Any Of You Have Kindle Fire?

[ABM]

Do you enjoy it?

I "may" be getting one for Christmas. Pretty much just have to say the word.

Thanks.

 

[Ed O]

I do. I really enjoy it.

I have read lots of reviews of it, and I think that it's a matter of what you're used to... whether you'd move "up" or "down" with the Fire.

What do I mean?

I had an iPad this time last year (got it as part of a holiday bonus) but I returned it because I'd rather have had the money than the tablet.

In the last year, I've relied on my phone more and more for mobile news and info... I spend a ton time looking at websites, etc., and I got used to little buttons and little text and (since it was the Nexus One) the Android interface.

With the Kindle Fire, the screen seems huge to me. The processor seems fast to me. The images and video are vibrant and very nice. It was a step up for me.

Most of the reviews that are negative seem to be from people who are used to an iPad, which has a larger screen and (I believe) a faster processor. It is a step down for them.

I like mine. I use mine--I set up a wifi hotspot and can cruise the Web on the bus, etc., in addition to using it with my wifi at home. I am pleased that it only cost $200. If/when it breaks I'll buy the new and improved version and still come out ahead of where I would have been if I'd bought/kept the iPad.

Ed O.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

i have it, love it. i buy amazon instant video, hulu, read books and surf the web. have my music on the Amazon Cloud MP3s (granted I do have to be in a wifi area, but I can use that on my phone as well). the size is perfect for going to lunch and reading a book, without it being too big.

 

[ABM]

Thanks, guys!

I was wondering if I could connect it to my hdtv when streaming movies, etc?

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

no. no HDMI out.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

the apps selection isn't the greatest. for example, facebook is just the mobile website versus a dedicated app. no tweetdeck, although there is a twitter app and you can use the web browser.

 

[BrianFromWA]

i've read reviews that say it's pretty buggy, and that v.2 should be a ton better.

I'm also in the group of "if you ask, ye shall receive." But since that would take most of the Christmas budget, and I need some socks in a bad way this year...

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

Costco has a Vizio tablet that might be good too. The only advantage of the Amazon one is if you use their instant video IMO. You can get a kindle app on the droid tablets.

 

[ABM]

i've read reviews that say it's pretty buggy, and that v.2 should be a ton better...

FWIW...

http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Mobile-and...e-Will-Receive-Software-Update-Report-179983/

 

[BrianFromWA]

hm...just in time for Christmas?

 

[ABM]

Costco has a Vizio tablet that might be good too. The only advantage of the Amazon one is if you use their instant video IMO. You can get a kindle app on the droid tablets.

Hmmm...I see it has an HDMI port.

How do you feel about refurbished items?

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...d&srccode=cii_13736960&cpncode=21-185865160-2

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

it was cheaper on woot two days ago. i think 140.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

oops, $160: http://phandroid.com/2011/12/12/vizios-8-inch-android-tablet-on-woot-for-160/

 

[ABM]

What about Skype? It's the main reason the gf wants to get it for me.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

no skype. there's no microphone, bluetooth or video cam. you may be able to chat using a IM program, not sure.

 

[ABM]

no skype. there's no microphone, bluetooth or video cam. you may be able to chat using a IM program, not sure.

I did a little more research on that Vizio and it appears you can Skyle. For some reason, though, it rotates the view 180-degrees. Some type of glitch. Still researching.

Thanks for the input!

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

Oh, thought we were taking about the kindle.

X

 

[ehizzy3]

how did i know elpresidente would have one. balling!

 

[ABM]

Oh, thought we were taking about the kindle.

X

I was...that is until I entered the world of EP enlightenment!

 

[ABM]

Thanks for all the insights, guys! After some additional research, my girlfriend ended up buying this for me. It's certainly a lot more money than the Kindle Fire, but has a lot of features that appealed to me. I was gonna pay her the difference, but she would have none of that. However, it's a combined Christmas and birthday present.

http://usa.asus.com/Eee/Eee_Pad/Eee_Pad_Transformer_TF101/

[video=youtube;WGbWgKWqtf0]

 

[Denny Crane]

I would do the iPad. For $99 more, get apple tv and wirelessly stream anything from the iPad to the tv.

I got my wife a kindle each of the past two Christmases. iPad and apple tv this year. Now she can read her amazon books on it and do her email and browse the web without leaving the couch.

 

[PapaG]

I have the Nook Tablet. Works great for me, and I can "borrow" books from the Washington County library on it, instead of having to buy them. Netflix streams very well on it as well. It's more of a recreational device for me, though, as I still use my iPhone and laptop for work.

 

[BrianFromWA]

(Calling Bob Dobalina....Calling Bob Dobalina...)

since we're talking about it, if I'm in the market for a new TV, should I look to get one that's 3D-capable, or look to get one of the Smart TVs/Google TVs? Or can I get the 3D-one and get Apple TV with it?

I have 2 toddlers-and-under who just watch a couple of kids' shows and DVDs over and over, and I watch sports and the occasional movie. I've already stripped down my surround sound man-cave remnants for apartment living.

Suggestions?

 

[SantaDora]

I have an iPad 2 and a Kindle Fire. I like them both. I prefer the smaller size of the Fire - it is so much easier to take and use all the time - but the iPad is faster and better with more apps - it's just not as easy to carry around all the time.

I am a big fan of the Kindle Fire. All the reviews that it is buggy and bad are by spoiled people or Apple fan-boys. The iPad is fantastic for what it is. The Fire is fantastic for what it is.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

(Calling Mr. Dobalina....Mr. Bob Dobalina...)

fixed that for you.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

(Calling Bob Dobalina....Calling Bob Dobalina...)

since we're talking about it, if I'm in the market for a new TV, should I look to get one that's 3D-capable, or look to get one of the Smart TVs/Google TVs? Or can I get the 3D-one and get Apple TV with it?

I have 2 toddlers-and-under who just watch a couple of kids' shows and DVDs over and over, and I watch sports and the occasional movie. I've already stripped down my surround sound man-cave remnants for apartment living.

Suggestions?

No on the 3D capable. You should get one that's internet connected though.

 

[ABM]

Thanks for all the insights, guys! After some additional research, my girlfriend ended up buying this for me. It's certainly a lot more money than the Kindle Fire, but has a lot of features that appealed to me. I was gonna pay her the difference, but she would have none of that. However, it's a combined Christmas and birthday present.

http://usa.asus.com/Eee/Eee_Pad/Eee_Pad_Transformer_TF101/

It showed up today.

Just wow.

 

[ABM]

Now that I have this beast, I'm working on figuring out all the features. It would be cool of some of you whiz-bangs might point out the pertinent features that make these things somewhat invaluable to you.

Thanks

 

[3RA1N1AC]

been looking at tablets all day, i like the transformer abm, but i think i need a larger screen, im kinda a size queen

and as far as apps go, facebook and lolcats are all you should really need

 

[SantaDora]

For Android - I love Pulse to read content, Dolphin Browser is much better than the standard Android browser. Pandora is a must-have, if you have Kindle books - the Kindle reader is obvious, Dropbox to pass files between your machines/tablets, WolframAlpha for all these crazy things you want to know but never knew where to find