Amazon Kindle & Fire discussion

I'm not going to lie. As much as I love books, I'm also someone who spends a decent amount of time watching TV and movies and listening to music. Therefore, getting the Kindle Fire was a no-brainer if I wanted to do all of those things on one device. I'm really not an Apple person, and the iPad did seem a bit too big for me when I was playing around with it, and so I think I'll be much better off with this.

I'll tell you too, that my jaw sort of dropped when I saw Jeff Bezos announce what the price of it would be. Only $199? I almost bought 2 just because that was how much I was expecting to spend.

I have heard some people talk about how reading left-handed might be tough, but I'm not sure I have all the details on that.

Are you thinking about picking one up? What's going through your mind?

Of course you can find all the specs and such on all of the Kindles including the Fire here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0051VVOB2/?tag=mlt1-20

I already have an iPad. Any idea what the selling points of a Fire would be for me?

...tabbed browsing, flash enabled? those are the +s for me.
I also have an iPad so am still debating the Fire.

Still considering, the only other thing a different tablet would have that the Fire appears to not have it the ability to connect to a TV and stream a movie or show on that larger screen. I was kind of eager to have that too when I spring for a new portable device, so am still thinking about it, but a Fire sounds fabulous. I love the Prime free movie and TV shows offerings and DH loves catching up with old shows. - The announcement that the Wonder Years TV series is coming to Prime soon is a treat too.

Eric wrote: "I already have an iPad. Any idea what the selling points of a Fire would be for me?"

One of the things that really impressed me was the idea for how the webbrowsing works. I guess it is accelerated using strength from Amazon's own servers. The slightly smaller size, and I think it retains the e-ink screen, so it's not like you're reading on a computer screen.

@Ann, you can't hook it up to a TV using the USB port? There must be some way to do that.

I am hoping there is, Jennifer! But they didn't say that it does that specifically.
Jennifer wrote: "@Ann, you can't hook it up to a TV using the USB port? There must be some way to do that. "

Is the web browsing free like on the existing Kindles?

Eric wrote: "Is the web browsing free like on the existing Kindles?"

Yes. As far as I know, there aren't any other charges like that once you get the device beyond the additional media content you buy.

That's pretty tempting...I'll probably wait until the reviews come in.

Eric wrote: "That's pretty tempting...I'll probably wait until the reviews come in."

Yeah, if I already had an iPad I can't say I'd be desperate to get something pretty similar too.

I must say I am really tempted to get one, mostly because my husband was thinking of getting one anyways.
But, I think I will hold off and see how others like it first. Maybe even wait until the bigger one comes out after the holidays.
I figure by then they will have worked out all the bugs as well.

Jennifer wrote: Ann, you can't hook it up to a TV using the USB port? There must be some way to do that.
..."

I thought I read in the first release information that you could. I'll see if I can go back & find it...

"Amazon Whispersync

Like Kindle e-readers, Kindle Fire uses Amazon's Whispersync technology to automatically sync your library, last page read, bookmarks, notes, and highlights across your devices. On Kindle Fire, Whispersync extends to video. Start streaming a movie on Kindle Fire, then pick up right where you left off on your TV - avoid the frustration of having to find your spot."

Click on the "HERE" link that Jennifer posted in message 1 .. great info on the specs.

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2011/10/02/a...

http://seekingalpha.com/article/29710...

Some more info.

I love the size, the cloud storage technology, and no need for a service plan. Simple, easy, and straightforward.

I think it's interesting that they're hyping the cloud storage, because it's always been an existing feature that has gone without saying.

Another thing...you can already stream video content from amazon on an iPad.

I really want one but just got my first kindle in July, drats! :)

I think they're hyping the cloud storage to try to get in front of the complaints that there's only 8GB of storage on the unit.

Stormi wrote: "I really want one but just got my first kindle in July, drats! :)"

I know how you feel. Amazon has a long return policy, but not that long!

Thanks for the links, Kaliki! I am still not completely sure as it does list that there is "No HDMI/mini HDMI port" but have a feeling I will "have to have a Kindle Fire" anyway! I agree that not having to have a 3G or 4G service plan is a big plus.

