topic Re: Kindle Fire HDX Questions in Electronics

Kindle Fire HDX Questions

MKR14 — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 16:34:19 GMT

I am thinking of purchasing a Kindle Fire HDX probably in the 8.9" size. Is the 2013 model better than the 2014 or does the 2014 have any problems that make the 2013 a better deal? There are new ones still available online of the 2013. I have two iPads-the iPad mini 2 and the iPad 3rd Gen and I love them. I just want something different to learn and use. I would welcome pros and cons as you have used these and this forum is honest.Thank you.

Re: Kindle Fire HDX Questions

mima — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 18:16:24 GMT

The following in italics was found on the Amazon site (copy and pasted).

The Kindle Fire HDX 8.9" tablet being released in November 2014 is the 4th generation tablet. It has new hardware changes and a new generation of operating system and other software.

I own the newest Kindle Fire HDX 8.9 and I will tell you that the app Words With Friends does not work on it. I have contacted Amazon and went though gobs of trouble shooting. They have reported it to their app dept. There are lots of problems with this app on this tablet. That is the only negative that I know of.

BTW, the app WWF works great on the 7" HDX.

Re: Kindle Fire HDX Questions

ChynnaBlue — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 19:06:15 GMT

A new model will always have better hardware - faster processing, etc. So really, it depends on what's important to you, price or more efficient hardware? Even if you get an older model, it will download new software updates, so you'll keep up that way, but they may run more slowly on older hardware. That's a general rule.

I have a 2013 Fire HDX in the smaller size and I love it. I got it on QVC in late 2014 because QVC offered a better price than Amazon (even with Amazon's free shipping) and an included case. I mainly planned on using it to take notes in meetings and seminars, so I didn't mind if it wasn't cutting edge. I use it for games, watching YouTube videos, web surfing, email, and all kinds of things and it's not slow at all. I've been impressed and pleased with it, so far.

The Kindle does have some drawbacks. The Kindles offer a smaller selection of Apps. Some of the things I have on my iPhone I cannot get on my Kindle, which I am unhappy about. I can also not link some apps between devices because one is Amazon/Android based and the other is iOS based. So, for example, if I log into one app on my phone, it immediately logs me out on the Kindle and vice versa. But at least when I do log in on either, the same account exists and the same information shows up. If I have that same app on two Apple devices, it keeps me logged in on both. For other apps, I can't link AT ALL. That means information is never shared between the devices. For example, if I have a game on my phone and have made a lot of progress on it and then download the same game on my Kindle, it may be a completely new game and I have to start over from scratch because there's no cloud/web based account that links both to the same data.

Re: Kindle Fire HDX Questions

Rabid1 — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 19:31:45 GMT

If you are buying through Amazon there isn't a huge difference in price so go for the 4th gen, but if you can find a good deal on the 3rd gen there isn't a big jump in performance between the two. Because Kindle are Android based the majority of Android apps can be installed and used either by sideloading wirelessly or connecting to your PC.

Re: Kindle Fire HDX Questions

mima — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 20:23:29 GMT

On 1/8/2015 ChynnaBlue said:
A new model will always have better hardware - faster processing, etc. So really, it depends on what's important to you, price or more efficient hardware? Even if you get an older model, it will download new software updates, so you'll keep up that way, but they may run more slowly on older hardware. That's a general rule.

I have a 2013 Fire HDX in the smaller size and I love it. I got it on QVC in late 2014 because QVC offered a better price than Amazon (even with Amazon's free shipping) and an included case. I mainly planned on using it to take notes in meetings and seminars, so I didn't mind if it wasn't cutting edge. I use it for games, watching YouTube videos, web surfing, email, and all kinds of things and it's not slow at all. I've been impressed and pleased with it, so far.

The Kindle does have some drawbacks. The Kindles offer a smaller selection of Apps. Some of the things I have on my iPhone I cannot get on my Kindle, which I am unhappy about. I can also not link some apps between devices because one is Amazon/Android based and the other is iOS based. So, for example, if I log into one app on my phone, it immediately logs me out on the Kindle and vice versa. But at least when I do log in on either, the same account exists and the same information shows up. If I have that same app on two Apple devices, it keeps me logged in on both. For other apps, I can't link AT ALL. That means information is never shared between the devices. For example, if I have a game on my phone and have made a lot of progress on it and then download the same game on my Kindle, it may be a completely new game and I have to start over from scratch because there's no cloud/web based account that links both to the same data.

