New Kindle Fire received: SUBSTANTIALLY better than old Kindle

sirmaru · 12-19-2011, 03:41 PM

I just received my new Kindle Fire and it is way better than the old one which died.

The old Kindle serial number started with: D01E B0A0

The new Kindle serial number starts with: D01E C0A0

First thing I noticed is that the USB connector port fits exactly to my cable for my Kindle 3rd Gen Kindle Kbd for transferring data. The old one was hard to fit.

Web access is 90% better than on the old one.

My new Fire was delivered with a 70% charge. After using it for one hour and 23 minutes Badass Battery Meter shows 5 hours and 29 minutes left. My old Fire only got 4 hours TOTAL usage as determined by the Meter. This battery could get over 10 hours with a new charge. That is a huge improvement in the battery.

When the new Fire is about to go into sleep mode, it now dims for 30 seconds as a warning. The old Fire never dimmed.

Also, I only installed Apps I need and just discarded all the Apps I tried on the old Fire which I turned out not liking.

weatherman · 12-19-2011, 03:42 PM

I think I might have to do the same. My battery life is definitely not living up to expectations...

sirmaru · 12-19-2011, 04:21 PM

One other feature I never noticed before but may have been thare.

One can sign into one's Amazon account on the Fire. Then sign out. The email address and password blocks go totally blank.

Then no one can buy anything using the Fire. It did not deregister the Fire on the Amazon site when accessing it on the web.

Signing in and out using a PC on the web does not alter the block on purchasing from the Fire.

I also notice that typing using the virtual keyboard is far more accurate on the new Fire than it was on the old Fire. Plus, sensitivity to touches are now more consistent.

The best event for me on the Fire was the death of my old unit. If not for that, I never would have received this new unit.

Thank you Amazon for your continuing improvements in your products.

SCION · 12-19-2011, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirmaru

...Badass Battery Meter shows 5 hours and 29 minutes left...

With a name like that, I have to install it!

WillysJeepMan · 12-19-2011, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirmaru

I just received my new Kindle Fire and it is way better than the old one which died.

The old Kindle serial number started with: D01E B0A0

The new Kindle serial number starts with: D01E C0A0

First thing I noticed is that the USB connector port fits exactly to my cable for my Kindle 3rd Gen Kindle Kbd for transferring data. The old one was hard to fit.

Web access is 90% better than on the old one.

My new Fire was delivered with a 70% charge. After using it for one hour and 23 minutes Badass Battery Meter shows 5 hours and 29 minutes left. My old Fire only got 4 hours TOTAL usage as determined by the Meter. This battery could get over 10 hours with a new charge. That is a huge improvement in the battery.

When the new Fire is about to go into sleep mode, it now dims for 30 seconds as a warning. The old Fire never dimmed.

Also, I only installed Apps I need and just discarded all the Apps I tried on the old Fire which I turned out not liking.

My initial reaction is to chalk it up to your first KF being jacked-up, and now you are experiencing it the way it is supposed to be.

Out of curiosity, what firmware level is on it?

sirmaru · 12-19-2011, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillysJeepMan

My initial reaction is to chalk it up to your first KF being jacked-up, and now you are experiencing it the way it is supposed to be.

Out of curiosity, what firmware level is on it?

It is still version 6.2.

The improvements appear to mostly be mechanical especially as it affected the battery.

Hopefully, the Christmas Firmware Upgrade will make it all even better.

Morpheus Phreak · 12-19-2011, 05:03 PM

ZOMG WillysJeepMan from ZuneScene over here on MobileRead.

I have a new Kindle Fire on its way to me that appears to be one of the C0A0 revisions as well. It's supposed to arrive today. I'm getting the replacement because the current model I have keeps getting dust under the screen...it's been getting worse day by day.

I'm hoping to do some comparisons between the 2 of them tonight before I pack up the old one to ship back.

sirmaru · 12-19-2011, 05:15 PM

I just got the upgrade to 6.2.1.

Under device it now shows:

Application Storage (0.95 Gb of 1.17 Gb available)
Internal Storage (4.13 Gb of 5.36 Gb available)

It also allows an option to remove any item from the Carousel. It also show in the upper right corner the percent completion of any book you touch in the Carousel.

