Kindle Fire Phone - Hands On Review

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by tomsem

The navigation/map app is inferior. It doesn't seem to cache much, so offline use is not very useful. I had it route a 60 mile trip while I still had wifi, and it started by wanting me to turn left instead of right out of the driveway, and that would have had me practically circle the block when going the right direction in the first place would have avoided that. Then it was unable to figure out that I'd rejoined the rest of the route, without an internet connection. Then I turned it on after I arrived at our destination (again with no internet connection), and it only had a few surrounding blocks in the cache. Pretty weak.

But even Apple had some issues when they dumped Google Maps on iOS. Hopefully now that Amazon has actually sold a few Fire Phones, they'll get the feedback they need to improve it.

I have yet to hook up the phone part, was not planning to get a data plan but given the navigation issue that might have to change. As mediocre as it might be, it is better than getting altogether lost just because there's no internet connection.

How about a mapping app that doesn't require a net connection?

Yes, it is funny that after using Fire tablets I expected Home==Favorites instead of being like every other Android smartphone, having an 'app drawer' etc.

But favorites and app grid view are the same thing. Amazon just names them differently. Whenever I hit the home button on either device (HD6 or phone), it takes me to the same place - the home page with the carousel on top and the app collection on bottom - or - the home page with just the app collection. It all depends on which default I've set for the home page.

Has everybody played with the reading app scrolling mode? What do you think?

Sorry, I never read on LCD devices. It bothers my eyes too much.

[booklover6]

Originally Posted by Blossom

What kind of a rainbow? On the screen?

I think my rainbow is an air bubble. I'll take it apart and reapply today and report back.

Took it apart and cleaned and reassembled. Still have a large rainbow splotch.

The phone does make a nice back up reader.

[Breathinlady]

Don't know if this is the correct place to ask but... are there any immersive app for the Fire Phone? How can I find them? Thanks.

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by booklover6

I think my rainbow is an air bubble. I'll take it apart and reapply today and report back.

Took it apart and cleaned and reassembled. Still have a large rainbow splotch.

The phone does make a nice back up reader.

Contact Poetic for a replacement.

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by Breathinlady

Don't know if this is the correct place to ask but... are there any immersive app for the Fire Phone? How can I find them? Thanks.

What's an immersive app? The Fire has TTS if that's what you mean.

[Barbara1955]

All you need to do is Download the Amazon ebook & Matching Audible When you hit the > at the bottom of the book to do the TTS it will actually read the book using Audible.

I have a Question Does the Firefly [phone] give you different voice options when you don't have the matching audible?

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by Katie1

All you need to do is Download the Amazon ebook & Matching Audible When you hit the > at the bottom of the book to do the TTS it will actually read the book using Audible.

I have a Question Does the Firefly [phone] give you different voice options when you don't have the matching audible?

Yes just like the Kindle Fires you need to download the different voices though.

[jgaiser]

Originally Posted by Blossom

Yes just like the Kindle Fires you need to download the different voices though.

I'm actually impressed with the TTS on the Fire phone, compared to second gen Fire tablet. While it's not perfect, for the most part TTS sounds very natural compared to the tablet.

[Barbara1955]

My Fire hd only has M/F voices no other choices... so this will be new for me

[Blossom]

Part 2

I got my nano SIM card today. I had a little problem getting the drawer open but once I did it was easy to install. I then had to activate it and port my service over from my other phone took about 2 hours. Everything seems to work. Calls are nice and clear and texting works nice. I do miss my emotes though on texting. One thing is I have yet to figure out if there is speed dial. On my old phones I could add the contact on the screen and call them at a touch of the button. Gmail contacts import easy and stay in sync which is critical. One feature I love is the ability to set a text notification tone for each contact as well as a ringtone. I've wanted this for a long time.

Holding the phone to talk on it is not at all awkward like I thought it might be with the phone being so big. I didn't notice any super heat but I only talk for 10 minutes on my old phone after an hour my cheek would be pink from the heat.

Does anyone know if Call Confirm will work on here? I hate pocket dialing and always use it. Call Confirm does work!

My case will be here Friday. (Tomorrow)

I am still testing the battery right now it seems to be draining fast but I can't say if that due to all the apps being installed so I will give it a few days then report back.

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by jgaiser

I'm actually impressed with the TTS on the Fire phone, compared to second gen Fire tablet. While it's not perfect, for the most part TTS sounds very natural compared to the tablet.

That due to it being IVONA TTS. Amazon bought them out just for their devices. All new Kindle Fires have it from 2013 and up.

[tubemonkey]

I'm still not liking the OS on this phone. It's definitely inferior to the OS on the Fire Tabs.

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

I'm still not liking the OS on this phone. It's definitely inferior to the OS on the Fire Tabs.

Agreed. I contact support and the response It left me scratching my head.
I ask if they could update the carousel to allow batch removal of items and only show 30 items at a time like the Kindle Fire tablets now do.

The response I got was this. Since I sent it through Amazon Fire Phone app I don't know how they got any idea about any Kindle.

Hello,

I completely understand your concern about the carousel on your old kindle device.

I realize you're happy with the new format of the Carousel that only displays 30 items and capable of deleting multiple items from the carousel at a time on the new devices.

I'm glad that you've contacted us about this feature request for older kindle device models. Since you're interested in this feature, I've passed your message to the kindle development Team for review and consideration.

I'm sure that having the feature of keeping limited kindle books in the carousel and being able to delete them easily will make our customers kindle experience more convenient.

I want to let you know that we are working on additional features for our kindle as part of the next software updates. Please be assured that your feedback will be considered as we plan further improvements.

For the meantime, please extend with us your patience and understanding while we work on this.​​

Please know that we value our customers satisfaction and convenience above all else it's the foundation on which our company was built.

As always, please feel free to contact us should you have future suggestions, questions or comments. We have team of experts who takes into consideration each and every feedback of our customers and brings them into practice.

Thank you for your feedback and your interest in kindle. We appreciate your business with Amazon.com and look forward to seeing you again soon.

Did I solve your problem?

I should had use MayDay at least I get someone who understands English.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by Blossom

The response I got was this. Since I sent it through Amazon Fire Phone app I don't know how they got any idea about any Kindle.

LOL

[Blossom]

So I asked Fire Girl to get me "Weather Raleigh, North Carolina" and instead of saying "Let me get that for you." She said "I'm not able to do that yet." Could this be a clue into some new feature planned for further down the line?