Amazon has released updates to their Kindle Fire HDX series in both the 7- and 8.9-inch models. Amazon has produced some pretty competitive devices, which are significantly cheaper than competing tablets on the market. According to techcrunch.com:
“Amazon has upped the Fire tablet ante with two new HDX models in 7- and 8.9-inch sizes with brand-new, high-resolution screens and running an updated Snapdragon 800 quad-core processor at 2GHz. Both models have adaptive screens that change brightness according to the ambient light and a special reading mode that will keep the tablet alive for 17 hours of uninterrupted reading.
“The new models are considerably thinner than the original Fire models. For example, the 8.9-inch model is 34 percent lighter than the original 8.9 and is far thinner. Alongside these new models, Amazon is launching an updated OS, called Fire OS, with improved enterprise compatibility for email and secure browsing.”
Amazon has not only made the new Kindle Fire HDX slimmer and better to look at, but they have also made changes under the hood to make the devices perform smoother and faster. As reported by cnet.com:
“Each of the new HDX tablets houses a 2.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 CPU and an Adreno 330 graphics processor. Essentially, this means fast, fast, fast gaming performance, as the 800 is no joke when it comes to frame rates, even on phones. That, coupled with 2GB of RAM, and the Fire HDX might be the most graphically advanced portable device yet when it releases later this year.”
Aside from the hardware, Amazon has also updated the software, making the user experience more useful and enjoyable. The new software, dubbed ‘Mojito,’ comes with major updates including; Goodreads integration, a second screen which allows simultaneous content streaming to your television; and most notably, their new help desk feature ‘Mayday.’ As also reported by cnet.com:
“Accessed from the quick setting menu, the Mayday button is built-in and nearly immediate tech support like we’ve never seen before. According to Amazon, after tapping the button, a live tech support representative will appear on your screen within 15 seconds. The rep can draw on your screen, take complete control of your tablet, or simply coach you through difficult times. With the tablet, that is.
“The service will be available 24-7, 365. Hopefully, Amazon has figured out an effective way of weeding out false calls from those of us simply looking for some extra company on a lonely Saturday night.”
The new Kindle Fire HDX series will be released in time for the holiday shopping season.
The 7-inch model starts at $229 for a 16GB model and $329 for the LTE-enabled WWAN version. The Wi-Fi-only model will ship October 15, and the LTE version will ship on November 14. Pre-orders are available now: you can pre-order the 8.9-inch version for $379 (shipping November 7) and the 4G version, at $479, will be available in December.
