More info, reviews, and deals on Amazon.com

Nintendo (NTDOY) revolutionized games in 2006 when it rolled out the Wii, featuring a motion-sensitive controller. Now it’s upgraded the groundbreaking console with the Wii U, which features two main improvements. The first is a hand-held tablet called the GamePad, which includes a tablet touch screen to play games, in addition to the normal buttons. Next, the Wii U features high-resolution graphics, unlike its predecessor. “The Wii U is pretty radically different.”

You can also stream online video content or surf the Web, and use the controller as a universal remote. Plus the Wii U lets you play games on the tablet instead of the TV.

The Wii U may provide a much-needed shot in the arm for Nintendo stock, which has traded down to around $16 from above $70 in 2008.

Nintendo Wii U
Price: Starting at $300

More info, reviews, and deals on Amazon.com

Tablets and minitablets
Price: $199 to $660

More info on Amazon

Leading the pack of new tablets will be the iPad Mini from Apple (AAPL), sporting a 7.9-inch screen that sets it apart from the 7-inch screen crowd.

But the iPad Mini is pricey, at $330 to $660. So lots of shoppers will opt for the Nook HD from Barnes & Noble (BKS). At just $199, it offers better screen quality than the Amazon.com (AMZN) Kindle Fire HD and is lighter, say reviewers at Consumer Reports and the New York Times.

Google (GOOG) enters the fray with the Nexus 7 ($200). Note that this is the first piece of hardware sporting the Google brand. Does this mark a new direction (and profit source) for the search giant?

Consumers who want the convenience of touch on a tablet, and the old familiar keyboard, will go for the Surface, offered by Microsoft (MSFT). And for kids, there’s the Nabi 2, which runs on Android and features a protective frame.

Tablets and minitablets
Price: $199 to $660

More info on Amazon

Phablets
Price: $150 to $300 with contract

Take a smartphone and cross it with a minitablet, and what do you get? A phablet. “It’s a phone with a screen on steroids that’s big enough to be like a tablet,” says Ramon Llamas, research manager for mobile phones at IDC, a technology research group. Phablets usually sport 5-inch screens, which means they’re better than smartphones for watching movies or playing games.

Some phablets come with a stylus that makes it easier to work in spreadsheets or PowerPoint, says Llamas. Two he particularly likes are Samsung Electronics’ (SSNLF) Galaxy Note II, which goes for $300 with a contract purchase from Verizon Communications (VZ), and the Droid DNA by HTC, which costs $200, with a Verizon contract.

Phablets
Price: $150 to $300 with contract

Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight
Price: $119

More info on Amazon.com

Digital books continue to catch on, and many shoppers will be opting for the latest Nook Simple Touch from Barnes & Noble (BKS) to get family or friends in on the trend this holiday.

This Nook is cheaper than the comparable e-reader from Amazon. They’re technically priced the same, but you don’t have to pay extra for a charger, included with the Nook, and you don’t have to pay $20 to get ads removed, as with Amazon’s version. Plus the Nook is lighter.

You also don’t give up any content, since Barnes & Noble has comparable book offerings. The “GlowLight” features special settings that allow the Nook to work well in sunlight or low light. If you opt for the Nook, you won’t be alone. Barnes & Noble digital content sales grew 46% in the most recent quarter.

Quality Nook e-readers and tablets should help Barnes & Noble move away from its reliance on brick-and-mortar stores, which has been one of the chief challenges for its business and stock.

Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight
Price: $119

More info on Amazon.com

Samsung Galaxy Camera
Price: $500

More info on Samsung Galaxy Camera deals and reviews on Amazon

The Samsung Galaxy Camera takes “shoot and share” to a new level, by combining the features of great compact camera with the connectivity of a smartphone. It’s Wi-Fi enabled, so you can quickly post your pics to Facebook (FB), email them to friends or move them to cloud storage. And it outperforms smartphones on the quality of videos, low-light shots and images overall.

Here’s another advantage: It’s powered by the Android Jelly Bean operating system. So you can load on cool apps for shooting and editing — and who knows what else as developers contribute. That’s not an option with most cameras.

All of this suggests the camera will be popular this holiday season, says Ben Arnold, a tech gadget analyst with NPD. “It’s part smartphone, part digital camera. But it is by far a better camera that you have on your smartphone,” he says.

You do have to buy a monthly data plan from AT&T (T), for $10 or more. And the camera is not cheap. But early adopters are used to paying up. And this is the first camera available in the U.S. with a data plan and only the second with the Android OS.

Samsung Electronics (SSNLF) phones already offer a serious challenge to archrival Apple (AAPL), and the Samsung Galaxy Camera gives Samsung another leg up in this war.

Samsung Galaxy Camera
Price: $500

More info on Samsung Galaxy Camera deals and reviews on Amazon

Windows Phone 8
Price: $50 to $200 with contract

More info on Windows Phone 8 deals  Amazon.com

Early reviews suggest smartphones powered by an overhauled Windows operating system may do better than a lot of people expect. “I’m a huge fan of Windows Phone because it has a different user interface. It’s not the dreaded wall of icons,” says Llamas, who manages mobile phone research at IDC.

Instead of the app-centric approach found on Android phones and the iPhone, the Windows Phone 8 interface features information-rich tiles that serve as windows to your favorite websites, your email, digital content or whatever else you choose. The tiles are “live,” meaning they’ll regularly display social media site updates, news updates, new mail messages or fresh sports scores, depending on how you set them up.

