Amazon launches refreshed version of the Fire HD 8 slate

PanARMENIAN.Net - If you're looking to get in on the tablet game but have been put off by Apple's sneaky price hike of the iPad overnight, Amazon could have the solution for you, Digital Spy said.

The retail giant has launched a refreshed version of the Fire HD 8 slate, with a couple of notable additions which should help bring users in. The biggest selling point, though, is the price drop.

Customers can now pick up the 8-inch model for $120 - a snip when compared to Apple's entry-level iPad Mini 4, which begins at $505.

You won't get close to what Apple provides in terms of specs, mind, with the device only packing a 1280-by-800 screen, 1.3 GHz quad-core processor, Dolby Audio-powered stereo speakers and 1.5 GB of RAM, Digital Spy said.

Amazon's budget tablet also features pretty dismal 2MP front and rear-facing cameras.

Aside from the technical stuff, perhaps the most notable addition to the slate is Amazon's voice assistant, Alexa – although it's for the US edition only at the moment.

The fresh device marks the first instance in which Amazon will bring the in-built droid to touch-screen. Yes, there's already an Amazon Alexa iOS app, but its integration isn't at all smooth.

Users can access Alexa by holding down the home button, with Game of Thrones and weather queries able to be handled seconds later.

And with a 12-hour battery life and plenty of TV shows and books to get through, we're confident killing time won't prove too much of an issue, Digital Spy said.