MobileRead Forums - View Single Post

jswinden · 11-15-2011, 10:04 PM

This will be a project in the making which I will add to as I have more time to explore my new Fire.

No Two-page Landscape View:
I'm sad about this as I like the way the Kindle for iPad app does have this option. I hope they add it in the future.

Dimming the Screen Beyond the Lowest Setting:
I already see that the screen backlighting is to bright for my dark room reading preference even when it is turned as far down as the Fire settings allow. No problem. I googled and found the apk file for Screen Filter and installed using ES File Explorer (available for free through the Amazon app store). Screen Filter works well with the Fire and I highly recommend it low light reading. You can set it to turn the backlighting to your favorite level, then when you click to run the app it lowers the screen brightness. click again and it closes the app and returns the screen brightness to the current system setting. Simple and effective!

How to Sideload Apps:
I recommend that you install the free ES File Explorer available through the Amazon App Store. You will need an app like it to install sideloaded *.apk files which are apps BTW.

Tap Quick Settings, More, Device, then click On to enable Allow Installation of Applications from Unknown Sources.
Google your app and search for the APK file. Try looking on the developer's website.
Download the APK file to your computer.
Copy the APK file to the root on the Fire via a USB connection to your computer. After copied, disconnect the Fire from the computer by clicking Disconnect on the bottom of the Fire's screen and then unplug the USB cable.
Start ES File Explorer and select the APK file then select install when prompted.
All done.

Easily Import Google Contacts during Gmail Setup:
If you have already set up a Google account with contacts, then you can easily import those contacts when setting up the Fire's email app for your Gmail account.

Set up your Gmail account in the Fire Email app by entering the Gmail address and password.
The app will test the email address to ensure it is a valid account, then it prompts you as to whether you want to import your Google contacts. The prompt is in the form of a checkbox option.
Select the checkbox and click Finish and the Gmail account is set up and your Google Contacts now are in the Fire's Contacts app. It was insanely simple and easy and fast.

11-15-2011, 10:04 PM	#1
jswinden Nameless Being	My Kindle Fire Observations and Review This will be a project in the making which I will add to as I have more time to explore my new Fire. No Two-page Landscape View: I'm sad about this as I like the way the Kindle for iPad app does have this option. I hope they add it in the future. Dimming the Screen Beyond the Lowest Setting: I already see that the screen backlighting is to bright for my dark room reading preference even when it is turned as far down as the Fire settings allow. No problem. I googled and found the apk file for *Screen Filter* and installed using *ES File Explorer* (available for free through the Amazon app store). *Screen Filter* works well with the Fire and I highly recommend it low light reading. You can set it to turn the backlighting to your favorite level, then when you click to run the app it lowers the screen brightness. click again and it closes the app and returns the screen brightness to the current system setting. Simple and effective! How to Sideload Apps: I recommend that you install the free *ES File Explorer* available through the Amazon App Store. You will need an app like it to install sideloaded .apk files which are apps BTW. Tap Quick Settings, More, Device, then click On to enable Allow Installation of Applications from Unknown Sources. Google your app and search for the APK file. Try looking on the developer's website. Download the APK file to your computer. Copy the APK file to the root on the Fire via a USB connection to your computer. After copied, disconnect the Fire from the computer by clicking Disconnect on the bottom of the Fire's screen and then unplug the USB cable. Start ES File Explorer* and select the APK file then select install when prompted. All done. Easily Import Google Contacts during Gmail Setup: If you have already set up a Google account with contacts, then you can easily import those contacts when setting up the Fire's email app for your Gmail account. Set up your Gmail account in the Fire Email app by entering the Gmail address and password. The app will test the email address to ensure it is a valid account, then it prompts you as to whether you want to import your Google contacts. The prompt is in the form of a checkbox option. Select the checkbox and click Finish and the Gmail account is set up and your Google Contacts now are in the Fire's Contacts app. It was insanely simple and easy and fast. Last edited by jswinden; 11-16-2011 at 12:16 PM.