What if Amazon released Android Kindle tablet?

Tech Gear: "Firstly, in the short term, any Android-based Kindle isn't about Amazon competing with iPad or other Apple iOS devices. Amazon's ambitions are much larger: Capitalizing on the enormous Android ecosystem of applications and devices and extending its core competency as a retailer. Amazon already does this on Android and other mobile operating systems with the Kindle app. But Amazon sells more digital content than just ebooks. Android Kindle -- as device or app -- would allow Amazon to better bundle other digitally downloaded products, like movies, music and TV shows."

Is Amazon working on an Android Kindle?

Nick Bilton of NY Times via NDTVGadgets.com: "Although Jeff Bezos, Amazon's chief executive, has said in the past that a color Kindle is 'multiple years' away, new job listings on the Lab 126 Web site, the division of Amazon that makes the Kindle, show that the company is building up its team of Android developers, which might involve developing software for a color screen. At least five new jobs were added in the last week alone seeking developers with Android programming experience. Now this could simply mean that Amazon is hiring engineers to work on new software for other Android devices. But it could also pave the way for a Kindle that runs Android, which would in turn be a color device. The current Kindle runs the Linux operating system. It's still up for debate whether an Android Kindle would be good for Amazon, or better for Google. With tablets becoming a competition over the number of apps available for the platform, Amazon would have a lot of catching up to do if the company decided to introduce an entirely new tablet operating system."

Kindle to move to Android? [Rumor]

Android Community: "There’s talk going around that Amazon may be looking to take completely redesign the Kindle platform and base it on the Android OS. According to posts in the New York Times Blog, Amazon is looking for Android developers for 'Lab 126' which is Amazon’s Kindle development unit. That would make for a very interesting development and may signal Amazon’s concern that the NOOKColor is suddenly very popular with Android geeks looking for an affordable tablet option. There’s also the fact that with Amazon’s Android App Store that the book seller may simply be looking to evolve the Kindle to take advantage of Android apps they sell."

7-Inch "iPad Mini" On the Way?

Fast Company: "Apple's iPad is selling about as fast as they can make the things, and it's not even completed its international roll-out yet. It stands to reason, then, that Apple's probably upped its efforts to develop the iPad's successor (given how long it takes for a design to go from concept to reality). This iPad 2 we would notionally have expected to be announced in January 2011, a year after the first device hit, and we still expect this to be the case. But now there's an increasingly real-sounding rumor that Apple has another 7-inch version on the way, and it may even arrive this year. Strangely enough, it's a rumor that makes perfect sense. ..."

Rumor: Sony Prepping PRS-350 & PRS-650 Readers - May Feature More Internal Storage, Wi-Fi & 3G

TFTS – Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities: "Both the PRS-350 and the PRS-650 are said to be 'extremely thin' coming in at under 10mm in thickness. As for the display, the PRS-350 will be 5 inches and the PRS-650 will be 6 inches, both of which should also come with faster page turns and improved contrast. In terms of storage, they are expected to see an increase over previous Reader devices and could go as high as 2GB of internal storage, though it was unclear if that was for both models or just the higher end PRS-650. Furthermore, the PRS-650 is also expected to have Wi-Fi and possibly 3G connectivity while the PRS-350 remains wireless free. Both models should also arrive sporting an updated Sony Reader user interface with a new home screen and note taking software."

Rumor: A Smaller iPad?

Apple Rumored To Release Smaller iPad - mediabistro.com: eBookNewser: "Yesterday tech blog iLounge.com said Apple might be coming out with a 7-inch iPad, which might be a little more eBook friendly. From the blog: 'A seven-inch-screened version of the iPad is substantially finished and will be ready for announcement either later this year or early in 2011. Apple has been prototyping devices with screens of this size for a long time - quite possibly predating the original iPhone.' A smaller iPad would be more comfortable for reading and might come with a lower price point than $499."

RUMOR Passed On By Mac Observer: 5.6- and 7-inch "eBook-Oriented" iPads In The Works?

From The Mac Observer:

Apple plans to launch a second generation iPad with 5.6-inch (14 cm) and 7-inch (18 cm) screens, according to DigiTimes on Tuesday. The iPads would be more focused on eBooks and less on multimedia.

“The sources noted that Apple has recently placed new iPad orders to Taiwan-based component makers for the fourth quarter of 2010 and the first quarter of 2011 with 9.7-inch, 5.6-inch and 7-inch models all included,” DigiTimes reported. The 9.7-inch model is said to have only minor changes and no camera was mentioned.

This move, if it proves correct, would be very similar to how Apple undercut competition with the original iPod by shipping smaller, less expensive iPods like the nano and shuffle. These appealed to a wider market due to the lower price and served to increase Apple’s market share.

The report also noted comments by their senior analyst that Samsung, a major supplier of OLED panels, can’t even supply their own needs, so it remains unlikely that Apple would be able to switch to OLED panels in smaller iPads sold by the millions.

DigiTimes has not always been on the mark with its insider information, so, as usual, take this rumor with a grain of salt.