Latest news with #Kittyhawk
Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Amazon looks to ditch homegrown software for Android in Fire tablet revamp
Amazon is plotting a big change to its Fire tablet lineup following years of escalating gripes from consumers and app developers over the company's homegrown operating system. As part of a project known internally as Kittyhawk, Amazon plans to release a higher-end tablet as soon as next year offering the Android operating system software for the first time, according to six people familiar with the matter. Since the Fire tablet's introduction in 2011, Amazon has used what is known as a 'forked' version of Android with custom modifications that make it work like a unique operating system. Amazon has long sought to undercut hardware rivals with inexpensive tablets and other devices that serve as a doorway to the firm's digital content, like e-books, videos and music. The devices have typically sold at or near manufacturing cost. But the focus on simplicity has held back sales, particularly among consumers who seek higher-performing devices. The multiyear project to switch to Android marks a philosophical change for the online retail giant, which has eschewed third-party operating systems and software in favor of its own. As a result, Amazon has offered its own app store requiring developers to make separate versions of their apps for Fire tablets, limiting the store's variety. If Kittyhawk is successful, Fire tablets could be more desirable for consumers who crave compatibility with other Android devices, the people said. They cautioned that Kittyhawk could be delayed or cancelled over financial or other concerns. Amazon declined to comment, saying it does not respond to rumors or speculation. 'Consumers have always expressed a concern about not having access to the latest Android versions, not having access to some of their apps because Amazon used their own store,' said Jitesh Ubrani, a researcher at IT advisory firm IDC. 'It's meant more work for developers in this day and age of largely free apps or services.' Ubrani noted that Amazon has nonetheless sold many millions of the tablets. Amazon has forfeited profits on the devices themselves in favor of making money on selling their associated services, like streaming movie rentals. But such inexpensive devices typically come with compromises like lower screen quality or battery life compared with pricier options. Amazon is the world's fourth-largest tablet seller, with 8% of the market, just behind Lenovo's 8.2%, according to second-quarter IDC data. Apple and Samsung were the market leaders with 33.1% and 18.7%, respectively. The first Amazon Android tablet, slated for next year, will be pricier than current models, the people said. One of them said Amazon had discussed a $400 price tag, nearly double the cost of its current higher-end $230 Fire Max 11 tablet. IPads, by comparison, range from $350 to $1,200. Reuters could not learn additional specifications for the planned Amazon tablet, such as screen size and speaker quality or memory capacity. Amazon historically has avoided using software or other products from third parties, preferring to develop the services in-house or, barring that, to acquire a competitor. The Fire Phone smartphone championed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and released in 2014 failed to win over buyers in part because of its reliance on Fire OS, as well as its high price tag. Amazon canceled the device and took a $170 million writedown. But the Seattle retailer has more recently shown a willingness to use rivals' services, particularly through its investment in startup Anthropic, whose Claude artificial intelligence software is the primary underpinning of Amazon's Alexa+ voice assistant and a chatbot used by employees known as Cedric. The new Fire tablet, the people said, will use the open-source version of Android, meaning it does not require direct coordination with Google and can be customized. Amazon is planning to roll out some lower-priced tablets with its Linux-based Vega operating system now in some Fire TV devices, some of the people said. The full slate of tablets will eventually be powered by a version of Android, the people said. The Fire project's internal code name of Kittyhawk seems to derive from the North Carolina town near where the Wright brothers conducted the first powered flight in 1903. But it is also the name of a failed flying car startup backed by Google co-founder Larry Page that burned through hundreds of millions in cash. Amazon declined to discuss the meaning behind its Kittyhawk project name.
