Kindle Fire?

**saviorsix** · 10-30-2011, 11:57 AM

I have an iPad from Christmas last year and I'm considering selling it and purchasing a Kindle Fire. Anyone have any thoughts on it? Anyone preordered one?

All I will use it for will be surfing, music and some schoolwork.

**TonyH** · 10-30-2011, 11:59 AM

I'm really hoping Santa SWMBO comes through with one.

**dpm802** · 10-30-2011, 12:03 PM

It does look tempting ... does it run on the Android OS, or is it a proprietary system?

The Amazon page is rather vague about the tech-specs.

**TonyH** · 10-30-2011, 12:08 PM

Originally Posted by dpm802

It does look tempting ... does it run on the Android OS, or is it a proprietary system?

The Amazon page is rather vague about the tech-specs.

I believe it's an Amazon-skinned Android system, kind of like HTC Sense or MotoBlur in phones.

**dpm802** · 11-29-2011, 12:55 PM

My KF arrived today (tuesday 11/29) ... not too shabby considering I just placed the order on Thanksgiving.

So far, I'm pretty impressed with it ... for $189, I'm REALLY impressed. I just used the 30-day trial of Amazon Prime to stream my favorite episode of my favorite TV show, and it came through amazingly fast and displayed with great detail. I will probably sign up for a full $79 Prime account when the trial runs out.

When I opened the box, it was already charged, and pre-registered to my Amazon account. I've spent most of the last few hours adding content and more eMail accounts.

I just ordered the KF by itself, without a case or protective cover or any other accessories ... I'll be getting those over the next few days.

This is it as far as my holiday shopping is concerned ... I'm not getting anything else for myself or anybody else. What else could I possibly need?

Now, if I can just figure out a way to get Wi-Fi on the run without having to root my Android phone or paying Verizon $20 a month, then I'll be all set.

My only complaint is with the Audio quality ... the Sound volume is extremely low, even at max setting. I could barely hear the TV episode I just watched. I'll try it with headphones later on and see if that will bring the Lo-Fi Audio up to acceptable levels.

**BingeAndPurge** · 11-29-2011, 02:01 PM

Think I'm getting the wife one of these for Christmas. Games, books, and movies. I had the idea, and then she brought it up. We have Netflix, and she mentioned the Amazaon Plus membership in her conversation about it. She actually wanted to get one for the kids, which I am totally against. They can't keep a DS in working conditions even with the nerf cases. Anyway, like to hear some more input before I drop the cash.

**dpm802** · 11-29-2011, 02:35 PM

Originally Posted by BingeAndPurge

Anyway, like to hear some more input before I drop the cash.

I gathered all the input I could before I pulled the trigger, but reading input in forums like this doesn't really compare to holding it in your hands and using it.
Amazon has a good return policy, so if it doesn't live up to your expectations, getting a refund is pretty easy.

**bkfist** · 12-04-2011, 12:53 PM

Originally Posted by dpm802

My KF arrived today (tuesday 11/29) ... not too shabby considering I just placed the order on Thanksgiving.

So far, I'm pretty impressed with it ... for $189, I'm REALLY impressed. I just used the 30-day trial of Amazon Prime to stream my favorite episode of my favorite TV show, and it came through amazingly fast and displayed with great detail. I will probably sign up for a full $79 Prime account when the trial runs out.

Don't forget to take advantage of all the free 2nd day shipping for products on Amazon!!! (Anything "fulfilled by Amazon")

I ~~abuse~~ use the heck out of that!!!!

**BingeAndPurge** · 12-07-2011, 08:35 AM

Had a Target gift card, so I just picked one up from there. I need to set her up with an Amazon acct and all that, so I don't know if I can play with this at all without her getting email alerts that her Amazon acct has been activated. Went with this over the Nook because of the Amazon library being much larger than B&N. Pretty sure Amazon has storage hosting for media, so hopefully memory won't be a factor. May have jumped the gun with this because Amazon will have an improved version out early next year (from what I've read), but it won't be a $199 deal that they lose money on like the Fire.

**Matt_Bloodletter** · 10-30-2011, 12:08 PM

Have you seen the Nook Color can be found for $139 now? That's a steal for an awesome tablet. I've used Kindle for 2 years but the Fire just puts them in the midst of other makers and the NC is an exceptional tablet and I love the 7 inch factor. The cloud browsing tracking (which apparently has the ability to be turned off) was a bit of a gaff but since Google, Facebook and probably a host of others now find ways to track your every internet move, it may not be that big a deal.

**saviorsix** · 10-30-2011, 12:38 PM

Does the NC have full web capability? Netflix, hulu etc?

**TonyH** · 10-30-2011, 12:40 PM

Originally Posted by saviorsix

Does the NC have full web capability? Netflix, hulu etc?

I'm not sure about those streaming services in particular, as they'd run in conflict with Amazon's streaming service, but there is a full web browser. The Fire seems to be more a tablet that can do books, rather than a Kindle that can do web.

EDIT: Whoooops. I failed to read NC, rather than Fire. Overeager Beaver loses again.

**Saturn** · 10-30-2011, 12:46 PM

Originally Posted by thubbard76

The Fire seems to be more a tablet that can do books, rather than a Kindle that can do web.

i've never really seen the point of color ebook readers since they lack the e-ink/e-paper technology that is one of the primary benefits of an ebook reader in the first place.

i guess if you want a kind of ipad alternative, then it's a good option.

**TonyH** · 10-30-2011, 12:48 PM

Originally Posted by Saturn

i've never really seen the point of color ebook readers since they lack the e-ink/e-paper technology that is one of the primary benefits of an ebook reader in the first place.

i guess if you want a kind of ipad alternative, then it's a good option.

That's what makes me want one. I have a regular Kindle that uses e-ink, and I'd like a tablet for email and netsurfing while I watch the tube or smoke my pipe on the patio.

Color does offer the benefit of being able to read graphic novels. I'd love to read Watchmen or Ronin on a digital device.

**Matt_Bloodletter** · 10-30-2011, 12:44 PM

Web - yes. I have only used for school so can't say for sure but I'm pretty sure they are fully flash and video enabled - Try http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=864.

If you have not rooted before, it's not extremely difficult but there are typically a lot of bugs at start and you have to worry about "bricking" and how to resolve it. Despite all the "guides" out there, some processes go differently and you need to be a bit of a hacker. And the forums are generally surly about if you ask a question without having the equivalent of a PHd on the subject first.

All that said, the NC allows booting by default from its uSD card slot - so it is easy to preserve the stock system while modding to your heart's content.

**smalltank** · 10-30-2011, 12:53 PM

If you wish to wait for NC 2.....
http://www.phonearena.com/news/Seque...mber-7_id23339

**saviorsix** · 10-30-2011, 01:25 PM

I'm thinking the fire wins the comparison for me, so far. Although, the 8gig storage sucks....I can add to it though.
I am interested in the 7inch screen on both the fire and the NC.