Amazon Expected To Announce Tablet Computer, Apple May Show Off iPhone5
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- It's an exciting couple of weeks for gadget lovers. Tomorrow, Amazon is expected to announce its new tablet computer and there's much hype ahead of an event at Apple headquarters next Tuesday.
Nothing's confirmed, but all bets are on Amazon to mount a direct challenge to the iPad:
"We're familiar with the Kindle, which is their e-reader, but this would be a 7" LCD color tablet."
CNET.com senior editor Brian Tong says the e-retailer will want to aim for a sweet spot price point between $200 and $250:
"That would be compelling enough to have a consumer say -- you know what, I don't want to spend $499 on an iPad, and I'm going to give Amazon a try, because not only do they have that brand recognition, it's a product that I've used before, that I've trusted with the Kindle."
Tong says low-priced tablets aren't being scooped up because they don't have the ready trove of content like Apple -- or Amazon -- have, and that could make a Kindle slate a winner.
Don't expect an iPad 3 at Apple's announcement next week, but we could see an iPhone 5.
"More feature-rich, more powerful, possibly a larger screen than the previous generation."
...and even an iPhone 4S, which would target a market that wants that smartphone in pocket but can't dig deep to buy one.
Reported by Ian Bush, KYW Newsradio
