Database Users

Kindle fire

Just placed pre-order for the Amazon tablet. Don't know if it will replace my galaxy tab but for $200 the Amazon tablet looks like a good deal. Also I like the 7 inch better than the 10. I think this will force all others to seriously think about their tablet pricing.
What are your thoughts?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0051VVOB2/ref=mp_s_a_1?qid=1317224821&sr=8-1
Sent from my HTC Sensation XE with Beats Audio using xda premium

HPs firesale was evidence that pricing can be king outside of the iOS ecosystem, Im personally not interested in one, but I do like the pricing, it could put pressure on other OEMs to drop their prices, look at RIM there are starting to move more playbooks since they are starting to price cut
This also goes to show you how big of a mark up these things have

I just preordered mine as well. I'm crossing my fingers that this thing has bluetooth. Otherwise no external keyboard.

atoy74 said:
I just preordered mine as well. I'm crossing my fingers that this thing has bluetooth. Otherwise no external keyboard.
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No bluetooth. Complete specs at the Amazon Landing Page.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0051VVOB2/ref=tsm_1_bl_aw?tag=vglnk-c1655-20
But it does have USB 2.0, so you could plug in a Bluetooth adapter. Potential issue: battery life issues from adapter.

Ashyford said:
No bluetooth. Complete specs at the Amazon Landing Page.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0051VVOB2/ref=tsm_1_bl_aw?tag=vglnk-c1655-20
But it does have USB 2.0, so you could plug in a Bluetooth adapter. Potential issue: battery life issues from adapter.
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Click to collapse
Depending on the chipset used, it might have latent bluetooth, just like the Nook Color.

Doesn't look like it has a SD slot either. With just 8Gb storage a few movies etc will fill that up.
--bill

There are two considerations I take in above all else these days when I consider a purchase, especially for phone/smaller computing devices.
1. Price to performance (lets be real, tablets are *finally* getting out of over priced stage.)
2. What the support here at XDA is going to be like.
I can handle getting a "mid ranged" device if the price is right.
IF there are enough tweaks, roms, and third party support.
A "Cheap" and "Midranged" tablet can go toe to toe with the best of them.
*if* I consider a tablet.. the lenovo A1 and Amazon Kindle Fire are going to be on the top of the list, because I am suspecting I'll see strong support on both.
Then again, being able to "reverse" whatever I do is also important.

Snow_fox said:
There are two considerations I take in above all else these days when I consider a purchase, especially for phone/smaller computing devices.
1. Price to performance (lets be real, tablets are *finally* getting out of over priced stage.)
2. What the support here at XDA is going to be like.
I can handle getting a "mid ranged" device if the price is right.
IF there are enough tweaks, roms, and third party support.
A "Cheap" and "Midranged" tablet can go toe to toe with the best of them.
*if* I consider a tablet.. the lenovo A1 and Amazon Kindle Fire are going to be on the top of the list, because I am suspecting I'll see strong support on both.
Then again, being able to "reverse" whatever I do is also important.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I definitely think there will be lot of dev support for kindle fire given the price point.
Sent from my HTC Sensation XE with Beats Audio using xda premium

pokey9000 said:
Depending on the chipset used, it might have latent bluetooth, just like the Nook Color.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah! I see. Good point.

The Nook has "latent Bluetooth" but no antenna so it's not very useful.
The new Kindle looks nice, but no 3G/4G (yet). If they do offer it with mobile data it will probably be locked to one carrier. That and being stuck with Amazon's app store makes it a non-starter for me. I'll stick with my old Galaxy 7" for non-home use for now.

burhanistan said:
The Nook has "latent Bluetooth" but no antenna so it's not very useful.
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Not quite true.

I'm not impressed what amazon did. Combine their services with good hardware and "real" Android Honeycomb/ice cream sandwich and they might have a winner.
But with this, medium hardware (RAM, int storage, display resolution), missing components, a bit heavy, depends on cyanogen mod to get a real taste of Android, I'm not sure. I see little more than a new Nook color.
With the support of the amazon services like music, video and appstore (since there is no market at least at the beginning) it might be interesting for some people. But for me the 7.7 seems like a much better choice if you look for something smaller than 10.1 or 8.9, even if it costs twice as much.

gokpog said:
I'm not impressed what amazon did. Combine their services with good hardware and "real" Android Honeycomb/ice cream sandwich and they might have a winner.
But with this, medium hardware (RAM, int storage, display resolution), missing components, a bit heavy, depends on cyanogen mod to get a real taste of Android, I'm not sure. I see little more than a new Nook color.
With the support of the amazon services like music, video and appstore (since there is no market at least at the beginning) it might be interesting for some people. But for me the 7.7 seems like a much better choice if you look for something smaller than 10.1 or 8.9, even if it costs twice as much.
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Click to collapse
Price is the key though, look what the recent HP firesale did, this will be a mass product aimed at those wanting their first fray into tablets, other manufacturers will need to take note if they want their product to sell. At the way the current global financial state is in Amazon have got a winner here.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App

