Quote:
Originally Posted by poohbear_nc
Odd .... a very odd conglomeration of software and hardware ... very odd
[I think this will become the DX of the Fire Tablet line]
Disclaimer/history: I've been using a Fire HDX 8.9" second generation tablet for both reading and video. I love the screen resolution, but keep running out of storage - I download videos to watch offline [the Time Warner cable in my neighborhood fills up & slows down every night as folks come home & pile on - but Google fiber is on the way!] - so I've been clamoring for a card slot for downloads.
Preliminary impressions/observations (after 2 days):
Hardware:
1. Very strange form factor - esp. when used in portrait mode.
2. Very light weight - can easily hold in one hand.
3. More glare on this screen than on the HDX - may try an anti-glare film since I won't be reading much on it (see below).
Reading App:
1. Useless for reading if you need to increase the font size - like the reading app on existing tablets, there is a HUGE jump between the smaller fonts and the next size up (between 5 & 6 or 6 & 7 on the HDX if I remember correctly) - which makes reading at a comfortable font size ludicrous in portrait mode. What is so difficult about supplying some intermediate font size selections?
2. Useful for reading poetry with long lines in landscape mode at a legible font size - to preserve the layout on the original print page.
3. Fonts in the reading app are not as crisp as on the HDX.
4. Menus are accessed by tapping the center of the screen - not the top.
5. Tapping the center of the screen also reveals the TOC - formerly dragged from the left side.
Video App:
1. Movies/TV shows look great - and the speakers are better than on the HDX. I'm still playing around with playback modes: zoom, letter box, etc.
Software:
1. The trademark carousel is gone - the Home screen more closely resembles other Android devices - with the installed apps displayed.
2. A 'Recent' screen replaces the carousel - it displays the most recently opened items - books, apps, docs, etc.
3. A ghosted ribbon menu on the top of the Home screen lists: books, Apps, Docs, Games, etc. and can be scrolled to access the individual sections - which now each have their own 'home' screen.
4. You can customize the screen wallpaper.
5. Performance is sluggish - there is a noticeable lag after tapping an icon or arrow on the screen.
After using the carousel for years, this new layout contains major changes - but the Fire tablet now contains more 'typical' Android behavior/displays - which may make them more attractive to more users.
More later, as I continue playing with it.
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Thanks very for the review! Had already bought my HD 10 to replace my older Fire when I read it, but found it interesting. Would be glad to hear more. I have a 128 gb SD card in my slot . . . what would be the best use for it? Shame it can't be used to store more books . . . or can it?