British tablet fans can exhale at last -- Amazon is finally bringing its barnstorming Kindle Fire tablets to the UK, and at prices that will make your wallet do a big, leathery grin.
The Kindle Fire tablet that's been doing the rounds in the US for ages now is going to cost £129, and comes with a new 1.2GHz processor and 1GB of RAM to speed up your touchscreen jollies.
If you want something a mite more powerful, then the Kindle Fire's freshly introduced 7-inch Kindle Fire HD may also be of interest. This 16GB tablet will cost £159, the same low price as its Android Jelly Bean-flavoured rival, the Google Nexus 7. A higher-capacity 32GB version is available too for £199.
Sadly, there's no sign that the also-announced larger 8.9-inch Kindle Fire HD will be coming to the UK.
Lock screen adverts
There's a bit of bad news, however -- the Kindle Fire tablets will have adverts on the lock screen. Amazon says, "These special money-saving offers that customers will enjoy could include offers on Kindle accessories or on our digital catalogue of Kindle books, apps, games and MP3, plus many more."
Hmm. Not sure I like the idea of adverts on my tablet -- how do you feel? Sound off in the comments below.
The Kindle HD's headline feature is an impressively high screen resolution, with this tiny tablet pumping out 1,280x800 pixels of viewing pleasure. Once more, that's the same resolution as the Google Nexus 7.
Anyone looking for a flexible tablet to tinker with will likely prefer the Nexus 7, because it's powered by raw Android. The Kindle Fire HD's software, meanwhile, is based on Android, but is primarily useful for downloading books, movies and music from Amazon's various services.
But hey, perhaps that's all you really want from a tablet device. I'll be interested to see what kind of movie and TV selection Amazon can rustle up for the Fire HD's launch.
Cheaper Kindle
The bog-standard e-ink Kindle has had its price cut to £69, though there's more sad news for e-ink fans, as it doesn't look like Amazon is going to release its new front-lit 'Paperwhite' Kindle over here, at least not just yet.
The Kindle Fire and Kindle Fire HD are up for pre-order now (you can probably guess where from), with both tablets coming out on 25 October.
Will you be buying one? Tell me in the comments or on our Facebook wall.
Android App 
RSS Feeds 
iPhone App 
Newsletters 
Comments 7
Add your comment
anonymous 7 September, 2012 11:50
Why can't Amazon just release all of them over here at the same time? I'm tired of it, I guess we'll have to wait another year now to get the 8.9" model. I'll just get the Nexus 10 instead when it comes
shauney3 7 September, 2012 11:55
The only thing that this beats the Google Nexus 7 on is the storage capacity. But why would I buy a bloatware tablet that pumps out advertisements and is limited to Amazon's eco-system...? The Google Nexus 7 can do so much more... Easy choice for me.
Ruffus Stone 7 September, 2012 12:15
I can't understand the previous clamour for the Fire to be released over here.
After all it isn't a regular Tablet and more a portal to buy and access Amazon media content and books.
These new models are just the same.
agadgetuk 7 September, 2012 13:21
Adverts- no thanks. Why not do a dual pricing model- with and without ads and let people choose? And no paperwhite kindle?! I had a kindle before but the screen contrast wasn't that great.
I'm sticking with my Google Nexus and iPad thank you very much.
badgerboy 7 September, 2012 13:46
Its a no brainer for me, why buy the Fire when you can get the Nexus 7 for a similar price (sub £200).
The Fire has a cut down and mucked about with operating system including its own version of the official Google app store with far less apps also its not as technically accomplished in terms of its internal tech. Also, lock screen ads, no thank you.
Just save up, spend the extra few quid and get the 16GB Nexus, that level of memory is more than enough for the majority of users (even 8GB would be for many to be honest) and you get the full fat Android and a faster more stable system and its still very cheap for what you get.
Personally I wouldn't buy either though as I prefer my Tablets to be at least 10" in screen size, a fair bit more expensive though of course which is why these smaller cheaper tablets will do well.
For now its an Asus Transformer for me all the way (at least until something better comes along).
matty1234 16 September, 2012 13:51
I have just found the Amazon Kindle Fire HD 8.9 inch version here:
http://www.valuebasket.com/en_GB/Amazon-Kindle-Fire-HD-8-9-WiFi-16GB-Tablet-(Black)/mainproduct/view/11607-AA-BK
This obviously mean that it must be coming to the UK soon as it's a pre-order, and like the conversion rate for other Kindle Fires ($199-£160), ($249-£199) eg 20% off the 8.9 inch version looks like to be set at £240 which is 20% off $300 in America.
anonymous 16 October, 2012 16:37
When I pre ordered my Kindle fire HD in early september the 'special offers' feature wasn't mentioned, so I hope I will be able to switch them off without paying for the pleasure! It's disgraceful that they would taint their product in this brainwashing manner.