Damn for $199, I'd love to buy it.
Does anyone know if true Android can be hacked or developed for the Kindle fire? It's android based but it doesn't run honeycomb or anything.
I know the Blackberry playbook you cant but that's cause it's RIM software and their security stuff.
It'd be cool if there was a lot of support for it and you can flash all different kinds of ROMs and stuff.

kettlecorn said:
Damn for $199, I'd love to buy it.
Does anyone know if true Android can be hacked or developed for the Kindle fire? It's android based but it doesn't run honeycomb or anything.
I know the Blackberry playbook you cant but that's cause it's RIM software and their security stuff.
It'd be cool if there was a lot of support for it and you can flash all different kinds of ROMs and stuff.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think Amazon tablet will be locked to start with since it is running Amazon's customized Android. We will only know for sure when this is released.
But I think as usual developers will eventually crack it open.
Sent from my HTC Sensation XE with Beats Audio using xda premium

nikzDHD said:
Price is the key though, look what the recent HP firesale did, this will be a mass product aimed at those wanting their first fray into tablets...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do HP touchpad firesale and every china tablet in common (other that the 99$ price tag)? You buy the thing, get frustrated that it doesn't do what you expected and you get a "real" tablet. We have a saying here, if you buy cheap you end up paying twice.
I'm not arguing that it won't sell,it will probably sell pretty good. but I'm saying it's not what it could've been. And I don't think 199$ is particularly cheap for that tablet. It's a good price but not really cheap considering what you give up.
And don't forget everyone who has no access to the amazon services like video and cloud music, which is half of europe. They would get even less out of it but I don't think that it'll be available here.
I think it takes more than a good price to make a winner.
But I don't think amazon really wants to play the tablet game. They want to give you an easier way to subscribe to and consume their content and that's what they can archive with the kindle fire.

I'll wait for the "Fire" app to show up. You know Amazon is going offer one before long.

Jay Evans said:
I'll wait for the "Fire" app to show up. You know Amazon is going offer one before long.
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I would think it would be more something like "Amazon Portal" that would manage all your Kindle, MP3, Amazon App store, etc on a non-Kindle device.

kirdroid said:
I think Amazon tablet will be locked to start with since it is running Amazon's customized Android. We will only know for sure when this is released.
But I think as usual developers will eventually crack it open.
Sent from my HTC Sensation XE with Beats Audio using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sure it can be cracked in one way or another. OMAP4 is something a lot of devs have experience with, and I doubt they're deviating much from the components we keep seeing on other platforms.
I'd like to believe that this will be as easy to root as the Nook Color, but given that Amazon has been playing cat-and-mouse with hackers and the older Kindles, I doubt it. Amazon didn't preen their own app store for the last year for nothing, and that's only one content channel they want to own. An open platform means most people will probably install the default Google Market and avoid Amazon's store altogether. The OMAP has some security features in the same vein as the Tegra2, and I'd be surprised if it's not as locked down as the Atrix was before the unlockable bootloader.
That being said, there's a nice tool out there for booting a kernel/ramdisk (read:recovery) OMAP4 over USB, so should Amazon decide to have a change of heart it will be a quick test to tell if the boot process is as easy to hijack as the Nook.

Why not just buy a Galaxy Tab 7" WiFi? Or a used 3g/carrier-branded version on Craigslist. Both can be had for about the same prices as the K-Fire, and they're a whole lot more functional.
Sure, it's single core, but it's single core Hummingbird/SGX540, which is still pretty competitive with the chipset in the PlayKindleBookFire, especially in relation to graphics.
It's also lighter, has a LOT more functionality (GPS, Bluetooth, light sensor, microphone, etc.). And, it's not locked down to the Amazon infrastructure, and has a pretty good XDA community already.
You can still use the Kindle app, but you can also read ePubs, use Google Music, Netflix, etc.

well thsi kind of stinks out loud!

http://gizmodo.com/5921711/the-google-nexus-tablet-is-here-and-its-out-to-kill-the-kindle-fire
"$200 for the 8 GB model and $250 for 16 GB—that this thing is aiming squarely to extinguish the Fire, as is the big push Google is pressing on sucking up your favorite media"
"built by Asus, the Nexus holds a 1.3Ghz quad-core CPU, 12-core Tegra 3 processor, NFC, and 1 GB of RAM, a 1.2MP front-facing camera, and 8 hours of battery life—all with two different storage variants: 8 GB and 16 GB. That's a damn good level of muscle behind a 7-inch, 1280x800 screen, measuring 198.5 x 120 x 10.45mm."

