Amazon Fire HD 10 Tablet Upgraded With Hands-Free Alexa, Full HD Display, Lower Pricing
But Amazon didn't stop there, it doubled the amount of RAM included (now 2GB), while the new 1.8GHz quad-core processor boosts performance of the tablet by 30 percent. Base storage has been doubled from 16GB to 32GB, and a 64GB SKU is available as an option. However, you can always rely on the built-in microSD slot if you need additional storage.
Other features include dual speakers with Dolby Atmos Audio, dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi, front- and rear-facing cameras, and up to 10 hours of battery life (up from 8 hours). But perhaps the most intriguing new feature found in the Fire HD 10 is support for Alexa Hands-Free. As it name implies, you don't have to be physically holding the Fire HD 10 to invoke Alexa. As long as the device is connected to a Wi-Fi hotspot, you can use the "Alexa" wake word to answer questions, get weather or traffic information or control smart devices in your home.
While the new features are a definite plus, the biggest news of the day is the fact that Amazon has dramatically cut prices for the Fire HD 10, which will be available in Black, Marine Blue or Punch Red. The previous generation model stated at $229 for 16GB of storage. However, the newly upgraded model starts at $149, and that gets you double the storage. Opting for 64GB of storage only raises the price to $189, which is a pretty good bargain for a mainstream tablet. For comparison, a 32GB Apple iPad starts at $329. If you want a tablet without Amazon's "Special Offers" advertising, you'll have to pay an extra $15.
“For less than $150, the all-new Fire HD 10 offers a beautiful 1080p Full HD display, faster performance, more storage, and up to 10 hours of battery life,” said Kevin Keith, General Manager, Amazon Devices. “We’re also excited to introduce Alexa hands-free for the first time on a Fire tablet. Now, you can ask Alexa to play a video, show you your calendar, dim the lights, and much more—using just your voice.”
The Amazon Fire HD 10 is available for pre-order right now from Amazon and will be released on October 11th.
