Thu
Sep 6 2012
02:07 pm
Kindle Paperwhite, Fire HD
By: R. Neal

Amazon announcement:

Paperwhite e-reader, new, sharper e-ink, illuminated display, 8 week battery life, $119 WiFi, $179 3g, Oct. 1.

Fire tablet update: faster processor, more RAM, longer battery life, $159, Sept. 14.

Fire HD tablet: 8.9 in. IPS 1900 x 1200, front facing camera, HDMI out, dual antenna WiFi, 16gb, $299, 32 gb 4g LTE $499 ($50/yr data plan), Oct. 1. 16gb 7 in. Fire HD $199.

More details coming soon...

UPDATE:

Kindle Paperwhite
Kindle Fire HD 8.9" 4G LTE Wireless
Kindle Fire HD

Topics:
redmondkr's picture

Just bought myself a Kindle

Submitted by redmondkr on Sun, 2013/03/31 - 10:54am.

Just bought myself a Kindle Fire HD 8.9" as a birthday present to myself and, so far, I don't think I've been had - at least not too badly. I needed it as much as I needed another hole in my head but I'm sorta like a magpie, if it's shiny, I want it.

A month or so ago, I had bookmarked this page from ThinkComputers on how to install Chrome on it as Amazon expects the user to rely on their Silk browser and I'm not too crazy about it. I really like the layout on Chrome Mobile and I especially like it with the Adblock extension. And Chrome will display Flash video.

I'm not fond of the fact that the Amazon store has a dearth of apps on its shelves and they really don't want you going anywhere else to shop.

I almost sent it back the first day. My first set up was to be my Comcast email account and it was damn near impossible to complete. I finally solved the problem, though, by cleverly inserting the right password into the field. My wrinkled old eyes aren't what they used to be.

Funny thing too, when you've lived with a Paperwhite for as long as I have, you will never feel comfortable reading a book on this thing. The screen is lovely for videos and web pages, and magazines are a treat on it, even down to the swoopy way a page turn is displayed, but it is a lousy ebook reader. One trip to the front porch with your book will convince you that you need to order its perfect companion accessory, a Paperwhite.

I haven't tried it yet but I understand I can watch TV on it by entering my Direct TV user ID and password. The case cover doubles as a prop for watching video.

Two more things! Amazon brags about their super fast and super sensitive WiFi. It does give me better results than the iPad Mini I played with a couple of weeks ago. And the audio from the onboard speakers is the best I have heard in a tablet.

At roughly 6 x 9 inches, this thing is hardly pocketable but I'm using it to replace a netbook and I think it will do very well at that.

bizgrrl's picture

Happy birthday

Submitted by bizgrrl on Mon, 2013/04/01 - 5:50am.
(in reply to redmondkr)

Happy birthday

redmondkr's picture

Thanks. It was a good one.

Submitted by redmondkr on Mon, 2013/04/01 - 9:34am.
(in reply to bizgrrl)

Thanks. It was a good one. We recorded a new song Kay Newton wrote for Val and then we headed over to the Inskip Cracker Barrel where Val had cooked up a surprise for me.

Behold my birthday 'cake'.

My Birthday 'Cake', a Blackberry Cobbler

R. Neal's picture

Not sure about Chrome

Submitted by R. Neal on Mon, 2013/04/01 - 9:38am.
(in reply to redmondkr)

Not sure about Chrome displaying flash video. Mine doesn't, and as far as I know Adobe has discontinued support for flash on mobile devices?

Curious, did you try out a Nexus 7? You can install the Kindle app on it, but as you noted LCD tablets aren't that great for extended reading.

Also about the Paperwhite, I am really tempted but there are reports that when using the light some text is displayed with weird color fringing. Does yours do that?

redmondkr's picture

I can barely detect the light

Submitted by redmondkr on Mon, 2013/04/01 - 10:29am.
(in reply to R. Neal)

I can barely detect the light sources, four LEDs, at the bottom of the screen, especially if I turn up the light intensity, but it is hardly noticeable, much less an annoyance. I run my light intensity at just below half brilliance, which is the default setting, and have never had occasion to change it. It's surprising how evenly the screen is lighted. In a bright room, the lighting gives the screen its paper-white appearance. They even suggest turning the intensity up in a well-lighted room and down for dim lights. Turn it off and you get the black on gray look of a regular Kindle.

As to Flash on the Chrome, you're right. Firefox mobile supports Flash. I have found a method to install it on the Fire but have not done it as yet.

All in all, I think I probably would be better off with the Nexus 7, especially with the abundance of apps available at Google Play. I'm not sure I would install the Kindle app on it. I have it on my phone for 'emergency' boredom prevention reading, but I'm rarely without my Paperwhite if I know I will have a little spare time.

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