Why? Do you regret buying a device that has been out for almost a year? If so, you probably get buyer's remorse for every single item you've ever purchased. The tech world moves rather quickly. Rumor has it Amazon will reply with a KF2 by end of July. We'll see. Be happy that we're seeing cheaper and better devices. Don't be a cheapass.

Itaintrite said:
Why? Do you regret buying a device that has been out for almost a year? If so, you probably get buyer's remorse for every single item you've ever purchased. The tech world moves rather quickly. Rumor has it Amazon will reply with a KF2 by end of July. We'll see. Be happy that we're seeing cheaper and better devices. Don't be a cheapass.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no i meant to write more but hit finsih.
my girl got me the fire for v -day thinking she was being nice. i never actually wanted it. now this is out and if i change my fire for this i will have to listen to her whining because she doesnt understand tech

On the plus side, I'll begin Android 4.1 development the day the source is dropped by Google.
That's mid July.
Last I checked, the Nexus 7 will ship in about 2-3 weeks.
That's mid July.
So while the Kindle Fire will get blown away on any benchmark when compared to the Nexus 7... It may have Jelly Bean running on it right around the same time Nexus 7 owner's are getting them in their homes.

tevil said:
no i meant to write more but hit finsih.
my girl got me the fire for v -day thinking she was being nice. i never actually wanted it. now this is out and if i change my fire for this i will have to listen to her whining because she doesnt understand tech
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I'm sure she'll understand. You can just get the Nexus 7 and give her the KF ;P

Hashcode said:
On the plus side, I'll begin Android 4.1 development the day the source is dropped by Google.
That's mid July.
Last I checked, the Nexus 7 will ship in about 2-3 weeks.
That's mid July.
So while the Kindle Fire will get blown away on any benchmark when compared to the Nexus 7... It may have Jelly Bean running on it right around the same time Nexus 7 owner's are getting them in their homes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I love you. Inappropriate, but true.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

Itaintrite said:
Well, I'm sure she'll understand. You can just get the Nexus 7 and give her the KF ;P
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Click to collapse
i bought her an ipad 2 for her b-day prior which is why i think she got me this because she knows i dislike apple.
the thought was nice but now im trapped within this device for another year or so at least lol. At least the Devs are good here..... huh "hash" huh huh huh wink wink nudge nudge!

How much do you think I will get if I sell my Kindle Fire to get a nexus 7
Sent from my Kindle Fire using xda premium
if you find something I posted helpful please thank me

You'll probably get $100-150 off Craigslist but closer to $100 I'm thinking about selling mine too the nexus is badass
Sent from my Kindle Fire

Mines in great condition not a scratch
Do you think I'll get more if I sell my case with it
The case was $45
Sent from my Kindle Fire using xda premium
if you find something I posted helpful please thank me

lrs421 said:
I love you. Inappropriate, but true.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If loving Hash is wrong, then I don't wanna be right

joshuabg said:
How much do you think I will get if I sell my Kindle Fire to get a nexus 7
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was thinking the same thing and checked out CL and was stunned. Fire's are hemorrhaging on that site for as low as $75 used and $100 new/unopened. So I'm probably going to pass on this new toy from Google as nice as it is...
I'm pretty confident that besides Skype, there really isn't much I would do on that tablet than I can already do on the Fire (I don't use Bluetooth on it and I don't play games on it...so...).
Not saying my choice is the right one for everyone...but the extra $125 I would have to spend doesn't really justify it for me.

ExploreMN said:
I was thinking the same thing and checked out CL and was stunned. Fire's are hemorrhaging on that site for as low as $75 used and $100 new/unopened. So I'm probably going to pass on this new toy from Google as nice as it is...
I'm pretty confident that besides Skype, there really isn't much I would do on that tablet than I can already do on the Fire (I don't use Bluetooth on it and I don't play games on it...so...).
Not saying my choice is the right one for everyone...but the extra $125 I would have to spend doesn't really justify it for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree, my KF does everything I want a tablet to do except for video chat, though I have my Rezound and laptop for that. Knowing Hash will have Jelly Bean for us about the same time the Nexus 7 is released is awesome. I'll probably upgrade from the KF after a full year of use (early January '13) but I'm in no rush.
I look at it this way, we already have something Nexus 7 buyers don't: a out 8 months use of a good solid Android tablet.
Sent from my Kindle Fire using XDA Premium

we are only behind by ffc/bt. still love my fire but I'll prolly get a nexus 7 also just for more fun.

