Amazon planning press event, rumours point to next Kindle Fire

With all the big shots of the mobile and tablet world lining up for announcing big things this month, Amazon doesn’t seem to want to be left behind. According to Mobile Boom, the company has sent out invites to some event on the 6th of September. Rumours point to this being the launch event for the next version of Amazon’s wildly popular 7-inch tablet, the Kindle Fire.

Amazon is going to see tough competition from the likes of Google and its Nexus 7 tablet, developed by Asus. While the prices of both the Nexus 7 and the Kindle Fire are similar, the Nexus 7 seems to be the way to go as it comes with much beefier hardware along with access to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean as well as future Android releases, as opposed to the Kindle Fire’s Android 2.3 Gingerbread. Another big player slated to enter the market soon is Apple, with its rumoured 7-inch iPad.

Ready to take on the big shots of the tablet and smartphone world

Amazon has scheduled an event for the 6th of September. This could point to the company’s willingness to go toe-to-toe with the likes of Nokia and Motorola. Nokia is all set to host a press event along with Microsoft, where Nokia will presumably show off its upcoming Windows Phone 8 based smartphone, codenamed the Phi. This is along with Apple who, later this month, is holding a major event where many presume that Apple will show off the next iPhone. Apple has plans for yet another event where it will presumably show off the iPad Mini.

Microsoft had officially raised the curtain on Windows Phone 8 at an event in San Francisco earlier this year and claimed that it is the most advanced mobile OS Microsoft has ever made. Here is a look at some of the highlighted features available on Windows Phone 8:

• Multi-core processor support: Windows Phone was a slick OS that ran smoothly on handsets with a single processor. The latest OS now features multi-core support with Belfoire claiming that they’re ready for whatever hardware makers dream up.
• Bigger, sharper screens: Windows Phone 8 supports two new screen resolutions — 1280 x 768 and 1280 x 720, making it compatible with new handsets that will feature high-definition 720p displays.
• More flexible storage: Windows Phone 8 supports removable microSD cards, so users can stuff their phone with extra photos, music and whatever else is important and then easily move it all onto their PC.
• NFC wireless sharing: In Windows Phone 8, NFC helps make sharing photos, Office docs, and contact info easier. One can achieve this by tapping their phone on another NFC-equipped device.
• Internet Explorer 10: The next version of Windows Phone comes with the same web browsing engine that’s headed for Window 8 PCs and tablets. Microsoft claims that IE10 is faster and more secure, with advanced anti-phishing features like SmartScreen Filter to block dangerous websites and malware.
• Internet Explorer 10: The next version of Windows Phone comes with the same web browsing engine that’s headed for Window 8 PCs and tablets. Microsoft claims that IE10 is faster and more secure, with advanced anti-phishing features like SmartScreen Filter to block dangerous websites and malware.
• Better maps and directions: Windows Phone 8 builds in Nokia mapping as part of the platform. This partnership will provide more detailed maps and turn-by-turn directions in many countries, plus the ability to store maps offline on your phone so you can work with maps without a data connection.
• Improved apps and games: Microsoft states that basing Windows Phone 8 on the Windows core will unleash a new wave of amazing apps and especially games.