Analyst cuts forecast of Amazon Kindle Fire sales because of Google Nexus 7 and mini Apple iPad

When the Google Nexus 7 was launched, right away it got the nickname "Kindle Fire Killer" because of the similarly sized screen and (at least with the 8GB model) the same price. Add the expected launch of a 7 inch version of the Apple iPad and it is no surprise that Cowen analyst Kevin Kopelman has cut his forecast for Amazon's tablet. He now expects to see 12 million units of the Amazon Kindle Fire get sold this year, down from his original expectation of 14 million units sold. If you think that is small potatoes, the lost 2 million units would equal $400 million in sales that is slipping through Amazon's fingers. He figures that Amazon sold 4 million units in 2011 when the low-priced tablet launched in November of that year.

Kopelman's reduced estimate not only takes into account the increased competition from the Google Nexus 7 and the mini Apple iPhone, but also Target's decision to remove the Kindle Fire from its stores. What might help the Amazon Kindle Fire is talk that a refreshed version is coming down the pike along with the possibility of a model with a 10 inch screen and possibly a version offering Wi-Fi connectivity.

Out of all of the interesting product battles that might occur in 2012-2013, the possible three way low-priced tablet battle between the Google Nexus Fire, the Amazion Kindle-Fire and the mini Apple iPad could be among the most intriguing. It looks like the glory days of the Amazon Kindle Fire might have been cut short prematurely by the competition.

source: CNET