The Hindu
2 hours ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Amazon looks to ditch homegrown software for Android in Fire tablet revamp
Amazon is plotting a big change to its Fire tablet lineup following years of escalating gripes from consumers and app developers over the company's homegrown operating system. As part of a project known internally as Kittyhawk, Amazon plans to release a higher-end tablet as soon as next year offering the Android operating system software for the first time, according to six people familiar with the matter. Since the Fire tablet's introduction in 2011, Amazon has used what is known as a 'forked' version of Android with custom modifications that make it work like a unique operating system. Amazon has long sought to undercut hardware rivals with inexpensive tablets and other devices that serve as a doorway to the firm's digital content, like e-books, videos and music. The devices have typically sold at or near manufacturing cost. But the focus on simplicity has held back sales, particularly among consumers who seek higher-performing devices. The multiyear project to switch to Android marks a philosophical change for the online retail giant, which has eschewed third-party operating systems and software in favor of its own. As a result, Amazon has offered its own app store requiring developers to make separate versions of their apps for Fire tablets, limiting the store's variety. If Kittyhawk is successful, Fire tablets could be more desirable for consumers who crave compatibility with other Android devices, the people said. They cautioned that Kittyhawk could be delayed or cancelled over financial or other concerns. Amazon declined to comment, saying it does not respond to rumors or speculation. 'Consumers have always expressed a concern about not having access to the latest Android versions, not having access to some of their apps because Amazon used their own store,' said Jitesh Ubrani, a researcher at IT advisory firm IDC. 'It's meant more work for developers in this day and age of largely free apps or services.' Ubrani noted that Amazon has nonetheless sold many millions of the tablets. Amazon has forfeited profits on the devices themselves in favor of making money on selling their associated services, like streaming movie rentals. But such inexpensive devices typically come with compromises like lower screen quality or battery life compared with pricier options. Amazon is the world's fourth-largest tablet seller, with 8% of the market, just behind Lenovo's 8.2%, according to second-quarter IDC data. Apple and Samsung were the market leaders with 33.1% and 18.7%, respectively. PRICIER TABLET The first Amazon Android tablet, slated for next year, will be pricier than current models, the people said. One of them said Amazon had discussed a $400 price tag, nearly double the cost of its current higher-end $230 Fire Max 11 tablet. IPads, by comparison, range from $350 to $1,200. Reuters could not learn additional specifications for the planned Amazon tablet, such as screen size and speaker quality or memory capacity. Amazon historically has avoided using software or other products from third parties, preferring to develop the services in-house or, barring that, to acquire a competitor. The Fire Phone smartphone championed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and released in 2014 failed to win over buyers in part because of its reliance on Fire OS, as well as its high price tag. Amazon canceled the device and took a $170 million writedown. But the Seattle retailer has more recently shown a willingness to use rivals' services, particularly through its investment in startup Anthropic, whose Claude artificial intelligence software is the primary underpinning of Amazon's Alexa+ voice assistant and a chatbot used by employees known as Cedric. The new Fire tablet, the people said, will use the open-source version of Android, meaning it does not require direct coordination with Google and can be customized. Amazon is planning to roll out some lower-priced tablets with its Linux-based Vega operating system now in some Fire TV devices, some of the people said. The full slate of tablets will eventually be powered by a version of Android, the people said. The Fire project's internal code name of Kittyhawk seems to derive from the North Carolina town near where the Wright brothers conducted the first powered flight in 1903. But it is also the name of a failed flying car startup backed by Google co-founder Larry Page that burned through hundreds of millions in cash. Amazon declined to discuss the meaning behind its Kittyhawk project name.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Amazon Plans Android-Powered Fire Tablet in Major Software Shift
This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Amazon (AMZN, Financials) is preparing to overhaul its Fire tablet lineup by ditching its custom Fire OS in favor of Android, sources told Reuters. The company plans to launch a higher-end tablet next year as part of a project codenamed Kittyhawk. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 4 Warning Sign with AMZN. Since debuting the Fire tablet in 2011, Amazon has relied on a forked version of Android that required developers to build separate apps for its own store, limiting app availability. Analysts say the shift to Android could make Fire tablets more attractive to consumers who want full compatibility with mainstream Android apps and devices. The planned tablet could carry a $400 price tag, nearly double the Fire Max 11's $230 cost, signaling Amazon's push into a higher-performing category. Apple (AAPL, Financials) dominates tablets with a 33% market share, followed by Samsung at 19%. Amazon holds about 8%, according to IDC data. While Amazon declined to comment, insiders said the multiyear effort reflects a philosophical change for the Seattle-based company, which has historically avoided third-party software. The strategy echoes its more recent partnerships with AI providers like Anthropic, whose Claude model powers parts of Alexa. Lower-priced Fire tablets will continue to run on Amazon's Linux-based Vega operating system, now used in some Fire TV devices. Over time, the company expects to move its full lineup to Android. Sign in to access your portfolio
Android Authority
10 hours ago
- Android Authority
Amazon could shake up the tablet market with a higher-end model running real Android
