Hardware
The Google Nexus 7 is one of the cheapest devices around which utilises the highly rated 1.3GHz quad-core Tegra 3 processor and it also includes NFC, something the Kindle Fire HD does not.
There were expectations that Amazon would use the Tegra 3 chipset, but the firm has gone with a dual-core chip from Texas Instruments, which runs at a nippy 1.2GHz.
Interestingly, Amazon claimed the performance of the TI processor is better than the Tegra 3. However, the Kindle Fire HD will be the first tablet to ship with the TI chipset, so there are no benchmarks available to verify this claim.
Another area where Amazon claims to have the advantage is Wi-Fi connectivity. The Kindle Fire HD will come with a dual-band 2.4GHz/5GHz 802.11bgn and MIMO technology for speeds of up to 31Mbits/sec.
Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos noted this makes the device 41 per cent faster than the iPad 3, when it comes to streaming, so it is likely to have an advantage over the Nexus 7 too.
Both devices have a front-facing camera, allowing video calling to be carried out via Skype. Amazon's tablet comes with a HD camera and Google has a 1.2-megapixel camera. Both also come with a micro-USB port for charging, but the Fire HD also comes with a micro-HDMI connection so users can view content on larger screens without an adaptor.
Operating system
This could be the Achilles heel of the Kindle Fire HD. Amazon has re-skinned Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, and - although there are a number of key features present such as dedicated Facebook, Skype and email clients - it won't provide the full functionality of a mobile OS. Users will be limited to using apps to access content and services, and updates are also likely to take time as engineers re-skin the OS before rolling them out.
The Nexus 7 not only comes with a full blown version of the Android OS, but it the most up-to-date edition (Android 4.1 Jelly Bean). As the device carries the Nexus branding, it will also be the first in line for any new updates when they arrive, which will enhance functionality.
