Discount retail chain Target has told
The Vergethat it will stop offering the Amazon Kindle line to its customers. The tablets have been removed from Target's website although inventory remains to be sold at the stores. The action means that the discount retailer will no longer be offering the
Android flavored Amazon Kindle Fire which is
the second highest selling tablet in the world after the Apple iPad. While the tablets will no longer be offered by Target once they are sold out, accessories for the Kindle line will still be available. Target also says that it will continue to offer the Barnes and Noble Nook series.
Target is taking this action because of a conflict of interest, says a source for The Verge, as Apple plans on
opening mini-stores inside Target locations. By removing the Amazon Kindle Fire from its shelves, the retailer is
leaving the field open for the iPad. Assuming that Apple made the request to remove the Amazon Kindle line from Target stores, it shows just how much of a competitor the Cupertino based firm feels that Amazon's tablet is to the Apple iPad. It might also signal that the speculation of a
smaller iPad with a 7.85 inch screen is true. The Amazon Kindle Fire is equipped with a 7 inch screen.
"Target continually evaluates its product assortment to deliver the best quality and prices for our guests. Target is phasing out Kindles and Amazon- and Kindle-branded products in the spring of 2012. We will continue to offer our guests a full assortment of ereaders and supporting accessories including the Nook."-Target.
source: TheVerge (
1), (
2) via
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