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Amazon Kindle Fire HD review (7-inch)
More Info Amazon announces 7- and 8.9-inch Kindle Fire HDs, pricing starts at $199 Kindle Fire HD 7-inch hands-on (Update: video) Amazon Kindle Fire review It was 10 months ago that we had a doppelgänger in our midst. Amazon unleashed the Kindle Fire to the world and we spent much of the beginning of our review comparing and contrasting it to the (even then a bit long-in-the-tooth) BlackBerry PlayBook. Now, finally, we can stop making that comparison -- at least for this, Amazon's current top-shelf tablet. It's the Kindle Fire HD and it quite handily addresses nearly every concern that we had with the original Fire. It's thinner, lighter, faster and, yes, better looking. It's a huge step forward from that which came before and yet it still follows very much in the footsteps of its predecessor, existing as a physical portal to a digital marketplace with an alluring selection of premium content. Is it enough of an improvement to topple our current king of budget tablets, the Nexus 7? You'll just have to read on to find out.
Switched On: Low flame
Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology. For many products -- TVs and the iPod, for example -- the leap to color displays represented an evolutionary change. But color was just part of the big leap that Amazon made with the Kindle Fire, moving from a reading appliance to a converged device. There was no couching it as "a reader's tablet", the positioning Barnes & Noble had sought with the Nook, even though Amazon now claims that it has the "best content ecosystem." Still, as discussed two weeks ago in Switched On, Amazon still managed to fly well under Apple's radar with an inexpensive, smaller tablet, one that broke a "magic" price point of $200.
Editorial: Bring on the ads, Amazon
Huge week for Amazon, last week. But all that Kindly goodness was nearly upstaged by lock-screen ad nonsense. When I searched on the keyword "amazon" in my RSS tech folder, Friday and Saturday of last week looked like two big parade floats: "OMG, there are ads on the new Kindle tablet!" and "Praise the heavens, you can disable the ads!" Tempest in a teapot, those ads. And Amazon took the wrong approach to removing them.
Apples and Orange: the Kindle Fire HD
A year ago, I compared the new Kindle Fire with the Apple iPad. Fast-forward to last week, when Amazon introduced its new, larger HD model. With low-cost, built-in LTE, and a $50/year data plan that gives users 250 MB of data per month, it provides a budget alternative to the iPad. I've used the Kindle Fire for a year now. It's fine. The Android-based OS isn't particularly horrible. It runs lots of apps, plays games, offers free Prime video streaming and lets you read books. It's not an iPad, but it's a functional enough tablet for many uses. Its $200 price tag (now $159, used from $120) made it a good choice for casual purchasers. Its big drawback, however, was its lack of connectivity away from WiFi. Enter the HD. The new 4G Kindle adds that connectivity in, bumping the price to $500 for a 32 GB model plus $50 for a year of data. In iPad terms that works out to a little over $900 for a cellular 32 GB iPad with 12 months of 250 MB/month service at $15/month. If you're willing to bring the storage down a bit, a 16GB iPad 3 + service is closer to $800. No matter how you look at it, the Fire is a bargain. Of course, its role with Amazon and users is quite different. Amazon can afford to sell its units for low prices because they're primarily consumptive devices. Amazon's profit is made up by commerce through its store. When users rent movies, buy books or shop for other items, the Fire pays its rent. Apple's business is its hardware. It focuses on product quality to command a premium price. With high-quality features like Retina displays, long-lasting batteries and a seductive operating system, they offer products to a more particular set of customers, who are willing to weigh cost against intangibles. The entry-level WiFi-only iPad costs $399, at least for the next week or two. All bets are off as to what Apple has up its sleeve for the September event. Most sites are expecting a mini iPad to debut with unknown pricing and connectivity. Without knowing what will happen then, I can only say that Amazon seems to have made some smart moves. I love the fixed data pricing (although I wonder how much of a bath they'd take if every purchaser actually uses their allotment) and approve of the larger screen. I do wish they'd add a home button. For $550, you can buy an Amazon tablet that works for an entire year, allowing your teenager to check her email, surf the Web, post to forums and draw stuff for Deviant Art. With light use, that is the total outlay, dropping to just $50 for the second year. It's like giving your child a larger iPod touch with cellular data service. That's pretty sweet. Regardless of what Apple delivers, I think the Fire HD is a welcome entry to the tablet world. I'm not personally planning to buy one right now, but it might be an option in October for my girls if I'm not wowed by the September event.
