Further, there's probably a market for people who want simple devices laying around at their bedside, couch or table that's bigger than their phone, more functional than an e-reader but not as clunky as a laptop (still very much a form factor for desks) for doing light digital stuff like reading the news, e-reader, checking email, browsing the web, watching video etc. None of this really requires high-end specs. This is exactly what I bought the Nexus 7 for (intro'd at $200 for the 7 and $230 for the 7 2nd gen), for my girlfriend, and she hasn't run a single app yet in the last 2 years that'd have required more specs than this tablet. The only thing she might miss is the N7's beautiful screen compared to the 170 PPI Fire tablet, but after buying a MBA a few weeks ago she still hasn't noticed the 128 PPI yet despite me pointing it out to here a few times and she's super happy so even here I think the Fire tablet would've more than sufficed for her use.

Granted with 5 inch phones becoming the norm the 7 inch form factor is being squeezed a bit, but at $50 it's still a very interesting little consumption device to have laying around.

It's not for me but I've got several family members for whom it's pretty good value.

(Also it's hardly junk because you don't like the price)

Also Hearthstone players where, with the right combination of events, you can buy in-game currency at a discount that likely exceeds the $50 [if you buy $500 worth of in game currency, which is not unusual in a TCG, you only need a 10% discount to effectively get a "free" tablet]

http://hearthstoneplayers.com/today-only-special-bonus-on-am... [40% discount, spend $200 and end up with a free tablet]