AMAZON.COM KINDLE FIRE HD 8.9" (available from November 20):

- Price: $299 for 16 GB of storage, $369 for 32 GB.

- Screen size: 8.9 inches diagonally

- Screen resolution: 1920 by 1200 pixels

- Weight: 1.25 pounds.

- Cameras: Front-facing camera.

- Battery life: Undisclosed.

- Operating system: Modified version of Google's Android

Pros: Cheap and portable. Convenient access to Amazon store. Large high-definition screen. Dolby audio. Available with access to fast 4G wireless broadband networks, for $499.

Cons: Small selection of third-party applications available from Amazon. No rear camera for taking video and photos.