Amazon has change of heart, will allow opt-out of Kindle Fire HD ads for $15
You'd be forgiven for wondering just what Amazon was up to with Special Offers ads on the Kindle Fire HD: we were given the hope that we could opt out from them, only to watch that dream dashed moments later. Amazon must have been listening to frustrations over the mixed messages, as it just let Engadget and others in the media know that yes, you'll have the option to drop the ads after all. Pay $15 after picking up the new tablet and those lock screen promos will disappear forever. There's no sign that there will be a Kindle Fire shipping with ads missing from the get-go, but you know what they say about gift horses. You can find Amazon's full statement to us after the break.
Best Buy takes 2012 Amazon Kindle pre-orders for those that hate online shopping, appreciate irony
There's a certain amount of self-contradiction going on if you're visiting a brick-and-mortar store to pre-order a device that's all about e-commerce. If you relish the irony, Best Buy will gladly let you reserve Amazon's $69 Kindle, Kindle Paperwhite, upgraded Kindle Fire and both sizes of the Kindle Fire HD (including the LTE model) at both regular locations and Best Buy Mobile. The retailer isn't as specific with its in-stock dates as Amazon: beyond the $69 Kindle's September 14th date, we're only promised a generic October release for the Paperwhite and 7-inch Kindle Fires, while the 8.9-inch tablets will be available "before Christmas." Not the quickest path to getting a new Kindle in your hands, then, but it may be the best way to get a hands-on before clinching the deal.
Amazon Silk browser on Kindle Fire tracks page visits to generate trends, isn't as spooky as it sounds (update: opt-out exists)
When you pick up that new Kindle Fire HD this fall, one of the first things you'll notice is an updated version of Amazon's Silk web browser with a Trending Now section. It's a clever trick that takes advantage of Silk's server-based caching to find out what sites are popular among owners. That sounds good on the surface, but it doesn't take much effort to realize that there are privacy concerns already in the air -- Amazon is sharing personal web habits with a wider audience, after all. While the section is unlikely to include any identifying information, there's no immediate sign that tablet owners can keep their behavior private, and that could create some indignation among those who'd prefer to surf in isolation. We've asked Amazon if there will be an opt-out escape hatch and will let you know if there's a definitive answer. In the meantime, we wouldn't necessarily worry. Silk shouldn't be caching your e-mail, and it's only likely to ever show pages that have far more traffic than anything you'd be embarrassed to show to others. As far as we can tell, your secret knitting obsession should be safe. Update: A spokesperson has confirmed that the option to disable Silk's caching is still available, and that switching it off will cut you out of Trending Now; that's a very all-or-nothing approach, but it'll likely suit those put off by the browser's predictive approach in the first place. Secure pages are still out of the picture as well, which should keep those private Twitter messages out of the equation.
Amazon says: yes, you can opt out of ads on new Kindle Fire models (update 3: yes, really)
The new Kindle Fire range was barely out of the oven before Amazon drew flak for its plans to include Special Offers on the lock screen for US models. In plainer language, the tablets ship with ads built-in -- and unlike e-paper Kindles, there's no option to pay for an ad-free variant from the start. But don't cancel your pre-order just yet. Amazon's support has since confirmed to an Engadget reader that the option to remove the ads will be "announced soon." Although full details aren't forthcoming, we wouldn't be surprised if history repeats and owners have to pay a fee to cover the lost ad subsidies. You can see the relevant snippet of Amazon's response e-mail, in all its tenuous grasp of English, after the break. [Thanks, Anonymous] Update: Since we've posted, CNET has talked to a spokesperson who claims that there will be "no way" to remove ads. We're getting to the bottom of this, although it's clear there's at least a schism between what PR and support staff understand. Update 2: We've gotten in touch with Amazon ourselves, and they say that there's been a mix-up in support -- there won't be any opt-out choice. Sorry, folks. If you don't like ads, you'll have to hope there's a change of heart between now and launch. Update 3: Look at that. In the space of a day, Amazon has changed its tune and says it will let you pay $15 (post-sale) to opt out of Special Offers ads.
Every new Kindle Fire model is ad-subsidized with lock screen 'Special Offers'
Amazon's roster of fresh Kindle Fire slates won't just be delivering content for your entertainment, they'll also be serving up ads. That's right, each of the new tablets will greet users with "Special Offers" on their lock screens like some of the firm's other e-readers, which matches previous rumors nicely. While the low-end Kindle and Paperwhite devices come in both subsidized and ad-free flavors, its tablet brethren aren't getting the same treatment. Also, there's no word if you'll be able to avoid gracing the advertisements with your eyeballs in exchange for some additional cash once you have the hardware in hand. Alongside messages from other companies, the folks in Seattle promise to offer a $5 credit for both the Amazon MP3 and Instant Video Stores.
