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PhoneArena awards 2011: Game-changing product

posted by Nick T. / Nov 30, 2011, 9:18 AM

PhoneArena awards 2011: Game-changing product

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to the PhoneArena awards of 2011! Today, we are here to honor the game-changing product of the year; the product that boldly broke the well-established standards of the wireless industry and grabbed the attention of consumers and manufacturers alike.

Some might think that the device we have in mind today has the tech specs of a rocket ship and the looks of a luxury car, but they would all be wrong. For the game-changing product of 2011 brags neither with its hardware nor with its visual appeal. Instead, it stands out with its extensive set of features delivered at an almost too good to be true price.

Can you already guess which is the winner in today's category? Well, we will not tease you any further, but before we announce the game-changing product of 2011, allow us to remind you that the awards for top technology breakthrough, best innovation, most significant deal, and most delayed smartphone have already been given, so check them out if you have not done so already.

And the award goes to: Amazon Kindle Fire

Just several months ago, if one wanted to get themselves a decent tablet, they had to drop a considerable amount of cash on the table. Of course, those no-name Android-powered alternatives have been and will most likely be around for quite a while, but the fact that no popular brand backs them up can make even the less tech-inclined consumer have second thoughts before buying one.

Well, the Amazon Kindle Fire puts an end to all that. For the first time since modern tablets hit the mainstream, consumers can purchase a slate that offers an extensive set of features without breaking the bank, and all of that from a company they have actually heard of before. Besides, Amazon chose the perfect time for the launch of its tablet – right before the holiday shopping spree was about to begin.

Sure, since the device is priced at only $199, Amazon is not making much for every Kindle Fire that it sells, but that is not much of a priority for the company right now. Instead, the fees for services and software that Amazon charges is where the cash is going to come from, and the tablet's affordable price is going to drive the rapid expansion of the Kindle Fire user database.

Some might even say that the iPad's supremacy on the tablet market is in danger as the Amazon Kindle Fire has the potential to outsell it over time. And rightfully so – studies have shown that the interest in Kindle Fire is sky-high while the number of people planning on purchasing an iPad is slowly declining. Besides, the Black Friday Kindle Fire sales figures pretty much speak for themselves.

But what about the Barnes & Noble Nook Tablet? Yes, the Nook Tablet is definitely similar to the Amazon Kindle Fire, but superior it isn't. What puts the Kindle Fire in front of Barnes & Noble's offering is the vast Amazon ecosystem, which offers both an extremely rich selection of multimedia and access to a great number of third-party software. Besides, the Nook is priced at $50 steeper, which does not seem to be justified, even though it offers some flexibility when it comes to on-board storage.

And there you have it, folks! The PhoneArena award for a game-changing product of 2011 goes to the Amazon Kindle Fire. However, the next award is to be given no later than tomorrow, so stay tuned!

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PhoneArena Rating:

7.5

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User Rating:

7.0

Based on 5 Reviews

Display 7.0" 1024 x 600 pixels

Processor TI OMAP4, Dual-core, 1000 MHz

Storage 8 GB

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47 Comments

1. remixfa

Posts: 14605; Member since: Dec 19, 2008

totally justified. if/when the fire continues to sell well, its going to change the tablet paradagm. Hopefully this will end the era of $600 tablet toys as people realize they are just lining the pockets of the company and not actually getting anything extra. go Fire go! :)

posted on Nov 30, 2011, 9:23 AM 12

2. oddmanout

Posts: 443; Member since: May 22, 2009

Couldn't have said it any better. The pricing of tablets before / even now is ridiculous. The kindle fire sets the tone for what should be expected at bare minimum for $200. I hate living in an economy where we pay hundreds of dollars for a product of no greater significance between what you'd expect from a low end product. Sure screen size and processor speed can play a role in the price but there is still hundreds of dollars on the price tag just lingering unexplained for some devices.

posted on Nov 30, 2011, 9:43 AM 4

40. tomast

Posts: 50; Member since: Oct 16, 2011

You do know that amazon is actually losing money on the kindle fire because it coasts more to make it than what there selling it for.

posted on Nov 30, 2011, 5:15 PM 1

42. JGuinan007

Posts: 699; Member since: May 19, 2011

thats the whole idea they lose 15$ up front but recoup that amount in the app store when you use amazon app store

posted on Nov 30, 2011, 9:06 PM 1

45. oddmanout

Posts: 443; Member since: May 22, 2009

Yes I'm aware that the price of the device costs more to manufacture but don't be fooled. They aren't stupid and they're making plenty of profit from it. Its only about a $20 loss per unit but its made back easily through downloads and there's no telling what kind of discount they can be receiving. Most manufacturers offer some sort of discount for bulk orders and it doesn't hurt to have the amazon name backing them up. For all we know, amazon could be actually gaining profit for each kindle. Just because it costs more for the parts doesn't necessarily mean that they're paying top dollar for its construction.

