Kindle Fire Does not have Collections Functionality

[nynaevelan]

I just finished chatting with one of the Amazon CS representatives who informed me that the Kindle Fire does not have Collections functionality. To say I am pissed is an understatement. Why would they release an "upgraded" version and take away basic kindle functionality. Guess who is canceling their fire pre-order? I am not paying $200 for something that cannot do what my kindle2 can do!

[Nyssa]

I understand your being upset that it does not do what you want it to do, but I do not understand your being upset that it is not just like the Kindle. Its not a Kindle its a tablet. Do other tablets support "collections"?

[Grimm]

They did name it Kindle Fire though...

[Nyssa]

Originally Posted by Grimm

They did name it Kindle Fire though...

True. I guess I just don't see it as an e-reader so I don't expect it to do e-reader like things unless running an app. Which leads me to wonder....Is the e-reader functionality going to be just that, a preloaded app?

If not, if its going to be like the Nook Color does that mean that instead of collections you have bookshelves?

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by Nyssa

I understand your being upset that it does not do what you want it to do, but I do not understand your being upset that it is not just like the Kindle. Its not a Kindle its a tablet. Do other tablets support "collections"?

This.

[jswinden]

The Kindle for Android and Kindle for iOS Apps don't support Collections. Looking at the images on the Amazon website for the Fire it looks like it is running the Kindle for Android app. Collections would be nice, but I can live without them.

[Jabby]

Originally Posted by jswinden

The Kindle for Android and Kindle for iOS Apps don't support Collections. Looking at the images on the Amazon website for the Fire it looks like it is running the Kindle for Android app. Collections would be nice, but I can live without them.

I don't use Collections since I rarely have more than ten books loaded at any one time. However, if the Kindle for Android app, which was meant for phones, is the ereader on the Fire, that is a deal breaker.

The Kindle for Android offers no choice of line spacing, margins or font face and the defaults stink. The only options are; 5 font sizes, background color (white, black or sepia) and brightness.

Now, if Amazon got buggins to add mobi DRM to Cool Reader (keeping epub), then you would have something. Fat chance!

Regards - John

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by jswinden

The Kindle for Android and Kindle for iOS Apps don't support Collections. Looking at the images on the Amazon website for the Fire it looks like it is running the Kindle for Android app. Collections would be nice, but I can live without them.

I don't plan on using the Kindle app on the Fire. I will use Mantano or Cool Reader. I really like them but I was to hoping for a new Kindle reader on the Fire but the Andriod app is much to be desired but Mantano or Cool Reader does a wonderful job on epubs.

[TuxGirl]

I honestly wouldn't be upset about CS saying something right now. From what I've seen, CS doesn't seem to know much about the Fire, and have actually answered questions with information contrary to officially released information.

[Hoyt Clagwell]

Originally Posted by Nyssa

I understand your being upset that it does not do what you want it to do, but I do not understand your being upset that it is not just like the Kindle. Its not a Kindle its a tablet. Do other tablets support "collections"?

iBooks on the iPad support collections. They make it pretty easy to create too.

[Ben Thornton]

One reason that I don't like using Kindle on the iPad is that finding things is a chore - there's just a big long list, sorted by author. Often, authors appear both ways round, even within one book series, so you have listings split across Forename Surname and Surname Forename.

Hopefully, they will improve the experience with a software update.

[Nyssa]

Originally Posted by Hoyt Clagwell

iBooks on the iPad support collections. They make it pretty easy to create too.

Ah. Thank you. I had iBooks on my phone but never used it so I removed it.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by Ben Thornton

One reason that I don't like using Kindle on the iPad is that finding things is a chore - there's just a big long list, sorted by author. Often, authors appear both ways round, even within one book series, so you have listings split across Forename Surname and Surname Forename.

Hopefully, they will improve the experience with a software update.

We can hope and with the Fire release, it could be real.

I've been recently impressed with the improvements in the B&N Android app.

[HarryT]

It's simply that the Kindle for Android app (which the Fire uses) is a little behind the iOS and PC versions at present. I'm sure they'll add collections to it soon.

[jswinden]

Originally Posted by HarryT

It's simply that the Kindle for Android app (which the Fire uses) is a little behind the iOS and PC versions at present. I'm sure they'll add collections to it soon.

I think they will. Amazon does listen to us as evidenced by some of the features they added or changed with the K4 line. Android definitely supports folders, and many of the 3rd party Android reader apps allow you to place your books into whatever folder(s) you like. A built in Collections feature would be better, but folders would work too.

Personally, I will do most of my reading on my E Ink Kindle. Collections are VERY important for my E Ink Kindle as that is where I plan to keep my library of eBooks. I will only load a few books at a time on the Fire--the ones I'm currently reading. I'm sure the lack of Collections for those who want to load hundreds of books on to their Fire will be a major issue though.