Amazon's Kindle Fire Tablet

Rico · November 15, 2011, 08:42:58 AM

Unboxing video here and a brief first impressions review:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2011/11/amazon-kindle-fire-unboxing-hands-on.html

Bromptonboy · November 15, 2011, 10:22:49 AM

I have one of these on the way - I'll let you all know my opinion.

Bryancd · November 15, 2011, 10:50:26 AM

I'm looking forawrd to hearing peoples thoughts on the Fire. I think Amazon did a great job with it. I do think people will begin to see some of the limitations of the Fire vs. other tablets. It intentionaly has a more limited usage profile.

Feathers · November 15, 2011, 12:47:19 PM

I'd love to say I don't care, but I'm academically interested to know how it works, particularly as a reader given the backlit screen as a major difference from other Kindles.

Bromptonboy · November 15, 2011, 01:34:11 PM

Writing this on my newly delivered Fire.

Jobydrone · November 16, 2011, 06:53:50 AM

Is this your first tablet? I'm interested to know how it handles video content, what file formats are viewable, and if there's an app or reader capable of viewing zipped comics files (CBR/CBZ)

Bromptonboy · November 16, 2011, 08:11:11 AM

First few comments here - more to follow.
My wife has an iPad 2 - which she absolutely loves - so I have some hands on. The Fire seems to be a beast of a different color - and seems more targeted at the reading & content viewing crowd. Out of the box, it was already linked to my Amazon Prime account - which was a surprise. I was able view a few TV programs from Unbox (I watched a few DS9 episodes). The unit does not come with earbuds, so I used the pair from my iPhone. There are 2 speakers on the 'top' of the unit - when it is held in portrait mode. There is a mini-usb port for the power cord, and an on-off button. I find that I keep looking for the big button that I am accustomed to using on my iPhone. Touching the bottom of the screen makes the HOME button appear. I installed a few apps already - like Angry birds, Weather Channel, and MapQuest - Facebook was pre-installed. To my disappointment, I didn't find any of the Google apps that I like to use - but I imagine that will be mended shortly as they sell more units. Content was held in my 'cloud' Amazon account, so I had to 'load' a few books that I already have.
So far I like it - but I am not blown away by it. The form factor will work well for me - since I will use it what I do part of my commute on a train or bus (riding home on a bike!).

Bryancd · November 16, 2011, 08:25:15 AM

LOL! Why were you suprised it was pre-loaded with your Prime account?! That's the whole point of this device! Thansk for sharing your thoughts, this is exactly what I expected. It was reported to day that there are a lot of developers looking to add to the Fire app store, so I agree you will likely soon be able to have some of the other Google apps you are looking for.

Rico · November 16, 2011, 08:26:03 AM

Nice review and great hear some hands on first impressions. Please post more as you get more time with your new gadget.

Feathers · November 16, 2011, 08:58:19 AM

There's a bit of fuss running round the internet about the whole pre-registration thing.

Most people expect their password to maintained privately, away from the eyes of any employee of the organisation with whom the password is registered. Admittedly, for any sort of large purchase you have to enter it again, but some feel this is a step too far from Amazon. (If you designate the purchase as a gift, your account details are apparently not pre-loaded).

Rico · November 16, 2011, 09:04:47 AM

I think there might be some bad info here. For example, what if you buy one of these to give as a gift? Are you saying it would be registered to you already?

Feathers · November 16, 2011, 09:07:11 AM

Quote from: Rico on November 16, 2011, 09:04:47 AM
I think there might be some bad info here. For example, what if you buy one of these to give as a gift? Are you saying it would be registered to you already?

If you state in the order that it's a gift then it apparently won't be, no.

bit.ly/uqYNvQ

Rico · November 16, 2011, 09:08:53 AM

Ahhh....

So here's the answer I just found online:

Your mom can de-register the Kindles from her Your Account page (click "Manage Your Kindle"). Then your sisters can either register their new Kindles from their account page or directly from the Kindle.

P.S. Now that I think about it, my regular Kindle came this way too.

Dangelus · November 16, 2011, 09:09:51 AM

I also know of somebody who purchased one and it didn't come Pre registered even though they bought it for themselves. Probably teething issues.

Rico · November 16, 2011, 09:10:47 AM

Oh - and it really isn't touching your password, login info. The Kindle has a unique identifier - serial number or some such thing. When you buy one, that hardware is just added to your account.

- at least I think that's the way it works. :)