posted on Nov 30, 2011, 10:44 PM 1

7. Zayuh24

Posts: 149; Member since: Nov 21, 2011

I completely agree. Companies are making a HUGE profit on each device. The iPads cost roughly $350 each to make, so why not put the price tag somewhere along those lines? Same with Android tablets with comparable hardware. Companies will make a profit from downloadable content from the marketplace, purchased accessories, etc. anyway so why not lower the prices a little to open the door for more buyers? That's my only bit of logic for it.

posted on Nov 30, 2011, 10:13 AM 1

3. HTCiscool

Posts: 449; Member since: Jul 16, 2011

Finally! I would have said this or the SGSll easy. This should definitely jumpstart an era of cheap, quality tablets.

posted on Nov 30, 2011, 9:48 AM 2

4. Packer29

Posts: 56; Member since: Sep 10, 2011

I will agree this one is definitly more reasonable and better than most the overpriced android junk!

posted on Nov 30, 2011, 9:52 AM 2

5. Packer29

Posts: 56; Member since: Sep 10, 2011

And yes i realize it runs an android system

posted on Nov 30, 2011, 9:53 AM 0

6. km_1964

Posts: 3; Member since: Nov 30, 2011

a well deserved award...

posted on Nov 30, 2011, 9:54 AM 2

8. gallitoking

Posts: 4721; Member since: May 17, 2011

well for a 7" inch tablet.. is ok.. not enough to win an award... but.. i guess i was the only one who did the research on this tablet and is an average tablet that in way will challengethe ipad2 as time has shown.. people like quality over quantity.. except fandroids that get their free Android w/Froyo out of the box...yeahhh

posted on Nov 30, 2011, 10:15 AM 3

9. roldefol

Posts: 4745; Member since: Jan 28, 2011

I'm with the crowd on the Fire. No single phone this year was a true market-busting game-changer, but in the tablet space offering anything for $200 is a pretty big deal. B&N came close last year with the Nook Color, but Amazon actually has the marketing clout to really shake up the market. This opens the door for more $200-400 tablets, and then watch the iPad's market share gradually decline.

posted on Nov 30, 2011, 10:27 AM 2

10. iamcc

Posts: 1319; Member since: Oct 07, 2011

People like quality without paying for iQuality.

posted on Nov 30, 2011, 10:32 AM 5

12. gallitoking

Posts: 4721; Member since: May 17, 2011

are you sure about that... look at the iphone sales.. ok..

posted on Nov 30, 2011, 10:38 AM 3

13. roldefol

Posts: 4745; Member since: Jan 28, 2011

Well, he didn't say how MANY people, eh? People keep buying iPhones on their merits, but they also buy Androids on theirs, and for the sheer variety out there. Until now there's only been one major player in tablets, but the Fire changes that. As people see there are other options, Android tablets like the Galaxy can sieze the opening too. They just need to be priced to sell, which they haven't been to date.

posted on Nov 30, 2011, 10:53 AM 0

18. gallitoking

Posts: 4721; Member since: May 17, 2011

thats because Android wants to follow Apple.. Apple can price the the ipad2 or the iphoen at any price.. and people will still buy it.. (649.99 for a 16GB iphone4S) Android tried to priced their Zoom higher (more specs) and it didnt sold... you got to have brand recognition to do that... android is popular.. but so is Acne

posted on Nov 30, 2011, 11:33 AM 2

25. roldefol

Posts: 4745; Member since: Jan 28, 2011

The general public won't buy Android on name recognition. The name by definition is pure geek. Android is the Windows PC of today. We buy them because they're customizable, available at every price level and from many manufacturers. Apple will continue to do what it has for decades now with the Mac, and that's sell limited product lines at high prices. They'll continue to sell well, even against competing products with more functionality, but they can't maintain majority market share. I foresee the same happening to them with tablets, starting with this Kindle.

posted on Nov 30, 2011, 11:58 AM 2

46. speckledapple

Posts: 902; Member since: Sep 29, 2011

That's that first piece of common sense I have read on here. It just makes sense that this will happen. Look at the PC market. Apple still sells macs, macbooks, and the like and they make great profit on each one because they control everything and price it higher. However, the market itself is not led by them. They may make some inroads, most recently because they can weather the recession better, but they will not be the market leader in the industry.

posted on Dec 14, 2011, 11:19 PM 0

14. iamcc

Posts: 1319; Member since: Oct 07, 2011

I didn\'t say people DON\'T pay for what I called \"iQuality\" i\'m just saying people would prefer if it was less...