Amazon confirms Kindle Fire HD models use Android 4.0 under the hood
We already had a hunch Amazon's tablets would move to Android 4.0 behind the scenes, and that's just what's happened. An Amazon spokesperson has confirmed to Engadget that at least the Kindle Fire HD's 7-inch and 8.9-inch forms have had a taste of Ice Cream Sandwich to go with their new interfaces. We don't know yet if the sped-up original gets the same treatment, although it's using an older and only slightly tweaked interface. Similarly, there's no word on any upgrade path to Jelly Bean; it's not something to count on, knowing the conservative path for the original slate. We're just glad that Amazon is keeping up with the times where it matters the most.
Amazon's Kindle Fire, Kindle Fire HD arriving in the UK October 25th, starting at £129
In case you haven't heard, Amazon happily took the wraps off of its new Kindle Fire lineup during today's earlier event in Santa Monica, California. And, for those living in the UK, you, too, can have the online retail giant take your money for one of these slates pretty soon -- well, at least for a couple of the fresh models. As far as pricing goes, the entry-level Kindle Fire will cost a mere £129 (around $205), while the 7-inch Fire HD takes on the slightly heftier price of £159 and £199 for the 16 and 32GB, respectively. Obviously, this leaves out that 8.9-incher Fire HD, though it looks like Amazon's only bringing the smaller Fires to the United Kingdom, as there's no mention of the company's larger tablet anywhere on the site. Still, folks looking to pre-order can do so now at the source link below, but better hurry, since Amazon does note they're all being fulfilled on a "first come, first served" basis.
The Kindle Fire HD vs Kindle Fire: What's changed?
Well, Amazon unveiled a trio of tablets today, with last year's champ elbowed out of the spotlight by the Kindle Fire HD with its beefier processor and display. While we'll pour one out for the downgraded former flagship, we here at Engadget are more concerned with stacking the stats side-by-side to see what's changed in the 12 months since were here last. If you're curious yourself, why not join us after the break, but be warned, things are gonna get seriously nerdy.
Amazon's new Kindle line-up now available for pre-order
Well, that didn't take too long. As promised, Amazon's entire line-up of new Kindles is now available to order on the retailer's site (in the US, at least), from the basic $69 Kindle to the top-end Kindle Fire HD 8.9 with 4G LTE. Of the lot, however, that $69 Kindle is the only one that's actually in stock (despite the September 14th ship date quoted at the event). The rest are up for pre-order, with the Kindle Paperwhite and Paperwhite 3G (with or without Special Offers) both set to ship on October 1st, while the new $159 Kindle Fire and 16GB 7-inch Fire HD ship September 14th, and the Fire HD 8.9 (with or without LTE) ships November 20th. Those interested in the 7-inch Fire HD with 32GB of storage will have to wait until October 25th. And, in case you were wondering, you can also still order the Kindle Keyboard and Kindle DX at their regular prices. Update: No word on the rest of the line-up, but Canadians can now at least order the updated basic Kindle, which runs $89 (sans Special Offers) and is set to start shipping on September 12th.
Kindle Fire, meet Kindle Fire HD
Kindle Fire, meet the new hotness. The holiday shopping crowd may have fallen in love with Amazon's tablet last year, but there's a new Fire in town. We snuck a Fire into today's Amazon event, and placed up next to the new model, the difference is clear: the Fire felt a bit OEMed and boxy, sort of a remake of the BlackBerry PlayBook, from a hardware perspective, at least. This is clearly not the case with the seven-inch HD -- it really feels like a reasonably high-end tablet with an extremely nice price point. And what about the Kindle Touch versus the Kindle Paperwhite? The differences aren't quite as extreme, but they're definitely apparent. The new devoted e-reader from Amazon is an extremely well built device at first glance. Check out a picture of the two after the break.%Gallery-164630% Myriam Joire contributed to this report.
Amazon announces $499 Kindle Fire HD with 4G LTE, $50 a year for 250MB monthly
More tablets with more ways to connect! Jeff Bezos has just announced another flavor of the Kindle Fire HD, this one offering connectivity to AT&T's 4G LTE network. It's the 8.9-inch model, meaning you're paying a $200 premium for that LTE antenna. But, Amazon has paired that with an absolutely killer data deal. For $50 a year you'll get 250MB monthly. AT&T's current data plans would have you paying $14.99 monthly for that much data. If we were a mathematician we'd say that's a savings of 129.88 a year. But, since we're not, we'll just say that sounds like good value to us. The Kindle Fire HD with 4G LTE will be available for pre-order today, shipping on November 20th.%Gallery-164604% Follow the Amazon liveblog here!
