The rumours about Amazon building a 7-inch Android tablet are completely true, according to TechCrunch who reports having seen and used the device. Its conclusion: “It’s going to be a big deal.”
While TechCrunch does not have any pictures, it does have quite a bit of information about it:
- Processor: Single-core
- Operating system: Customized version of Android
- Cellular connectivity: None (although a 3G model could follow later)
- Other connectivity: Wi-Fi
- Display: 7-inch backlit (no e-ink display)
- Input: Capacitive touchscreen with two-finger multi-touch
- Storage: 6GB internal / Rumoured additional cloud storage
- Rear-facing camera: None
- Front-facing camera: None
- Connectors: micro-USB port
Of note is the suggestion that the processor will be single-core rather than dual-core as suggested by earlier rumours. TechCrunch also indicates that the larger 10-inch model, pushed out to 2012 as Amazon focuses on the 7-inch model and gauges its succcess) will have a dual-core processor rather than the quad-core NVIDIA Kal-El.
Another interesting fact is that Amazon has very heavily modified Android, to the point that it will not be upgradeable to any of Google’s standard releases such as Honeycomb or the forthcoming Ice Cream Sandwich. It comes with the Kindle app and features tight integration with Amazon services such as the Amazon App Store, Cloud Player for music, and Amazon’s Instant Video.
The launch could happen a bit later than earlier rumours suggested. Amazon is now looking at a late November launch. As for the price, it is expected to fall in the US$250 range. It could also come with a a free subscription to Amazon Prime (access to Amazon’s Instant Video service, free unlimited two-day shipping, and no minimum purchases for free shipping.