smirkis said:
we are only behind by ffc/bt. still love my fire but I'll prolly get a nexus 7 also just for more fun.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
NFC and GPS too if those matter to you; and the Nexus is sounding quite speedy too.
It's been over half a year since Amazon started selling the current Fire and I'm curious to see what kind of performance, features, and screen sizes their rumored Fire 2 will have

boomn said:
NFC and GPS too if those matter to you; and the Nexus is sounding quite speedy too.
It's been over half a year since Amazon started selling the current Fire and I'm curious to see what kind of performance, features, and screen sizes their rumored Fire 2 will have
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just ran the chain fire benchmark and the sun spider browser benchmark on my fire running the sgt7 ROM. I came really close to their numbers for the Nexus, 1757 for spider and 11047 for chain.
It's clear that the linaro tweaks give a huge boost, and Google has probably incorporated those optimizations into jelly bean.

tevil said:
no i meant to write more but hit finsih.
my girl got me the fire for v -day thinking she was being nice. i never actually wanted it. now this is out and if i change my fire for this i will have to listen to her whining because she doesnt understand tech
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have a mother, sister, brother, or even a father that might like this Kindle Fire? (Especially a mother, sister or other female family member.) You can explain to your girl that you really appreciate the thoughtfulness of her getting it for you but you've decide that you really want person XYZ to have it and you've got your eye on device ABC when it comes out. Of course some variation might be needed, but if you put enough thoughtfulness into how you explain it then your girl can hardly argue with you otherwise she'll look like a real *****.... but presentation is key.

What will Jelly Bean give us that we don't already have?
I'm curious.

bbc0 said:
What will Jelly Bean give us that we don't already have?
I'm curious.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For us (Kindle Fire users)...probably not much.

Am I the only one who hates that the Nexus 7 is just an oversized phone?
Seeing as how the Fire handles ICS way better than my phone, I do not see a legitimate reason to switch to a Nexus 7.
Sent from my Kindle Fire

Switch to Nexus 7?

I am thinking about switching from my rooted KF to a Nexus 7.
I like the increased processing power and memory along with BT and a GPS chip.
Getting Jelly Bean is icing on the tablet.
I will use my KF as a permanenty hooked Pandora player for me home audio system.
Anyone else thinking about switching from KF to Nexus 7?

Absolutely NOT.... lol

I am currently selling my 2 iPods on CL, I'm hoping not to sell my Kindle Fire, but I might have too.
I really want the Nexus 7

Cl8rs said:
I am currently selling my 2 iPods on CL, I'm hoping not to sell my Kindle Fire, but I might have too.
I really want the Nexus 7
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would wait to see what a 2nd generation Kindle Fire would have to offer.

I'm torn between selling my KF, keeping it, and getting the Nexus 7 (N7).
I decided I'd wait for Amazon to respond with their KF2. Though I can use USB OTG on both the KF and N7, is KF2 had the addition of Bluetooth, GPS, Camera, Mic, and a Micro SD card slot, then this could be a real new competitor.
Also, I really dislike how slow the internal memory on the KF is.

I sold my kf yesterday and pre ordered a nexus on launch day. I would have waited for the kindle fire 2 but I have a feeling the kf2 could have a locked boot loader.
Sent from my Incredible 2 using Tapatalk 2

im just gonna give my mom my kindle fire and buy the n7 when it comes out. can't wait

freedom_xda said:
... and a Micro SD card slot, then this could be a real new competitor.
...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
where does it say it has a SD slot?

altitude909 said:
where does it say it has a SD slot?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He's saying if it does it will be a good competitor.
Sent from a thingymajig that sends things.

i have a Nexus 7 on pre-order (through JR.com no tax free shipping, before the Slickdeals effect rippled through, we'll see if the pre-order actually sticks), but am tossed up on whether to sell the KF or simply keep it b/c i bought it during the last $139 refurbished Amazon sale and it's still awesome w/ the various CM9 ROMs and great Dev support here. truth be told, the KF w/ CM9 (currently running twa_priv's SGT7 build) does everything i need. don't need the mic or front camera, KF is more than snappy enough for my daily use, screen resolution @ my normal viewing distances is perfectly fine, etc.

serx7 said:
i have a Nexus 7 on pre-order (through JR.com no tax free shipping, before the Slickdeals effect rippled through, we'll see if the pre-order actually sticks), but am tossed up on whether to sell the KF or simply keep it b/c i bought it during the last $139 refurbished Amazon sale and it's still awesome w/ the various CM9 ROMs and great Dev support here. truth be told, the KF w/ CM9 (currently running twa_priv's SGT7 build) does everything i need. don't need the mic or front camera, KF is more than snappy enough for my daily use, screen resolution @ my normal viewing distances is perfectly fine, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here. I want the Nexus 7 just because its a nexus, but considering how little I use my KF its not worth the time/effort to sell it and buy a N7

I'll definitely be going after the Nexus tab... Worth it for the "Nexus" part at the least... Going to roll the fire back to stock and give it to a relative...

