Disappointed with Amazon’s Kindle Fire? You’re not alone. The complaints are rampant. Though at the price of $199, you might say there is a little breathing room for flaws, when you consider that the iPad 2 starts at $499 (though that price will likely be coming down before too long as Apple is allegedly preparing its successor’s unveiling).
Sure, Amazon risks loss of customer loyalty with a flawed product, but how often are the first incarnations of gadgets flawless anyway? There are always updates and room for improvement where future iterations can inspire appeal.
According to the New York Times, an Amazon spokesperson has promised an over-the-air update for the Kindle Fire within two weeks time. This update will be aimed at improving performance and multitouch navigation, and according to the Times, will allow customers to edit the list of items that show what they’ve been doing recently. On top of that, the report says there will probably be an improved version of the device itself soon, suggesting a spring arrival.
On the customer loyalty front, complaints about the Kindle Fire happen to coincide with some other issues the company faces with unhappy people – mainly businesses. This includes the whole Internet Tax thing and app that lets consumers scan barcodes from brick and mortar stores and buy them through Amazon at cheaper prices.
Sales of the Kindle Fire have started off strong to be sure. They sold 2 million in 2 weeks. Again, that price tag certainly helps, as does the holiday buying rush. It’s going to be very interesting to see how the Kindle Fire line competes over the longer term, with not only the iPad but other tablets that will continue to emerge and improve upon what’s already out there. The general consensus so far, however, seems to be that the iPad is still the one to beat. At least for those who can afford it.