First off, Happy New Year (where applicable).
A few things:
I suppose one can rid themselves of the Carousel by installing a launcher? If that is the default, then no carousel, right?
Then I found this about widgets working on the KF. I haven't tried it yet but I assume you have to download some first. I don't know if you hold down on the new home screen if you are prompted for widgets like on a smartphone? The link below doesn't go in great detail so I guess I'll have to mess around and see how it goes.
http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarge...e-kindle-fire/