Introducing The Amazon Tablet Computer ...

 

Well not quite - not yet anyway. However, rumors abound that Amazon are working hard to bring a tablet computer of their own to market.  

In fact, one industry insider has gone as far as to say that it's "99% probable" that Amazon will release a tablet PC before the end of 2011. 

Other industry gossip suggests that a deal has been struck with Quanta – a Taiwanese manufacturer who also work with both Sony and Blackberry – for the actual manufacture of these devices. It’s said that production runs of up to 800,000 units a month are anticipated. 

As always, everyone is trying to guess what the name of the Amazon tablet might be. At this time, there are expected to be two models – a 7” version and a 10” version. The 7” model has been tagged the “Coyote” and the 10” version has been christened the “Hollywood”. 

Hollywood might be very appropriate. It’s very possible that an Amazon tablet could do for downloadable films what the Kindle has done for e-books. Time will tell if the names stick or not.

  ipad2 tablet computer image


Speculation also abounds that the Amazon tablet will be tightly integrated with the Amazon webstore - a little like the new Kindle with special Offers for example.

That means that Amazon will be able to subsidize the cost of the hardware with advertising as they will benefit from increased sales. In other words, we get a cheaper tablet than is currently available on the market today.

Some analysts are sticking their necks out and suggesting that the 7” Coyote model will retail for $ 349 and the 10” Hollywood for $ 449.

However, when the new Amazon tablet does appear, you'll be able to read about it here first.