablets such as the iPad and Nexus this holiday season.
The Highlight Press reported on Sept. 25 that there will be a new Kindle Fire HD as well as the Kindle Fire HDX tablets. The HD tablets are expected to start at prices of around $139, while the 7-inch HDX will start at $229. An 8.9-inch version of the HDX will run $329. There are also larger storage space versions of the tablets, and those with 4G LTE technology included, for higher prices.
So what's special about the new HDX? It will feature a faster processor, a 2.2GHz quad-core and 2GB of RAM to allow for better gaming, video and multi-tasking. In addition, the display has been upgraded to be a true HD experience at 108p. It features 1920x1200 resolution or 323 PPI with 100% sRGB for what they say will provide a colorful display that will "go beyond standard HD."
One of the other major upgrades that customers really wanted on the original Kindle Fire HD tablet was the dual cameras like the iPads sport. Now they've got those, as Amazon has introduced the HDX with front and rear-facing cameras. In addition, there's a clever "Mayday button" on the device that Amazon says will allow the customer to get 24x7, 365 days per year help when needed with their device.
Amazon is also touting that the device will not only be good for entertainment, but productivity as well. They note that it will allow for web browsing, e-mail, Skype, and now Office Suite, as well as the ability to print documents, something which the original HD couldn't do so easily. In addition, there will be ways to stay productive on the go using Exchange email to share documents, as well as a way to use "remote VPN" or access your company's network on the go.
All of that said, Amazon appears to have changed around their "button scheme" as customers were complaining about the difficulty of finding buttons on the tablet. Now they're cleverly placed in sight, particularly the up and down volume adjustments and a "power button" on the bottom of the front of the tablet.
Release dates for the items will be Oct. 18 for the 16GB, 32GB and 64GB HDX 7-inch models with wi-fi only. The Wi-Fi + 4G LTE models which are available from AT&T and Verizon are expected to ship on Nov. 14, just two weeks ahead of Black Friday 2013.
What do you think of Amazon's upgrades with the new Kindle Fire HDX? Will you be trading in your old Kindle tablet and getting one of the new ones?
