Kindle Fire may force Android tablet makers to cut prices

Asian technology companies came under pressure on Thursday to slash prices of their tablet computers after Amazon.com launched its Kindle Fire at a mass market-friendly $199. From Samsung Electronics to Sony Corp, major Asian tablet makers have ambitious plans to take on Apple, whose iPad is the gold standard in the booming market. With their 'me-too' type of products priced almost at the same level as the iPad's starting price of $499, none of them have been able to gain any significant market share from Apple. So far, Samsung has been seen as the most credible challenger to the iPad and some analysts suggest it could lose its No. 2 position to the eagerly anticipated Fire.