The Windows Phone 8 is a complete overhaul of the Windows 7 phone, offering faster processing power, high-definition screen capability and expandable memory. “Windows Phone 8 is absolutely worth using, especially if you enjoy a simpler, bolder interface,” according to CNET. A Kid Corner lets you convert the phone over to a children’s entertainment center that keeps the phone and the Internet off limits. Two popular models are the light and trim HTC Windows Phone 8X and the Nokia (NOK) Lumia 920, which offers more features. Early reviews suggest the Windows Phone 8 might help Microsoft (MSFT) finally get seriously into the phone game.

Windows Phone 8
Price: $50 to $200 with contract

More info on Windows Phone 8 deals  Amazon.com

Video games
Price: $40 to $80

More info on Video Game Deals on Amazon

Sluggish game sales have troubled companies like GameStop (GME), Activision Blizzard (ATVI) and Nintendo (NTDOY) all year, but that’s changing this holiday. Upgrades of popular titles will be popular gifts. Already, “Call of Duty: Black Ops II,” from Activision, is shooting out the lights. Sales topped $500 million in its first day on the market in mid-November. “It’s just screaming,” says Dartmouth Tuck School of Business professor Eric Johnson.

“Halo 4”, from Microsoft (MSFT), also put in a good performance, grossing $220 million on its first day of sales Nov. 6. That’s impressive, analysts say, because it’s available for only one gaming platform, the Xbox 360.

Besides these two, Mintel projects that the following titles will do the best this holiday season: “Hitman: Absolution” from a Japanese company called Square Enix (SQNXF); “Assassin’s Creed III” and “Far Cry 3” from Ubisoft Montreal, a division of French publisher Ubisoft Entertainment (UBSFY); and “New Super Mario Bros” and “Lego: Lord of the Rings” from Nintendo.

Video games
Price: $40 to $80

More info on Video Game Deals on Amazon

Roku LT Streaming Player
Price: $50

More info and reviews on Amazon

Just about everyone loves TV. And just about everyone loves the Internet. So why haven’t we seen a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups moment, mashing the two into one? Companies like Apple (AAPL), of course, are said to be working on a grand merger. Meanwhile, this season, Roku, sold by a private company, offers an affordable way to get at least a lot of the Internet onto your TV. So its boxes will be a hit.

The biggest attractions are that it they are cheap and easy to use. “They are simple enough that they are good grandparent gifts,” says Ackerman. Just hook it up to your Internet connection and voilà, you have streaming content on your TV. But don’t expect a Web browser. Instead, you get a set of channels to use, such as Netflix, Hulu Plus, HBO Go and MLB.TV, says Ackerman. Roku also offers good search capabilities across these platforms, he says.

This device will be a big hit with “cord cutters” who want to ditch the monthly cable bill. Another product in this camp: Boxee TV, which is being sold through Wal-Mart Stores (WMT) this holiday season. You’ll be thankful these boxes are so cheap, because they will evolve rapidly. “In two or three years these boxes will look like a horrible stopgap, but they are getting more refined,” says John Bradley, an editor at Wired.

Roku LT Streaming Player
Price: $50

More info and reviews on Amazon

Beats by Dre Executive headphones
Price: $299

More info and reviews on Amazon

As we fire up more songs, videos and games on our mobile devices, sales of quality headphones are taking off. “We have seen increases, especially in those priced over $100,” says Arnold at NPD, which examines sales data from retailers to spot trends. “Especially during the holidays, they make a good gift. Headphones are huge.”

Literally. Many of the popular portable headphones aimed at the college crowd — a key demographic here — are large, which helps pack in better quality. Headphones now often have built-in microphones for calls.

But the Beats by Dre Executive headphones are more compact, without sacrificing on quality, one reason Arnold thinks they will be a hit this holiday season. “If you don’t want to be the person walking around with huge cans on your head, these offer more of an adult look, while maintaining quality,” he says. Road warriors will find they fold up nicely to fit into a briefcase. And they offer noise cancellation, but this feature requires batteries.

Beats by Dre Executive headphones
Price: $299

More info and reviews on Amazon

Nest Learning Thermostat 2.0

Price: $250

More info and reviews on Amazon

Any trip home for the holidays may well involve an age-old routine: the battle of the thermostat with Dad. Well, it may be time to dazzle Dad with a new thermostat that just might persuade him to turn up the heat — since the thermostat may save him money in the long run.

The Nest Learning Thermostat, sold by a private company, monitors your behavior and controls heating systems, air conditioners, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, based on your habits. An “auto away” feature figures out when your house is empty and adjusts temperatures accordingly within a half-hour. Wi-Fi access lets you control your thermostat remotely to make sure the house is heated or cooled by the time you arrive.

The latest thermostat — from “father of the iPod” Tony Fadell — upgrades one first released a year ago. It is smarter, and it works with more home heating and cooling systems. The price may seem high for a thermostat, but the company claims you can save up to 20% of your annual energy bill. Dad shouldn’t be thinking about the price tag, since he’ll be getting his for free as a gift. That 20% savings should put a smile on his face.

