Amazon turns up Apple heat with Kindle Fires

Amazon.com has released four new Kindle Fires as the company prepares for tablet war in the industry.

The company unveiled two versions featuring a larger 8.9-inch screen amid speculation Apple looks set to reveal a smaller iPad in October, along with a basic 7-inch model and an upgrade of the existing Kindle Fire.

CEO Jeff Bezos says the new 8.9-inch Kindle Fire HD will possess a 1,920 by 1,200 pixel resolute, offering 254 pixels per inch with a laminated touch sensor screen to reduce glare by 25%.

Costing US$299 through pre-order, the device also comes in a 32GB version with 4G connectivity aptly named Kindle Fire HD with 4G LTE ($499.).

Both models will be available for pre-order on November 20, with the company offering an additional $10 credit for the Amazon Appstore.

Amazon also revealed a 7-inch alteration of the tablet, while upgrading the current same-sized model with a faster processor, double the RAM and a longer batter life.

Prices dropped from $199 to $159 for the product with Amazon taking orders today with a scheduled shipment date of September 14.

The company hopes the new releases will boost their efforts to take a sizable chunk of the tablet market away from rivals Apple, who will announce their biggest second half product launch next week.What do you make of the new Kindle Fires? Will you be buying one? Tell us your thoughts below.