Apple executives, including CEO Tim Cook have been quoted as saying that the Kindle Fire was actually good for Apple, according to Business Insider. They explained that it would cause more Android fragmentation, even though many view it as arguably the biggest challenger to the iPad’s supremacy since the start of the tablet war.
“While the pricing at $199 looks disruptive for what seems to be the iPad’s most important rising challenge, the Kindle Fire – it is important to note that it could fuel further fragmentation in the tablet market—given it represents yet another platform”
The Kindle Fire does run a customised version of Android, and the apps on it are very limited compared to the many thousands in the App Store. Apple do therefore have a point, but at $199, it is near half the price of the iPad, that might be the deal clincher for Amazon. Only time will tell, but this statement certainly shows huge confidence on Apple’s part.