More info for Nest Learning Thermostat on Amazon

“Is the Best Android Tablet Available Made For Kids?” – James Floyd Kelly, Wired.com/GeekDad

As the world’s first full-featured Android tablet made especially for kids, the nabi delivers a wide range of experiences to engage, entertain and educate kids including kiddified Web browsing, watching movies and TV shows, reading books, learning math and playing games. Because nabi is a true tablet, it grows with kids over time rather than being discarded like toy tablets. It’s also full-featured enough for parents – with the tap of a button and a password, parents can enter Mommy Mode for full Web and app store access. Utilizing the nVidia Tegra 3 Quadcore processor and Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0 Operating system, the nabi is very fast. Enjoy movies and read e-books on the 1024×600 resolution screen. Kids have access to a full curriculum from Pre-K through 6th grade to learn and parents can track their growth. Synchronize with your home computer or laptop easily with the nabi synch application. 2G of free nabi-cloud for storage.Includes: USB Cable, Quick Start Guide, AC Power Adapter.

Fuhu NABI NABI2-NV7A 7-Inch Tablet on sale on Amazon

For kids, the quirky-sounding tablet from Fuhu, a Los Angeles startup, is one of the best Android-powered tablets in the market. Nabi, which means “butterfly” in Korean, has a rubberized bumper for added protection from slips and falls. It can access more than 500 approved apps, as well as those from Amazon’s Appstore. The 8GB tablet with Wi-Fi is $199.

Nabi™ 2 is the fastest, most powerful tablet in the world, made for kids, dedicated to delivering the most amazing experiences in: Learn. Play. Grow. For Life.

A tablet is a great tool for your child’s development. However, as with anything you give your kids, you want it to be safe, educational, fun, and rewarding. As parents ourselves, we utilized “Learn. Play. Grow. For Life.” as the filter set to guide our development of the nabi™.

Practice makes perfect.

Learning is more than just digesting the facts. It’s a process that requires tenacious practice, mastery of core fundamentals, incremental feedback, and rewards. This is why we built Fooz Kids University as an integrated learning system that combines these fundamentals into one incredible solution.

ACADEMICALLY AND INSTRUCTIONALLY SOUND LEARNING

nabi’s™ innovative learning system was built to ensure your child is on the path to educational success through disciplined mastery of the common core state standards skills in Math, Science, English and Social Studies, grades K-5.

N-SITE – METRICS-BASED REINFORCEMENT

As parents, we always want a benchmark for our children’s progress in academics. nabi’s™ online report card, N-SITE, provides you with instant metrics and analytics on your child’s time spent, proficiencies and trouble spots…insight matters.

LEARN STUFF. EARN STUFF.

Learning is hard work. It is repetitive in nature and can be discouraging at times. nabi’s™ Treasure Box motivates your child by rewarding them with games, apps, music, videos and accessories for lesson mastery.

Fuhu NABI NABI2-NV7A 7-Inch Tablet for sale on Amazon

Play

Deliver rich and engaging experiences.

Games, music, television and movies made right, just for kids, with the stuff they know and love. Console-quality HD gaming, top billboard music and videos of their favorite characters, safe, kid-friendly and endlessly entertaining…nabi™ is the ultimate in entertainment for kids.

Top Billboard Songs, Made Just for Kids.

SPINLETS+ MUSIC

Over 9,000 albums of kid-friendly songs they know and love. And yes, over 18 million tracks from all genres for you. Spinlets+ Music is the most comprehensive music solution that is safe for kids and fun for you. Feel free to let your kids browse the music store for kids and then enter the password-protected music store for you.

Unlimited. Streaming. Now. $2.99 a month.

Spinlets+ TV

Saturday morning shows…always on. Spinlets+ TV delivers the best of Cookie Jar shows with over 700 hours of kid-safe entertainment, featuring: “Strawberry Shortcake,” “Paddington Bear,” “Sonic the Hedgehog,” “The Busy World of Richard Scarry,” “Madeline,” and more.

Grow.

Teach children to make the right choices.

As parents, we can start teaching our children to make the right choices and be responsible for their decisions. Making a choice requires a balance of self-confidence and the mental ability to think through the consequences of one’s decisions. nabi’s™ Chore List and Treasure Box assists parents in teaching children how to make the right choices.

Fuhu NABI NABI2-NV7A 7-Inch Tablet for the cheapest price on Amazon

Chore List

nabi™ Chore List Teach children how to manage priorities and be responsible.

Treasure Box

nabi™ Treasure Box Reward good behavior and teach money management.
For Life.

SOLUTIONS, NOT FEATURES.

Faster, thinner, higher resolution and more powerful are all good things that matter. However, it’s when technology is invisible and second to the solutions it provides, that it becomes a part of your life. nabi™ Sync, nabi™ Cloud and Over the Air Updates…nabi™, made for life!

Sync Without Wires.

nabi™ Sync

nabi™ Sync is a PC or Mac application (available for download) that lets you synchronize your photos, music, movies, and more and transfer them to and from your nabi. Your stuff…made easy. No wires, no SD cards… simply install the application on your computer and sync. Easy!

Your Stuff Anywhere.

nabi™ Cloud

Your content anywhere. nabi™ Cloud does more than just store your content. It’s backs up…effortlessly keep your apps, games, music, movies and photos in nabi™ Cloud and never set up a second nabi™ again. It’s automatic – sync your content to nabi™ Cloud and see it magically appear on your nabi™! 2GB FREE storage, upgradable to 50GB.

Product Features

• Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, 7 inches Display
• NVIDIA Tegra 3.0 1.3 GHz
• 1GB
• 802_11_BGN wireless

Fuhu NABI 2 Tablet Reviews on Amazon

“Faster than a kindle fire more powerful than an ipad 2”

“Fuhu’s backers include some of the biggest names in the Taiwanese PC scene, including Acer, Foxconn, Kingston Technology and VIA Technologies. It just got a $5 million investment from leading Japanese telco, KDDI. “

More info on Amazon.com:

Fuhu NABI NABI2-NV7A 7-Inch Tablet

Alot of these apps are also free to download and there is one free paid app a day that is offered at the Amazon Appstore.