I preordered because I know the development is gonna be super alive. I'm keeping my kfire cuz it was cheap but the N7 is everything I wish the kfire was. I love what the kfire has become but I need bluetooth, I've learned to live without it but its something I've had a hard tine letting go.
I have 4 otg cables and multiple usb drives and bluetooth adapters. I'm dedicated, but still miss certain features lol
Sent from my HTC Glacier using xda premium

I love the KF especially due to all the hard work hascode and everyone else have put into getting ICS to work, but I pre-ordered the N7 as soon as I could. The N7 is closer to what I want in a tab. I'm going to let the kids use the KF for a gaming platform and I'll continue to flash the latest and greatest builds on it.

im not switching because im way too caught up in porting JellyBean.... Maybe sometime later i will CONSIDER the Nexus 7

sod it i'm having both (if i can install new motherboard on bricked one)
the kindle is a great device for tinkering/learning but that N7 look's super
sent from my new non bricked kindle

shravbits said:
im not switching because im way too caught up in porting JellyBean.... Maybe sometime later i will CONSIDER the Nexus 7
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if u get a port working, props. but things will be easier in a week or two.
Sent from my HTC Glacier using xda premium

If I could get a good price for my Fire, I would sell it, but some "dealer" is flooding CL with $75-80 Kindle Fire's, so there is no chance of getting a good price for it.
So if I'm going to buy a tablet outright again, it has to have everything I want...which means MicroSD/SD slot. No more compromises for me.

I am saving up for a surface pro. Kindle fire is my really portable tablet that does everything I need it to, I can't play prime on N7 and I don't own any google music. It's all on Amazon. I am not a fan of any particular corporation. I go with my needs and my need not to waste money. Kindle was the right prize last November and I didn't have a tablet. N7 is the right prize now but not the right time, I already have a table that does what I want. My next tablet will hopefully replace my aging laptop. (I hope!).

Not right now for me. KF does everything I need/want. I COULD use a FFC but I have my Rezound, laptop, and desktop for that so there's really no point. I'll put it this way: When a $199 tablet comes out with everything I want (N7 is missing removable storage), then I'll upgrade. As it stands, the N7 isn't a big enough leap forward.
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using xda premium

I'm looking for a cheaper tablet, would you guys recommend it?

I see quite a few on CL for between $100-$150, would you say this is the best option at this price?

If you are willing to root it and put custom roms on it, its an amazing device. The lack of Bluetooth and camera are minor to me. Removable storage would he nice. Ice cream sandwich and jelly bean run better on my fire than any other device I have used. The kindle fire stock is kind of a let down though. If you don't feel like messing with it and want something great out of the box, you would be better spending $200 on a nexus 7 (but even those are having some issues)
sent from my Nokia 5110

pbailey212 said:
If you are willing to root it and put custom roms on it, its an amazing device. The lack of Bluetooth and camera are minor to me. Removable storage would he nice. Ice cream sandwich and jelly bean run better on my fire than any other device I have used. The kindle fire stock is kind of a let down though. If you don't feel like messing with it and want something great out of the box, you would be better spending $200 on a nexus 7 (but even those are having some issues)
sent from my Nokia 5110
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rooting and roms are half the fun though right? I've yet to try flash on a dualcore tablet, how are flash videos compared to say a netbook? I want to make sure it can at least be my main web browsing tool before I get one.

It works beautifully. You will throw your netbook away
sent from my Nokia 5110
---------- Post added at 08:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:26 PM ----------
pbailey212 said:
It works beautifully. You will throw your netbook away
sent from my Nokia 5110
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On jelly bean you have to sideload flash player, and chrome browser doesn't support flash at all, but the stock browser works just fine for that.
sent from my Nokia 5110

buffnutz1 said:
I see quite a few on CL for between $100-$150, would you say this is the best option at this price?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, it's a good device for $100. Flash works fine for the most part. You shouldn't have any troubles with it.

