Kindle Fire Next Gen Rumours Roundup
![[Image: kfire-20120629-145127.jpg]](http://www.kuforum.co.uk/_assets/snap/2011-2/kfire-20120629-145127.jpg)
No doubt you've heard the word on the street that Amazon are planning to counter Google's launch of the Nexus 7" tablet with a couple of surprises of their own.
We've had a look over what's being said and have weeded out the important bits to summarise them for you :
Surprisingly the code names 'Coyote' and 'Hollywood' are surfacing again. These two monickers were being bandied about way back at the launch of the original Kindle Fire and turned out to be red herrings. Does the fact that they have appeared again lend some weight to the latest rumours or are the sources getting confused with old news?
Much of the currently circulating information comes from BGR (Boy Genius Report) who claim their source has had physical hands on experience with the new hardware.
Once again the rumours are that there will be two new variants of the Kindle Fire, the 'Hollywood' which is the 10" version that sports a quad-core processor, a ten inch screen an HDMI out port (very useful for watching purchased movies on your TV) and also a front facing camera, something noticeably lacking on the current Kindle Fire.
There's not much detail around on the 7" 'Coyote' revision of the Kindle Fire, but it seems like this too would include an HDMI port and also retain it's current price of $199
Both models will sport a redesigned casing which replaces the plastic body of the original Fire with a matte black metal one and a 'chrome-rib' on the back whatever that may be. Other reports also indicate that the device will be thinner this time round and look more like a 1st gen iPad.
A source from DigiTimes claims that there will be physical volume buttons this time round, a feature which many felt was lacking on the original. Also mentioned is the possibility of an ad-supported Kindle Fire which will be offered at a reduced cost in the same way as the e-ink Kindle.
The final rumour circulating at present is that the original Kindle Fire will see its price reduced to $149 on the back of the new models. This would presumably only last until stocks ran out.
As well as the hardware, it wouldn't be unreasonable to see updated software perhaps based on a customised version of Ice-cream Sandwich or later.
So, what is a next gen Kindle Fire going up against ?
The main rival is going to be Google's newly released Nexus 7 which has been built in partnership with ASUS who have a long history of providing quality PC hardware.
Google Nexus 7
![[Image: nex7-20120629-143626.jpg]](http://www.kuforum.co.uk/_assets/snap/2011-2/nex7-20120629-143626.jpg)
Specs
Screen: 7" IPS display with a resolution of 1280x800 @ 216ppi
Memory: 1 GB RAM and 8gb internal storage.
CPU: Nvidia Quad-core Tegra 3
Connectivity: WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth and a Micro USB port
Features: Microphone, 1.2 megapixel camera (front facing), GPS, Accelerometer/Magenetometer/Gyroscope, NFC
Software: Android 4.1 Jelly Bean
The current leader of the tablet pack is Apple's 3rd Generation iPad
iPad 3 Specs
![[Image: ipad3-20120629-145008.jpg]](http://www.kuforum.co.uk/_assets/snap/2011-2/ipad3-20120629-145008.jpg)
Screen: 9.7-inch (diagonal) Retina widescreen Multi-Touch with a resolution of 2048x1536 @ 264(ppi)
Memory: 16 - 64gb internal storage, 1GB RAM
CPU: Dual-core Apple A5X with quad-core graphics.
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, 3G & 4G cellular (optional)
Features: Microphone, 5 megapixel rear camera capable of full HD video recording @ 30fps, VGA front camera, accelerometers, gyroscope, light sensors, GPS, digital compass.
Software: iOS 5+
There are also growing rumours of an iPad Mini which would be better positioned for direct competition.
