topic Re: Alexa on the Fire tablet in Electronics

Alexa on the Fire tablet

Deb in SD — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 15:35:55 GMT

Alexa was supposed to be available on the Fire TSV by today. I could find nothing, so I went to the app store and downloaded it. Not sure if I'm missing something, but I can't get it to work. Any ideas?

Re: Alexa on the Fire tablet

Nuttmeg — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 16:16:56 GMT

http://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2016/10/26/13412110/amazons-alexa-now-works-on-tablets-but-the-best-new-feature-involves

Re: Alexa on the Fire tablet

icezeus — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 20:27:26 GMT

I purchased the tablet and I could have sworn that they said that everyone would have it by 11/14/16 at the latest. However, reading the article it looks as if they (Amazon) will start to push it out today and over the next few weeks everyone should have it.

Thanks for starting the subject and thanks to the poster who provided the link.

Re: Alexa on the Fire tablet

Deb in SD — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 22:42:59 GMT

I saw that, too, but the article is from Oct. 26. I hope this gets resolved because the Alexa was the feature that convinced me to buy these.

Re: Alexa on the Fire tablet

Becca1231 — Thu, 17 Nov 2016 00:06:13 GMT

Alexa finally downloaded on one of my tablets but not the other one. I hope they meant that all tablets would get it. I bought 6 (2 for me and one for each of my kids). They won't get theirs till Christmas, so I hope they are still pushing Alexa at that time. If not, I'm going to be very upset. I also downloaded the app and couldn't get it to work so I uninstalled it in hopes Amazon will push it to my other tablet soon.

Re: Alexa on the Fire tablet

BalletBabe — Thu, 17 Nov 2016 04:21:31 GMT

I believe you can go to Amazon and get the Alexa app. I got mine from itunes but I doubt you can get the app on a fire tablet.

@Becca1231

Download the Amazon Alexa App

With the free Alexa app, you can manage your alarms, music, shopping lists, and more.

in Amazon Device Support › Alexa Support › Amazon Alexa App ›

Hope this helps :0)

Re: Alexa on the Fire tablet

Bamabella251 — Thu, 17 Nov 2016 21:35:05 GMT

@Becca1231, I submitted these instructions on Reviews for the Fire tablet on 11-16-16 but it hasn't posted as of yet. Guess QVC has to approve it or something. I went thru some of the Q & A's and tried to alert some of my posting. I thought I might check out the Forum to post there & saw your post. I am just trying to get his helpful info out to many people so they can access Alexa. For now you are my last posting about this right now. Please feel free to share/re-post to get the word out on this. Hope this helps with your kid's christmas gifts.

For those of you who are waiting for Alexa to update to your Fire, here are a couple of ways to update it manually. I just finished installing it myself.
First Go to Settings: Device Options: System Updates. Tap Updates: Check Now for any new updates. If it says No Updates Found, then look above to see what your device is running. If it says Fire OS 5.3.1.0, it is not updated with Alexa.
You will then go to Help in your Settings, then scroll down to Contact Us and tap on Phone & Email. Underneath where it says "What can we help you with?" , it says Select an Issue: tap on the arrow on that line to the right and it will bring up a drop down box. Select: Alexa on Tablet. Then you will Select Issue Details: Problems using Alexa Services.
It will then load to a page and that states "To learn to check & update the software on your Fire tablet, go to. Tap on the first link here highlighted in blue. You will be directed to the Amazon site, where it will load Fire & Kindle Software Updates. Scroll down the page & choose your Fire Tablet. In the case of the TSV 2 or 4 pack, you will choose Fire (5th Generation).
You will then be directed to another page titled "Fire (5th Generation) Software Updates. You will be able to read How to Update the software manually & this is exactly what I did.
FYI, to do this manually you will need a PC or Laptop & your charging cable that came with the tablet. Here is the link to go straight to the "Fire (5th Generation) Software Updates on your computer, just click on it or copy & paste in the address bar. https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201830180
To do this software update manually, you will scroll to the bottom of this page & click on "Download and Install Fire Tablet Software Updates Manually". Which will direct you to a page titled the same. You will follow the directions as stated.
With this manual process, you are going to download the software update on your computer; then you will file transfer it from your computer to your tablet.
To some I know this sounds complicated & too hard, but let me assure you that you CAN do this with some patience & time (even if you are not tech savvy). Just read all directions thoroughly, follow them & do not get discouraged.
I wanted to post detailed directions because from some of your posts that have called Amazon, they have not offered this solution.
I really hope this helps many of you!!! Have a GREAT day or night! <3

Re: Alexa on the Fire tablet

Kachina624 — Thu, 17 Nov 2016 09:10:47 GMT

I have echo downloaded on my iPad 2 and my Samsung S2 pad. I also added some wireless earphones. All I did was download the Alexa app, go to Bluetooth under setting and with the Echo and device turned on I scanned on my pad, it found the echo, I clicked on it and was in and ready to go. I switch back and forth with my pads. You can have only one connected to Echo at a time so when I connect a new one the old one is disconnected. I must rescan and click on "echo" to reconnect. Very simple.