Coby has some nice tablets for cheap

powerpoint45 said:
Coby has some nice tablets for cheap
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But cobys don't have hashcode kernels
sent from my Nokia 5110

Stock kf is kind of useless, really, but cm10 runs like a dream. Reasonable battery, perfectly smooth, pretty much no lag. Works perfectly for videos, reading, etc. Browsing is okay for most websites. Get one. Its great.
Sent from my Amazon Kindle Fire using xda app-developers app

so far I will not recommend this tablet.
I played with sii, desire z, htc sensation, nexus s and I never had problems like the kindle gave me.
You can see it by the number of failling kindle threads.

oVeRdOsE. said:
so far I will not recommend this tablet.
I played with sii, desire z, htc sensation, nexus s and I never had problems like the kindle gave me.
You can see it by the number of failling kindle threads.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Those are mostly from people that can't follow simple directions. I had 0 experience with rooting and flashing ROMs until I got my Kindle and I've had no problems.
Now what problems did the Kindle give you?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

avr-Illithian said:
Stock kf is kind of useless, really, but cm10 runs like a dream. Reasonable battery, perfectly smooth, pretty much no lag. Works perfectly for videos, reading, etc. Browsing is okay for most websites. Get one. Its great.
Sent from my Amazon Kindle Fire using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree. Once it's flashed with cm10, the Fire is so much better. If Amazon video works in a future update, it'll be so awesome.

veeman said:
Those are mostly from people that can't follow simple directions. I had 0 experience with rooting and flashing ROMs until I got my Kindle and I've had no problems.
Now what problems did the Kindle give you?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bad memory. I did some bad sector scanning, the internal memory is dead.
2 weeks of use, I have to fight with amazone to get a new one because I win it with cisco system.
the last acces I had from the internal memory it was just enough to flash update.zip. at least...
any way, like I said, I'm not an official developper but I'm trying a lot of stuff since making app and scripts is easy and none of my devices fail. I had hard brick, and I was able to get it back.
but this kindle, is the jungle. a lot of peope have random proplems. some of them are with the stock rom ! ...
And one more thing, a tablet, imho, is the most useless electonic device on the market. especially if you have a smartphone.

oVeRdOsE. said:
Bad memory. I did some bad sector scanning, the internal memory is dead.
2 weeks of use, I have to fight with amazone to get a new one because I win it with cisco system.
the last acces I had from the internal memory it was just enough to flash update.zip. at least...
any way, like I said, I'm not an official developper but I'm trying a lot of stuff since making app and scripts is easy and none of my devices fail. I had hard brick, and I was able to get it back.
but this kindle, is the jungle. a lot of peope have random proplems. some of them are with the stock rom ! ...
And one more thing, a tablet, imho, is the most useless electonic device on the market. especially if you have a smartphone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've had my Fire since the release and I've had no such problems. I also bought one for my brother and grandmother, with no problems either.
I'm truly sorry for your poor experience, but I'm afraid most people don't seem to be having the same problems as you, that I can tell.
I'd strongly recommend the Kindle Fire as a cheap tablet if you can get it for a great price, but I'm planning on upgrading to a Nexus 7 soon, myself. For $80-125, if you can find one for that, it would be an ultimate cheap productivity and entertainment device.
Make sure to install CM9 or CM10 (I have CM10), though. Stock is useless, unless you're a true e-book fan.

I also had little experience with modifying android before my kindle, but I had no problems at any stage of the process. Just stick to the instructions and everything will work fine.
Sent from my Amazon Kindle Fire using xda app-developers app

I believe that the kindle fire suffers from parts inconsistency. It is a price point type of product and was intended to run the reduced functionality of the amazon os. This explains why there are some kindles that work and spec well while others spec low and even break. For myself, I rooted and loaded mine in front of my computer with instructions in front of me. When it went off course, I googled and kept going. My kindle specs pretty average. It helps that I have been a system builder for 20 years. I do not fault the kindle, and amazon exchanges it easily.
Sent from my Amazon Kindle Fire using xda app-developers app

oVeRdOsE. said:
Bad memory. I did some bad sector scanning, the internal memory is dead.
2 weeks of use, I have to fight with amazone to get a new one because I win it with cisco system.
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Click to collapse
Good luck with the exchange. Generally there is no warranty on prizes (not just with Amazon but with other companies too). Hopefully they will help you out. Amazon seems to be pretty easy to work with from what I have heard so you might be in luck.
Back on topic, I haven't had my Kindle for long but I agree with what most of the people here are saying. It can be a great tablet when it is rooted and flashed with CM9 or CM10. I somewhat miss having a front facing camera because I would like to use face unlock, but it definately isn't a deal breaker at the price that these are going for used. I got mine in a trade for an older 19" lcd tv/monitor that I quit using about 4 years ago so it was almost like I got it for free. After using the kindle for a little while now I would definately recommend it as long as you can get one for about $125 or less. If you can only find one that is in the $150+ range then you might as well save up a little bit longer and get the Nexus7 IMO.

