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Kindle Fire

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Kindle Fire
Kindle Fire
Amazon.com, Inc. · Public domain · source
NameKindle Fire
DeveloperAmazon.com
ManufacturerQuanta Computer
TypeTablet computer
Generation1st
Release dateNovember 15, 2011
DiscontinuedSeptember 6, 2012
OsAndroid-based Fire OS
CpuTexas Instruments ARM OMAP 4
Memory512 MB RAM
Storage8 GB internal
Display7" IPS LCD 1024×600
ConnectivityWi-Fi (802.11b/g/n)
PowerLithium-ion battery
SuccessorKindle Fire HD

Kindle Fire. The Kindle Fire is a tablet computer developed by Amazon.com. First released in November 2011, it served as the company's inaugural foray into the Android-based tablet market, positioned as a content consumption portal for Amazon's vast ecosystem. The device was manufactured by Quanta Computer and utilized a heavily customized version of Android known as Fire OS. Its launch represented a direct challenge to other popular tablets of the era, most notably Apple's iPad.

History

The development of the Kindle Fire was spearheaded by Amazon.com under the leadership of its founder, Jeff Bezos, as a strategic expansion beyond the successful Kindle E-reader line. Announced in September 2011 at a press event in New York City, the device was positioned as a premium product at a non-premium price, aiming to undercut competitors. Its creation involved close collaboration with the Lab126 hardware division and leveraged Amazon's existing relationships with suppliers like Texas Instruments and Quanta Computer. The initial release was preceded by significant speculation within the technology press, including reports from *The Wall Street Journal* and *TechCrunch*. Following its discontinuation in September 2012, it was succeeded by the more advanced Kindle Fire HD and Kindle Fire HDX lines, which further refined the hardware and software experience.

Features

The Kindle Fire featured a 7-inch IPS LCD touchscreen display with a resolution of 1024x600 pixels. It was powered by a dual-core Texas Instruments ARM-based OMAP 4 processor and included 512 MB of RAM. For storage, it offered 8 GB of internal memory, though no expansion via SD card was supported. Connectivity was limited to Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n), with no Bluetooth or 3G cellular options. Its primary innovation was deep integration with Amazon's services, including the Amazon Appstore, Amazon Cloud Player, Amazon Instant Video, and Amazon Kindle Store. The user interface, known as Fire OS, presented a content-centric carousel of recently used items and emphasized seamless access to Amazon Prime benefits. The device also included a Lithium-ion battery rated for up to eight hours of continuous reading.

Models

The first-generation Kindle Fire was the sole model in its series, establishing the design language and market position for subsequent devices. Its immediate successors, the Kindle Fire HD and Kindle Fire HDX, introduced in September 2012 and 2013 respectively, offered significant upgrades. These later models came in multiple display sizes, including 7-inch and 8.9-inch variants, and featured higher-resolution screens, front-facing cameras, and optional 4G LTE connectivity from carriers like AT&T. The product line eventually evolved into the broader Fire HD and Fire TV families, with Amazon later releasing tablets under the "Fire" branding without the "Kindle" moniker. Each iteration maintained tight integration with the Amazon Appstore and Amazon Web Services.

Software

The Kindle Fire operated on Fire OS, a heavily customized fork of Android (based on Android Gingerbread). This operating system replaced standard Google applications and services with Amazon's own equivalents, such as the Amazon Appstore instead of Google Play Store, and Amazon Silk as the default web browser. The Fire OS interface was built around a dynamic carousel that displayed recently accessed content from Amazon Music, Amazon Video, and Audible. It lacked official access to core Google Mobile Services like Gmail and Google Maps. Amazon provided regular software updates to add features and address security, with the final major update for the first-generation device being Fire OS 4. The software platform was pivotal in creating a "walled garden" experience that directed users toward Amazon's digital marketplace.

Reception

Upon its release, the Kindle Fire received mixed to positive reviews from major technology publications. Reviewers from *The New York Times*, *The Verge*, and *CNET* praised its aggressive $199 price point and seamless integration with Amazon Prime content. However, criticism was directed at its limited internal storage, absence of a camera or Bluetooth, and the restrictive, advertisement-supported Fire OS interface. Some analysts, including those from Forrester Research, hailed it as a formidable competitor to the iPad in the budget tablet segment. Sales were strong, with Amazon.com reporting that the device was the bestselling product across its website during the 2011 holiday season. Its commercial success demonstrated the viability of a content-subsidized hardware model and significantly influenced the pricing strategies of competitors like Barnes & Noble with its Nook Tablet and Google with the Nexus 7.

Category:Amazon (company) products Category:Tablet computers Category:Android devices Category:2011 introductions