Dedicated handheld vs econo-Tablets who will dominate this coming year ?

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Wiped said:

People say they are different markets, but I'm not so sure. I picked up a Kindle Fire HD 32GB this week (three days ago) and I have to say I'm mightily impressed. I already have a 3DS XL, but to be honest I was thinking about a Vita before I got the Kindle. Now, I wouldn't buy a Vita. This is the perfect multimedia device, with some fun games (Football Manager is coming soon, Bejeweled, Tetris, Sims, Angry Birds, etc are already here) and I've loaded it up with movies and music. Combined with 3DS for dedicated games, I'm covered on the go.

But I'm not sure, with 3DS at £120-160, and Kindle from £129-199 (the non-HD Kindle is £129), how many people really would choose 3DS instead. Sure it's got Mario/Kart and Layton, but I think many people will happily sacrifice dedicated games for the plethora of apps, big HD screens and multimedia.

Put it this way, I'm known as the techie of the office in work. My editor (I work at a newspaper) asked me what she should buy her 8-year-old grandson for Christmas - a Kindle or a Nexus 7. 3DS didn't even come into it, and I said 'what about 3DS'. 'He wants to play Angry Birds' came the reply.

I love dedicated handhelds, but this is a scary time tbh.

You hit the nail on the spot here.  During a b-day party for my 8 year old, roughly half the kids were gaming on hand-me down iPads and half 3DS.  Now that the econo-tablets have reached the same price or even cheaper than 3DS or Vita, I am afraid of what effect that may have on the market.  The 3DS can take a slight shelter on the fact they can do glasses free 3D, but their card of having a lower price than tablets have just gone out the window!!!!