Top FREE Amazon Android Apps for the Kindle Fire

Angry Birds The pigs are hungry and eggs are on the menu; the survival of a flock of friendly, colorful birds is threatened. When the greedy green swine raid the flock’s nest, the unexpected happens: a rage is kindled within the birds that only revenge can quench! Your job is to help the Angry Birds seek vengeance against the pigs with the help of a finger-powered slingshot, a good dose of strategy, and a bit of luck. The goal of the game is to catapult each bird toward the pigs, who hide behind a variety of destructible materials. Use each bird’s unique skills to break through crates, boards, stone, ice, snow, glass, boulders, and dynamite to vanquish the devious pigs. It’s the world’s most popular physics-based casual game for many reasons: quirky characters with unique abilities, 285 levels of challenging pig fortifications to defeat, and lots of hidden rewards for you and your feathered friends to discover.

Newest Angry Birds App edition: Star Wars –

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…

…a group of desperate rebel birds faced off against a galactic menace: the Empire’s evil Pigtroopers! Rebel birds, striking from a hidden base, have won their first victory against the evil Imperial Pigs. During the battle, Rebel spies managed to steal secret plans to the Empire’s ultimate weapon, the PIG STAR, and are racing to deliver the plans to the rebel birds.

Now they need your help! Join an epic adventure with the Angry Birds in the legendary Star Wars universe! Use the Force, wield your lightsaber, and blast away Pigtroopers on an intergalactic journey from the deserts of Tatooine to the depths of the Pig Star — where you’ll face off against the terrifying Darth Vader! Can you become a Jedi master and restore freedom to the galaxy? Time to grab your lightsaber and join the adventure! May the birds be with you!

Amazon Appstore: Angry Birds 

Netflix Access your favorite TV shows and movies with this free Netflix app and enjoy instant streaming right to your Kindle Fire! Internet access and a valid payment method are required.

• Use your current Netflix membership on your Kindle Fire
• Watch your favorite movies and TV shows as often as you want
• Resume watching where you left off on your TV or computer
• Browse movies and manage your instant queue
• Search by title or peruse genre listings

Download Netflix for free

Hulu Plus (Kindle Fire Edition)

Hulu Plus offers hit TV shows and award-winning movies anytime. Instantly stream any current season episode of top shows like Modern Family, The Office, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, and many others. Catch up on classic series including Lost, Chapelle’s Show, and Battlestar Galactica, or explore hundreds of critically acclaimed movies from The Criterion Collection and Miramax. Available on Internet-connected TVs, Blu-ray players, gaming consoles, and mobile devices for $7.99/month with limited advertising.

Current Hit Shows on Hulu Plus on Kindle Fire
Watch the full current season of top shows like House, Grey’s Anatomy, Gossip Girl, South Park, and many more from ABC, Comedy Central, Fox, MTV, NBC, The CW, Warner Bros. Television Group, and other networks.

Classic Series
Catch up on past seasons of current and classic TV series such as Saturday Night Live, The X-Files, The A-Team, Law and Order: SVU, Arrested Development, and more.

Critically Acclaimed Movies
Enjoy hundreds of movies including Oscar winners from Miramax and some of cinema’s most important movies from the Criterion Collection.

On Your TV and More
Hulu Plus is available on the Kindle Fire, Microsoft Xbox 360, Sony PlayStation 3, Roku streaming players, Internet-connected TV, and Blu-ray players, smartphones, tablets, and many other devices. Enjoy unlimited instant streaming for $7.99/month with limited advertising.

Try it Free
Try Hulu Plus risk-free with a 1-week free trial. To learn more and sign up, visit Hulu’s website. Cancel anytime.

• Watch current season episodes and full back seasons of hit TV shows
• Enjoy popular and critically acclaimed movies from Miramax and the Criterion Collection
• Stream instantly on the Kindle Fire and Kindle Fire HD, gaming consoles, Internet-connected TVs, Blu-ray players, smartphones, set-top boxes and many other connected devices for $7.99/month with limited advertising (cancel anytime)
• Sign up for a free trial on Hulu’s website

Download Hulu Plus for free on Kindle Fire at Amazon Appstore

Pandora is your own free personalized radio now available on your Android device. Pandora on Android offers the same capability as the popular online website, Pandora.com: the ability create personalized radio stations based on your favorite artists and songs.

•Instant, streaming access to your favorite music on the go

•Easy-to-use user interface includes access to artist bios

•Skip, rate, and bookmark songs

•Create new stations directly from your smartphone

•Access and manage your personalized stations online

Pandora uses The Music Genome Project to capture the essence of music at the most fundamental level. This allows Pandora to take a deeper look at your favorites and suggest new music you’ll love. Pandora will even tell you what musical features made them suggest your new favorites.

Purchase the Pandora One subscription for $3.99/month and get ad-free listening as well as the following Web features: higher-quality audio, a desktop application, and custom skins.

Download Pandora for free for the Kindle Fire on Amazon’s Android Appstore

Jetpack Joyride on Amazon Android Appstore – Free

Suit up with a selection of the coolest jetpacks ever made and take to the skies on a one-way trip to adventure! Pick up and start flying in seconds, but spend hours enthralled by Jetpack Joyride‘s addictive gameplay.