Re: Alexa on the Fire tablet

mima — Thu, 17 Nov 2016 14:58:05 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
I have echo downloaded on my iPad 2 and my Samsung S2 pad. I also added some wireless earphones. All I did was download the Alexa app, go to Bluetooth under setting and with the Echo and device turned on I scanned on my pad, it found the echo, I clicked on it and was in and ready to go. I switch back and forth with my pads. You can have only one connected to Echo at a time so when I connect a new one the old one is disconnected. I must rescan and click on "echo" to reconnect. Very simple.

@Kachina624 I thought this thread was about making Alexa work from your Kindle Fire even if you don't have an Echo/Alexa in your house. I don't think we are talking about using the app along with your Echo. I don't think you can actually install Alexa on the tablets you own. It only works with certain Kindle Fires.

Am I confused? LOL

Re: Alexa on the Fire tablet

mima — Thu, 17 Nov 2016 15:00:51 GMT

@Bamabella251 I am running 5.3.1.1 on mine. I just checked as per your intructions. Is that the newest update? I have the new Kindle Fire 8, so I should be able to get Alexa on mine.

Thanks for any info.!

Re: Alexa on the Fire tablet

dancingwoman — Thu, 17 Nov 2016 17:53:26 GMT

I'm a little confused too...does this mean the fire hd's will have alexa like my ipad has siri?...Thats what it sounded to me...I was gonna get the little girl next door a dot but last year I got her a fire hd..if she can just install alexa on her tablet there is no need to get her the dot...so will it talk like siri?...thx DW

Re: Alexa on the Fire tablet

mima — Thu, 17 Nov 2016 19:12:20 GMT

@dancingwoman wrote:
I'm a little confused too...does this mean the fire hd's will have alexa like my ipad has siri?...Thats what it sounded to me...I was gonna get the little girl next door a dot but last year I got her a fire hd..if she can just install alexa on her tablet there is no need to get her the dot...so will it talk like siri?...thx DW

@dancingwoman Yes to your first question. It will only work on certain Kindle Fires though. It is suppose to work on my new HD8, but it isn't happening yet.

Re: Alexa on the Fire tablet

dancingwoman — Thu, 17 Nov 2016 19:36:16 GMT

@mima But do we know if it will talk like Siri..if so thats a great plus for Amazon...I love Amazon and Apple products...DW

Re: Alexa on the Fire tablet

mima — Thu, 17 Nov 2016 19:45:29 GMT

@dancingwoman wrote:
@mima But do we know if it will talk like Siri..if so thats a great plus for Amazon...I love Amazon and Apple products...DW

@dancingwoman

Yes, I saw demos and you are suppose to be able to talk to it and it will verbally answer out loud. I will try to find the video and I'll post it here.

Edit: Go to Amazon and search for

All-New Fire HD 8 Tablet. Watch the video on that Kindle Fire HD8. If you don't see the video, over to the left there are some small boxes arranged vertically. The video is the last one on the bottom. Hope that helps. It looks like it will be cool!

Re: Alexa on the Fire tablet

dancingwoman — Thu, 17 Nov 2016 21:00:29 GMT

@mima thanks...I may just have her mom steal the Fire and bring it to me and I'll see if I can load it on hers...it will be a great surprise for her as she loves playing with my Alexa and Dot when she comes to visit...DW

Re: Alexa on the Fire tablet

Bamabella251 — Thu, 17 Nov 2016 21:31:49 GMT

@mima I believe I was running 5.3.1.0 before I manually did the software update. Now I am running 5.3.2. I looked into this for you but did not know exaclty which Fire 8 you have or the generation. As far as I can tell the Alexa would be available on your 8. Try following the instructions I posted with your correct tablet info. Let me know if this works for you. I will say I do not own the Alexa Echo or Dot, so the Alexa feature on my tablet is my only Alexa. It is a GREAT & Fun feature. Good luck!

Re: Alexa on the Fire tablet

mima — Thu, 17 Nov 2016 22:28:35 GMT

@Bamabella251 Mine is the newest HD8, so I know I should be able to get it. Maybe this weekend I will try to tackle it. I'll read through the instructions and see if I "think" I"m capable of doing this.

Thank you!

Re: Alexa on the Fire tablet

Bamabella251 — Thu, 17 Nov 2016 22:53:17 GMT

@mima Your welcome. So many customers are having a bit of trouble with this. Really wish QVC tech experts would've weighed in on this and provided the same info I did to those that needed a bit of help. It should be & is pretty self explanatory. Just takes a little time & patience. If I can help any further, just reach out.

Re: Alexa on the Fire tablet

Deb in SD — Fri, 18 Nov 2016 01:33:18 GMT

Thanks for the help! I did the update and there was Alexa!

Re: Alexa on the Fire tablet

mima — Fri, 18 Nov 2016 14:55:42 GMT

@Bamabella251 I am downloading the update on my computer. I have my cord ready. When the download is done, do I just plug my Kindle into my USB port on the computer? Will the update know where to go on my kindle fire? I'm sure this sounds dumb, but I don't know. Thanks!

EDIT: Beleive it or not I got the job done!!! I didn't even know what I was doing. LOL Ok, She is on there now. But she is not working very well. Almost everything I ask her she says she doesn't understand. I have an Echo and Dot, so I know how to ask the questions. Maybe they haven't ironed out the kinks yet?

Thanks again for your help Bamabella251!