I removed everything from the Carousel other than what I am now reading.

kennyc · 12-19-2011, 05:17 PM

I don't like the way the micro-usb fits on mine, both hard to attach and then loose.

nickredding · 12-19-2011, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirmaru

When the new Fire is about to go into sleep mode, it now dims for 30 seconds as a warning. The old Fire never dimmed.

I have a D01E B0A0 Fire and my screen does dim 30 seconds before sleeping. I also get way more than 4 hours of battery and I don't have any issues with the USB socket.

I think you had a defective unit so it's good to hear that you are happy now. I would expect Amazon to make continuous minor mechanical improvements to the hardware, but I don't think everyone with a D01E B0A0 unit should feel they have a dud unless they are actually having issues.

kennyc · 12-19-2011, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickredding

I have a D01E B0A0 Fire and my screen does dim 30 seconds before sleeping. I also get way more than 4 hours of battery and I don't have any issues with the USB socket.

I think you had a defective unit so it's good to hear that you are happy now. I would expect Amazon to make continuous minor mechanical improvements to the hardware, but I don't think everyone with a D01E B0A0 unit should feel they have a dud unless they are actually having issues.

I concur! Mine is working fine, except for one 'lockup' which I'm going to ignore unless it happens again.

afv011 · 12-19-2011, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillysJeepMan

My initial reaction is to chalk it up to your first KF being jacked-up, and now you are experiencing it the way it is supposed to be.

I don't have a fire, but those are my thoughts as well; I would say it is more likely the OP had a lemon to start with, than Amazon having a new hardware variant after something like 3 weeks since release.

Morpheus Phreak · 12-19-2011, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by afv011

I don't have a fire, but those are my thoughts as well; I would say it is more likely the OP had a lemon to start with, than Amazon having a new hardware variant after something like 3 weeks since release.

The serial number indicates it's a new hardware version. It's VERY common for hardware, especially in a new item on the market to have a few minor hardware revisions very early on as items are found that can only be found when an item is mass produced.

These issues are typically small enough in nature to not require a recall of already sold items, but large enough that manufacturers make small changes on product lines. Things like changes in usb connectors, headphone jacks, etc can lead to a new revision marking, but not significantly impact existing users.

Bookworm_Girl · 12-19-2011, 06:23 PM

I'm glad that your new Fire works better. We have no idea what the different series of serial numbers mean. You might have just had a unit with a defective battery or other issues.

My household has 2 Kindle Fires. One is a B0A0 and one is a C0A0. The one that I use is the B0A0. When you put them side-by-side and do identical commands the performance appears to be the same. Screen touch and keyboard responsiveness is similar. The USB cables fit the same in both models as well (both the power adapter and my Kindle 3 cable). The only obvious difference is that the screens appear to be color calibrated different. The B0A0 has a pinker tint, and the C0A0 is brighter. That's not to say that either looks bad - just different. I could say the same about our iPhones when I compare them side-by-side too. I haven't installed a battery monitor app. I'll have to pay more attention to the battery life in the future.

afv011 · 12-19-2011, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Morpheus Phreak

The serial number indicates it's a new hardware version.

Only Amazon now if this is indeed the case, unless the serial number info has been posted somewhere and I missed it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Morpheus Phreak

It's VERY common for hardware, especially in a new item on the market to have a few minor hardware revisions very early on as items are found that can only be found when an item is mass produced.

You could be right, but I disagree. A new hardware version, even with minor tweaks, would require weeks (at least 2-3) of testing to make sure there are no regressions. The fire was out some 3 weeks ago, my opinion is that there hasn't been enough time to skew and test a new version. But it is just an opinion.

12-19-2011, 03:41 PM	#1
sirmaru Wizard Posts: 2,426 Karma: 6561538 Join Date: Nov 2007 Device: Kindle PW 2013, HDX 2013, Galaxy S5 2014	New Kindle Fire received: SUBSTANTIALLY better than old Kindle I just received my new Kindle Fire and it is way better than the old one which died. The old Kindle serial number started with: D01E B0A0 The new Kindle serial number starts with: D01E C0A0 First thing I noticed is that the USB connector port fits exactly to my cable for my Kindle 3rd Gen Kindle Kbd for transferring data. The old one was hard to fit. Web access is 90% better than on the old one. My new Fire was delivered with a 70% charge. After using it for one hour and 23 minutes Badass Battery Meter shows 5 hours and 29 minutes left. My old Fire only got 4 hours TOTAL usage as determined by the Meter. This battery could get over 10 hours with a new charge. That is a huge improvement in the battery. When the new Fire is about to go into sleep mode, it now dims for 30 seconds as a warning. The old Fire never dimmed. Also, I only installed Apps I need and just discarded all the Apps I tried on the old Fire which I turned out not liking.