Amazon outs X-ray for Textbooks, 'smart glossary' for all of your learning needs
Ever wanted Amazon's X-ray for books to play nice with those school publications as well? If so, you're in the luck. The outfit announced today that X-ray for Textbooks will provide a library of terms to lend a hand with your studies alongside a similar function for movies that's powered by IMDB. Of course, the helpful tech will land with the trio of new slates that were also unveiled at the event.
Amazon unveils Kindle FreeTime, gives kids their own space to play
Amazon just solved one of the bigger dilemmas for parents buying that new Kindle Fire HD -- how to keep the kids in a safe zone for content. It's introducing Kindle FreeTime, a special mode that makes it easier for younguns to navigate while letting the adults create separate profiles dictating what children can access and for how long. The filters are separated by media type, and Amazon even turns the background from black to blue to reassure parents by the glow of the screen on Junior's face. We'd call the parental control a long overdue feature, although we're sure Amazon also sees it as a chance to scoop up an extra Kindle Fire sale or two among families.%Gallery-164595% Follow the Amazon liveblog here!
Amazon unveils new Kindle Fire with doubled RAM, 44 percent better performance and $159 price
Amazon has officially unveiled the 2012 vintage of the Kindle Fire, which is reportedly 44 percent more powerful than its predecessor. The service-orientated slate (as opposed to a gadget, which CEO Jeff Bezos claims nobody wants) comes with a bigger battery, a new processor and 1GB RAM -- double that of the 2011 model. The only other change comes in the form of a front-facing camera, unlike its closest rival. Internally, the device is called the Kindle SD as it now plays second-fiddle to a pair of Kindle Fire HD devices with 1,920 x 1,200 displays, but will be called the "new" Kindle Fire in public. Amazon has also slashed the price of the hardware, which at $159 is $40 cheaper than Google's Nexus 7 -- as well as competing with e-book tablet adversaries Kobo Arc and the forthcoming Nook Tablet replacement with an "incredible" 243ppi display, unless Barnes & Noble are also producing SD and HD hardware. It'll begin shipping on September 14th, with pre-orders expected to begin very soon. %Gallery-164584% %Gallery-164613%
Amazon announces 7 and 8.9-inch Kindle Fire HDs, pricing starts at $199
Amazon has made the jump from small to big screens with its e-readers in the past, and its now done so again with its tablets. The company has just announced a new Kindle Fire HD with an 8.9-inch, 1920 x 1200 display (or 254 ppi). The device itself measures 8.8mm thick and weighs in at 20 ounces, and that high-res screen has a polarizing filter on it that promises to cut down on glare -- the touch sensor is also laminated, which Amazon says offers better sharpness and contrast. As for internals, the Fire HD 8.9 (as Amazon has distinguished it) has a TI OMAP 4470 processor, dual speakers, a front-facing HD camera, and HDMI out. As the company is happy to point out, it's also the first tablet with dual-band (2.4GHz, 5GHz) MIMO technology, which Amazon says makes the device's WiFi 41 percent faster than the latest iPad. Look for it to run you $299 for the 16GB version when it starts shipping on November 20th. Those looking for some added connectivity will also be able to opt for a Kindle Fire HD with 4G LTE for $499 (also shipping November 20th). That buys you 32GB of storage instead of the standard 16GB (a 64GB option is also available), and you'll get 250MB of data per month from AT&T if you shell out an extra $50 a year. But that's not all, Amazon has also announced a smaller, 7-inch Kindle Fire HD that will run you just $199 (also for 16GB). It boasts most of the same specs as its larger counterpart, the big exception being the screen resolution -- you'll get 1280 x 800 here, which puts it on par with the Nexus 7. According to Amazon, you can expect 11 hours of battery life from the 7-inch model, but it's curiously not offering battery details on the Fire HD 8.9. Pre-orders for all three options start today.%Gallery-164586% %Gallery-164614%
Live from Amazon's Santa Monica press conference!
It's Amazon day! Greetings from sunny Santa Monica, CA, home of rusty Ferris wheels and namesake of at least one Everclear song we can think of off the top of our head. We're expecting big news from the online mega-retailer today -- after all, we flew across the country to be here. What can we look forward to today? The sequel to the Kindle Fire? Some new e-reading devices? A Kindlephone? Find out today at 1:30PM ET! September 6, 2012 1:30 PM EDT