You’ll play as Barry Steakfries, the square-jawed and grizzled hero of the game. Barry must break into a secret laboratory to commandeer the experimental jetpacks from the clutches of evil scientists. The controls couldn’t be easier–simply touch the screen to ascend and release to descend. Rain bullets, bubbles, rainbows, and lasers on your hapless enemies as you fly towards higher and higher scores!

Start off with the legendary Machine Gun Jetpack to scatter the evil scientists. Collect coins and complete missions to earn cash and buy new gear in The Stash. Pick your favorite jetpack and snazzy outfit, stock up on items, and get back out there for more action!

Upgrades include:
• Laser jetpack
• Steam-powered jetpack
• Flowery lei and grass skirt
• Zombie head

Keen reflexes are your best weapon to avoid obstacles in your path. Dodge lasers, electricity fields, and even guided missiles. thankfully this is a top-secret lab–there will be even more goodies Barry can collect along the way. Stay out of danger to pile up massive scores, unlock achievements, and beat your friends on the online leaderboards.

Get a boost of speed and power using the Lil’ Stomper, Profit Bird, and the Crazy Freaking Teleporter. Splash out and uUpgrade the vehicles with coin magnets or shiny gold plating for that extra bit of style. Stay alive, get funky, and lose yourself in Jetpack Joyride. Barry Steakfries will provide.

Jetpack Joyride Reviews

“Likely the best dollar you’ll spend this summer.” — MTV

“Jetpack Joyride is, quite simply, an amazing game.” — IntoMobile

“Like all the best mobile games, Jetpack Joyride is criminally simple.” — Kotaku

“We are already blown away. Halfbrick looks like they have another hit on their hands.” — AppAdvice

“A miracle, by all accounts.” — PocketGamer

Download Jetpack Joyride on Amazon Android Appstore – Free

Pinterest for Kindle Fire on Amazon

Pinterest is a tool to find your inspiration and share it with others. Use it to collect things you love, organize and plan important projects, and more.

Pin images from around the web.
Discover pins and boards you love.
Get inspiration from DIY, Travel, Food and other categories.
Pin with your camera.

Pinterest for Kindle Fire on Amazon

Temple Run on the Amazon Appstore

Temple Run

• Simple swipe and tilt controls that are easy to use and just feel right
• Level up your character and use crazy powerups
• Original 3D running mechanic combining turning, jumping, sliding and tilting – the first of its kind!
• Play as 7 different characters!
• Incredibly fun, just one more time, endless game play!

The addictive mega-hit Temple Run took the mobile gaming world by storm. Now it’s available on Amazon’s Appstore for Android! All your friends are playing it–can you beat their high scores?

Go On, Take the Idol and Run
Well, now you’ve done it. You stole the cursed idol from the temple, and the Evil Demon Monkeys are nipping at your heels. There’s only one option: run for your life!

Test your reflexes as you race down ancient temple walls and along sheer cliffs. Swipe to turn, jump and slide to avoid obstacles, collect coins and buy power-ups, unlock new characters, and see how far you can run!

Temple Run Reviews
“In every treasure hunting adventure movie there’s one scene in which the plucky hero finally gets his hands on the treasure but then has to navigate a maze of booby traps in order to get out alive. Temple Run is this scene and nothing else. And it’s amazing.” -SlideToPlay.com
“Most thrilling and fun running game in a while, possibly ever.” -TheAppera.com
“A fast and frenzied experience.” -IGN.com
“Very addicting… definitely a very different running game.” -Appolicious.com
• Voted by TouchArcade Forums as Game of the Week
• One of TouchArcade’s Best Games of the Month

Download Temple Run on the Amazon Appstore for FREE

Designed as one of the thinnest, lightest covers for the new Amazon Kindle Fire, the Marware MicroShell Folio for the Kindle Fire has an advanced, ultra-low profile design. The MicroShell Folio combines a thin, hard polycarbonate back-piece with a soft front lid to protect both the back and the front of your new Kindle device from scratches and impact. It snaps easily to your Kindle tablet, and quickly transforms from a protective cover to a fold-behind stand for hands free viewing or display. For added convenience, the MicroShell Folio includes a built-in elastic strap for securing the lid in the open or closed position. A sophisticated blend of hard shell and soft fabric, the MicroShell Folio Kindle tablet cover proves to be the best of both worlds. Available in pink, white, black, and graphite.

Performance:
• Soft fabric lid folds to function as a stand for viewing
• Convenient elastic strap holds the protective lid in the open or closed position
• Allows access to all ports
Protection:
• Hard polycarbonate back piece for protection against scratches and impact
• Protective lid lined with soft microsuede for protection against scratches and impact
• Reinforced corner protection

Buy it on Amazon:

Kindle Fire MicroShell Folio Cover by Marware $39.99

2. Verso Prologue Cover for Kindle Fire, Tan by Lightwedge

Express yourself with the old world charm of the new Prologue Antique Covers. These covers are perfectly sized to provide an ideal fit for your new Kindle. The corner elastics provide a snug fit without impeding the use – or charging of your device. It’s durable exterior protects and the soft microfiber interior helps prevent scratches on your screen. Plus it has an interior pocket to hold and organize documents.

Verso Prologue Cover for Kindle Fire, Tan Features:
• Certified “Made for Kindle” accessory (Kindle Fire)
• Exceptionally crafted cover wrapped in luxurious fabric.
• Sturdy construction is lightweight but provides protection for your device.
• Soft, microfiber interior with full pocket for holding receipts or travel documents
• Features patent-pending corner elastics to provide a snug fit without impairing functionality.

