Kindle

Amazon said to be looking to buy Kindle chip supplier Texas Instruments

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 19, 2018

Online retailer Amazon is considering an acquisition of Texas Instruments, a maker of mobile processors used in a variety of tablets and smartphones. The rumor arrives just as Texas Instruments confirmed it's been struggling to upend its main rivals Nvidia and Qualcomm for orders.

According to Reuters, citing a report by Israeli financial newspaper Calcalist (which last December broke news of Apple's acquisition of Anobit), Amazon is "in advanced talks" to buy Texas Instruments for an undisclosed sum...

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Amazon CEO admits Kindles are sold at cost

Ed Sutherland ∙ October 12, 2012

For some time, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos has been cagey when it comes to discussing hard numbers surrounding the Internet retailer's Kindle. But apparently, Bezos is a bit more open when not talking to U.S. reporters. Speaking to the BBC Thursday, Bezos said his company sell's "the hardware at cost, so it is break-even on the hardware."

The answer shouldn't be too much a of a surprise. As All Things Digital notes, selling items cheaply in hopes of consumers snapping up humungous numbers of your widgets is a rather common retail practice. Apple has successfully bucked this trend, hauling in huge profit margins for its devices...

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Walmart stops Kindle sales, following Target’s lead

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated April 10, 2018

Amazon's $199 Kindle and low-price retailer Walmart would appear to be a match made in discount heaven, right? Then how do you explain today's news that Walmart is kicking Amazon to the curb? In a statement, Walmart only says the decision is part of its "overall merchandising strategy."

"Recently, Walmart Stores, Inc. made a business decision to not carry current Amazon products beyond our purchase commitments and existing inventory," the Bentonville, Ark. firm told store managers Wednesday. In the memo reported by Reuters, Walmart officials said the stores will continue to offer "a broad assortment of tablets, eReaders and accessories at a variety of great price points."

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This Amazon vs. Apple chart says it all

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 18, 2016

We love the new Kindle lineup of e-readers and tablets, especially the brand new Kindle with Paperdisplay and the super-charged Kindle Fire HD. At last week's unveiling, the CEO Jeff Bezos underscored that Amazon wants to make money when people use their devices.

That's why all Kindle devices display ads on the lock screen (don't worry, you can opt-out for fifteen bucks). And just like Google, Amazon is selling hardware below cost, hoping to recoup losses through content sales on Amazon.com. The only problem with this strategy: Amazon's profitability doesn't even close to Apple's....

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Wall Street: Amazon’s new Kindle Fire unlikely to hurt iPad Sales

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated April 10, 2018

Should Apple be nervous following Amazon introducing the Kindle Fire HD Thursday? No, says Wall Street. However, Google and Microsoft could be sweating bullets, analysts are telling investors Friday.

"Apple still rules the tablet world," writes Brian White of Topeka Capital Markets. Indeed, the expected release of a 7.85-inch 'iPad mini' will expand the the company's customer base, "potentially even surpassing sales of the regular-sized iPad." In short, Apple investors should relax...

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Amazon refreshes the Kindle lineup, targets the iPad with all-new Kindle Fire HD

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 11, 2018

Following recent product launches by technology giants Samsung, Googlerola and Microkia, the online retail giant Amazon summoned select members of the press to a media event in Los Angeles, California. As previously hinted, the company is expected to unveil half a dozen new Kindle devices, including a ten-inch tablet to take Apple's iPad head on.

Some people even hope the company will launch a smartphone of its own, just to make fall phone options a tad more interesting. As always, iDB is watching the announcement so you don't have to, bringing you everything worth knowing. Here are the goodies Amazon has in store for us (just don't call them gadgets, will ya'?)...

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Google’s Nexus 7 beats iPad 3 on repairability

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 4, 2012

Despite being only one millimeter thicker, Google's upcoming Nexus 7 slate is more repairable than the new iPad, a teardown analysis by iFixit has concluded. Its components are assembled using standard tools, unlike the new iPad's innards which are glued together.

A simpler assembly makes servicing the Google tablet fairly easy with standard plastic opening tools that make "cracking the Nexus shell like cutting through butter"...

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The Kindle Fire is gaining market share but the iPad remains the king

Guest Author ∙ February 16, 2012

Some interesting news has been released today regarding the recent success of the Kindle Fire, Amazon's flagship tablet device. According to iSuppli, Amazon managed to grab a 14% share of the tablet market in the last financial quarter, while Apple's market share dropped from 64% in Q3 to 57% in Q4.

Apple released the iPad 2 nearly a year ago so it makes perfect sense that demand will drop as the year goes on, especially when new products like the Fire get released later in the year. I expect market share to significantly increase further in Apple's favor when iPad 3 drops...

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Amazon goes on the offensive with new Kindle Fire ad

Oliver Haslam ∙ Updated June 25, 2017

Amazon has gone on the offensive in the company's battle for tablet supremacy by taking a price-powered swipe at its only real competition - the iPad.

The ad, which follows similar Kindle ads we have seen by showing a young lady in a bikini reading a book, shows both the new Kindle e-reader and the Android-powered Kindle Fire in use, while taking a stab at the iPad's lofty price.

Needless to say Amazon's iPad alternatives come up trumps in the new 30-second spot, with one poor chap finding himself shot down in more than one way when he approaches the woman in question...

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Inside Apple: Apple’s Dirty Little Secrets Now Available for Download

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated May 30, 2017

Inside Apple is a new book by Adam Lashinsky that takes a shot at revealing how the Cupertino company works from the inside out. A few excerpts have been released within the last couple days, but now, the whole book is available to everyone.

According to the book's description, "INSIDE APPLE reveals the secret systems, tactics and leadership strategies that allowed Steve Jobs and his company to churn out hit after hit and inspire a cult-like following for its products."

The book is available from various sources:

Download it from the iBooks Store for $12.99 Download it from the Kindle Store for $12.99 Order the hard cover copy from Amazon for $16.19
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19% of Americans Now Own a Tablet

Oliver Haslam ∙ Updated January 24, 2016

The Christmas period is always one where technology sees a huge increase in sales, and the 2011 holidays were no exception. According to one report, in fact, the Christmas period has seen tablet ownership in the United Stated jump dramatically.

The report, compiled by Pew, shows that tablet ownership amongst US adults rose from 10% to 19% over the holidays, with e-readers also seeing a growth in ownership figures.

Pew's figures also suggest that there is little overlap between the two...

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