Kindle Fire HD 8.9″ Shipping Today, On Best Buy Store Shelves Tomorrow

Amazon has just announced that the Kindle Fire HD 8.9-inch ships today, ahead of its previously planned schedule of a November 20 ship date. The larger-screened version of Amazon’s Android-powered tablet starts at $299 and will also be available to purchase in stores at Best Buy locations beginning tomorrow, with additional units making their way to Staples and Radio Shack later on.

It’s rare to see a consumer electronics company ship a device earlier than expected, and in fact even delivering things on time. But the Kindle Fire HD 8.9″ is already backordered on Amazon’s site until at least December 3, so those of you who want to pick one up but haven’t already ordered online will need to brave Best Buy tomorrow to try to find one.

Amazon’s stated reasoning for going a little bit early with the Kindle Fire HD 8.9-inch is to get a jump on holiday sales, according to a statement from Kindle VP Dave Limp in an Amazon press release. The 4G version of the larger Kindle tablet still goes on sale onĀ NovemberĀ 20 as planned, for $499. Amazon’s undercutting Apple’s prices across the board here, so it’ll be interesting to see how competition for holiday shopper attention between the two companies shakes out this year.