Buy it on Amazon:

Verso Prologue Cover for Kindle Fire $39.99

3. rooCASE Dual-View Multi Angle (Magenta) Leather Folio Case Cover for Amazon Kindle Fire 7-Inch Android Tablet 

Limited Lifetime Warranty. Like a kangaroo safely carries her young in her pouch, rooCASE offers protective solutions for your precious electronic possessions. rooCASE designers work with your needs in mind, ensuring that cases have not only sturdy exteriors, but also the right-size pockets for smaller accessories. From this starting point of practicality, the designers then consider what’s hip now. Choose from an array of functional yet fashionable cases for your laptop, netbook, or handheld or other electronic device. With rooCASE, quality and craftsmanship meets cutting-edge design.

rooCASE Dual-View Multi Angle (Magenta) Leather Folio Case Cover for Amazon Kindle Fire 7-Inch Android TabletFeatures:
• Dual-View Multi Angle Leather Cover for Amazon Kindle Fire 7-Inch Android Tablet (Tablet NOT Included)
• Genuine Leather with Micro Suede Interior.
• Detachable Inner Sleeve for Handheld Operation; Sleeve Reattaches to Folio by Velcro for Landscape or Portrait viewing.
• 3 Grooves for Multi-Angle Viewing . Magnetic Flap Closure. Access to All Ports and Controls.
• A MUST Have for all Amazon Kindle Fire Tablet Owners!! Available in Black, Magenta and Red. Search: rooCAE Amazon Kindle Fire Dual-View

Buy it on Amazon:

rooCASE Dual-View Multi Angle (Magenta) Leather Folio Case Cover for Amazon Kindle Fire 7-Inch Android Tablet $17.99

4. Belkin Verve Tab Folio for Kindle Fire, Purple

Get coverage for transport, and easy access when you need it. Complement your literary style with an elegant folio. The Verve Tab Folio’s leather-like cover with magnetic tab closure helps protect your Kindle from scratches. Speaker holes are integrated into the back cover for unobstructed sound from the speaker. Plus, an inner pocket lets you securely store notes and receipts while on the go. The case hugs your Kindle and protects it from scratches and scuffs, with a smooth faux leather exterior and an inner lining that’s soft and smooth against your screen. Lightweight and form fitting, it slips easily into another bag without bulk.

Belkin Verve Tab Folio for Kindle Fire Features:
• Certified “Made for Kindle” accessory (Kindle Fire)
• Stylish leather folio for your kindle
• Ultra-thin for easy portability
• Magnetic enclosure

Buy it on Amazon:

Belkin Verve Tab Folio for Kindle Fire $29.99

5. Verso Artist Series Cover for Kindle Fire, Cities, Red

With this unique collection, this cover/case for the Kindle Fire presents the work of a select set of passionately creative people who delight and inspire. Each artist has a distinctive “look” that they have carefully incorporated into elegant cover designs that offer as much protection as they do style.

• Certified “Made for Kindle” accessory (Kindle Fire)
• Stylish cover features the artwork of artist Sharyn Sowell.
• Sturdy construction is lightweight but provides protection for your device.
• Soft, microfiber interior with full pocket for holding receipts or travel documents
• Features patent-pending corner elastics to provide a snug fit without impairing functionality.

Buy it on Amazon:

Verso Artist Series Cover for Kindle Fire, Cities, Red $39.99

5. Marware Eco-Vue for Kindle Fire Cover, Brown

One of the most popular Amazon Kindle cases returns for your new Kindle. The Eco-Vue for your new Kindle takes multifunctionality to another level – all while offering the same superior protection against scratches and impact. Its protective front cover includes a built-in hand strap to prevent you from dropping your device while you’re on the go. The Eco-Vue’s elastic strap secures the lid open or closed, and a convenient pocket stores your small personal items such as ID, cash and credit cards. Made of special, eco-friendly (RoHS Compliant) leather that minimizes toxic waste and runoff used in standard production processes, the Eco-Vue for your new Kindle helps preserve your investment and the environment, one case at a time.

Marware Eco-Vue for Kindle Fire Cover Features:
• Certified “Made for Kindle” accessory (Kindle Fire)
• Durable, folio-style cover with RoHS compliant, eco-friendly leather exterior and soft microsuede interior for added protection
• Stands your Kindle device horizontally
• Built-in interior hand strap for improved grip and hold during usage
• Convenient elastic strap holds the lid open or closed

Buy it on Amazon:

Marware Eco-Vue for Kindle Fire Cover, Brown

6. Kindle Fire Zip Sleeve

This stylish nylon sleeve provides optimal protection for your Kindle while you’re on the go. The lightweight material, slim design, and zipper closure make it easy to quickly and securely stow your device in any bag or purse.

Kindle Fire Zip Sleeve Features:
– Simple, stylish, lightweight sleeve protects Kindle Fire from scuffs and scratches
– Convenient zipper closure keeps your device secure when you?re on the go.
– Available in 5 colors

Buy it on Amazon:

Kindle Fire Zip Sleeve $29.99

7. New York Times Cover for Kindle Fire, Liberty Face

The New York Times Photo Archives is one of the oldest and largest compilations of photos in the world. Now, offered exclusively by Verso, these images are beautifully printed on covers for your Kindle. Constructed of a durable imported Italian material and lined with a soft microfiber interior, this cover protects your device while giving it some personality. Includes an interior pocket for holding documents or receipts while traveling.

