topic Re: Kindle FIre in Electronics

Kindle FIre

cddh — Wed, 02 Nov 2016 20:17:38 GMT

Got this today and already perplexed and wondering if it's for me! Is it just to buy from Amazon? I wanted it to take with me so I could view my "Google" calendar, read emails. I tried to download the calendar from Google play store but it doesn't look the same as it does on my cell phones, computer! I also wanted to get rid of all the icons cluttering up the screens! It didn't come with any booklet and maybe no many need one! It looks like an Amazon monopoly!

Re: Kindle FIre

2blonde — Wed, 02 Nov 2016 20:25:44 GMT

I know it only works with Wi-Fi, and I think you have to be an Amazon Prime member, except for the first 30 days, which are free (trying to remember from the presentation I watched). I didn't see the point in getting 2 for $90 when I would only need one, and you can get the exact same one (in colors) at a store for $50. (I didn't order it.)

Re: Kindle FIre

ChynnaBlue — Wed, 02 Nov 2016 20:32:48 GMT

@Kleo wrote:
Got this today and already perplexed and wondering if it's for me! Is it just to buy from Amazon? I wanted it to take with me so I could view my "Google" calendar, read emails. I tried to download the calendar from Google play store but it doesn't look the same as it does on my cell phones, computer! I also wanted to get rid of all the icons cluttering up the screens! It didn't come with any booklet and maybe no many need one! It looks like an Amazon monopoly!

The Google Play Store has apps for Android tablets. The Amazon Kindle uses apps from the Amazon App Store, so they will look different. It's not an Android tablet, it runs a proprietary OS based on Android. If it's a Google calendar, you can link your account and the data should sync, even if the appearance is different.

Or you could skip the app and use the browser to open the google calendar via the URL.

Almost no web-connected electronics devices come with a paper manual. All the help files and instructions are on the devices via the Help system or the internet.

"It looks like an Amazon monopoly." Just like every other device. Android tablets and phones only use apps from Google Play. Apple tablets and phones only use apps from the Apple App Store. Kindle Fire tablets (and the phone) only use apps from the Amazon store.

Re: Kindle FIre

ChynnaBlue — Wed, 02 Nov 2016 20:34:48 GMT

@2blonde wrote:
I know it only works with Wi-Fi, and I think you have to be an Amazon Prime member, except for the first 30 days, which are free (trying to remember from the presentation I watched). I didn't see the point in getting 2 for $90 when I would only need one, and you can get the exact same one (in colors) at a store for $50. (I didn't order it.)

You do not need to be an Amazon Prime member to use a Fire Tablet. You need to be a Prime member to use some Amazon services, like Kindle Unlimited, Prime Video, etc.

Re: Kindle FIre

cddh — Wed, 02 Nov 2016 20:37:59 GMT

Yes, I found the HELP menu but I don't think this is for me. I didn't intend this to be used for shopping, reading books. I wanted it to see my calendar on a device larger than my cell phone but smaller than the tablets I have. I also wanted to see my emails and maybe facebook while not home. Think this one is going back. My cell can do what I want but wanted something a little larger than a 5 in screen,

Re: Kindle FIre

cddh — Wed, 02 Nov 2016 20:39:04 GMT

I have wi fi but won't do shopping on a device like this. I do that from my home secured computer. Going to wrap up and send back - not for me. I want something a little more user friendly.

Re: Kindle FIre

Kachina624 — Wed, 02 Nov 2016 21:03:36 GMT

I bought a Kindle Fire HDX about 2 years ago when Amazon had them on sale before Christmas. I would not say it is user UNfriendly but there is a learning curve because it's different. Once you adjust to it, it goes smoothly. I got it because it's smaller than my tablets and is easy to tuck into my handbag to read from while I wait for appointments. It did come with ads and junk I didn't want. You pay more to get them without ads.

Re: Kindle FIre

cddh — Wed, 02 Nov 2016 21:32:35 GMT

I think it will be great for someone who wants to read books but not for what I wnat it for.

Re: Kindle FIre

ms traditional — Wed, 02 Nov 2016 21:37:40 GMT

i guess it is all in what you need it for. i got a new FIRE (not this deal) to take on a trip abroad. i wanted to have some books to read (Kindle), maybe a movie download, and be able to check e-mail/web sites without lugging a laptop. it was a very good decision. i am back now and when finishing this, i am going to turn it on and finish reading the book "Denial" the movie was based on.

