Kindler-related Tablet and eReader news-bits. The iPad Mini: Where/What. HTC tablets discontinued in U.S.

A few headlines from the news

These are mainly quick links to tablet/reader-related news stories that might interest readers.

Analyst predicts Google 10" tablet -- Richard Shim, an analyst with NPD DisplaySearch, had accurate information beforehand on all three Kindle tablets announced in September.

  NASDAQ reports that his info is that Google has teamed up with Samsung to build a 10-inch version of the Nexus tablet.  That will take awhile, and it promises to be fairly pricey, as the specs he quotes exceed Apple's in important ways.  
  One example: Apple iPad 3's display resolution is 2048 x 1536, and he expects the 10-inch Nexus to reach 2560 x 1600.  He bases his predictions on "supply chain indications."

  Shim describes the anticipated 10-inch Nexus as "high-end" and also says that Google will also produce a $99 tablet in December.  Many doubt the $99 one will happen or that it would be worth buying, since the current basic Nexus 7" tablet is $199 and has only 8GB of RAM, just one speaker, and no HDMI out.  It has GPS though.


A new survey indicates strongly that the iPad Mini may not be quite the auto-buy for Apple users (or others) as had been expected.  See the full story for details.

Apple's rumored IPad Mini and the much-awaited invite (world. bated. breath)
The invites to hear about the iPad Mini were to go out today, but as of 3pm PDT, no one's reported seeing one yet.  So the expected invite date is changing to Thursday.  Most of the current news stories are that the unit will have no cellular option (WiFi only) and won't be using the Retina feature, which is confusing reporters because a unique feature at this point becomes more important, with the current popularity of the Kindle Fire HD, the Google Nexus 7", and the new B&N Nook Tablets HD (which have SD slots, higher screen resolution but, oddly, no front-facing (or any) camera, so no way to do Skype on them -- which I think is a mistake).
  Most think the iPad Mini 7" will be priced at around $299.

  Some images said to be of the iPad Mini were shown on Twitter yesterday.  The Daily Mail has a clearer picture of the small unit placed on the iPad.

A recent Pew Research Center report:
  52 percent of tablet owners reported having an iPad -- down from 81 percent in Pew's 2011 survey. Android-based devices made up the remainder of the U.S. tablet market, per the survey.  If it's true that the iPad Mini may not be as in demand as first anticipated, it may be fortuitous for Apple that:

    iPad Mini shipments estimate has already been cut
10 million iPad Minis were said to have been ordered (per WSJ and others) for the 4th quarter.  That estimate was changed today to about 5-7 million, with supplier difficulties cited.  Fortune's Philip Elmer-DeWitt reports that Brian White's dispatches from an Asian road trip, as of Tuesday, describe what a "challenge" it is for suppliers to fill in time, due to the specs, with 'yields' being 'frustrating.

In the meantime
  .  HTC has discontinued sales of its tablets in the U.S.  As we've seen, the tablet market is crowded and low margin, for the most 'successful' vendors.

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Current Kindle Models for reference, plus free-ebook search links.
NOTES on newer Kindles.

US: Updated Kindle Fire Basic  7" tablet - $159 Kindle Fire HD 7" 16/32GB - $199/$249 Kindle Fire HD 8.9" 16/32GB - $299/$369 Kindle Fire HD 8.9" 4G 32/64GB - $499/$599 Kindle NoTouch ("Kindle") - $69/$89 Kindle Paperwhite, WiFi - $119/$139 Kindle Paperwhite, 3G - $179/$199 Kindle Keybd 3G - $139/$159, Free but slow web Kindle DX - $379 $299, Free, slow web

UK: Kindle Basic, NoTouch - £69 Kindle Touch WiFi, UK - £109 Kindle Keyboard 3G, UK - £149   Keybd: w/ Free, slow 3G WEB Kindle Paperwhite, WiFi - £109 Kindle Paperwhite 3G, UK - £169 Kindle Fire 2, UK -  £129 Kindle Fire HD 7"16/32GB, UK - £159/199

OTHER International Kindle NoTouch Basic - $89 Kindle Touch WiFi - $139 Kindle Keybd 3G - $189   Keybd: w/ Free, slow 3G WEB France Boutique Kindle Deutschland - Kindle Store Italia - Kindle Store Spain - Tienda Kindle

* Kindle Fire HD to be released October 25, 2012 in listed European areas above;
    Paperwhite to be released November 22, 2012 there.


  For daily free ebooks, check the following links:

Temporarily-free books - Non-classics USA: by:    Publication Date      Bestselling   High-ratings UK: PubDate   Popular The Kindle Daily Deal What is 3G? and "WiFi"?       Battery Care Highly-rated under $1,  Newest: $1-$2, $2-$3

Most Popular Free K-Books U.S. & Int'l (NOT UK):    Top 100 free UK-Only:    Top 100 free Guide to finding Free Kindle books and Sources. USEFUL for your Kindle Keyboard (U.S. only, currently):   99c Notepad 1.1,   99c Calculator,   99c Calendar,   99c Converter

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