Features
– Certified “Made for Kindle” accessory (Kindle Fire)
– Stylish cover features an exclusive image from the New York Times photo archives.
– Sturdy construction is lightweight but provides protection for your device.
– Soft, microfiber interior with full pocket for holding receipts or travel documents
– Features patent-pending corner elastics to provide a snug fit without impairing functionality.

Buy it on Amazon:

New York Times Cover for Kindle Fire, Liberty Face $39.99

8. Timbuk2 Kindle Fire ELEMENT JACKET, Black

Just because it’s hailing golf balls doesn’t mean you have to go without your stories. With fine weave ballistic nylon and a no-nonsense slim profile, this is the armored vehicle of Kindle cases, escorting your romance novels (just admit it) to and from bus stops without incident.

Timbuk2 Kindle Fire ELEMENT JACKET, Black Features:
– Certified “Made for Kindle” accessory (Kindle Fire)
– Element protection for your Kindle, but still slim and sexy.
– Faux Fur Lining
– Hand strap with fine weave ballistic nylon.
– External zip pockets.

Buy it on Amazon:

Timbuk2 Kindle Fire ELEMENT JACKET, Black

For techies and computer literate:

The Apple iPad 2 wins. The many productivity and business apps in the Apple Appstore, the larger screen, and features are all what makes the iPad 2 beat out the Amazon Kindle Fire in this demographic.

For those on a budget:

For those who are looking for a cheaper tablet, the $199 price point for the Amazon Kindle Fire is the selling point. Although it doesn’t have a camera, the features more than make up for what it lacks. It is a great multimedia tablet and the Silk browser makes it extremely fast.

Amazon Kindle Fire Features:

The Amazon Kindle Fire has new apps including Facebook, Hulu Plus, Netflix, Pandora, and ESPN and many more from the Amazon Android Appstore. There will also be games from Zynga, EA, Gameloft, PopCap and Rovi (ANGRY BIRDS!)

Kindle owners who are also Amazon Prime Members can also borrow books for free from the Amazon Prime Kindle Lending Library. Like with books purchased from the Amazon store, the Lending Library can be accessed directly from the Amazon Kindle Fire itself, though, only the Kindle reader. The free library is not available to those using the Kindle apps on other devices, or a PC. Only a single book can be borrowed at one time, limited to just one new title every month. But any bookmarks, highlights or notes created while a book was on loan will be preserved after the book is returned, so users will still have access to them if they choose to borrow it again. There are over 5,000 titles that are available from Amazon’s Lending Library, including more than 100 current and former books from the New York Times Bestsellers’ list. As long as you live in the US that is, since at launch the service is not available internationally.

Additionally, there are hundreds of videos available for Amazon Prime members that Amazon Kindle Fire owners can stream using the tablet.

SPECIFICATIONS BREAKDOWN

Amazon Kindle Fire Vs. Apple Ipad 2.0

Get the Amazon Kindle Fire Today

REVIEWS

“The  Kindle Fire gives me the features I want at a price point that’s less than half of the iPad 2. I can check my email, browse the Internet, maybe play a few games, most importantly, I can read magazines in color on a Kindle.” – Gizmodo

“At $199 the  Kindle Fire is less than half the price of the Apple iPad, which starts at $499.
It is the first tablet from a major company to seriously undercut the iPad in price.” – New York Times

“Consumers will see the iPad and  Kindle Fire side-by-side… and simply ask ‘why does
the iPad cost at least $300 more?’ They will look at the features – the comparable
amount of content, the Kindle’s million e-books, streaming TV shows – and pick the Fire.” – Extreme Tech

“The  Kindle Fire is the tablet you need at the price you’ll be willing to pay.” – Technology Review

“Amazon’s  Kindle Fire is likely to be the first successful tablet not sold by Apple, and there
are several good reasons for it: the low price of $199, the convenient, portable size of 7 inches,
and a rich catalog of books, movies and music offered through Amazon’s Web-based services.” – Ars Technica

“The  Kindle Fire is the real deal and it’s going to disrupt the equilibrium of the existing market for media devices.” – Chicago Sun Times

“There’s a new mayor in Droidville. But this guy didn’t roll into town with pomp and circumstance.
He strolled down Main Street and simply offered more than any other candidate, extolling a plan
based on down-to-earth sensibility and affordability. Meet the Kindle Fire.” – Seeking Alpha

Get the Amazon Kindle Fire Today

Amazon Kindle Fire Tablet $199

KEY FEATURES – Movies, apps, games, music, reading and more, plus Amazon’s revolutionary, cloud-accelerated web browser Silk Amazon Kindle Fire Tablet $199

• 18 million movies, TV shows, songs, magazines, and books
• Amazon Appstore – thousands of popular apps and games
• Ultra-fast web browsing – Amazon Silk
• Free cloud storage for all your Amazon content
• Vibrant color touchscreen with extra-wide viewing angle
• Fast, powerful dual-core processor
• Amazon Prime members enjoy unlimited, instant streaming of over 10,000 popular movies and TV shows

Display: 7″ multi-touch display with IPS (in-plane switching) technology and anti-reflective treatment, 1024 x 600 pixel resolution at 169 ppi, 16 million colors.

Size (in inches): 7.5? x 4.7? x 0.45? (190 mm x 120 mm x 11.4 mm).

Weight: 14.6 ounces (413 grams).

System Requirements: None, because it’s wireless and doesn’t require a computer.

On-device Storage: 8GB internal. That’s enough for 80 apps, plus either 10 movies or 800 songs or 6,000 books.

