Vaporized by Fire

Okay, we know the Kindle Fire is selling like crazy. To absolutely nobody's surprise, it's cutting into iPad sales this Christmas. (What is surprising, though, is that Apple's own MacBook Air is also cutting into iPad sales. So much for all those predictions of the death of the laptop at the hands of the tablet.)

However, at least one analyst says that the Fire is going to get so big, it's going to vaporize other Android tablets. Yes, that is the exact word that Evercore Partners' Robert Cihra used – vaporize. Pretty strong, isn't it? 


Cihra predicts that by next year, the Fire will make up half of all Android tablet sales. Fully half, for a device just making its bow this holiday season. Extreme? Maybe – until you take into consideration how underwhelming the sales of other tablets have been, until their manufacturers have panic fire sales. (BlackBerry PlayBook, I'm looking at you.)

Whether you choose to believe Cihra or think he's just getting carried away with enthusiam for The New Hot Shiny Thing, one thing is for sure – the Fire needs to be taken seriously on several levels -

1. If you're a self-published author, a Kindle edition of your book is no longer a luxury, it's a necessity. The Fire is going to bring people into the electronic publishing ranks who are curious as to what all the hype is about. Many of them wouldn't have even considered E-books before.

2. If you're a game designer, think Android, and think medium. Yes, medium. The Fire screen is smaller than the iPad, yet larger than a phone – a size range a lot of people haven't thought about designing for before. Remember, all those Fire owners are going to want something to play on their new device once Angry Birds becomes been there, done that.

3. Apps, apps, apps. Like Apple's app store, the Amazon Marketplace for Kindle Fire apps is about to become a crowded place, so think of this as a place to make a name, not a fortune – but if you hit the sweet spot, a name can be made very quickly. Here's where you can think outside the box a little – we all know people will be looking for games and media, but productivity can come in useful here, too.

Oh, and by the way, just because the Fire is King of Tablet Mountain right now, that doesn't necessarily mean it's going to be there forever. A possible challenger has emerged – Chinese firm Ainol has developed a $100 tablet that runs Ice Cream Sandwich, Google's very latest version of the Android OS, and it's said to be coming to these shores. At this time next year, will we be talking about Chinese tablets putting out the Fire? Stay tuned! – Bonnie Walling

  • Scott D

    This ties into what I just posted, too. Microsoft is aiming *hard* at the app market, especially Windows and Android platforms. However, I doubt the Fire will “vapourize” the competition. It may become the tablet to beat, though, but along with Aniol’s entry, Kobo’s Vox is already out. (All Kobo needs is a viable partner in the US after their last one, Borders, went bankrupt.)

  • http://www.stevensavage.com/ Steven Savage

    Having seen the Asus Transformer, which is way impressive, I’m inclined to think vaporize is too strong a word. Plus what’s being missed is people having multiple devices AND the Kindle just making Android tablets more acceptable.
    Will it be big? Of course. That’s a given. But the hyperbole is too much.
    And yes, Kindle is NECCESSARY if you’re a publisher. Trust me.