I would go with the Nexus.

If you can score one for under $150 go for it! I just received a free Kindle Fire from my bank a few days ago, and I'm loving it!
To get the full experience out of it however, I would suggest reading up on some of the tutorials and get a dual boot going.
It's so awesome being able to boot into MoDaCo when you want to use Amazon's services, and then switch to CM10 when you want a more "traditional" tablet experience!
Sent from my Kindle Fire using xda app-developers app

Your best bet is to have 200 bucks ready and just get a Nexus 7

moktadir said:
Your best bet is to have 200 bucks ready and just get a Nexus 7
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I agree with him^^^ but of you do like the nexus the galaxy tab 2 7in is also really nice, I have a kindle fire, Samsung glaxay tab 2 (7") and a nexus 7 I'm returning the nexus in the next week because I don't like it very much, so I going to use the money to get the kindle fire 2!

Should I Buy an 8.9?

Do you guys believe this device will get much love from ROM developers? I love to tinker with my devices and don't want to be stuck with something that has no development?
Opinions?

No one can answer this only you. It could be tomorrow or next year.. sorry

Right now I wouldn't, I've got it and it's just sitting there collecting dust till there is a rom. No Google on an Android tablet is absurd.

here's my take as a lay person
Most of the people who want hardcore development will opt for the slightly underpowered, but very capable, Nexus 7. While the Kindle fire HDX 8.9 offers marvelous hardware, with a top of the line display, it has a locked, and guarded bootloader, which will be tough to crack. While it has already been rooted, and their is safestrap, roms will be limited until the bootloader is cracked. Kernel flashing will obviously be impossible without this. The root capability opens the window, but the door is still closed. I have the 7", and I do enjoy flashing roms, customizing, and tinkering simply for the sake of learning, but I don't have lofty expectations of the devs. While they are wonderful, and make an uncalled for effort to make every device perform at it's peak, I cannot see a locked device getting an abundant amount of attention, when a similarly capable, same-gen piece of hardware came out offering exactly what you already want. You may need to look at other similarly priced 10" tablets, that offer the same hardware, or close, that can be unlocked with a simple click, rather than 100s of man hours, and a bit of hope.

I was going to purchase the Kindle Fire HDX 8.9 but Office Depot had a great deal on the 7" Kindle Fire HDX. $179.99 plus you get a $20.00 gift card.
Kindle Fire HDX

aaronuser said:
Do you guys believe this device will get much love from ROM developers? I love to tinker with my devices and don't want to be stuck with something that has no development?
Opinions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been side-loading my Google Apps, and I'm quite happy with mine so far. I say go ahead and get one. You can always return it within a month.

My advise is for you to buy it.
I already rooted it and, thanks to @andoidcowboy tutorial, i got all my google apps working.
I live outside US and I am able to stream all PRIME content (movies, series, etc) using some DNS...
Hardware is really awesome, tab is really comfortable... i just love the darn thing! only thing i regret is not buying the 64gb one...

If you want real custom ROM's like CyanogenMOD or SlimRom's, then keep looking elsewhere. Because Kindle isn't getting them ANYTIME soon.
If nobody can flash one of these ROM's on a current release of the Galaxy S4 AT&T phone then you can believe the HDX isn't going to be any better.
Only the first two releases of S4 can flash AOSP. Any S4 released in the last 2-4 months is screwed.

All I'm hoping for its maybe a stock rom debloated . Google play . And can still access my prime features
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app

At this point no. Most Dev's want to go after the easier targets that do not have locked bootloaders. Amazon has no one to blame but themselves if they fail (again) with this device.

I was this close to buying one, but after using the Nexus 5 and seeing how life is so much easier with unlocked bootloader, I'm never going back to a device that is not a Nexus or GPE. If I'm going be someone's b****, it better come with more benefits than Amazon Prime.

darksoul21 said:
Amazon has no one to blame but themselves if they fail (again) with this device.
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I'm not sure Amazon failed in the past with their Kindle Fires. Failed in the eyes of Devs maybe but not to normal consumers.

Which apps are compatible with rooted Kindle fire HDX 8.9
Hi there!
I'm thinking about getting the kindle 8.9 for its awesome hardware, but I'm concerned about what apps are available? Assuming I root the device, can I side load ANY android app? Or only the handful that I see threads about on this forum? (e.g., google apps).
If I'm limited to a handful of apps that's probably a deal breaker.
Thanks in advance!

