Amazon takes on iPad with new Kindle Fire tablet

SANTA MONICA, California (AFP) - Amazon on Thursday unveiled a new, larger version of its Kindle Fire tablet computer with a high-definition display, in a move by the retail giant to take on the market-leading iPad.

The new Kindle Fire HD will be offered with an 22.6cm display, along with an upgraded version of the tablet launched in a smaller format last year, Amazon founder and chief executive Jeff Bezos told reporters.

"Kindle Fire HD is not only the most-advanced hardware, it's also a service," Mr Bezos said.

"When combined with our enormous content ecosystem, unmatched cross-platform interoperability and standard-setting customer service, we hope people will agree that Kindle Fire HD is the best high-end tablet anywhere, at any price."