Re: Kindle FIre

cddh — Wed, 02 Nov 2016 22:30:23 GMT

I think the FIre is perfect for you and what you wanted it for. For me, not so much. I have a tablet I listen to audiobooks. Like that when at the casino - I don't gamble so I listen while waiting for husband to get his fill and then we have a nice dinner!

Re: Kindle FIre

glb613 — Wed, 02 Nov 2016 23:55:00 GMT

@Kleo wrote:
I think it will be great for someone who wants to read books but not for what I wnat it for.

You should have stayed with an Android device. There is nothing wrong with the Fire and it can be used for more than reading books.

Re: Kindle FIre

cddh — Thu, 03 Nov 2016 01:21:06 GMT

Yes, probably nothing wrong with the Fire. I just had difficulty syncing it with my google apps I've grown fond of! I'll keep looking for something more suitable for my needs.

Re: Kindle FIre

glb613 — Thu, 03 Nov 2016 01:58:20 GMT

@Kleo wrote:
Yes, probably nothing wrong with the Fire. I just had difficulty syncing it with my google apps I've grown fond of! I'll keep looking for something more suitable for my needs.

What I don't understand is why you need so many devices?

Re: Kindle FIre

cddh — Thu, 03 Nov 2016 14:32:01 GMT

gib613 - Really not your concern why I need or want as many devices as I can pay for! That didn't factor into my original question.

Re: Kindle FIre

BuckeyeLou — Thu, 03 Nov 2016 18:32:34 GMT

Books, yes! Am I crazy , but thought I heard on the TSZ day that there was a 3 month 'free' download of books for this tsv? Got mine today, tyring to figure it out.

any help --greatly appreciated! thanks!

Re: Kindle FIre

glb613 — Thu, 03 Nov 2016 19:56:17 GMT

@Kleo wrote:
gib613 - Really not your concern why I need or want as many devices as I can pay for! That didn't factor into my original question.

When you post on a public message, you make it everyone's concern. There is nothing wrong with the device. You made the wrong choice.

Re: Kindle FIre

patbz — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 01:07:06 GMT

The tsp probably included a trial membership to Kindle Unlimited.

Re: Kindle FIre

Moonchilde — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 02:05:19 GMT

@Kleo wrote:
Got this today and already perplexed and wondering if it's for me! Is it just to buy from Amazon? I wanted it to take with me so I could view my "Google" calendar, read emails. I tried to download the calendar from Google play store but it doesn't look the same as it does on my cell phones, computer! I also wanted to get rid of all the icons cluttering up the screens! It didn't come with any booklet and maybe no many need one! It looks like an Amazon monopoly!

My goodness, we didn't do any reading up on Kindle Fires before we hit "Buy", did we? No reviews, no comments from purchasers or tech websites.

YES, Fire tablets are created to facilitate spending money with Amazon on Amazon products - books, games and videos. Every professional review I have ever seen mentions this, and most user reviews. Also mentioned in every professional review is the fact that Fires do not hook up with pure Android Google Playstore apps, but *their own Android version* of these apps.

You certainly can use a Fire as tablet to do what everyone uses tablets for. You can even get the Google Playstore on it and download Google apps, with some effort if there are some you MUST have.

If you bought solely based on what QVC hosts said...uh-oh. I do NOT rely on QVC to disclose full and complete information on products they sell. I see what the opinion is on outside websites, always.

Fires are great tablets when you buy them for what they were designed to do.

Re: Kindle FIre

Isobel Archer — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 16:54:49 GMT

I've had my Kindle Fire since last Christmas. Love it. One of things I really liked was that when we travel to foreign countries, I can be sure I am on Wifi - because it won't work otherwise (no data plan). Using my iphone, I always have to be careful that it doesn't decide the wifi isn't strong enough and switch to data.

As to the calendar, I downloaded CALDAV (from itunes) and it synced my iphone claendar without any problems.

If you have Prime, there are lots of movies you can download for free - and once downloaded, you can watch without wifi - as in on a plane or wherever.

Good luck. I think if you play with it awhile, you will love it.

Re: Kindle FIre

Shirley1949 — Sat, 05 Nov 2016 02:13:32 GMT

Can anyone tell me if the 7" Kindles that are being sold by QVC now can be read at the beach or in very bright light? The older models could not be read at the beach. It never seemed to be able to brignten the screen bright enough to read it and the glossy screen was a cause too because of reflection in bright light.