Amazon is reportedly prepping a tablet that could launch sometime before October.
The Seattle-based company is also apparently readying two updated versions of its popular Kindle e-reader for a Q3 debut.
Although details of the new e-readers are scarce, the Wall Street Journal confirms one will be a touch-screen device, while the other – sans touch-screen – is expected to offer an “improved and cheaper” iteration of the current Kindle.
Meanwhile, the Amazon tablet will feature a nine-inch screen and run Google’s Android OS (presumably Honeycomb).
Unfortunately, the device will not include a camera, but will allow users to easily watch video, read e-books and listen to digital music.
The new tablet is likely to help Amazon in its campaign against Apple’s iPad, although it remains unclear just how much market share the device can realistically claim.
True, Android Honeycomb will definitely offer Amazon a fighting chance, but let’s hope Google works closely with the online retailer to create an optimized device with a slick UI – hopefully, one that is not haunted by unresolved issues and glitches.
Really, the last thing the tablet market needs right now is yet another half-baked Android device. Of course, if done right, the Amazon tablet may yet prove itself to be a clear and present danger to Apple’s iPad.
