Technology Updates

Amazon announced Kindle Fire tablets measuring 7″ which is aimed at readers of E-Book that also has multimedia functions and online.

Kindle Fire is an Android tablet with a large-scale customization wrapped with the application, skins, browser, and the Android application market made by Amazon. The customization did not even leave a trace that these tablets are Android OS, where all associated with Google was changed or eliminated. Kindle Fire physically looks very similar to BlackBerry Playbook, both of sizes and designs and materials. The similarity occurs because both are produced by the same company, Quanta.

In terms of specifications, there is nothing special about this Amazon tablet; no camera, only Wifi connectivity; and multimedia capabilities, processor and battery life on average. But that makes it superior and noteworthy is the sale price. The price of Kindle Fire according to Amazon official site is $199, where the price is much cheaper when compared to iPad (U.S. $ 499-899), Playbook (U.S. $ 499-699) or other Android tablets.

Kindle Fire lowest price obtained from the specifications that are not prominent, and the taking of profit margin which is not great for every device sold. Then where Amazon gets the profit? Since Amazon is selling E-Book content (online book), then they choose to lose in Kindle Fire sales with a compensation benefit from the sale of E-Book and the presence of the ads that appear on each.

Indeed Kindle Fire tablet is not a competitor or iPad killer, but considering the price is very cheap, Kindle Fire will certainly attract customer segments that need affordable tablet to read E-Book without the frills of other features that are not too important.

Kindle Fire Specifications

Previously the future OS MeeGo after abandoned by Nokia who prefer Windows Phone looks very bleak. But now not anymore, because MeeGo will be reborn in the hands of the Linux Foundation which is the shaft in the development of open-source OS based on Linux, named Tizen. As we know, MeeGo is a Linux-based open source mobile operating system project. Their primarily targeted at mobile devices and information appliances in the consumer electronics market.

In February 2011, Nokia announced a partnership with Microsoft for mobile handsets and the departure of Nokia’s MeeGo team manager Alberto Torres, leading to speculation as to Nokia’s future participation in MeeGo development or using Windows Phone by Nokia. In September 2011, Nokia has begun shipments the first Nokia N9 MeeGo smartphone model, ahead of the Windows Phone 7 launch expected later this year. First MeeGo based tablet WeTab was launched in 2010 by Neofonie.

Intel and Samsung are also included in the project of Tizen, where they will be act as Lead Developer. Intel will support Tizen with Intel AppUp program developer and also the program developer with HTML5 and the WAC-based standards. There is also the LiMo Foundation who joined, this company is a telecommunications consortium comprising ACCESS, Panasonic Mobile, Casio NEC, NTT DoCoMo, Samsung, SK Telecom, Telefonica, and Vodafone.

“The Linux Foundation is pleased to host the Tizen platform,” said Jim Zemlin, Executive Director of The Linux Foundation. “Open source platforms such as Tizen are good for Linux as they further its adoption across device categories. We look forward to collaborating with the LiMo Foundation and its members on this project.”

Just like MeeGo, Tizen will support a variety of devices such as Tablet, Notebook, mobile phones, SmartTV, and other device. Tizen is scheduled to be released in first quarter of 2012, where the first product based on Tizen OS will be out in mid 2012.

In the near future Disney Mobile will launch an application that is quite interesting for the iPad. Introducing Disney Appmates application, the app that can transform an iPad into a very interesting board game.

By using specially-made toy cars from Disney, that uses Cars 2 movie’s characters, your iPad will offer different game sensation. An iPad which is already installed Disney Appmates will be able to respond to any movement or action of that particular toy car. There are no additional devices needed to be able to play this game.

No need for wifi or bluetooth, this game is fully utilizing the touch screen on the iPad. General Manager of Disney Mobile, Bart Decrem, demonstrates this game directly to allthings. He pointed out that every car movement will affect the iPad screen. For example when a car honked, the cows will automatically step aside because of fear. By using these technologies, Disney believes that this technology will give new color in gaming world.

“We have cracked the technology code in changing the way kids play with their toys,” said Sunny Lauridsen, director of digital toys for DCP. “Kids will always use toys to play out their favorite Disney stories, but Disney Appmates now allows them to include technology which has become a way of life for them through a beautifully rich app.”

As a first step, Disney Mobile only provides limited characters like Lightning McQueen, Tow Mater, Holley Shiftwell, and Finn McMissile. While wo additional characters — Francesco Bernoulli and Shu Todoroki — will launch in November and be available exclusively through Apple Store and Apple Store online. Each character will have its own effect in the game. The toys and Disney Appmates will be launched on October 1 at the Apple Store and the Disney Store. The application can be downloaded for free, but for the toys must be purchased for 20 USD.