HDX Kindle Fire HDX - First Impressions

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by KoolReader

I'm buying a new HDX 8.9 tomorrow at Staples.. I hope it's OK..

Good luck! My replacement will be here too so I got my fingers crossed for the both of us!

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by Ravensknight

Blossom,
since you're reading on your Kindle X, how does it compare to the regulard hd? I'm thinking of buying a 7in tablet for reading, since I like variety [have the sony 350, nook str, kindle touch] and am wondering if it is worth it to wait to upgrade to the X.
I won't be watching video's or using lots of apps. Is the increase in pixels in any way helpful in reading?
Thanks...

If you get a good one like my first one. Reading on it is a dream! My first one was perfect screen it's just the brightness controller was faulty on it according to Amazon.

My second one's screen was yucky to read on and later today seeing it's midnight here the replacement will be here I am hoping for a screen like the first one!

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by AutumnDreamer

How did you finally get to sideload books? I have the lastest version of Calibre installed and I while Calibre recognizes my Fire (the HDX 7"), when I go to transfer files to it using Calibre it just sits and sits and sits and does nothing. For one book it says it's doing two jobs but a half an hour later nothing. It used to be on my Fire that once I plugged it in I'd hit the power button, slide the button on the screen and it'd connect and the screen would say some message (can't look to see what it is, it was stolen back in October) and then I could transfer books. With my HDX I don't get that message.

Let Kovid know because the last version of Calibre added the driver for the HDX.

I use Dropbox and ES File Explorer. I link my Dropbox account on ES File Explorer then while in ESFE I select net/Cloud/Dropbox then select the books to export to the books folder. If it's just one book then I just use the Dropbox app to quickly add it.

It's best to sideload the app to get latest version of ES File Explorer by going to the developer's website. It auto updates itself so once sideloaded you don't have to worry about it.

[robertc88]

Whatever.

http://www.amazon.com/review/RXJ3VD3...#RXJ3VD36FN0O2

I'm heading to BB later to check the 8.9". My local store shows it in stock, I assume it will be on their kiosk.

[sirmaru]

Originally Posted by AutumnDreamer

How did you finally get to sideload books? I have the lastest version of Calibre installed and I while Calibre recognizes my Fire (the HDX 7"), when I go to transfer files to it using Calibre it just sits and sits and sits and does nothing. For one book it says it's doing two jobs but a half an hour later nothing. It used to be on my Fire that once I plugged it in I'd hit the power button, slide the button on the screen and it'd connect and the screen would say some message (can't look to see what it is, it was stolen back in October) and then I could transfer books. With my HDX I don't get that message.

Connect the HDX 2013 with a USB cable to the PC. Then use copy and paste to drop the files into the correct folder on the HDX.

After that move you may be able to use Calibre to access the files on the HDX.

Originally Posted by robertc88

Whatever.

http://www.amazon.com/review/RXJ3VD3...#RXJ3VD36FN0O2

I'm heading to BB later to check the 8.9". My local store shows it in stock, I assume it will be on their kiosk.

As I've stated before, regardless of whether Amazon claims the blue haze is by design, it is a distraction to many, and for a good reason. As a photographer enthusiast I know to avoid lenses that result in objects having a purple/bluish halo around them. A lens that has this defect is best tossed into the trash can. A purple/blue halo ruins photos as our eyes see it very well and our brains say, "WTF, Dude. You can take better photos than that." Photoshop even has a sophisticated set of algorithms designed to remove it. So even if it is there by design, it is terrible. If by design, fire the designer. My Nexus 7.2 doesn't have it and its screen is just as good as the HDX when it comes to colors.

[robertc88]

Originally Posted by jswinden

As I've stated before, regardless of whether Amazon claims the blue haze is by design, it is a distraction to many, and for a good reason. As a photographer enthusiast I know to avoid lenses that result in objects having a purple/bluish halo around them. A lens that has this defect is best tossed into the trash can. A purple/blue halo ruins photos as our eyes see it very well and our brains say, "WTF, Dude. You can take better photos than that." Photoshop even has a sophisticated set of algorithms designed to remove it. So even if it is there by design, it is terrible. If by design, fire the designer. My Nexus 7.2 doesn't have it and its screen is just as good as the HDX when it comes to colors.

My Nexus 7 2013 is not going anywhere, that is for sure and most certainly not for the 7" KDX.

I was not able to try the 8.9 on a kiosk at my local BB as it was not on display. Checking store inventory, it showed this store did have them in stock. One employee said they had 7 when he searched the database. He checked where tablets are kept in front in the cage, none to be found. He nor others would not go in stockroom to check back there. So I said 7 in stock is just some random number entered into the system? Unbelievable how the "not my job" scenario plays out. They ain't where they should be so you get no help!

[robertc88]

Some reviews coming in:

http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Fire-HD...owViewpoints=1

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by robertc88

Some reviews coming in:

http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Fire-HD...owViewpoints=1

The ones posted are 8.9 are professional reviews. Waiting for some real ones.

