Amazon Kindle & Fire discussion

What accessories did you get for your Fire? What did you really need? What would you get if you could? Is it a "must have" or a "Definate want?"

The only 'Must have' I picked up for the kindle is a protective sleeve. The Fire just looks like it will have problems with drops and things getting set on it etc. I picked up a nice snug "sleeve" with an eggshell interior to protect it. It's small enough to fit in the old holder for my Kindle Dx, side by side with my Kindle 3g/4g. (My Dx met with a coffee disaster. They don't work well once they've been submerged in a caffine tsunami.)

In the 'really nice to have zone' I'd say a pair of small external speakers. I just don't like wearing headphones when I don't want to and the volume on the Fire is rather weak on it's own. I found a pair of really nifty speakers from Amazon for less than $20 that charge through my computer (or plugged into an adapter). They plug in to the earphone jack and put out plenty of sound for me to do things like Iron clothes and even shower while listening to an audio book. My daughter likes Pandora with my speakers so she can listen to Selena Gomez and the other Disney Fembots and dance (she's 6).

Another nice to have that's already saved me once is an external battery. Again this is from Amazon. Mine charges by plugging it in, has attachments that allow me to use it with my iPod, Smart Phone, and just about every small hand held device I've ever needed. It has a flashlight on it (great if the power goes out... hurricane flash backs here) and will rechage on the computer (USB) if I want to. I've already had cause to use it with my Kindle 3g.

A stylus seems to make it easier to pick out the touch screen buttons than my fat fingers, and if it hadn't been so cheap it wouldn't have been worth it.

Of course I got a screen protector, but I've never been sure if those help or not. The price is right though.

The last thing that has been more helpful than I thought it would be is a "stand." If I'm watching a Tv Show, or a movie, the fire does seem to get a bit heavy unless I sit it on my lap, or lay it flat on a desk. Sometimes that interferes with my wi-fi signal and the fire gets hot when it's laid down flat and "on" for a long period of time. The stand is also nice when I'm playing an audio book, or listening to the news or radio while doing something else (like I might a radio or Tv News).

I also have a transmitter in my car that I originally got for my iPod. This transmits what I'm listing too so I can pick it up on my radio and use the car speakers. With my car, this is necessary. The Fire's speakers alone can't overcome all of the car noise. The portable speakers I mentioned above are enough, but the plug in transmitter works best in the car. It's also got a place to charge up the Kindle while it works.

I also picked up a data cord (USB to Firewire) that was cheap, but I didn't really need it. If I want to link with my computer for pictures or something then I may find it more useful. It cost less than $5.00 so it wasn't a big deal.

and last, not a must, but a really nice thing is Prime Membership. Maybe better than that is Hulu.com member ship (membership is free, but there aren't as many free perks.)

Audiobile.com membership. Again, just a "nice to have" thing. This gives me a free auido book a month, but there is a montly fee. Given the price of audio books the montly membership is worth it if you read a lot of auido books. Plus, Audiobile.com has a lot of featured audio books for less than $6.00.

None of this is something you have to have to enjoy the Fire, it's just what I have. I didn't use my money to purchase all of it. I recieved a lot of gift cards from family. Even so, added up it's still not as much as you might think and much of it may be found at Radio Shack, Best Buy Circuit City, etc.

Hope this is helpful to someone.

I picked up a bundle set including a protective case, screen protector, and stylus. I lucked out because my phone accessories (wall plug, car charger, and USB cable) also fit my Fire. If not, I would have likely bought a car charger and USB cable.

I also was recently gifted a three month trial membership to Audible.com and am planning to continue the membership when it expires. I love being able to get audio right on my Kindle to listen to while I'm getting stuff done around the house, getting ready for work, or even while driving (thanks to my car charger).

I wonder if there are other places to get audiobooks for the fire (iTunes sells them, does the Fire play an iTunes book?)

Having said that. I haven't found a deal as nice as Audiobile.com has been for me.

My cellphone and Fire are compatable too as far as chargers etc go. That's a real plus, I agree!

I am not sure how to get library audiobook files onto my Fire but I have an inexpensive mp3/wma player that is great for audiobooks so I just use that. I often listen to audiobooks while I play Fruit Ninja. :) The player was 50 dollars and is 4gb storage but I added a 16gb micro SD card which I am loading up with books now. The player is called Sansa Clip Plus. They have a newer model out but I stll love the one I have. It was about 65 total for the device and SD card and it has paid for itself many times over with library audiobooks. I use digital download and CD audiobooks imported to my computer first. I highly recommend it also because of it's small size.

I didn't realize there was a car charger for the fire. I may have to look into that. The only thing I have really purchased for my Fire since receiving it as a gift has been an extended warranty and the protective cover for the screen.

if you own an Android Smart Phone it's likely the car charger is the same. Amazon also sells one with two USB ports so you could charge your Fire and your phone at the same time.

I have an iPhone so it won't work with my phone.

I have a battery that came with a bunch of connectors. Theirs one for the iPad/Phone, One for the Cellphone one with a standard "fire wire" connection. The courd is USB on the other end. It would be one stop shoping and give you a charged battery for those days when you forgot to plug in the kindle. (works wonders).

Actually a lot of Android phone chargers will also charge the Fire, not just car chargers. And as for accessories, I've got an entire page up of my favorites. The portable hard drive really comes in handy!

http://fireapps.blogspot.com/p/top-fi...

Ooo. I just looked at your blog Jennifer and I really like that red case. I do have one that was a gift and it is nice but this one looks even better. I may have to think about buying the red one, since I may be calling my Fawkes the Phoenix.

Now I am going to have to go home tonight and think about ordering some of the items mentioned in your blog. Thanks for sharing Jennifer!!

car charger would b nice lol
a case;)

The output of the OEM Fire Charger is higher (about double) than the standard cell phone (or eInk kindle) charger. You probably don't want to use it on your cellphone, it might fry it because it's not made to handle that level of amperage.

As far as going the other way, cell charger to Kindle Fire, I've heard from other Fire owners that the cell chargers barely put out enough current to charge the Fire faster than it discharges, and so you're running a race where you'll never catch up. Don't know if that is accurate, though.

The only Fire accessory that I have is a Timbuk2 case.

I have a mini suit case!! LOL it was not expensive but I want the specks cover!
I seen at Walmart it's 30$ and neat!!
I also love Oberon but I think I'm going w the speck it's got a bunch of ways to sit the fire.

Screen protector and stereo hands free. Without these both I did not use my Kindle fire.