We’ve been covering the latest iPhone and iPad rumors, so it seems only fair we give mention to the latest rumors surrounding a possible foray into the tablet space by online retail giant Amazon.
It’s not the first time we’ve heard mutterings about Amazon getting into this space, but now DigiTimes, citing Taiwan-based component makers as its sources, is reporting that Amazon will launch models as soon as August or September, with the sales goal of 4 million units this year, fueled by a release timed to capitalize on the run up to the holidays. DigiTimes reports:
Amazon adopts processors developed by Texas Instruments, with Taiwan-based Wintek to supply touch panels, ILI Technology to supply LCD driver ICs and Quanta Computer responsible for assembly, the sources indicated. Monthly shipments are expected to be 700,000-800,000 units. Amazon will provide streaming movie services for users of its tablet PCs, the sources noted.
Peter Kafka at AllThingsD calls DigiTimes the “trade journal that sometimes does an astonishingly accurate job of sussing out secretive product plans by reporting on Asian component makers. And sometimes it’s not accurate at all.”
In other words, believe it or not.
Amazon has been pretty bold with recent moves taking on Google and Apple on their own turf, by launching their own App stores for Android and for Mac.
Amazon has also seen great success with its Kindle device, and e-books, which could only help to fuel consumer interest in an Amazon-branded tablet device to rival the iPad.
Right now, despite the competition, it doesn’t appear that many other tablets on the market are giving Apple much of a run for its money. That could change as more tablets emerge (particularly those using Android, which has done a pretty good job of competing in the smartphone market). Could Amazon present a viable competitor to the iPad?
The latest rumors related to Apple’s iPad line have the next version coming with a higher resolution screen. I’m sure we’ll see plenty more rumors about that emerge in the near future.