Since the iPad was introduced in the spring of 2010, many tablet makers have tried — and largely failed — to challenge Apple's dominance. On Wednesday, Amazon unveiled the latest iPad challenger, the long-awaited Kindle tablet. The Kindle Fire will retail for just $199 (the iPad starts at $499), has a color touchscreen, boasts the ability to run a number of Android apps, and will seamlessly integrate with Amazon's vast library of e-books, music, movies, and television. Has the iPad finally met its match?
Kindle Fire will definitely hurt iPad sales: "For the average brand-conscious, non-geek consumer, the $200 Amazon Kindle Fire can do just about everything the $500 WiFi-only iPad can do, except take a picture," says Jason Gilbert at The Huffington Post. Sure, the Fire lacks large storage options, a camera, and a built-in email client. Yes, it has a smaller screen. But it's cheap, it's functional, and it has its own "cool" factor.
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