Amazon.com will roll out its first tablet computer under the brand name “Kindle Fire,” according to a report today by MG Siegler of TechCrunch, who previously reported inside details of the new tablet based on his hands-on experience with it.

It’s an interesting play on the Kindle name, and it’s not a completed surprise. Amazon was previously reported to have registered various Kindle domain names based on the elements, including KindleAir.com, KindleWater.com and KindleEarth.com. It’s not clear if those were alternative names considered for the device or if they could still be applied to future versions of the Kindle tablet.

Also of note: Siegler reports that the new Amazon tablet won’t ship until the second week of November, even though it’s being unveiled this week.

Separately, Ryan Block of gdgt reports that the Kindle tablet will be similar in many respects to the BlackBerry Playbook, because it’s being made by the same original design manufacturer, Quanta, that made the Research in Motion device.

Amazon will hold a news conference Wednesday morning in New York where it’s expected to unveil the new tablet. It’s expected to be priced in the range of $250 and run Google’s Android operating system, posing a new competitive threat to Apple’s iPad.

Like what you're reading? Subscribe to GeekWire's free newsletters to catch every headline

Job Listings on GeekWork

Find more jobs on GeekWork. Employers, post a job here.