My Kindle Fire review (after one week with a Nook Tablet at home)

[jocampo]

As a Kindle 3G keyboard, iPad2 and Samsung Galaxy SII owner, I don't know why I bought this device, honestly. :-) ... But the price and Amazon's content together are really an awesome deal, too good to let it pass.

In terms of color and screen's sensitivity,the Kindle Fire is ok. But there are other 7" tablets out there way much better. The Nook Tablet, for example, has brighter colors and Netflix experience is fantastic, HD. You won't get that with the Fire. The Fire is also a bit unresponsive at times, but firmware 6.2 looks like fixed some of those issues. When I bought mine it had 6.2 already, so I can't confirm or deny. However, I do not find the Fire too slow or unresponsive, overall has a good performance for the price and hardware.

The lack of volume button is a negative point to me. And I would re-locate the power button or make it a slider (I've found myself pressing it by accident while using the unit) same for speakers, both are on same side, you cover those frequently while holding; I would put both speakers on the back, like the Nook Tablet.

The Kindle Fire feels solid. It is not particularly light, but this is not an e-ink reader, so let's say weight is ok. But I still prefer my Kindle 3G for long reading sessions.

The Silk browser and cloud acceleration is more an Amazon's ad than anything else (sorry Jeff Bezos) Silk navigates as fast as my Galaxy SII or even my iPad, but nothing extraordinary. But is an ok experience. I side-loaded Dolphine browser HD; in my opinion, works faster and you get full screen. As an IT person I think that the Silk's acceleration will work if you visit very popular websites here in United States (which I do not, lol) otherwise, the improvement will be minimum or none.

Wifi works good on Kindle Fire, same for Nook Tablet, but I found the Nook Tablet losing wifi connectivity (at home) two times. I was 6 feet away from my access point, so must be a tablet issue, but can't confirm, it was very weird indeed.

The reading experience is also ok. But I find the B&N Nook for Android, a much better Android implementation. The Kindle Fire reading implementation is far from elegant. Basic features but that's it. I consider the Kindle for iOs a better and more mature implementation. Let's say this will change with future upgrades because I understand it takes a while in order to refine some Android apps, specially on new devices. I prefer real page turn animation or no right to left page move, just a page refresh like any eink device. But that's a personal preference.

The most interesting part of the Kindle Fire is the tight integration with Amazon's store. I buy all my computer books from Amazon, so a Fire makes perfect sense (kind of) It is not as big for reading PDFs and computer books like a 10" tablet, but gives you a decent experience. Also, if you're a Prime member, you can watch your movies as well, which it is not possible, as far as I know, on any existing tablet or cellphone out there, not at the time of my review.

In terms of email, the Fire does an ok job. My Galaxy SII is way much better but paid double for it. I am able to check Hotmail and Yahoo and I can read emails landscape (you cannot, at the time of this post, on the Nook Tablet) It is a bit hard to type or reply long emails, but that's a common issue on most tablets, unless you have the option for a Bluetooth keyboard or Swype.

On both tablets (at the time of this review) you can side load and install Android applications. Some work, others don't. But the Nook Tablet UI is more restrictve. For instance ... I managed to install Nook app on Fire and kindle app on Nook Tablet. The icon is visible on Fire (for Nook app) but it is not for Kindle app (on Nook Tablet) In other words, you need to do more tweaks and hacks on Nook Tablet in order to get both working and visible. I really hate that, I don't want to spend time hacking and customizing something.

Bottom line, the Kindle Fire is an awesome deal, but far from great. If you are not a Prime member or if you can find your favorites books elsewhere, go get a different tablet. The Nook Tablet is actually a better choice. You will pay 50 dollars more, but you'll also get a better screen and a faster experience. The B&N app market is not as big as Amazon's, but Nook Tablet works better as an ereader and the Neftlix experience is also better.

If you noticed, I did not compare the Fire or Nook against an iPad or any 10" device. That would be silly. I have two iPad2 (wife has her own), but this is a complete different device. It's smaller and focused to a different price range and market. Comparing the Kindle Fire against an iPad2 is like comparing your two doors car to a 4 doors truck, they are different, handle different, and the truck is probably more expensive.

I like my Kindle Fire and I will keep it, but basically because I already have a bigger and better tablet and because I can't find better ebook prices and titles elsewhere. Amazon's book store is simple amazing.

[mohawk]

I really liked your informative review of the Kindle Fire and in all honesty it dovetails my impressions of the device completely. I must make one minor correction to it though.
I did not modify my Nook Tablet in any way at all. All I did was install a 16gig SD card and follow some instructions on enabling 3rd party downloads and I was able to get the Amazon app store and the Kindle reader and store on my Nook Tablet with no problems at all. When I turn on my Nook Tablet, I get a query screen that asks me to choose between my Go Launcher EX or my Home page. I choose the Go Launcher and there is The familiar Kindle Home screen with the person under the tree. I tap that and all my Kindle books that I ordered are right there at my useage.
So, IMO, the Nook Tablet, unrooted, stock, gives one all Amazon capabilities just as well as the Fire shows all Nook capabilities. I used both side by side and ended up returning the Fire and keeping the Nook Tablet.
With the exception I just stated, I agree with your review of the Fire. It is a very good product at a very good price point.

[robertc88]

Thanks for your review of the KF and including thoughts on the NT. I'm currently evaluating both at this time. I like both of them but I will only keep one as I have a 7" SGT also.

Opening up 3rd party downloads on the NT, its screen, the video playback, the volume control, the location of the start button, and me feeling more comfortable navigating on it overall has it in the lead so far. I can live with the Carousel on the KF but I'd rather not and I know there are ways to tidy it up which I've been doing and also adding a launcher I may explore as well.

What will change in the upcoming weeks? Well I'm far from an expert with each so as more things on the devices materalize, the better. And of course other opinions always helps!

[jocampo]

Originally Posted by robertc88

Thanks for your review of the KF and including thoughts on the NT. I'm currently evaluating both at this time. I like both of them but I will only keep one as I have a 7" SGT also.

Opening up 3rd party downloads on the NT, its screen, the video playback, the volume control, the location of the start button, and me feeling more comfortable navigating on it overall has it in the lead so far. I can live with the Carousel on the KF but I'd rather not and I know there are ways to tidy it up which I've been doing and also adding a launcher I may explore as well.

What will change in the upcoming weeks? Well I'm far from an expert with each so as more things on the devices materalize, the better. And of course other opinions always helps!

Robert,

Do you have another tablet or eink device? Would you like to play games, read, browse Internet, watch movies? What's your budget ...

Answer to some of those questions will help yourself to identify which one suits your needs better ;-)