Amazon TL;DR Amazon is reportedly working on a higher-end Android tablet codenamed Kittyhawk. Sources claim that the company is tossing around the idea of a $400 price tag. It's said there are still plans to launch some lower-priced tablets that run on Vega OS, but its full slate will eventually be powered by a version of Android. Many of Amazon's products use a forked version of Android called Fire OS. However, the company has long been trying to separate its products from Google's operating system by developing a Linux-based OS known as Vega. While it seemed that Amazon would eventually ditch Android, a new report suggests the opposite. Don't want to miss the best from Android Authority? Set us as a preferred source in Google Search to support us and make sure you never miss our latest exclusive reports, expert analysis, and much more. According to Reuters, Amazon is working on a new higher-end tablet codenamed Kittyhawk. Given that the online retail giant tends to try to undercut competition by offering cheaper hardware, this comes as a bit of a surprise. What's more surprising is that this tablet will reportedly use the open source version of Android instead of Fire OS or Vega OS. There are no details on the specifications or the features. However, six sources close to the matter tell the outlet that Kittyhawk could be ready for release as soon as next year. At the same time, those sources also warn that the project could be delayed or canceled due to financial reasons or other concerns. As mentioned before, Kittyhawk is expected to be a higher-end tablet. One source says Amazon is discussing a price point of $400. That would almost double the price of its current higher-end model, the Fire Max 11 ($230). However, that price tag would still be lower than the starting launch price for Samsung's Galaxy Tab S9 FE ($450). You may be wondering what this means for the company's Vega OS and Fire OS ambitions. It looks like Amazon may not be ready to throw in the towel just yet. Reuters mentions that the online retail giant still plans to release a few lower-priced Vega OS tablets. But it's reported that Amazon's full slate of tablets will eventually be powered by a version of Android. While this may be the case for the company's tablets, it's unclear how Amazon's change of heart will affect its other hardware. We'll have to wait and see how it all plays out. Follow
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Business Standard
12 hours ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Amazon to revamp Fire tablets with Android in major Kittyhawk project
As part of a project known internally as Kittyhawk, Amazon plans to release a higher-end tablet as soon as next year offering the Android operating system software for the first time Reuters Amazon is plotting a big change to its Fire tablet lineup following years of escalating gripes from consumers and app developers over the company's homegrown operating system. As part of a project known internally as Kittyhawk, Amazon plans to release a higher-end tablet as soon as next year offering the Android operating system software for the first time, according to six people familiar with the matter. Since the Fire tablet introduction in 2011, Amazon has used what is known as a forked version of Android with custom modifications that make it work like a unique operating system. Amazon has long sought to undercut hardware rivals with inexpensive tablets and other devices that serve as a doorway to the firm's digital content, like e-books, videos and music. The devices have typically sold at or near manufacturing cost. But the focus on simplicity has held back sales, particularly among consumers who seek higher-performing devices. The multiyear project to switch to Android marks a philosophical change for the online retail giant, which has eschewed third-party operating systems and software in favor of its own. As a result, Amazon has offered its own app store requiring developers to make separate versions of their apps for Fire tablets, limiting the stores variety. If Kittyhawk is successful, Fire tablets could be more desirable for consumers who crave compatibility with other Android devices, the people said. They cautioned that Kittyhawk could be delayed or cancelled over financial or other concerns. Consumers have always expressed a concern about not having access to the latest Android versions, not having access to some of their apps because Amazon used their own store, said Jitesh Ubrani, a researcher at IT advisory firm IDC. It's meant more work for developers in this day and age of largely free apps or services. Ubrani noted that Amazon has nonetheless sold many millions of the tablets. Amazon has forfeited profits on the devices themselves in favor of making money on selling their associated services, like streaming movie rentals. But such inexpensive devices typically come with compromises like lower screen quality or battery life compared with pricier options. Amazon is the world's fourth-largest tablet seller, with 8 per cent of the market, just behind Lenovo's 8.2 per cent, according to second-quarter IDC data. Apple and Samsung were the market leaders with 33.1 per cent and 18.7 per cent, respectively. PRICIER TABLET The first Amazon Android tablet, slated for next year, will be pricier than current models, the people said. One of them said Amazon had discussed a $400 price tag, nearly double the cost of its current higher-end $230 Fire Max 11 tablet. IPads, by comparison, range from $350 to $1,200. Reuters could not learn additional specifications for the planned Amazon tablet, such as screen size and speaker quality or memory capacity. Amazon historically has avoided using software or other products from third parties, preferring to develop the services in-house or, barring that, to acquire a competitor. The Fire Phone smartphone championed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and released in 2014 failed to win over buyers in part because of its reliance on Fire OS, as well as its high price tag. Amazon canceled the device and took a $170 million writedown. But the Seattle retailer has more recently shown a willingness to use rivals services, particularly through its investment in startup Anthropic, whose Claude artificial intelligence software is the primary underpinning of Amazon’s Alexa+ voice assistant and a chatbot used by employees known as Cedric. The new Fire tablet, the people said, will use the open-source version of Android, meaning it does not require direct coordination with Google and can be customized. Amazon is planning to roll out some lower-priced tablets with its Linux-based Vega operating system now in some Fire TV devices, some of the people said. The full slate of tablets will eventually be powered by a version of Android, the people said. The Fire project's internal code name of Kittyhawk seems to derive from the North Carolina town near where the Wright brothers conducted the first powered flight in 1903. But it is also the name of a failed flying car startup backed by Google co-founder Larry Page that burned through hundreds of millions in cash. Amazon declined to discuss the meaning behind its Kittyhawk project name.
