Amazon.com Inc. unveiled four new Kindle Fire models on Thursday, including ones with larger screens, as the online retailer steps up competition with Apple Inc. ahead of the holiday shopping season.
Amazon unveiled the larger Kindle Fire amid expectations of a smaller iPad from Apple.
The larger Fires will have screens that measure 21.8 centimetres diagonally, compared with 24.6 centimetres for the iPad. The original Fire had 17.8centimetre screens. The speculation on the mini iPad is that it will have a 19.9-centimetre screen.
Apple isn't commenting, but it has an event scheduled next week, during which it is expected to at least announce a new iPhone.
Amazon is hoping to make a dent in a tablet computer market dominated by Apple's iPad.
Amazon has been selling lowerpriced tablets at thin, if any, profit margins to boost sales of digital items from its online store. As a result, it has been able to stay competitive with the iPad.
The basic, 17.8-centimetre Fire model will cost $159, down from $199 for the original model. It will start shipping next Friday. The cheapest iPad costs $399 and the most recent models start at $499.
Amazon is coming out with a high-end version called Kindle Fire HD. It will have two Wi-Fi channels for faster transfers.
That will be crucial for high-definition movies and other large files, CEO Jeff Bezos said.
The HD model will also have more storage, starting at 16 gigabytes, compared with 6 GB for the old Fire. The iPad also starts at 16 GB.
A 17.8-centimetre model will sell for $199 and ship next Friday. A 21.8-centimetre model will go for $299 and start shipping Nov. 20.
That means a device nearly as big as the iPad will sell for at least $100 less. The Fire, however, won't have as extensive a selection of apps as the iPad. And while the HD models will have a front-facing camera for video chats, the iPad has one on the rear as well for taking photos and video.
