Leaked Kindle Fire render lends credence to incoming refresh

Leaked Kindle Fire render lends credence to incoming refresh

The case for an incoming Kindle Fire update seems to be getting stronger every day -- not only have we seen benchmarks and alleged photos of the device, but now @evleaks seems to have come across an official render. The purported press image matches previous leaks in bezel size and design, but lacks the front-facing camera Amazon introduced with the Kindle Fire HD. This leads us to suspect that the render is of a non-HD model of Bezos' latest tablet. The flagship model is rumored to have a 2,560 x 1,600 resolution, the aforementioned camera upfront and an OS based on Android 4.2.2. We're still waiting for Amazon to give the official word of course, but for Kindle users waiting for an upgrade, it's something to salivate over.

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Source: @evleaks (Twitter)

Benchmarks hint at Snapdragon-based Kindle Fire HD with 2,560 x 1,600 display

Benchmarks hint at Snapdragon-based Kindle Fire HD with 2,560 x 1,600 display

While benchmark leaks can be wobbly info-stones to tread upon, the arrival of some purported Kindle Fire HD scores could be the first steps toward a timely refresh. The results in question refer to a "Amazon KFAPWA" device with a reported Adreno 330 GPU, which by implication would likely mean a Snapdragon 800 SoC. The field that really leaps out, however, is that 2,560 x 1,600 resolution. If true, it could mean the 8.9-inch version is getting a bump from the previous iteration's 1,920 x 1,200 display. This certainly chimes with earlier reports, and, if nothing else, would certainly make that new browser UI all the more pretty to look at.

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Via: Android Community

Source: GFXBench

Engadget’s tablet buyer’s guide: spring 2013 edition

DNP Engadget's tablet buyer's guide spring 2013 edition

Much like bears, tablet designers are coming out of hibernation: there have been a handful of noteworthy models reaching the wild after a few months of silence. Most of these are the Windows 8- and RT-based tablets that didn't quite make the cut for the holidays, and we're launching our 2013 spring tablet buyer's guide with a dedicated Windows section to accommodate a distinct and rapidly filling category. Just be careful before you commit to a purchase, wherever your allegiances lie: Mobile World Congress brought us tablets that haven't quite shipped yet, like the FonePad and Galaxy Note 8.0. (We've included a heads-up in those situations where waiting a few weeks, or months, may be wisest.) As chaotic as spring can be, our guide might just provide some kind of stability if you're shopping for your next slate.

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Kindle Fire HD 8.9 ships today, 4G version to follow next week

Kindle Fire HD 8.9 ships today, 4G version to follow next week

Did you skip the iPad mini and Nexus 10? Were you looking for something a little more content-focused with a form factor in between the standard sizes? Well folks, it your lucky day, because the Kindle Fire HD 8.9 is here! The larger of the Kindle brothers is now shipping, delivering its 1,920 x 1,200 display into the hands of shoppers for $299 to start. If you're looking forward to the LTE version, that will be shipping next week on November 20th as previously announced. Of course, that model will set you back a significantly heftier $499, though, we'd say that's still a steal considering the comparably equipped iPad (32GB of storage and 4G) goes for $729. While you wait for our full review check out the PR after the break.

Continue reading Kindle Fire HD 8.9 ships today, 4G version to follow next week

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Kindle Fire HD 8.9 ships today, 4G version to follow next week originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Nov 2012 09:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nexus 10 vs. the competition: fight!

Nexus 10 vs the competition fight!

Google undoubtedly upset the tablet market almost overnight with the Nexus 10: that record-setting 2,560 x 1,600 resolution, Exynos 5 Dual, Android 4.2 and all-important $399 starting price just tilted price-performance balance in a different direction than we'd seen even a week ago. But how does it stack up against its competition? We've included full details of the devices in a chart after the break; initial appearances suggest that pure performance hounds may like the Nexus 10 the most, although it doesn't have the most diverse options for cellular data or storage. We'll know the real tale of the tape once the Nexus 10 reaches our hands.

Continue reading Nexus 10 vs. the competition: fight!

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Nexus 10 vs. the competition: fight! originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Oct 2012 15:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Best Buy takes 2012 Amazon Kindle pre-orders for those that hate online shopping, appreciate irony

Amazon Kindle Fire HD 8.9 impressions

There's a certain amount of self-contradiction going on if you're visiting a brick-and-mortar store to pre-order a device that's all about e-commerce. If you relish the irony, Best Buy will gladly let you reserve Amazon's $69 Kindle, Kindle Paperwhite, upgraded Kindle Fire and both sizes of the Kindle Fire HD (including the LTE model) at both regular locations and Best Buy Mobile. The retailer isn't as specific with its in-stock dates as Amazon: beyond the $69 Kindle's September 14th date, we're only promised a generic October release for the Paperwhite and 7-inch Kindle Fires, while the 8.9-inch tablets will be available "before Christmas." Not the quickest path to getting a new Kindle in your hands, then, but it may be the best way to get a hands-on before clinching the deal.

Continue reading Best Buy takes 2012 Amazon Kindle pre-orders for those that hate online shopping, appreciate irony

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Best Buy takes 2012 Amazon Kindle pre-orders for those that hate online shopping, appreciate irony originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Sep 2012 16:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Amazon says: yes, you can opt out of ads on new Kindle Fire models (update 2: not likely)

Amazon confirms yes, you can opt out of ads on new Kindle Fire models

The new Kindle Fire range was barely out of the oven before Amazon drew flak for its plans to include Special Offers on the lock screen for US models. In plainer language, the tablets ship with ads built-in -- and unlike e-paper Kindles, there's no option to pay for an ad-free variant from the start. But don't cancel your pre-order just yet. Amazon's support has since confirmed to an Engadget reader that the option to remove the ads will be "announced soon." Although full details aren't forthcoming, we wouldn't be surprised if history repeats and owners have to pay a fee to cover the lost ad subsidies. You can see the relevant snippet of Amazon's response e-mail, in all its tenuous grasp of English, after the break.

[Thanks, Anonymous]

Update: Since we've posted, CNET has talked to a spokesperson who claims that there will be "no way" to remove ads. We're getting to the bottom of this, although it's clear there's at least a schism between what PR and support staff understand.

Update 2: We've gotten in touch with Amazon ourselves, and they say that there's been a mix-up in support -- there won't be any opt-out choice. Sorry, folks. If you don't like ads, you'll have to hope there's a change of heart between now and launch.

Continue reading Amazon says: yes, you can opt out of ads on new Kindle Fire models (update 2: not likely)

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Amazon says: yes, you can opt out of ads on new Kindle Fire models (update 2: not likely) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Sep 2012 11:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Amazon confirms Kindle Fire HD models use Android 4.0 under the hood

Amazon confirms Kindle Fire HD models use Android 40 under the hood

We already had a hunch Amazon's tablets would move to Android 4.0 behind the scenes, and that's just what's happened. An Amazon spokesperson has confirmed to Engadget that at least the Kindle Fire HD's 7-inch and 8.9-inch forms have had a taste of Ice Cream Sandwich to go with their new interfaces. We don't know yet if the sped-up original gets the same treatment, although it's using an older and only slightly tweaked interface. Similarly, there's no word on any upgrade path to Jelly Bean; it's not something to count on, knowing the conservative path for the original slate. We're just glad that Amazon is keeping up with the times where it matters the most.

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Amazon confirms Kindle Fire HD models use Android 4.0 under the hood originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Sep 2012 19:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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