News
Apple claims Amazon Fire could stoke Android fragmentation
In a recent meeting with Barclays analyst Ben Reitzes, Apple CEO Tim Cook and CFO Peter Oppenheimer made several surprising statements about the Amazon Fire. Business Insider, citing Reitzes, claims that while the executives noted that the Fire’s $199 pricing appears to be disruptive and seems to be the iPad’s most important rising challenge, the product could also be the catalyst for further fragmentation in the tablet market, as it represents another platform—while compatible with Android, the apps work with Amazon products. Reitzes claims that the executives welcome further fragmentation in the Android ecosystem, as it could drive consumers—and likely developers—to Apple’s more stabile platform. Amazon will begin shipping the Amazon Fire on November 15.
Related Stories
- AT&T: All video chat apps will work over cellular in 2013
- Report: BBM iOS app won’t support iPad at launch
- Apps: Can Knockdown 3, eBay 3.0/2.3, Jungle Book + Sonic the Hedgehog 2.0
- Apple patent filing uses multiple devices to light a scene
- Google: iOS Hangouts, new Maps, Music All Access + More
- In-flight e-device guidelines still up in the air
Comments
If you have a comment, news tip, advertising inquiry, or coverage request, a question about iPods/iPhones/iPad or accessories, or if you sell or market iPod/iPhone/iPad products or services, read iLounge's Comments + Questions policies before posting, and fully identify yourself if you do. We will delete comments containing advertising, astroturfing, trolling, personal attacks, offensive language, or other objectionable content, then ban and/or publicly identify violators.
Recent News
- AT&T: All video chat apps will work over cellular in 2013
- Apple releases testimony before CEO’s Senate appearance
- New Apple offers in India can reduce iPhone price
- Report: Apple testing 1.5” OLED displays for iWatch
- Song skipping terms slowing iRadio negotiations
- iLounge Weekly arriving Monday, giveaway reminder
- Report: BBM iOS app won’t support iPad at launch
- Report: iRadio might miss WWDC debut
- Fair Labor Assoc.: Foxconn, Apple still exceed work hours
- CW to bring content to Apple TV
Recent Reviews
- Trü Protection Trü-Fit Anti-Glare Film Set
- New Trent iCarrier IMP120D Dual USB Power Pack
- BlueFlame 2M Charge and Sync Cable with Lightning Connector
- HMDX Jam Party Bluetooth Wireless Stereo Speaker
- Logitech Harmony Ultimate Universal Remote Control
- MyCharge Freedom 2000 Battery Case for iPhone 5
- Nike Nike+ FuelBand
- OCDesk OCDock for iPhone 5
- Bluelounge MiniDock (With Lightning Connector)
- Mophie Juice Pack Powerstation Pro
Recent Articles
- Calendar info disappears after iCloud restore
- Remove old iCloud backup after restoring to a new iPhone
- Setting up a ringtone in iTunes
- Using a Wi-Fi hard drive with an iPad
- Backing up and restoring an iPod classic
- Can’t restore iPod touch without passcode
- Retaining older versions of Apps during an iOS Restore
- Can’t eject iPod nano without closing Firefox
- Can’t change iTunes Apple ID to iCloud e-mail address
- Effect of erasing an iPhone on the Find My iPhone feature
1
I think they’re missing the part where further fragmenting the already smashed to teeny pieces Android platform is irrelevant if Amazon’s particular flavor winds up capturing a decent market share.
Just as I, an iOS user, don’t care what all the jailbreakers are doing if I’m content with my tightly integrated Windows-iTunes-iTunes Store-iOS device experience, the K-Fire users aren’t going to care what HTC’s multiple Android variants can/can’t do so long as there is a positive experience with the Computer-Kindle Fire-Amazon Store experience.
Posted by Code Monkey in Midstate New York on November 3, 2011 at 7:16 AM (PST)
2
I am pretty confident that they haven’t missed that Code Monkey. I think your missing the part where this story is solely a play to talk down the competition, nothing more, nothing less.
Expecting a big company executive to have a well structured and balanced opinion about a competing product in a market they are trying to monopolize is like expecting a brand new iphone 5 one year after the iphone 4… only for the delusional.
Posted by Big Bad Burley on November 3, 2011 at 2:56 PM (PST)
3
I get that, the point is that when they announce stuff like this it just makes them sound like they’re stupid or think we’re stupid.
It’s painfully obvious that Amazon can’t fragment Android further and actually can only bring more focus to the platform, so “downplaying” the competition in this way actually confirms they think Amazon is a threat. Much like their specious lawsuits against Samsung confirm they consider the Galaxy products as polished enough to present a threat for the mass market.
There’s the old saying, better to stay silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. Sometimes Apple’s PR team would be better off being silent.
Posted by Code Monkey in Midstate New York on November 3, 2011 at 4:15 PM (PST)
4
Agreed, although it can be very hard for a PR team to stay silent when the media attempts to create a story from some off hand, unofficial, non quoted statements.
This story seems to be nothing more than a complete fluff piece and doesn’t contain any “surprising statements” as claimed. There are no quotes in the story or the linked article and its a pretty ordinary piece of journalism from everyone, ilounge included.
Unfortunately most people don’t bother forming their own opinions these days, preferring to regurgitate what mass media throws in their face like it’s gospel. Whilst its a bit pessimistic i would imagine the vast majority of people, particularly those on the apple side of the fence, will read this and have a lower opinion on the Amazon Fire, effectively meeting what Apple execs want, although i dont think they even set out to achieve this given the evidence on offer.
Posted by Big Bad Burley on November 3, 2011 at 6:25 PM (PST)