Amazon Unveils Fire HD 10 Tablet

With a device that comes at a cost of half as much as the least expensive iPad, Amazon announced a new Fire HD 10 tablet. The revamped model has new specs such as a better processor and fast charging, CNBC reported.

The new model comes with Dolby Atmos stereo speakers, a maximum of 12 hours of battery life and a 1080p display. It also comes with a new USB-C port that enables users to have faster charging. The eCommerce retailer’s tablets had kept using an older technology called microUSB. According to the report, one can pre-order the tablet now, which rolls out on Oct. 30 and begins at $149.99.

With Amazon’s tablet strategy, the report claims that the eCommerce retailer sells the tablets at an inexpensive cost and brings in money when shoppers purchase products such as digital movies on its website. The Fire HD 10 tablet reportedly functions as a “portal” to the services of Amazon, with the inclusion of Prime Video, Amazon Music, its app store, Kindle and “more.”

Less costly models of the new tablet display ads on the lock screen. The outlet also noted, “typically, the Amazon’s tablets feel far cheaper than competing iPads (because they are), but they offer a good value for people who don’t need Apple services or software.”

In separate Amazon Fire news, Amazon and Google announced in April that the two were gearing up to roll out an official YouTube app on Amazon Fire TV devices and Fire TV Edition smart TVs, in addition to the Prime Video app for streaming to Chromecast and Chromecast built-in devices. Amazon and Google said in a release at the time that, additionally, Prime Video would be available across Android TV device partners and on YouTube Kids and YouTube TV apps.

“We are excited to work with Amazon to launch the official YouTube apps on Fire TV devices worldwide,” Heather Rivera, global head of product partnerships at YouTube, said in the press release. “Bringing our flagship YouTube experience to Amazon Fire TV gives our users even more ways to watch the videos and creators they love.”