Another Kindle Fire 2 release date rumor has hit the scene, and this time it’s reason some may get excited. With the newest tablet on the way from Amazon, is it possible the company will lower the price of their gadgets to $0? A new report speculates that Amazon may start offering the item free as extra incentive to keep customers on board.
Previous Kindle Fire rumors, suggested that the item will be released before the end of September, which is right around the time the new Apple iPhone 5 and iPad are set to be released. Amazon will be looking to bring an upgraded device into the tablet marketplace, so they can gain market share against the likes of Apple, Samsung, and Google. Offering the Fire tablet for free could be a major step in the right direction. So how would Amazon be able to do that? A Forbes.com article suggests that they could do a deal similar to what Microsoft has done with their Xbox 360. Amazon would basically offer the tablet free of charge, if customers signed up for a multi-year subscription to the Amazon Prime service. That service not only allows for free 2-day shipping on a range of Amazon items, but also gives access to Amazon’s digital video library for subscribers. It would be a way to bring new customers on board with their services, and keep them around for several years—a smart move, to build a new loyal fan base. That sort of fan base has kept customers on with Apple for years now. While they don’t necessarily offer iPads or iPhones free, they have built up customers who just love their operating system, apps, and overall usability of their devices. That will be another important aspect that hopefully Amazon is factoring in when it releases the new Kindle Fire 2. Will it be a major upgrade capable of competing with other tablets, or will it fall flat on its face? Going free just may be even more incentive to sell Prime subscriptions which adds up to more sales of Amazon content in the long run. Follow @MattClarkNews on Twitter for more Amazon and Kindle Fire news updates.
(Image Source: Amazon.com)