HD Fire HD10 - Hands On Review

poohbear_nc · 10-02-2015, 10:31 AM

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.

Blossom · 10-02-2015, 08:00 PM

I would like one. I want something I can use for Study and notes and you need a bigger screen for that. Most people I know use an Ipad for this but all my apps are android. However I am hesitant to even consider a Kindle Fire as I am not sure how it would work in Korea.

tubemonkey · 10-02-2015, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blossom

I would like one. I want something I can use for Study and notes and you need a bigger screen for that. Most people I know use an Ipad for this but all my apps are android. However I am hesitant to even consider a Kindle Fire as I am not sure how it would work in Korea.

You going to Korea? If so, keep it away from the kimchi.

tubemonkey · 10-02-2015, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poohbear_nc

1. The trademark carousel is gone - the Home screen more closely resembles other Android devices - with the installed apps displayed.

Can you create folders for the apps?

Blossom · 10-03-2015, 04:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

You going to Korea? If so, keep it away from the kimchi.

Sometime next year we are. Hubby is going over there to teach English. We are excited! I've not sure how Amazon's stuff will work over there though yet.

booklover6 · 10-03-2015, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blossom

Sometime next year we are. Hubby is going over there to teach English. We are excited! I've not sure how Amazon's stuff will work over there though yet.

Wow, how exciting!

Can the cats go?

aceflor · 10-03-2015, 08:09 AM

Oh Kimchi, deadly stuff !!!

Seriously though, I am very curious to read about your impressions of Korea. I used to fly there regurlarly for work, I did not like it as much as I liked Japan, but it´s been 20 years since I´ve last been there so things must have changed drastically now .

Blossom · 10-03-2015, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by booklover6

Wow, how exciting!

Can the cats go?

No. It would too hard on them. Right now I'm looking into find them a loving homes when the time comes with both being elders I know it's the best thing to do.

Quote:

Originally Posted by aceflor

Oh Kimchi, deadly stuff !!!

Seriously though, I am very curious to read about your impressions of Korea. I used to fly there regurlarly for work, I did not like it as much as I liked Japan, but it´s been 20 years since I´ve last been there so things must have changed drastically now .

Yes in just last 5 years Korea has drastically change according to other English teachers on YouTube. This is a chance of a lifetime and we are keeping it hush from our families till later but we are excited. It takes months to get your documents processed so it will be in 2016.

tubemonkey · 10-03-2015, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aceflor

Oh Kimchi, deadly stuff !!!

I hate it, but the rest of their food was pretty good; especially the spicy stir fries.

tubemonkey · 10-03-2015, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blossom

Sometime next year we are. Hubby is going over there to teach English. We are excited! I've not sure how Amazon's stuff will work over there though yet.

Good luck. Uncle Sam sent me there (Seoul) for 13 months back in the 70's. My off time was very enjoyable meeting the people and visiting various sites in and around Seoul. Before leaving, learn about Korea's history and customs; and once there, immerse yourself into the culture. You'll enjoy it.

poohbear_nc · 10-03-2015, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Can you create folders for the apps?

Yes - you can drag & stack apps - which creates a folder that you can give a title. Really helps to clean up the Home screen.

The software is growing on me - docs are handled much better - separate tabs to access "Send-To-Kindle", "Cloud", and "Card" storage.

Plus, on the bottom of the screen, there's a Task Switcher square icon - which lets you rapidly switch between recently used apps.

tubemonkey · 10-03-2015, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poohbear_nc

Yes - you can drag & stack apps - which creates a folder that you can give a title. Really helps to clean up the Home screen.

The software is growing on me - docs are handled much better - separate tabs to access "Send-To-Kindle", "Cloud", and "Card" storage.

Plus, on the bottom of the screen, there's a Task Switcher square icon - which lets you rapidly switch between recently used apps.

Good! I'll be glad when they update the OS for older models.

poohbear_nc · 10-04-2015, 06:19 PM

No Mayday

No Firefly

tubemonkey · 10-04-2015, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poohbear_nc

No Firefly

Then how does the screen light up?

poohbear_nc · 10-05-2015, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Then how does the screen light up?

Tiny monkeys with flashlights .....

10-02-2015, 10:31 AM	#1
poohbear_nc Bah! Humbug! Posts: 64,228 Karma: 135242149 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Durham, NC Device: Every Kindle Ever Made & To Be Made!	Fire HD10 - Hands On Review 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.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Kindle Fire Phone - Hands On Review	poohbear_nc	Amazon Fire	832	12-27-2018 02:42 PM
iPad 2 hands-on review	spaze	Apple Devices	1	02-25-2011 06:46 PM
eBookWise eb-1150 hands-on review	rmeister0	Fictionwise eBookwise	138	12-10-2010 05:52 PM
Wikireader - Hands On Review	poohbear_nc	News	30	10-30-2009 09:38 PM
Foxit eSlick Hands-Off Review	Nate the great	News	25	05-10-2009 09:07 PM

10-02-2015, 08:00 PM	#2
Blossom Treasure Seeker Posts: 18,708 Karma: 26026435 Join Date: Mar 2010 Device: Kobo HD Glo, Kindles, Kindle Fires, Andriod Devices	I would like one. I want something I can use for Study and notes and you need a bigger screen for that. Most people I know use an Ipad for this but all my apps are android. However I am hesitant to even consider a Kindle Fire as I am not sure how it would work in Korea.

10-03-2015, 08:09 AM	#7
aceflor Wizard Posts: 3,472 Karma: 48036360 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: where the sun lives, or so they say Device: Pocketbook Era, Pocketbook Inkpad 4, Kobo Libra 2, Kindle Scribe	Oh Kimchi, deadly stuff !!! Seriously though, I am very curious to read about your impressions of Korea. I used to fly there regurlarly for work, I did not like it as much as I liked Japan, but it´s been 20 years since I´ve last been there so things must have changed drastically now .

10-04-2015, 06:19 PM	#13
poohbear_nc Bah! Humbug! Posts: 64,228 Karma: 135242149 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Durham, NC Device: Every Kindle Ever Made & To Be Made!	No Mayday No Firefly