Amazon’s Kindle Fire Pre-orders
Posted by Steve Fravel on Friday, October 7, 2011 · 
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From all reports Amazon continues to rack up large numbers of Kindle Fire pre-orders ahead of the November 15 release date. The Kindle Fire is a tablet device that incorporates wireless connectivity along with e-reader capabilities and other tablet functions in a 7-inch screen device. While there was a great deal of speculation after the initial unveiling as to the strength of the device against the established Apple iPad, in general analysts do not believe that the Kindle Fire is an iPad killer. Read more
Amazon Unveils Kindle Fire
Posted by Jesse Ward on Monday, October 3, 2011 · ·
Amazon launched its much anticipated tablet last week, dubbed the Kindle Fire. The new slogan says it all: “All the content. Ultra-fast web browsing.”
The 7-inch tablet provides a direct portal into the online retailer’s digital properties: Amazon Web Services, Instant Video, Kindle Books, Amazon’s MP3 music store and its Android app store. The Kindle Fire even comes equipped with free trials to its most popular digital content services, such as the Amazon Prime streaming video service. (Video after the jump.) Read more
Update: Hulu Bids
Posted by Steve Fravel on Tuesday, September 27, 2011 · ·
If the list of bidders in the proposed sale of Hulu are Google, Yahoo, Dish Network and Amazon, which company would you likely pick to have made the highest bid? If you selected Google you’d be correct, although there is a “but” after the price pledged. Google has placed conditions on the bid that may make it less attractive than the next largest bid. Read more
VOTW: Amazon to Launch Netflix-Like Book Service?
Posted by Jesse Ward on Monday, September 12, 2011 · ·
And last but not least, our video of the week (VOTW): today’s CNet roundup. HP launches the TopShot LaserJet Pro printer that can scan 3D objects, Netflix finally arrives on most Android phones — stating that 82% of Android users can now watch Netflix movies on their devices — and Amazon.com is rumored to be in talks with major publishers to launch a Netflix-like service for books.
Amazon and NBC Announce Streaming Deal
Posted by Steve Fravel on Friday, July 29, 2011 · ·
Just a week after announcing a similar arrangement with CBS, Amazon on Thursday announced that it had reached agreement with NBCUniversal. The arrangement provides for streaming rights and nonexclusive access to NBCUniversal’s film library.
The programming will be available through Amazon Prime, the annual membership service. For the price of $79, Amazon Prime members are allowed two-day shipping on purchases. The streaming service is available to the members at no additional cost.
Amazon Signs Streaming Deal with CBS
Posted by Jesse Ward on Monday, July 25, 2011 · ·
Last week, Amazon and CBS Corp. announced a non-exclusive licensing agreement that will enable Amazon customers to stream more than 2,000 titles from CBS’s library. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Amazon now counts more than 8,000 streaming movie and TV show titles available to its subscription OTT video service, and 90,000 on-demand titles available in its Amazon Instant Video service which is available on an a la carte basis. There are, of course, no in-season episodes available.
In comparison, the OTT market leader Netflix boasts about 20,000 titles. Read more
Hulu Up for Sale, 1M Paid Subs within Reach
Posted by Jesse Ward on Monday, July 11, 2011 · ·
For several weeks now, the trade press has been buzzing with rumors that Hulu is up for sale. Last week Disney CEO Bob Iger confirmed that the three media companies that own the online video portal — News Corp., Disney and Comcast’s NBCUniversal — are “committed to selling” the site. Iger did not reveal when a sale would occur, but predicted it was inevitable.
Nearly a dozen companies are rumored to be actively involved in discussions with Hulu, including Amazon, AT&T, Google, Microsoft, Netflix, Verizon and Yahoo. Read more