Amazon may sell 5 million units of its upcoming iPad competitor, the Kindle Fire, from its launch on November up to the end of the year, an analyst has said.

Amazon may ship more than 5 million Kindle Fires this last quarter of 2011. Image: paz.ca / Flickr (CC)

In a report from CNet, Rodman & Renshaw analyst Ashok Kumar told the publication that market checks are pointing to more than 5 million Kindle Fire units being shipped by the online commerce company.

Kumar explained in the interview with the publication that the revised forecast comes after Amazon as reported to have received “record preorders” for the Kindle Fire.

“It’s the first time a competitor has emerged to challenge Apple and that’s literally from a standing start,” the analyst is quoted by the publication.

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos launched the Kindle Fire on September 28, announcing it being priced at $199, lower than the expected selling price for the then widely-anticipated tablet.

Amazon will begin shipping its Kindle Fire, expected to pose a significant challenge to the currently-dominant iPad from Apple, on November 15.

About Solon Harmony Dolor

A passion for technology and journalism makes this upcoming writer very interested in social media and technology news. Fresh from finishing an English and Journalism degree from the University of the Philippines Diliman, he aims to bring interesting news to our readers .