I think Apple's most serious threat is Amazon, not Android What you people think?

Good post, I think it's going to be Android.

I don't think it is either. Or anyone, actually.

But, what do I know!

The better question is what is the threat to android: apple iOS or something else.

My view is that there is, with all due respect to steve jobs and co, nobody who can predict the ultimate uses of these little tablet devices. I further believe that households are going to soon pocess lots of these devices for these unpredictable uses. Given this, I believe the dominance of a more open systems and standards is inevitable. I also cannot help but wonder if a single OS across phones, tablets, and computers (aka windows 8) offers the ultimate integration of systems throughout the house and world. But my money is on Android if forced to make a prediction.

Of course, things can change with regards to the flexibility of systems in equally unpredictable ways.

Not much chance anyone will pose a threat to the iPad for a long time. Amazon does not compete as a multi-function tablet. It is an ereader with other functions. Android is a growing interface without all the parts it will need.

I think neither, for now.

There's no threat to apple right now... ios is magical and ni other operating system can be that much fun

Love is eternal - Albus dumbledore

Kindle Fire was a hype that started out good but turned out crashing and burning... it had disappointing reviews and some even ended up returning the device.

Check these reviews:

http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/helloworld/27413/
http://www.thedigitalshift.com/2011/12/ebooks/kindle-fires-user-experience-disappoints-notably-with-reading/

and if you want the breakdown on specs and software check this review out.

http://www.techdc.com/kindle-fire-review

My Kindle Fire is working fine, for a $200 device, lol. I wouldn't buy it over an iPad, but different customers, different strokes.

Unless we're talking about stocks, I don't care which companies "win." (And I can always sell my shares if it looks negative, lol.)

When shopping for devices, I buy from whichever company does well by me. So I own cars from different companies for different reasons, ditto for electronics and so on.

I want loads of competition among companies, and I'd like to see more and more devices to choose from.

Originally Posted by Vaden15

Kindle Fire was a hype that started out good but turned out crashing and burning... it had disappointing reviews and some even ended up returning the device.

Check these reviews:

Kindle Fire: the Best Disappointment Ever? - Technology Reviewhttp://www.thedigitalshift.com/2011/12/ebooks/kindle-fires-user-experience-disappoints-notably-with-reading/

and if you want the breakdown on specs and software check this review out.

Kindle Fire Is Disappointing

You should try catching up. In the first place, the KF is hardly "crashing and burning." Amazon continues to sell millions of these devices and the overwhelming majority of user reviews (about 12,000 at last count) rate the KF at 4+ stars. The reviews you cited are filled with errors, especially when the updated KF software is taken into account. (For example, it is NOT true that apps cannot be removed from the Carousel. It is NOT true that 1 Click purchases on Amazon cannot be turned off. It is NOT true that the KF has light bleeding problems, etc. etc.)

Having had a KF for about a month, I have several theories about some of the initial negative reviews in the blogosphere.

() iPad fans determined not to like the KF
() First generation software that was quickly updated and improved after launch. (Remember that the iPad did not initially even support any form of multitasking)
() Lousy wifi connections.

What I've found after a month or so of ownership of the KF in our household...

() Lags, stuttering, crashes, and other such behavior is non-existent.
() Browser speed comparable to the iPad.
() Streaming video comparable to or better than the iPad even with a smaller screen since the KF has a 16x9 aspect ratio and support for Flash videos.
() Parental control is actually better than the iPad. Specific launcher for kids can be created that blocks access to other apps.
() More portable and easier to handle than the iPad.

My initial impression of the KF before I purchased it was that it provides about 80% of an iPad's functionality at about 40% of the price. After a month of ownership, I'd stick with that. It's not a content creation device unless your requirements for content creation are satisfied by a large smartphone. I certainly wouldn't choose it over an iPad but frankly, my wife would. It does everything she needs it to do from e-reading, video streaming, and email management in a form factor that both fits in her purse and doesn't require her glasses to read. Likewise, my daughter loves the KF. She has access to about fifty games and other content on a device she can tote around easily. And with these advantages it means I don't have to compete with other family members when I use the iPad.