12-19-2011, 04:21 PM	#3
sirmaru Wizard Posts: 2,426 Karma: 6561538 Join Date: Nov 2007 Device: Kindle PW 2013, HDX 2013, Galaxy S5 2014	One other feature I never noticed before but may have been thare. One can sign into one's Amazon account on the Fire. Then sign out. The email address and password blocks go totally blank. Then no one can buy anything using the Fire. It did not deregister the Fire on the Amazon site when accessing it on the web. Signing in and out using a PC on the web does not alter the block on purchasing from the Fire. I also notice that typing using the virtual keyboard is far more accurate on the new Fire than it was on the old Fire. Plus, sensitivity to touches are now more consistent. The best event for me on the Fire was the death of my old unit. If not for that, I never would have received this new unit. Thank you Amazon for your continuing improvements in your products. Last edited by sirmaru; 12-19-2011 at 04:27 PM.

12-19-2011, 05:15 PM	#8
sirmaru Wizard Posts: 2,426 Karma: 6561538 Join Date: Nov 2007 Device: Kindle PW 2013, HDX 2013, Galaxy S5 2014	I just got the upgrade to 6.2.1. Under device it now shows: Application Storage (0.95 Gb of 1.17 Gb available) Internal Storage (4.13 Gb of 5.36 Gb available) It also allows an option to remove any item from the Carousel. It also show in the upper right corner the percent completion of any book you touch in the Carousel. I removed everything from the Carousel other than what I am now reading. Last edited by sirmaru; 12-19-2011 at 05:22 PM.

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12-19-2011, 03:42 PM	#2
weatherman Addict Posts: 385 Karma: 1010052 Join Date: Apr 2008 Device: (previous: Kindle 2, Kindle Fire) Kindle 4 WiFi, K3K, KPW	I think I might have to do the same. My battery life is definitely not living up to expectations...

12-19-2011, 05:03 PM	#7
Morpheus Phreak Wielder of Hammers Posts: 88 Karma: 26342 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Portland, OR Device: Kindle Touch & 2 Kindle Colorsoft Signature Editions	ZOMG WillysJeepMan from ZuneScene over here on MobileRead. I have a new Kindle Fire on its way to me that appears to be one of the C0A0 revisions as well. It's supposed to arrive today. I'm getting the replacement because the current model I have keeps getting dust under the screen...it's been getting worse day by day. I'm hoping to do some comparisons between the 2 of them tonight before I pack up the old one to ship back.

12-19-2011, 05:17 PM	#9
kennyc The Dank Side of the Moon Posts: 35,897 Karma: 119230421 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Denver, CO Device: Kindle2; Kindle Fire	I don't like the way the micro-usb fits on mine, both hard to attach and then loose.

12-19-2011, 06:23 PM	#14
Bookworm_Girl E-reader Enthusiast Posts: 4,873 Karma: 36536965 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Southwest, USA Device: Kindle Oasis 3; Kobo Aura One; iPad Mini 5	I'm glad that your new Fire works better. We have no idea what the different series of serial numbers mean. You might have just had a unit with a defective battery or other issues. My household has 2 Kindle Fires. One is a B0A0 and one is a C0A0. The one that I use is the B0A0. When you put them side-by-side and do identical commands the performance appears to be the same. Screen touch and keyboard responsiveness is similar. The USB cables fit the same in both models as well (both the power adapter and my Kindle 3 cable). The only obvious difference is that the screens appear to be color calibrated different. The B0A0 has a pinker tint, and the C0A0 is brighter. That's not to say that either looks bad - just different. I could say the same about our iPhones when I compare them side-by-side too. I haven't installed a battery monitor app. I'll have to pay more attention to the battery life in the future.

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