I'm not sure what games you are playing that they don't sync. I play Candy Crush, Wordfeud and Words With Friends. I have a Samsung Note 3 and some Kindles. Those games sync from phone to Kindles perfectly all the time. EXCEPT I can't play WWF on my 8.9 HDX. I can play WWF on the others though and they all sync.

Re: Kindle Fire HDX Questions

MKR14 — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 20:51:37 GMT

I always like to buy the newest electronics when they are out. I think the 8.9"" Kindle Fire HDX would be the best for me as I have the iPad Mini 2. I was just wondering if there were any problems with the 2014 version before I bought one? It isn't much more money to buy the No Ad version. Is the new version of software better with more features you all enjoy? I believe Mayday is only on the newest version? Thanks for the replies.

Re: Kindle Fire HDX Questions

ChynnaBlue — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 21:12:03 GMT

On 1/8/2015 mima said:
On 1/8/2015 ChynnaBlue said:
A new model will always have better hardware - faster processing, etc. So really, it depends on what's important to you, price or more efficient hardware? Even if you get an older model, it will download new software updates, so you'll keep up that way, but they may run more slowly on older hardware. That's a general rule.

I have a 2013 Fire HDX in the smaller size and I love it. I got it on QVC in late 2014 because QVC offered a better price than Amazon (even with Amazon's free shipping) and an included case. I mainly planned on using it to take notes in meetings and seminars, so I didn't mind if it wasn't cutting edge. I use it for games, watching YouTube videos, web surfing, email, and all kinds of things and it's not slow at all. I've been impressed and pleased with it, so far.<br /> <br /> The Kindle does have some drawbacks. The Kindles offer a smaller selection of Apps. Some of the things I have on my iPhone I cannot get on my Kindle, which I am unhappy about. I can also not link some apps between devices because one is Amazon/Android based and the other is iOS based. So, for example, if I log into one app on my phone, it immediately logs me out on the Kindle and vice versa. But at least when I do log in on either, the same account exists and the same information shows up. If I have that same app on two Apple devices, it keeps me logged in on both. For other apps, I can't link AT ALL. That means information is never shared between the devices. For example, if I have a game on my phone and have made a lot of progress on it and then download the same game on my Kindle, it may be a completely new game and I have to start over from scratch because there's no cloud/web based account that links both to the same data.

I'm not sure what games you are playing that they don't sync. I play Candy Crush, Wordfeud and Words With Friends. I have a Samsung Note 3 and some Kindles. Those games sync from phone to Kindles perfectly all the time. EXCEPT I can't play WWF on my 8.9 HDX. I can play WWF on the others though and they all sync.

The games that don't sync are games that don't ask for your email or Facebook information. If I'm playing a game on my phone and data is synced to my Apple Game Center account, it has no way of connecting to the same game that's synched to a Google Play or Kindle games account.

Re: Kindle Fire HDX Questions

ChynnaBlue — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 21:17:58 GMT

On 1/8/2015 MKR NY said: I always like to buy the newest electronics when they are out. I think the 8.9" Kindle Fire HDX would be the best for me as I have the iPad Mini 2. I was just wondering if there were any problems with the 2014 version before I bought one? It isn't much more money to buy the No Ad version. Is the new version of software better with more features you all enjoy? I believe Mayday is only on the newest version? Thanks for the replies.

Then do that. I've heard of no issues with the 2014 model.

Mayday is on the previous generation model, as well as the 2014 model.

As I mentioned before, my old version automatically updated with the new software. I didn't notice much difference.

Re: Kindle Fire HDX Questions

Rabid1 — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 22:13:31 GMT

On 1/8/2015 MKR NY said: I always like to buy the newest electronics when they are out. I think the 8.9"" Kindle Fire HDX would be the best for me as I have the iPad Mini 2. I was just wondering if there were any problems with the 2014 version before I bought one? It isn't much more money to buy the No Ad version. Is the new version of software better with more features you all enjoy? I believe Mayday is only on the newest version? Thanks for the replies.

All of the HD and HDX have upgraded to the latest Sangria OS so that won't be an issue. There are no issues being reported between the two versions. Mayday is on both. Like I said for the price difference through Amazon the 2014 is the way to go.

Re: Kindle Fire HDX Questions

Nuttmeg — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 23:04:20 GMT

On 1/8/2015 MKR NY said: I always like to buy the newest electronics when they are out. I think the 8.9"" Kindle Fire HDX would be the best for me as I have the iPad Mini 2. I was just wondering if there were any problems with the 2014 version before I bought one? It isn't much more money to buy the No Ad version. Is the new version of software better with more features you all enjoy? I believe Mayday is only on the newest version? Thanks for the replies.

