(Image source: Ubergizmo)

BY JIM FLINK

ANCHOR LAUREN GORES

Amazon has apparently only begun stoking the flames of the tablet wars. The new Kindle Fire is the hot new gadget. Now, a bigger Fire could be in the works.
 

DigiTimes has the scoop.

“Amazon is developing 8.9- and 10.1-inch next-generation Kindle Fire models and has selected an 8.9-inch model for launch by the end of the second quarter of 2012 due to LG Display's and Samsung Electronics' promotion of 8.9-inch panels ...”

The embers of that rumor, are being stoked in Taiwan.  And that’s not all. Ubergizmo reports, if a larger Fire is to be built, it will have to be lit by a company other than the original manufacturer.

“Foxconn is expected to be the company behind the manufacturer for Amazon’s 8.9” tablet, as opposed to Quanta who was responsible for the original Kindle Fire (and RIM’s Blackberry Playbook). The release of the 8.9” tablet ... seems to contradict earlier rumors that Amazon would release the 10.1” Kindle Fire first, which was meant to be the successor to the 7” model.”

That little FoxConn nugget is sure to create a ton of smoke. The Chinese factory is home production base to Apple’s iPad.

The UK’s Phones Review notes, if true, Amazon’s larger Fire could become a fire fight.

“... no doubt Apple will be closely watching that particular slate to make sure it doesn’t look anything like the Apple iPad otherwise we could have another infringement battle like Apple’s current one with Samsung...”

But Electronista says, so far, Amazon has avoided any contact with the forbidden fruit. Even as it tries to strike multiple Fires in a heated tablet race.

“The Kindle Fire may become the most popular Android tablet almost immediately, both through its low price as well as its deliberate attempt to avoid competing directly with Apple, where Samsung and most others have failed. An 8.9-inch screen would try to maximize the differences and keep a larger tablet more distinct even as it more directly attacks the iPad.”

But remember, this is all rumor for now. And as Softpedia notes, when it comes to the source of this one, there are lots of skeptics.

“...users are advised to take the report with reservations, since Digitimes, as a news and rumor site, sometimes is right and sometimes isn't...”