Only 170 5 star reviews on the 7" and the rest pretty much complaining of blue border issues with the occasional dumb review thrown in.

My first unit did not have this problem. It has a light greenish blue light bleed that was mostly noticeable in the corners. It wasn't even but it was nothing like the neon blue one I have now which bleeds into the screen. My third one I should have here the next few hours. I am hoping, wishing, praying for a good one! I know it's possible I love the first one very much it just had to have a different problem. The screen on it was gorgeous!

[robertc88]

Originally Posted by Blossom

Only 170 5 star reviews and the rest pretty much complaining of blue border issues with the occasional dumb review thrown in.

My first unit did not have this problem. It has a light greenish blue light bleed that was mostly noticeable in the corners. It wasn't even but it was nothing like the neon blue one I have now which bleeds into the screen. My third one I should have here the next few hours. I am hoping, wishing, praying for a good one! I know it's possible I love the first one very much it just had to have a different problem. The screen on it was gorgeous!

And here is a display shootout:

http://www.displaymate.com/Tablet_ShootOut_3.htm

I did not recall reading anything about issues with the display for what has been described here or elsewhere about the 7". I am definitely going to check this puppy out!

The trouble with reviews about tablets and eReaders is that the so-called professional reviews are generally anything but professional. There are a lot of blog sites and electronic device sites that know virtually nothing about eReaders, so their reviews are useless. Others focus on the advertised specs rather than an actual hands on. Many are afraid to say what they feel do to the advertising dollars they might lose. By and large, most of the so-called professional reviews are pathetic and nearly useless, and often little more than a paid advertisement.

Reviews at a site like Amazon are filled with fanboys and fangirls purring over their latest toys. Or the opposite, anti-fanboys and anti-fangirls who seem to be strangely married to another manufacturer. Many of these reviews are by idiots who haven't even purchased the item being reviewed. So 99% of these reviews are useless.

The best reviews come from actual users who are commenting on the real world experiences wherein they use the product. Many of these are fan-based and thus useless due to lack of substance. But a few are good, honest reviews that tell of genuine experiences with the product.

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by jswinden

The trouble with reviews about tablets and eReaders is that the so-called professional reviews are generally anything but professional. There are a lot of blog sites and electronic device sites that know virtually nothing about eReaders, so their reviews are useless. Others focus on the advertised specs rather than an actual hands on. Many are afraid to say what they feel do to the advertising dollars they might lose. By and large, most of the so-called professional reviews are pathetic and nearly useless, and often little more than a paid advertisement.

Reviews at a site like Amazon are filled with fanboys and fangirls purring over their latest toys. Or the opposite, anti-fanboys and anti-fangirls who seem to be strangely married to another manufacturer. Many of these reviews are by idiots who haven't even purchased the item being reviewed. So 99% of these reviews are useless.

The best reviews come from actual users who are commenting on the real world experiences wherein they use the product. Many of these are fan-based and thus useless due to lack of substance. But a few are good, honest reviews that tell of genuine experiences with the product.

On Amazon most real reviews will not be a page long. It will simple say what they like or don't like about the product. It will sound like a real person not some techo babble . Most of the reviews up now are from people who were probably given a free HDX in exchange for a review.

As someone who does ARC reviews. I can tell you there is a huge pressure when you get something for free not to be as honest as you can. You sugar coat alot of it and try to be nice so you don't get taken off the exclusive list.

[AnemicOak]

Just got back from Best Buy where a friend bought the 8.9 HDX. His shows none of the blueish fringe the 7" devices have around the edges of the screen when reading a book.

[sirmaru]

Originally Posted by jswinden

The trouble with reviews about tablets and eReaders is that the so-called professional reviews are generally anything but professional. There are a lot of blog sites and electronic device sites that know virtually nothing about eReaders, so their reviews are useless. Others focus on the advertised specs rather than an actual hands on. Many are afraid to say what they feel do to the advertising dollars they might lose. By and large, most of the so-called professional reviews are pathetic and nearly useless, and often little more than a paid advertisement.

Reviews at a site like Amazon are filled with fanboys and fangirls purring over their latest toys. Or the opposite, anti-fanboys and anti-fangirls who seem to be strangely married to another manufacturer. Many of these reviews are by idiots who haven't even purchased the item being reviewed. So 99% of these reviews are useless.

The best reviews come from actual users who are commenting on the real world experiences wherein they use the product. Many of these are fan-based and thus useless due to lack of substance. But a few are good, honest reviews that tell of genuine experiences with the product.

Do you know of any way to filter out only the Amazon Verified Purchaser reviews? All the rest are simply worthless in my opinion.

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by sirmaru

Do you know of any way to filter out only the Amazon Verified Purchaser reviews? All the rest are simply worthless in my opinion.

If someone receives a Kindle as gift or buys it at the store their review is just as valuable as someone who bought it through Amazon. You need to keep that in mind.