Kaliki wrote: "I thought I read in the first release information that you could. I'll see if I can go back & find it... "

Ok, Ok, you all convinced me. I knew this would be too much to resist and went ahead and clicked the link at the top to put in my pre-order! Those articles were helpful Kaliki.

I can't wait till it comes!

I am trying to decide on ordering the Fire. I have a K2 and a K3(3g). The touch Kindle doesn't really interest me at this point but I may change my mind but the Fire interests me. I just don't know if I would use it enouhg as I do like the e-ink for reading better than an LCD.

I also like the thought of Amazon Prime for videos but it appears that there is less content at the moment than on Netflix. I guess with the Wi-Fi, I could still keep the Netflix instead of going to Amazon Prime, but Prime is cheaper (at least for now). I think my 12 year old would use it more than me for gaming.

Melissa wrote: "I am trying to decide on ordering the Fire. I have a K2 and a K3(3g). The touch Kindle doesn't really interest me at this point but I may change my mind but the Fire interests me. I just don't know..."

You inspired me to look up the difference in cost between Amazon Prime and Netflix, and it is huge! Now that Netflix is $16 a month, Amazon Prime seems way cheap by comparison.

I know the Fire will probably be a family device for me too, something everybody can use. And not having another phone bill really made the decision easy for me.

What kind of stuff do you like to watch, Melissa?

I usually watch SciFy and Fantasy movies and TV shows. I was just using Netflix streaming @7.99/month but the Amazon Prime will still be cheaper. My son also uses it and watches the same as me plus horror flicks.

The good thing is that we stream Netflix through our Bluray player and X-Box 360 and we would be able to do the same thing with Prime. Plus you get a free month of Prime when you order Kindle Fire.

Hey I'm not proud or very cerebral on the reason I ordered the Fire. I'm 60 years old and I LIKE THE GAMES!

I have several games loaded on my iPod touch and my 2 grandsons ages 8 and 2 love to play them so I thought the Fire would be just the thing. I could pretend I am reading a book when really I am playing Angry Birds!

Sheila wrote: "Hey I'm not proud or very cerebral on the reason I ordered the Fire. I'm 60 years old and I LIKE THE GAMES!

I have several games loaded on my iPod touch and my 2 grandsons ages 8 and 2 love to p..."

Haha! Angry Birds is great. I don't think anyone could blame you at all for that. I've also checked out Plants vs. Zombies but don't like that one as much. I bet all the games will look great on the Fire!

Jennifer, My 8 year old grandson LOVES Plants vs. Zombies. I don't get it. He has an iPad at his house but as nice as they are, the size just feels awkward to me. I think if the fire is about the same size as my K3 it will be perfect. I just love techie gadgets. If the fire had been $500 I wouldn't even consider getting it but $200 seems closer to "disposable" income to me. I'm giving it to ME for Christmas.

Sheila - I agree - I think the $200 price for the Fire is brilliant!

Sheila wrote: " but $200 seems closer to "disposable" income to me. I'm giving it to ME for Christmas. "

Is it going to be an open source device like the iPad, or will we only able to view Amazon content on it? That would probably be a deal breaker.

Eric wrote: "Is it going to be an open source device like the iPad, or will we only able to view Amazon content on it? That would probably be a deal breaker."

It seems so. I just did a search and there are tons of articles about Kindle Fire being the mecca of open source android developers.

http://ostatic.com/blog/the-kindle-fi...

It promises e-ink AND a color touchscreen that shows movies. Does it switch from one to the other? Does the screen, when in movie or web browsing mode, resemble the Ipad's? Can I choose between backlit and non-backlit reading?

Didn't involve any thinking, really.

Announcement. Click. Done. Waiting.

Eric wrote: "It promises e-ink AND a color touchscreen that shows movies. Does it switch from one to the other? Does the screen, when in movie or web browsing mode, resemble the Ipad's? Can I choose between bac..."

Haha, you've got more questions than I have answers for. I'd presume that the e-ink is just for reading text-only books. The best way to get a sense of the screen is looking at shots on the device's Amazon page: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005... As for the last question, I'll probably only know that once I have the thing in my hands.