HoOnZ said:
I'm not sure Amazon failed in the past with their Kindle Fires. Failed in the eyes of Devs maybe but not to normal consumers.
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Click to collapse
Normal? So your saying that people here are not? They are strange?
---------- Post added at 07:11 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:08 AM ----------
Engreeks1 said:
Hi there!
I'm thinking about getting the kindle 8.9 for its awesome hardware, but I'm concerned about what apps are available? Assuming I root the device, can I side load ANY android app? Or only the handful that I see threads about on this forum? (e.g., google apps).
If I'm limited to a handful of apps that's probably a deal breaker.
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can sideload. Some apps (like ones on Fdroid) need Root. The troublesome part is finding apks (Android version of installer file for app). You can use a back up tool on another device or search the net for apks (that are not Trojan/Virus modded).
---------- Post added at 07:13 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:11 AM ----------
bigbrown said:
I was this close to buying one, but after using the Nexus 5 and seeing how life is so much easier with unlocked bootloader, I'm never going back to a device that is not a Nexus or GPE. If I'm going be someone's b****, it better come with more benefits than Amazon Prime.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have Prime, so may hold it for a bit. If the Gtab 10.1 2014 drops in price (by at least $100) I'll get rid of this.

darksoul21 said:
At this point no. Most Dev's want to go after the easier targets that do not have locked bootloaders. Amazon has no one to blame but themselves if they fail (again) with this device.
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Click to collapse
I kinda disagree on this.
I agree on the Devs hitting the easier targets, but going by the specs and the price I think it's fairly clear (happy to be proved wrong lol) that Amazon are selling the HDX's at minimal profit and are relying on revenue from sales of their wares through pushing it massively through the Kindle OS.
Amazon obviously know that an unlocked bootloader == user removing Amazon specific features == lost revenue for them.
If it does fail it won't be due to the locked bootloader, IMHO. Although, I do feel they blew 1 toe off by not at least giving you the option of using Google Services on it, many apps require this and they could still bombard us with Amazon goodies.
Maybe, on the logic above, they could have released an unlocked version for a premium, but I for one would not have considered the Kindle HDX, regardless of the specs, if the price was more than a Nexus 7 2013.

CZ Eddie said:
If you want real custom ROM's like CyanogenMOD or SlimRom's, then keep looking elsewhere. Because Kindle isn't getting them ANYTIME soon.
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Click to collapse
Why not? Literally every single kindle fire has a custom firmware or port to it. It seems like you're pulling this "kindles aren't getting custom roms" out of your ass.Hell, i've got kit-kat 4.4 running on the original kindle fire.

I think the company that makes the kindle Foxcon/Asus/LG or whoever should have released a cosemetically altered version and sell it as a GPE. I would gladly pay $50 more for a unsubsidized version that isn't locked down. From what I read, the HW meets or exceeds Apple products.

Spec-Chum said:
I kinda disagree on this.
I agree on the Devs hitting the easier targets, but going by the specs and the price I think it's fairly clear (happy to be proved wrong lol) that Amazon are selling the HDX's at minimal profit and are relying on revenue from sales of their wares through pushing it massively through the Kindle OS.
Amazon obviously know that an unlocked bootloader == user removing Amazon specific features == lost revenue for them.
If it does fail it won't be due to the locked bootloader, IMHO. Although, I do feel they blew 1 toe off by not at least giving you the option of using Google Services on it, many apps require this and they could still bombard us with Amazon goodies.
Maybe, on the logic above, they could have released an unlocked version for a premium, but I for one would not have considered the Kindle HDX, regardless of the specs, if the price was more than a Nexus 7 2013.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Little to no profit on the base models but they are getting more on the higher storage models. The real problem is that such powerful hardware is gimped by the OS locked to the device. Truly a waste. And it can fail by word of mouth as well. Folks ask the "techie" in the family what to get and this can easily be shot down as an option thanks to the lack of options. Everyone I know has a custom Rom or at least rooted on their hardware. Especially since they had me do it.

darksoul21 said:
Little to no profit on the base models but they are getting more on the higher storage models. The real problem is that such powerful hardware is gimped by the OS locked to the device. Truly a waste. And it can fail by word of mouth as well. Folks ask the "techie" in the family what to get and this can easily be shot down as an option thanks to the lack of options. Everyone I know has a custom Rom or at least rooted on their hardware. Especially since they had me do it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I couldn't decide to be fair, so I took the choice out of my hands and just gave the GF a choice of what to get me between the HDX and a Nexus 7.
She obviously chose the HDX for me and I can't say I'm disappointed.
I do have a Nexus 4 though so I can mod that to my hearts content. Her logic was why would I need 2 devices to do the same thing?
Fair call...