Day: September 8, 2012

Bing? Really? Bing?

Microsoft: Bing Will Be Default Search Engine on Kindle Fire HD

“Microsoft told Mashable that its Bing search engine will be the default on the Amazon Kindle Fire HD‘s web browser. Amazon also confirmed it.

The deal between the two companies came together recently. Adam Sohn, general manager of communications and influencer marketing at Bing, said the ‘last bits’ of the deal were finalized only today. Sohn said Bing would be the ‘initial default’ search engine on the Kindle Fire HD and new Kindle Fire tablets. He couldn’t confirm if the terms of the deal also include Amazon’s E Ink readers.

Users will be able to change the default to another search engine such as Google or Yahoo.

The site Ubergizmo first reported that Bing was the default browser on the Kindle Fire HD, based on some hands-on time with the device at Amazon’s press event, where Jeff Bezos unveiled the new tablets. It was subsequently confirmed by Amazon to some sites, including Ars Technica as well as Mashable.

Amazon is Microsoft’s second major partner in the mobile arena. The first was RIM — Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer paid a visit to BlackBerry World in spring 2011 to announce that Bing would power search and maps on BlackBerry phones going forward.”

The Kindle Fire HD has been announced, along with many new members to the Kindle family! I think I may NEED one!

Kindle Fire HD

• 1280×800 HD display with polarizing filter and anti-glare technology for rich color and deep contrast from any viewing angle
• Exclusive Dolby audio and dual-driver stereo speakers for immersive, virtual surround sound
• World’s first tablet with dual-band, dual-antenna Wi-Fi for 40% faster downloads and streaming (compared to iPad 3)
• High performance 1.2 Ghz dual-core processor with Imagination PowerVR 3D graphics core for fast and fluid performance
• Over 22 million movies, TV shows, songs, magazines, books, audiobooks, and popular apps and games such as Facebook, Netflix, Twitter, HBO GO, Pandora, and Angry Birds Space
• Integrated support for Facebook, Twitter, Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo! and more, as well as Exchange calendar, contacts, and email
• Free Skype video calls with front-facing HD camera
• Free unlimited cloud storage for all your Amazon content
• Includes special offers and sponsored screensavers.
• Kindle FreeTime – a personalized tablet experience just for kids. Set daily screen limits, and give access to appropriate content for each child. Free on every Kindle Fire HD.
• Prime Instant Video – unlimited, instant streaming of thousands of popular movies and TV shows

Also of interest to me is the new Kindle “Paper White!”

Kindle Paper White

• World’s most advanced e-reader with Free 3G – higher resolution, higher contrast touchscreen with built-in light, 8-week battery life
• Free 3G wireless – no hunting or paying for Wi-Fi hotspots, no annual contracts or monthly fees
• 3G wireless works globally – download books anytime, anywhere
• Patented built-in light evenly illuminates the screen to provide the perfect reading experience in all lighting conditions
• Paperwhite has 62% more pixels for unsurpassed resolution

25% better contrast for sharp, dark text

• Even in bright sunlight, Paperwhite delivers clear, crisp text and images with no glare
• New hand-tuned fonts – 6 font styles, 8 adjustable sizes
• 8-week battery life, even with the light on
• Holds up to 1,100 books – take your library wherever you go
• Built-in Wi-Fi lets you download books in under 60 seconds
• New Time to Read feature uses your reading speed to let you know when you’ll finish your chapter
• Massive book selection. Lowest prices. Over a million titles less than $9.99
  180,000 Kindle-exclusive titles that you won’t find anywhere else, including books by best-selling authors such as Kurt Vonnegu

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• Supports children’s books and includes new parental controls

Man! Which one should I get???