Why are you buying an Kindle Fire HDX? You have iPads and mini. Apple products run all of Amazon major apps.

Re: Kindle Fire HDX Questions

MKR14 — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 14:48:27 GMT

I am ""thinking"" of buying a Kindle Fire HDX. Why do people buy a new outfit or new furniture? They just want something different. I am still checking them out and the first time I am able to get to an electronics store I will use one to be sure. With my A-Fib problem I have been avoiding crowds with all the flu around. I have always been a homebody and now I am retired I just want something new to learn. I have 5 grandchildren that would be more than happy to have the Kindle Fire HDX if I wanted to pass it on. Hope this answered your question nutmeg3.

Re: Kindle Fire HDX Questions

Nuttmeg — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 15:01:17 GMT

Enjoy your new HDX.

Re: Kindle Fire HDX Questions

Nuttmeg — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 15:04:58 GMT

double post.

Re: Kindle Fire HDX Questions

mima — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 17:36:43 GMT

Again, you might not be able to play Words With Friends with the new 8.9" HDX. Probably not a problem for most, but it is for me!

The ad version is not a problem at all. They are only on there until you unlock the screen to use it. I actually kind of like them. Occasionally something is there that I'm interested in.

Re: Kindle Fire HDX Questions

patbz — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 18:03:15 GMT

I have the 8.9 kindle 2013 with ads. No complaints. It is very fast but 2014 is even faster. I have 32 g version next time I'd buy 64g with integrated keyboard, just because.

Re: Kindle Fire HDX Questions

MKR14 — Tue, 13 Jan 2015 00:04:19 GMT

I ended up ordering a 7" Kindle Fire HDX 64GB with AT&T carrier. I should get it by the end of the week. The front face camera is ok for me and I saved money not getting the larger one. If I decide later it is not for me I will give it to my son as he doesn't own any tablets. I am sure it will plenty for what I want to use it for. I will use for email, internet and a few games as Solitaire or Angry Birds. It will fit easily in my purse also.

Re: Kindle Fire HDX Questions

Annabellethecat66 — Tue, 13 Jan 2015 00:09:43 GMT

I have given them out for gifts. I have all of the same Apple products you have and love them.

Everyone I've given the Kindle to love them.

Re: Kindle Fire HDX Questions

kcladyz — Tue, 13 Jan 2015 00:31:09 GMT

I believe the HDX did not get an upgrade this year and its the same version. I have a 7 inch HDX, Apple Ipad air, Acer 7.9 and a samsung galaxy 3. The samsung is awful BTW. I like my HDX second to my apple. Since i like gadgets I als purchased the 6 inch one simply because i was wanting a kindle with a rear facing camera that i can read in the park and take pics. Only think I hate about my hdx is I cannot watch tv with my time warner cable app. They offer the app in the market but it does not work for kindle took away our ability to disalow usb debugging which is the message you get when trying to use the app

Re: Kindle Fire HDX Questions

ritasNo1Fan — Tue, 13 Jan 2015 00:32:29 GMT

On 1/9/2015 MKR NY said:
I am "thinking" of buying a Kindle Fire HDX. Why do people buy a new outfit or new furniture? They just want something different. I am still checking them out and the first time I am able to get to an electronics store I will use one to be sure. With my A-Fib problem I have been avoiding crowds with all the flu around. I have always been a homebody and now I am retired I just want something new to learn. I have 5 grandchildren that would be more than happy to have the Kindle Fire HDX if I wanted to pass it on. Hope this answered your question nutmeg3.

No need to explain. I feel the same. I just don't want to be tied down to amazon for media. Kindle paperwhite is ok, but not the web. But then again the HDX is so cool.

Re: Kindle Fire HDX Questions

mima — Tue, 13 Jan 2015 00:53:03 GMT

On 1/12/2015 kcladyz said:
I believe the HDX did not get an upgrade this year and its the same version. I have a 7 inch HDX, Apple Ipad air, Acer 7.9 and a samsung galaxy 3. The samsung is awful BTW. I like my HDX second to my apple. Since i like gadgets I als purchased the 6 inch one simply because i was wanting a kindle with a rear facing camera that i can read in the park and take pics. Only think I hate about my hdx is I cannot watch tv with my time warner cable app. They offer the app in the market but it does not work for kindle took away our ability to disalow usb debugging which is the message you get when trying to use the app

The 8.9" HDX was upgraded this year, but the 7" HDX was not.