Pre-Christmas update coming for Kindle Fire - Page 2

sparklemotion · 12-12-2011, 07:07 PM

Great news about the update.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TechnoCat

I don't like the Carousel but that just means I view it as one extra press...

Press 'Home' to get the main menu
Ignoring the Carousel, press the category (Docs, Books, Apps,etc)
Select desired new items.

That is what I generally do as well.

jduck · 12-13-2011, 09:20 AM

Yeah, I think the problem with the Carousel is because it is front-and-center, sometimes people place too much emphasis on using it for everything, and because it's not all that useful in that way, they complain about it, and outsiders who have never USED a Fire think it's a big deal, when it's not really.

ssahnan · 12-14-2011, 10:11 AM

I'm really looking for the touch screen issue to be resolved. I've read other posts on 'how to touch it' properly and such and I just don't find altering how you deal with touch screens compared to how every other screen out there works as a viable solution. I've tried it on multiple fires as well and while it is true that it can be hit and miss, it's missed enuf for it to be a issue warranting attention.

as far as carousel, not sure if i have come up with one post of someone who liked it but as with most people out there, I don's see it as a deal breaker either. I don't know if partitions can be tweaked at this point to allow more apps to be installed either, I hit the 1 gb limit this week, really an imensely super annoying design flaw in my opinion. Tablets are so much centered around an app environment, to limit that is silly. But from a description I read earlier on this board, doesn't seem like much can be done about that. the move to sd partition route didn't work, not sure if that's doable. This device's achille's heel will always be the lack of a sd card slot. some days its tolerable, some days it's unfortunately not.

abookreader · 12-14-2011, 12:00 PM

I've honestly never experienced many touchscreen problems but I'd like that carousel to just disappear altogether.

Otherwise I'd still love PIN protected purchasing.

But this whole "news cycle" thing is fascinating and yet horrifying to watch. Some joker looks at the Amazon reviews and deduces that from the number of negative reviews, thousands (if not millions of Kindles) are probably being returned. It is incredibly flawed logic that he doesn't even attempt to corroborate before posting.

Then some other joker declares himself an expert and from a survey sample of 4 declares the Fire a failure. Next thing you know the New York Times is quoting them comparing the Kindle Fire to the Edsel, with absolutely no confirmation of fact. The freakin' New York Times.

Journalism is really bad anymore. Really really bad. You know, I really don't think these people have a grudge. I think they are lazy and bad at their jobs. At the same time, printing drama like "Millions of Kindle Fire Users are Storming Amazon Headquarters in Anger!" is much more likely to be read than "Yeah, people really like their new gadgets."

wizwor · 12-14-2011, 01:24 PM

I like the carousel except that there is too much of it. I would prefer some more like rocket dock. That said, I'd be fine with it if the push and hold action let me pin and remove items -- like the Windows 7 Start Menu.

Blossom · 12-14-2011, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abookreader

I've honestly never experienced many touchscreen problems but I'd like that carousel to just disappear altogether.

Me too. I am hoping they roll out the update before my MIL sees the Fire during Christmas. I don't want her seeing what I read. She is very religious and I'd never live it down.

DaveSp · 12-14-2011, 02:03 PM

Just a side note on this - Jakob Nielsen has been taking some heat as a so-called "usability expert". To come to his defense, he is an honest-to-God human-machine interface usability expert and is very well-known and highly regarded in professional circles (I'm a professional s/w architect with almost 40 years in the field and am very familiar with s/w human factors issues). Try Googling his name if interested in his background. (I am not defending his judgement on the Fire, just his professional qualifications.)

Dave

jswinden · 12-14-2011, 02:42 PM

Maybe you should read his report. It was anything but professional. Anyone can post a gillion resumes and have Google find them.

Kai Winters · 12-14-2011, 03:00 PM

I'd like to see the Carousel reduced in size. I don't think it is necessary for it be so large. I do understand its' use as a locale for recently added items, currently used items, etc. I guess it makes for quick and "easy" access to what you are currently using or have currently used.

I'd like to see the "wallpapers" become user managed, added, removed...if this is already doable I don't know how nor have I read about it but would like to. I do not like seeing the tips of pencils, etc. I'd prefer to add my own and be able to have a "fixed" screen or changing as does a screen saver.

SCION · 12-14-2011, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kai Winters

I'd like to see the Carousel reduced in size. I don't think it is necessary for it be so large...

