[drivebyacct2]

No kidding! Even if I granted that a new brand-space might make sense, if you want a dedicated e-reader, then buy one. I love the e-ink, and I would not buy an iPad/Android/Kindle with a backlight as an e-reader device, but mostly people don't understand and say "wait, I can't read it in the dark?".

I feel the author missed the point almost entirely. Android has been hurting because Google repeatedly fails to deliver on an integrated media experience. Amazon can bring streaming video, TV partnerships, books, music and apps, today. All by themselves, in their own ecosystem on their own devices. This is the closest thing to an iTunes (and iTunes' library) competitor.

[Yhippa]

I agree. I feel that the Kindle Fire is Amazon's physical manifestation of it's online services. Whereas Google provides Android as a foundation for other hardware manufacturers to use this is a distinct offering from any other tablet in the market. You have Amazon building a targeted consumption device for apps, games, books, and video.

This is indeed a compelling offering. It's a one-stop shop. Rather than content providers fighting with Apple. Amazon as the content provider is not doing that and making it easier for Average Joe's like me to consume content. Much like Apple did with music and iTunes years ago.