If you are thinking of buying an Amazon Kindle Fire - or any tablet - I'd hold off if I were you.
Reuters is reporting Amazon will soon unveil up to a half dozen new Kindle e-reader tablets, perhaps following Apple's example of one basic model available in a different memory configurations - say, 16, 32 and 64 GB versions, some with Wi-Fi connectivity only, some offering Wi-Fi plus cellular connectivity - but this is mere speculation, even if it is logical.
In addition to these varying 7-inch Fires, the retail giant also is reported to be readying a 10-inch model to compete with the 9.7-inch iPad. Perhaps there'll also be iPad-like memory/capacity step-up versions of this larger Fire as well.
Ironically, while Amazon thinks of going bigger, Apple is almost assuredly going smaller. A 7.85-inch iPad Mini to compete with Kindle Fire is almost a sure thing.
Even though Steve Jobs insisted a 7-inch tablet was a stupid idea, Kindle Fire has successfully challenged Apple's dominance of the tablet market. However, thanks to its new tablets, Samsung reportedly has passed Amazon in tablet sales but still trails Apple.
Kindle Fire smartphone?
There also have been reports that Amazon will dip its toe into the smartphone water as well - a Kindle Fire smartphone, which some commentators think is a bad idea. Personally, I think an Amazon would design a more consumer-friendly interface than mostly me-too Android phones from Samsung, HTC, Motorola, et al.
New Kindle Fire's could mean the current model could drop to $149, which - even with its expected shortcomings when compared to whatever the new models offer - will make it quite a value, if and when, especially when compared to the $139 Nook Glow.
A $149 Kindle Fire might force Barnes & Noble to lower the price on all its e-readers and tablets. And new Kindle Fires, along with the Apple iPad Mini, will make this a tablet buyer's paradise this fall.
You can read the comprehensive report from Reuters here.