I agree. Depending what's on there, it can be visually overpowering. Just too much at times.

abookreader · 12-14-2011, 03:09 PM

Huffington Post rebuttal:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-...b_1147438.html

sirmaru · 12-14-2011, 03:14 PM

I'd like to see the Carousel just hold the last 2 or 3 applications we use. I use it all the time to continue reading an eBook which I had previously started. Why go through several menus to find the eBook you are reading if the Carousel keeps it front and center?

So far as the Touch screen, I have no problems. One must know where to touch for each App and each function. I find touching slightly above the target always works. On target does not work all the time.

So far as number of Apps go, I just installed a few and will likely never install anymore. I don't use game Apps at all. I uninstalled several Apps I did not like. Don't leave unused Apps on your system and the Fire will have plenty of room.

I use it primarily for a low light environment eReader and occasionally as a portable radio attached with a patch cord to a Sony speaker.

DaveSp · 12-14-2011, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jswinden

Maybe you should read his report. It was anything but professional. Anyone can post a gillion resumes and have Google find them.

I did read his report as well as the followup to it. And you can bet that the development team and execs at Amazon also did - this guy is not just some Joe Blow that has "posted a gillion resumes" that can be Googled. He is a world-renowned expert in the field and the HMI professionals at Amazon would not lightly dismiss his criticism. I'd guess they have even read some of his books on usability - a number of them are available in Kindle editions.

Blossom · 12-14-2011, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kai Winters

I'd like to see the Carousel reduced in size. I don't think it is necessary for it be so large. I do understand its' use as a locale for recently added items, currently used items, etc. I guess it makes for quick and "easy" access to what you are currently using or have currently used.

I'd like to see the "wallpapers" become user managed, added, removed...if this is already doable I don't know how nor have I read about it but would like to. I do not like seeing the tips of pencils, etc. I'd prefer to add my own and be able to have a "fixed" screen or changing as does a screen saver.

I saw a screensaver I never got before last night. It was old 45s which I thought looked pretty cool.

I like the carousel to be smaller as well. I only want the recent items showing up not my whole book archive.

DaveSp · 12-14-2011, 04:02 PM

Though I have been defending Jakob Nielsen's credentials, I happen to like the Kindle Fire. A lot. What do I have to compare it with? Between my wife and I, outside of my large computing platforms I can directly compare it with a Kindle 3, Motorola Xoom tablet, Samsung Galaxy 10.1 tablet, Samsung NF310 netbook, HTC EVO 4G phone, and an old Palm Pre phone (OK, some comparisons are more appropriate than others but the point is that I have a lot to choose from). My Kindle Fire is now getting more use than any of the others. It works well with my Seagate GoFlex Satellite wireless drive. I haven't bothered to root this thing but I have sideloaded a number of apps not available from Amazon (and switched to the Dolphin browser). The only real complaint I have is the inconsistent touchscreen sensitivity.

Dave

12-14-2011, 03:14 PM	#27
sirmaru Wizard Posts: 2,426 Karma: 6561538 Join Date: Nov 2007 Device: Kindle PW 2013, HDX 2013, Galaxy S5 2014	I'd like to see the Carousel just hold the last 2 or 3 applications we use. I use it all the time to continue reading an eBook which I had previously started. Why go through several menus to find the eBook you are reading if the Carousel keeps it front and center? So far as the Touch screen, I have no problems. One must know where to touch for each App and each function. I find touching slightly above the target always works. On target does not work all the time. So far as number of Apps go, I just installed a few and will likely never install anymore. I don't use game Apps at all. I uninstalled several Apps I did not like. Don't leave unused Apps on your system and the Fire will have plenty of room. I use it primarily for a low light environment eReader and occasionally as a portable radio attached with a patch cord to a Sony speaker. Last edited by sirmaru; 12-14-2011 at 03:19 PM.

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12-13-2011, 09:20 AM	#17
jduck Connoisseur Posts: 62 Karma: 2282 Join Date: Dec 2011 Device: kindle Fire	Yeah, I think the problem with the Carousel is because it is front-and-center, sometimes people place too much emphasis on using it for everything, and because it's not all that useful in that way, they complain about it, and outsiders who have never USED a Fire think it's a big deal, when it's not really.