Eric wrote: "It promises e-ink AND a color touchscreen that shows movies. Does it switch from one to the other? Does the screen, when in movie or web browsing mode, resemble the Ipad's? Can I choose between bac..."

Whoa!! Wait...what?? there's an e-ink option? I totally missed that. I thought it was just backlit, color screen with some anti-reflective treatment or something. That might seal the deal for me if I can read in the e-ink format.

stormhawk wrote: "Didn't involve any thinking, really.

Announcement. Click. Done. Waiting."

LOL! I like how you (don't) think stormhawk.

Eric where does it talk about the Fire having e-ink option for reading books. I haven't come across that.

Kaliki wrote: "Eric wrote: "It promises e-ink AND a color touchscreen that shows movies. Does it switch from one to the other? Does the screen, when in movie or web browsing mode, resemble the Ipad's? Can I choos..."

This is the best article I could find about the Fire and E-ink. There is plenty of chatter online saying yes it has it, and no it doesn't, which is leaving me a little confused.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/a...

Thanks Jennifer! I'll check that out...

The Kindle Fire does not have eink. It is a LCD screen. Also, the Kindle Fire does not have 3G like some of the other Kindles. It is a WIFI device.

I am trying to decide if I should get my kids one for Christmas.

It wasn't clear to me after reading the Taipei article whether the Fire was e ink or not. That would be way cool if it could do that as well as do the LCD color stuff as well. I think it is going to be one awesome device

Kim wrote: "The Kindle Fire does not have eink. It is a LCD screen. Also, the Kindle Fire does not have 3G like some of the other Kindles. It is a WIFI device.

I am trying to decide if I should get my ..."

Yes, it definitely doesn't have 3G, probably because then it would need to come with a phone contract or something.

How old are your kids? I've got one around ten and I know he's going to LOVE playing with it. We'll be using it right away though, which will make the actual holiday presents a tough chore, because how could anything top the Fire?

Hey Kim ~ where did you find something definitive on the e-ink? I'm confused from the Taipei article as well...looks like there is some kind of field-switching technology...

If I get my daughter to watch her annoying Disney Channel shows on it with earphones instead of blasting the TV, I could actually read in the living room.

There's nothing about e-ink on Amazon's page for the Fire. I'm sure if it had e-ink they would be very clear about it, because that would be a new and exciting thing, whether it was color e-ink or a toggle option.

It looks like the "fringe field switching" thing is something to make the screen look better. You know how when you look at a computer screen from an angle, the colors look funny and flattened? From this Wikipedia article, it sounds like that will be mitigated: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fringe_F...

Probably the e ink option will come out on the Fire 2 which will no doubt be released within a month of all of us getting our Fire 1's. :(

Sheila wrote: "Probably the e ink option will come out on the Fire 2 which will no doubt be released within a month of all of us getting our Fire 1's. :("

Haha, I doubt it. And even if they did I bet customer service would let us all return them for the new ones.

Thank you for clearing that up, Clare! I did not understand a word of that wikipedia paragraph (lol)but what you wrote makes a lot of sense.

LOL Sheila! You're probably right.

I still haven't decided about a Fire yet but I'm really considering it even though I don't need it! However I like the tablet idea and it's so cheap compared to other tablets!

Traci wrote: "I still haven't decided about a Fire yet but I'm really considering it even though I don't need it! However I like the tablet idea and it's so cheap compared to other tablets!"

That's what I was thinking, Traci! Spending $600-800 on a tablet makes me think I should just buy another computer, but $200 seems perfect for a tablet! I didn't think twice about it.

Yep! I mean my current computer cost about $900 so $200 for a tablet is nothing compared to this thing.

Jennifer wrote: "Traci wrote: "I still haven't decided about a Fire yet but I'm really considering it even though I don't need it! However I like the tablet idea and it's so cheap compared to other tablets!"

That'..."

Exactly! I've been looking to buy a tablet for months, but I refused to pay $500+ for one. I even considered buying a used 1st generation iPad when the iPad 2's came out but the original iPads are still selling for $320-$400!! For me, that's too much to buy for something used. I might as well buy another laptop. But $200 for a tablet was a no-brainer! :-)