Amazon will release an update for the Kindle Fire in two weeks after early consumer complaints about the tablet have surfaced.

According to Amazon spokesman Drew Herdener the operating system update will include improvements to the touch screen controls and more user control over browsing history.

"In less than two weeks, we're rolling out an over-the-air update to Kindle Fire," Herdener told the New York Times.

The updates will be handled over the Kindle Fire's Wi-Fi connections. Amazon is also expected to launch a next generation Kindle Fire as early as spring 2012.

The updates to the Kindle Fire are in response to criticism about the $199 tablet. While the Fire had been touted as the closest rival to Apple's iPad tablet, early adopters are finding that the cheaper Kindle Fire doesn't have enough power to overtake the high-end iPad.

Users have complained about the Kindle Fire's buggy touch screen. The touch screen has not been sensitive to touch and Amazon is addressing that concern with improved multitouch support for the next update. Amazon's Silk browser has also been disappointing for users with the browser performing slower than Amazon touted. The lack of privacy controls for the Fire has also drawn major criticism. Users have complained about the way the Fire's Carousel interface allows other users to see the browsing history or reading history. With the new update, users can edit those histories to block access.

Not all issues with the Kindle Fire will be fixed with a software update. Some problems are with hardware like the clumsily placed power button and the lack of physical volume controls neither of which will disappear with the planned update.

Despite the stinging criticism Amazon has said that the Kindle Fire is its best selling item and continues to be after its September reveal. And for $200 users shouldn't expect too much of the Kindle Fire. At a fraction of the cost of the iPad, the Kindle Fire can still perform majority of the activities users can do with the iPad which is to consume content. If you're looking for a low-cost tablet to read e-books, watch videos and listen to music the Kindle Fire is the cheapest alternative to the iPad just don't expect the same quality.