12-14-2011, 10:11 AM	#18
ssahnan Enthusiast Posts: 47 Karma: 50 Join Date: Nov 2011 Device: kindle3g, kindle touch, kindle fire, kindle ipad 1 and 2, kindle iphon	I'm really looking for the touch screen issue to be resolved. I've read other posts on 'how to touch it' properly and such and I just don't find altering how you deal with touch screens compared to how every other screen out there works as a viable solution. I've tried it on multiple fires as well and while it is true that it can be hit and miss, it's missed enuf for it to be a issue warranting attention. as far as carousel, not sure if i have come up with one post of someone who liked it but as with most people out there, I don's see it as a deal breaker either. I don't know if partitions can be tweaked at this point to allow more apps to be installed either, I hit the 1 gb limit this week, really an imensely super annoying design flaw in my opinion. Tablets are so much centered around an app environment, to limit that is silly. But from a description I read earlier on this board, doesn't seem like much can be done about that. the move to sd partition route didn't work, not sure if that's doable. This device's achille's heel will always be the lack of a sd card slot. some days its tolerable, some days it's unfortunately not.

12-14-2011, 12:00 PM	#19
abookreader Wizard Posts: 1,516 Karma: 2567610 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: Kindles - Keyboard, Fire, 2-US, iPhone, iPAD	I've honestly never experienced many touchscreen problems but I'd like that carousel to just disappear altogether. Otherwise I'd still love PIN protected purchasing. But this whole "news cycle" thing is fascinating and yet horrifying to watch. Some joker looks at the Amazon reviews and deduces that from the number of negative reviews, thousands (if not millions of Kindles) are probably being returned. It is incredibly flawed logic that he doesn't even attempt to corroborate before posting. Then some other joker declares himself an expert and from a survey sample of 4 declares the Fire a failure. Next thing you know the New York Times is quoting them comparing the Kindle Fire to the Edsel, with absolutely no confirmation of fact. The freakin' New York Times. Journalism is really bad anymore. Really really bad. You know, I really don't think these people have a grudge. I think they are lazy and bad at their jobs. At the same time, printing drama like "Millions of Kindle Fire Users are Storming Amazon Headquarters in Anger!" is much more likely to be read than "Yeah, people really like their new gadgets."

12-14-2011, 01:24 PM	#20
wizwor Wizard Posts: 1,068 Karma: 23867385 Join Date: Nov 2011 Device: kindle, fire	I like the carousel except that there is too much of it. I would prefer some more like rocket dock. That said, I'd be fine with it if the push and hold action let me pin and remove items -- like the Windows 7 Start Menu.

12-14-2011, 02:03 PM	#22
DaveSp Enthusiast Posts: 29 Karma: 12 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: Kindle 3, Kindle Fire	Just a side note on this - Jakob Nielsen has been taking some heat as a so-called "usability expert". To come to his defense, he is an honest-to-God human-machine interface usability expert and is very well-known and highly regarded in professional circles (I'm a professional s/w architect with almost 40 years in the field and am very familiar with s/w human factors issues). Try Googling his name if interested in his background. (I am not defending his judgement on the Fire, just his professional qualifications.) Dave

12-14-2011, 02:42 PM	#23
jswinden Nameless Being	Maybe you should read his report. It was anything but professional. Anyone can post a gillion resumes and have Google find them.

12-14-2011, 03:00 PM	#24
Kai Winters Lover of Books Posts: 218 Karma: 1073074 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Northern NY Device: iPhone 7+	I'd like to see the Carousel reduced in size. I don't think it is necessary for it be so large. I do understand its' use as a locale for recently added items, currently used items, etc. I guess it makes for quick and "easy" access to what you are currently using or have currently used. I'd like to see the "wallpapers" become user managed, added, removed...if this is already doable I don't know how nor have I read about it but would like to. I do not like seeing the tips of pencils, etc. I'd prefer to add my own and be able to have a "fixed" screen or changing as does a screen saver.

12-14-2011, 03:09 PM	#26
abookreader Wizard Posts: 1,516 Karma: 2567610 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: Kindles - Keyboard, Fire, 2-US, iPhone, iPAD	Huffington Post rebuttal: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-...b_1147438.html

12-14-2011, 04:02 PM	#30
DaveSp Enthusiast Posts: 29 Karma: 12 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: Kindle 3, Kindle Fire	Though I have been defending Jakob Nielsen's credentials, I happen to like the Kindle Fire. A lot. What do I have to compare it with? Between my wife and I, outside of my large computing platforms I can directly compare it with a Kindle 3, Motorola Xoom tablet, Samsung Galaxy 10.1 tablet, Samsung NF310 netbook, HTC EVO 4G phone, and an old Palm Pre phone (OK, some comparisons are more appropriate than others but the point is that I have a lot to choose from). My Kindle Fire is now getting more use than any of the others. It works well with my Seagate GoFlex Satellite wireless drive. I haven't bothered to root this thing but I have sideloaded a number of apps not available from Amazon (and switched to the Dolphin browser). The only real complaint I have is the inconsistent touchscreen sensitivity. Dave