Amazon unveils Kindle Fire HDX: Lighter, faster, 24/7 tech support
Amazon unveiled updates to its flagship tablet computer line with two Kindle Fire HDX devices that are lighter, faster and include on-demand tech support around the clock.
The Kindle Fire HDX comes in a 7-inch and 8.9-inch model and both feature what Amazon is calling HDX display, which is beyond high-definition. The 7-inch model has a 1,920 x 1,200 pixel resolution with a density of 323 pixels per inch, while the 8.9-inch model has 2,560 x 1,600 pixel resolution at 339 ppi -- higher than Apple's iPad. Amazon says a new feature dynamically adjusts the color and brightness of each pixel by using a unique algorithm.
Amazon is calling its 8.9-inch Kindle Fire HDX the lightest large-screen tablet at 13.2 ounces -- about 34 percent lighter than the last-generation Kindle Fire HD.
The tablet's processor has also been upgraded to a quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor, each running at 2.2 GHz. Amazon says the new Kindle Fire HDX is more than three times faster than the previous Kindle Fire HD.
Kindle Fire HDX's operating system -- a customized version of Google's Android -- has also been upgraded to Fire OS 3.0 "Mojito." Other new features include a second-screen experience that lets users watch videos through their TVs, freeing up the tablet. X-Ray has been expanded to include music. The feature, which lets user look up trivia items for TV shows and movies, was introduced with the Kindle Fire HD last year.
Perhaps the biggest feature introduced with the Kindle Fire HDX is a service called "Mayday" that provides online tech support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on-demand. Users can access live customers service support through a chat window.
Amazon is keeping the 7-inch Kindle Fire HD model. Upgrades to the device include a faster 1.5 GHz processor, 1,280 x 800 pixel display at 216 dpi and Fire OS 3.0 "Mojito."
The 7-inch Kindle Fire HDX starts a $229; a 4G LTE version is priced at $329. Both are now available for preorders and will ship on Oct. 18. The 8.9-inch Kindle Fire HDX starts $379; a 4G LTE version is priced at $479. Both are now available for preorders and will ship on Dec. 10.
The 7-inch Kindle Fire HD costs $139 for an 8 GB model and $169 for a 16 GB model. It is now available for preorders and will ship Oct. 2. The tablet is a Wi-Fi only model.