posted on Nov 30, 2011, 10:59 AM 0

19. gallitoking

Posts: 4721; Member since: May 17, 2011

I agree on that with you

posted on Nov 30, 2011, 11:33 AM 0

11. Zayuh24

Posts: 149; Member since: Nov 21, 2011

You don't do research at all before you comment, huh? The iPad cost $260 to make and was originally being sold for $700. The iPad 2 cost $326.60 to make, yet both are now sold for $400, $500, and $600 respectively. The point is to make a profit, yes, but we as consumers are being overpriced yet again because of Apple's greedy tactics. The Android tablets came in the game later and have to catch up in sales, so they're going to place their prices around the same tag as the guy ahead, if not a little less. Apple realized their first mistake of placing the original iPad at $700, and cut the cost of the iPad 2 to $500 and $600. They know they're going to make a profit regardless of where the price tag is as long as its reasonable because they will make a killing from downloadable content and Apple-manufactured accessories. In the economy today, people are willing to pay LESS for a product that does what they WANT, and Amazon is a trusted brand for downloads just as Apple is a trusted brand for products, so they will take the lesser of two punches and go with the lower priced one.

posted on Nov 30, 2011, 10:37 AM 1

15. gallitoking

Posts: 4721; Member since: May 17, 2011

look I have the ipad 2.. if you have the Amazon tablet then we can debate.. but if you dont and only based on paper.. then buy the kindle or find someone that has it.. so we can compare both tablets.. the market today is saturated (thanks to Android) with mostly cheap tablets... and not one... has challenge the ipad2 in sales.. proving that people will spend more money to buy a quality product over an Amazon product... geeks here will drool to have the latest gadget for braging purposes.. because i dont think we need Quadcores phones... for anything..

posted on Nov 30, 2011, 11:21 AM 2

43. JGuinan007

Posts: 699; Member since: May 19, 2011

I had the 1st Ipad I played with it for 3 months then never really used it threw away 700$ that kinda hurt my pocket but a tablet at 200$ I picked it up and I use it alot and since its smaller I actually take with me more and I think its better than the 1st Ipad although I liked the bigger screen

posted on Nov 30, 2011, 9:15 PM 1

16. remixfa

Posts: 14605; Member since: Dec 19, 2008

you obviously dont understand the reasoning for the tablet. its not for its features, its cloud abilities, android or anything.. its because its the first dual core mass produced tablet that is going to be a huge hit (more than likely sell more than all other android tablets combined within a few months). The reason is that its popularity will put a huge downard pressure on the tablet market. if your looking at a $200 ipad and a $600 ipad and the only difference is on is 3 inches larger.. would u really buy the $600 ipad?? Are you telling me you wouldnt love if an ipad was 200-400 instead of 600+? especially if there was no real difference other than price? you should be rooting the Fire on, not questioning it.

posted on Nov 30, 2011, 11:22 AM 2

17. darth8balI

Posts: 18; Member since: Sep 30, 2011

Do you really think there's no difference between the fire and iPad other than price?

posted on Nov 30, 2011, 11:24 AM 3

21. Zayuh24

Posts: 149; Member since: Nov 21, 2011

There are three main differences: 1. Price. 2. Brand. 3. Consumer Expectancies. 1: Price is a key factor for the middle/low class society that do not want to pay an arm and a leg for any device. 2: The product's BRAND name stands out to a consumer just as much as the price. You look at a familiar name such as Apple, Sony, or Microsoft and hold it up to a less-popular name like Asus, Acer, etc. (in the US). Which do you honestly think will get more attention to the less tech-savvy buyer? People look at Amazon as an eBook/media-downloading company and expect it to perform quite well at that. The list goes on and on. 3: Word of mouth is a huge resource and ties together with what the consumer expects from a product. His friends tell him all about how the latest iPad has FaceTime with your iPhone and he wants to try something similar so that's what he looks for in the product. His friends also tell him that it's super fast and he wants to try it for himself; also another thing he expects from the device. What the consumer wants the product to do is only known by how its advertised, which Apple bests anybody at. Other things like memory, apps, OS, etc. come into consideration, but after considering the three main things I mentioned.

posted on Nov 30, 2011, 11:46 AM 0

23. remixfa

Posts: 14605; Member since: Dec 19, 2008

darth, you missed the point of my responce. i didnt compare the fire to the ipad, i compared a 200 ipad with the EXACT same features other than 3 inches of screen space... ie a 7 inch $200 ipad vs a 10 inch $600 ipad. market 101 peeps... market 101..

posted on Nov 30, 2011, 11:50 AM 1

30. darth8balI

Posts: 18; Member since: Sep 30, 2011

But the features are not the same. I'm not following.

posted on Nov 30, 2011, 12:44 PM 1

44. JGuinan007

Posts: 699; Member since: May 19, 2011

the masses dont care about the features right now they care do I need a tablet for $600 most will say no ask them if they need a tablet for $200 bucks alot will say yes then they get hooked on tablets like crack rock and the tablet market gets bigger and diversifies and more companys make tablets bigger better lighter octo- core and there the size of a legal pad and just as light all because people got hooked on the kindle fire crack rock

posted on Nov 30, 2011, 9:22 PM 0

20. gallitoking

Posts: 4721; Member since: May 17, 2011

I am questioning that the EepadTransformer was a better option as it change the tablet game... nothing against the kindle.. is a nice tablet.. just not enough for the award.. just my opinion thats all..

posted on Nov 30, 2011, 11:36 AM 1

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