Cloud Storage: Free cloud storage for all Amazon content

Battery Life: Up to 8 hours of continuous reading or 7.5 hours of video playback, with wireless off. Battery life will vary based on wireless usage, such as web browsing and downloading content.

Charge Time: Fully charges in approximately 4 hours via included U.S. power adapter. Also supports charging from your computer via USB.

Wi-Fi Connectivity: Supports public and private Wi-Fi networks or hotspots that use the 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, or 802.1X standard with support for WEP, WPA and WPA2 security using password authentication; does not support connecting to ad-hoc (or peer-to-peer) Wi-Fi networks.

USB Port: USB 2.0 (micro-B connector)

Audio: 3.5 mm stereo audio jack, top-mounted stereo speakers.

Content Formats Supported: Kindle (AZW), TXT, PDF, unprotected MOBI, PRC natively, Audible (Audible Enhanced (AA, AAX)), DOC, DOCX, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP, non-DRM AAC, MP3, MIDI, OGG, WAV, MP4, VP8.

Documentation: Quick Start Guide(included in box); Kindle User’s Guide (pre-installed on device)

Warranty and Service: 1-year limited warranty and service included. Optional 2-year Extended Warranty available for U.S. customers sold separately. Use of Kindle is subject to the Kindle License Agreement and Terms of Use.

Included in the Box: Kindle Fire tablet, U.S. power adapter (supports 100-240V), and Quick Start Guide.

 Buy it Today – Amazon Kindle Fire Tablet $199

AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER TODAY.

Amazon releases the Kindle Fire Tablet for $199, Kindle Touch 3G for $149, Kindle Touch for $99, and Kindle for $79

This Wednesday in New York City, Amazon unveiled their new 7inch  color tablet to be called the Kindle Fire, running on a dual-core 1.2GHz OMAP processor with a completely updated and revised version of Android 2.1 operating system. The design looks very similar to RIM’s Blackberry Playbook tablet.

Magazine publishers such as Conde Nast, Hearst and Meredith have already signed up onboard, possibly in retaliation to Apple’s draconian revenue policies.

The Amazon Kindle Fire (available for pre-order) is set to ship out November 15th and hit stores the second week of November (just in time for Christmas gifts this December 2011) for a very affordable price deal of  $199, with a month free of Amazon Prime. Its an extra $50 for access to an Amazon Prime account with tons of streaming (Amazon recently announced that they inked an exclusive deal with FOX for their tv shows via an announcement from Jeff Bezos Amazon CEO today). Amazon Prime accounts also includes free 2-day shipping for Amazon products.

I have big news for Amazon Prime members – we’ve just signed a deal with FOX to add a broad selection of movies and TV shows to our unlimited instant streaming service later this fall. The new additions from the FOX library include 24, Arrested Development, The X-Files, Ally McBeal, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and – available on digital video for the first time – The Wonder Years. We now have deals with CBS, NBCUniversal, Sony, and Warner Bros, and adding FOX will bring the total to more than 11,000 movies and TV shows available for unlimited instant streaming. – Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon.com

But, Amazon Kindle Fire, watch out for NOOK Color 2 from Barnes and Noble coming out next month and the Apple Ipad 3 coming out next year.

The price tag for the Amazon Kindle Fire at $199 is without an embedded camera and microphone, though consumers will find WiFi (no 3G, sadly) and a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime. The great thing about this is the syncing – you can sync your books, music, and movies from across different devices! The Amazon Fire will use a browser called Amazon Silk browser that will dramatically reduce page loading times when viewing webpages on the internet, using the Amazon cloud as a limitless cache for your files.

Check out the Amazon.com Kindle Store for the latest updates. There will be a $79 Kindle coming soon as well.

Here are some exclusive pics/pictures from the Amazon announcement today in New York City of the $99 Kindle Touch with no 3G and $149 Kindle Touch with 3G and the $199 Kindle Fire tablet from CEO Jeff Bezos.

Letter from Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos

Dear Customer,

There are two types of companies: those that work hard to charge customers more, and those that work hard to charge customers less. Both approaches can work. We are firmly in the second camp.

We are excited to announce four new products: the all-new Kindle for only $79, two new touch Kindles – Kindle Touch and Kindle Touch 3G – for $99 and $149, and a new class of Kindle – Kindle Fire – a beautiful full color Kindle for movies, TV shows, music, books, magazines, apps, games, web browsing and more, for only $199.

These are high-end products – the best Kindles we’ve ever made. Kindle and Kindle Touch have the most-advanced E Ink display technology available, and the 3G Kindle Touch adds free 3G wireless – no monthly fees and no annual contracts. Kindle Fire brings everything we’ve been working on at Amazon for 15 years together into a single, fully-integrated experience for customers – instant access to Amazon’s massive selection of digital content, a vibrant color IPS touchscreen with extra-wide viewing angle, a 14.6 ounce design that’s easy to hold with one hand, a state-of-the-art dual core processor, free storage in the Amazon Cloud, and an ultra-fast mobile browser – Amazon Silk – available exclusively on Kindle Fire.

We are building premium products and offering them at non-premium prices.

Thank you for being a customer,

Jeff Bezos
Founder & CEO
p.s. – Kindle Fire has a radical new web browser called Amazon Silk. When you use Silk – without thinking about it or doing anything explicit – you’re calling on the raw computational horsepower of Amazon EC2 to accelerate your web browsing. If you’re curious, watch this short video to learn more about how it works.