Kindle anyone?

[Boone]

I used a gift card from my brother to buy a Kindle Fire after Christmas. Gotta say, I'm pretty wowed with how much you can do with it. Battery life limitations is really the only negative I've found so far (7 hours or so max), and sometimes video is choppy (although that may be more about wireless than the device.

Anyone else got one, and if so, would be interested in your experience, particularly any apps you like?

 

[Burgundy Burner]

I am about to embark on using the AK platform for my business. I'll be selling a lot of books, booklets, packets, etc. Should be ready to go in about four to six weeks. I really like everything about it.

 

[Nobody]

TuneIn Radio

 

[renaissance]

We got an el-cheapo, basic kindle for my mom because their library recently started loaning out e-books.

 

[Boone]

That's kind of the direction I was going since I figured I'd mostly use it for reading - but then realized that the Kindle Fire gets you internet access, and essentially does a lot of what an IPad (2-3 times as expensive) does. Thanks Extreme - cool app. I'll share some of my favorites so far in a bit.

 

[riggins44]

Boone, why did you decide on the Kindle Fire? I've been thinking about a tablet, so just now starting to research these devices. To me they seem like nothing more than a big smart phone.

I am just curious why you or others purchased the tablet they did.

 

[Nobody]

The Nook Color was the best on the market. Then the Kindle Fire came out. The only down side to the Kindle at this point is there are less apps available. The major up side, is that it has a cloud storage setup instead of storing it all on the device.

 

[Nobody]

This is the best thing on the Kindle

http://www.amazon.com/Maybe-Later-ebook/dp/B006CQX6ZC

(Shameless plug)

 

[Lanky Livingston]

The Nook Color was the best on the market. Then the Kindle Fire came out. The only down side to the Kindle at this point is there are less apps available. The major up side, is that it has a cloud storage setup instead of storing it all on the device.

You were anti-Fire and pro-Nook a little while ago, what changed your mind?

 

[Neophyte]

I don't know if it is available for the Fire yet but look for PocketCloud. I know it is out for Android (run it on my phone), just don't know if it is available in the Amazon store.

Gives you instant access to your PC desktop from anywhere you have a connection. I love it.

 

[Boone]

Boone, why did you decide on the Kindle Fire? I've been thinking about a tablet, so just now starting to research these devices. To me they seem like nothing more than a big smart phone.

I am just curious why you or others purchased the tablet they did.

Truthfully, the only thing that initially appealed to me was the ability to download books in moments (and yes - the Kindle uses 'cloud' storage, so you can download to the device, or just access your content without downloading - no memory issues). Had I not had an Amazon gift card sitting at home, I probably wouldn't have purchased because I am a laptop go through and through.

The Kindle Fire is about the size of a paperback book (probably by design). So I can travel with it and not have to lug a laptop around if I don't want to, but still have access to the web, email, books, my ITunes library, TV, Movies - it's a pretty amazing little device.

And yes, phones can do a lot these days, but even responding to an email on a smart phone is, in my mind, a pain in the ass.

I've been impressed with the Kindle.

My favorite app so far - Old Time Radio, where I can listen to the entire decade of CBS Radio Mystery Theater if i want.

 

[Boone]

The Kindle Fire uses the Droid OS - so I'm guessing it's available, but will check Bob. Thanks!

 

[Boone]

Bob - installed the Pocket Cloud - pretty glitchy on the Kindle though. I can get it to work, but for instance, I have to log out and re-log in using gmail ID every time or it won't work. Also looks like you have to have your laptop actually open and running for it to work. Might be useful in a pinch, but first impression is it's too much work to use very often.

 

[Neophyte]

I usually use it back to my big PC, John. I only use it back to my laptop when I am on the road and my laptop is in my hotel room. You could also install it on your PC at work and be able to access that from your Fire.

I can see how it might be an issue on a laptop with power management set up so it goes into hibernation mode. I didn't consider that, to be honest. I have mine set up to never shut off when it has power.

 

[Nobody]

You were anti-Fire and pro-Nook a little while ago, what changed your mind?

Honestly, I thought it would only be fair to give it a day of use and see how it went. There are things I don't like, as there will be with anything, but overall it's better.

 

[Boone]

I usually use it back to my big PC, John. I only use it back to my laptop when I am on the road and my laptop is in my hotel room. You could also install it on your PC at work and be able to access that from your Fire.

I can see how it might be an issue on a laptop with power management set up so it goes into hibernation mode. I didn't consider that, to be honest. I have mine set up to never shut off when it has power.

I used to run a large PC in my bedroom, nearly 24 hours a day. Interesting as, in my mind, the true 'PC' is almost dead - an anachronism - since beyond them occasionally being forced on one in the work setting, they serve no practical purpose any more.

Why be tied to the wall, when you have all the same functionality and power in a portable?

You're a living dinosaur Bob

 

[Neophyte]

For most people, I totally agree. Hell, I work for a Thin Client company. Our motto is "No PC". And I too am moving away from it.

I have a PC here that I have converted to a VMware ESXi server running multiple virtual machines. It won't be long and I will be on something like a Thin Client connecting to a virtual machine and I will use a pad to connect to it when I sit in my living room to watch football games. Or when I am on the road.

 

[Goaldeje]

Sadly, I am a not-so-thin client.

 

[Burgundy Burner]

In my situation, having a PC with a nice 21" HD monitor is the way to go. I use my cell phone for web surfing/emails when I'm not here and I hate having to use my reading glasses whenever necessary. I'll probably break down at some point and get a Kindle just so I can be with the cool kids, hehe.

 

[Neophyte]

The font size is adjustable, Burner. My wife has reading glasses but never uses them for her Kindle because she has jacked the font up.