The REAL reason behind Amazon's $50 tablet - Page 3

leebase · 09-27-2015, 07:10 PM

Don't forget to buy a memory card too as it only comes with 8gig internal

Anabana · 09-27-2015, 09:17 PM

At $50 this is a 'toss in your purse or pocket' tablet for the ease of reading your email, reading your books, playing games or whatever you do while you're waiting for your appointment or eating your lunch. So, no HD, well really, who's planning to watch HD movies or sports events on this 7" device! Not me, certainly. I do prefer reading on a dedicated reader, but for a day in town - shopping, appointments, etc., it's wonderful to have internet, email, etc., available. Can't beat the price...

rcentros · 09-28-2015, 02:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leebase

Don't forget to buy a memory card too as it only comes with 8gig internal

That's all I got with my Fire HD 6 -- it's been fine, but it would be nice to have the option to add more.

Purple Lady · 09-28-2015, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anabana

At $50 this is a 'toss in your purse or pocket' tablet for the ease of reading your email, reading your books, playing games or whatever you do while you're waiting for your appointment or eating your lunch. So, no HD, well really, who's planning to watch HD movies or sports events on this 7" device! Not me, certainly. I do prefer reading on a dedicated reader, but for a day in town - shopping, appointments, etc., it's wonderful to have internet, email, etc., available. Can't beat the price...

If you have wifi available everywhere you're lucky. I bought my Tab S 8.4 wifi only because AT&T locks the bootloader. I figured that since I am retired now it would be ok, but since root is now available I may get the LTE version. I need to bring my Nexus 7 on appointments because it has LTE, but last time I spent more time updating apps than anything else.

frahse · 09-29-2015, 03:54 PM

Delivery date: Oct 22.

The price of hesitation is delay!

leebase · 10-01-2015, 12:20 AM

Mine is due tomorrow! Didn't even realize I was preordering, let alone early.

leebase · 10-01-2015, 01:50 PM

Just received mine and booting up now. It's a little thick an a little heavy compared to my iPad mini 2. Screen looks nice. Did not see my 5.x ghz wifi but did see the 2.x ghz.

Standard Micro USB is nice. First thing it does is update the software. Interesting for a brand new product. It takes a good little while to upgrade the software.

The case and memory card I ordered at the same time did not arrive yet.

You can see the pixels on the screen. Still, for $50, it appears to be a nice screen.

More later

frahse · 10-03-2015, 09:22 PM

Well, we got our tablet on Oct 1 also. (Not Oct 22 as they had said.)

Very nice

booklover6 · 10-04-2015, 08:04 AM

Reviews can now be written on Amazon....good for some laughs. I like the one that said the $50 tablet makes a good beer coaster.

Josieb1 · 10-04-2015, 12:31 PM

I read on other forums and blog posts that the SDcard can't be used for Amazon music (but that may just be Prime) and the Kindle ereader won't recognize sideloaded books either.

booklover6 · 10-04-2015, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josieb1

I read on other forums and blog posts that the SDcard can't be used for Amazon music (but that may just be Prime) and the Kindle ereader won't recognize sideloaded books either.

I've read that, and I assume that is for DRM kindle books that people want to read in the kindle app. What I want to know (purely academically) is if the SD card can be used to store and run reading apps, such as Moon+, and folders full of epub books.

I also wonder if apps from the appstore can be stored/run from the SD card. To me, the essential use of a tablet is apps, and so knowing this is of primary importance. An 8 GB tablet is not of much use to someone like me or my kids who like a lot of apps. (My girls each have 16 GB tablets and they are maxed out of space. No videos or music stored to them. Though they might have photos/videos).

leebase · 10-04-2015, 03:01 PM

Prime movies download to the SD card as do kindle books. Don't know if apps run from the card. Was able to get the Aldiko ereader app to load and it can open books from the SD card.

disconnected · 10-05-2015, 06:20 AM

I don't see this info on the product page but people have posted that music, Kindle books, and audiobooks can't be put on an SD card.

I suppose that you might be able to get around some of that by storing stuff on the SD card and using a file explorer to move things into main memory before using them -- always supposing that the files are recognizable and that the device storage isn't hidden or locked.

The product page does mention that some apps can't be moved to an SD card.

fjtorres · 10-05-2015, 08:24 AM

The limitations on the use of the SD card are limitations of the apps, not the hardware or the OS. Apps that are smart enough to look for SD cards and know how to use them will see it and use it just fine.
But it will be on a case by case basis, depending on the app.

So far, everything I've seen says the screen is good, the CPU/GPU performance is good and the new GUI is good. Beyond that? It's a $50 tablet!

Like the chess-playing dog, the wonder is that it exists at all.

I just finished reading a good review on it over at Teleread that spends half the article detailing all the many ways it *isn't* a Google tablet and only peripherally mentions the ways (like the included Freetime app for kids) that Amazon adds value. The thing allows sideloading apps. That alone adds a lot of value to the package.

A product like this needs to be seen and understood for what it is more than what it isn't, like the early Netbooks. Look at what it does do and if that justifies the cost then you're good to go.

leebase · 10-05-2015, 09:14 AM

@fjtorres is right. This is not a general Google Android tablet. If you are looking for that experience, you will be disappointed. However, it's not sold as a general google Android tablet. This is an Amazon Fire OS 5 tablet that has very nice features and support for a $50 tablet.

If you have Amazon Prime, you can get a lot of value from this tablet. That's who it's really for. And there is plenty of extra "Amazon Value". There is the Underground (the name Amazon gives to it's free games library). Some 11,000 apps completely free (included in the price of the tablet) - including all the in app purchases and powerups. And there is Amazon Free time which allows you to lock down the tablet for kids and set how much time they can use it.

There is the Kindle lending library as well.

These are features you don't get when you have an iPad or a general Android tablet, even if you are an Amazon Prime member. Yes, on my iPad I can watch Prime Movies, listen to Prime Music and read Kindle books. But I can't use the Kindle Unlimited library, the Underground apps and iOS has nothing like Freetime, neither does generic Google Android.

At $50, the research that most people should do is buy one for themselves and send it back if it's limitations don't suit your needs. If you aren't expecting a Google Android tablet, you will most likely be delighted as I have been.

You can indeed "sideload" apk files. I have the Aldiko ereader so I can read epubs. I've already tested loading an mp4 movie file and a player app from the Amazon App store played it just fine. However, acquiring apk files puts you on the dark side of the internet. Beware. It's not a good user experience and you just might be installing malware. And just because you have an apk file, doesn't mean it will work on this tablet. If the app uses Google services api calls, it won't work on this tablet.

But for me, I got my use cases covered. I have all the Amazon content, streaming from Netflix and HBO Go. I can load and watch my own movie files. Even better than my iPad - there is a memory card slot and I can take multiple cards with me with lots of movies, tv shows and books. I did have to sideload the Aldiko app for reading epubs. And I did have a bad experience trying to sideload the Moon+ app. Either I got a bad apk file that was nothing more than adware trying to force me to install game apps....or the actual Moon+ app is a real piece of sh#t app. But given it's high rating, I don't think that's the case.

And I don't want to pirate apps. I'll pay the $3-$5 asking price...but these reading apps are not offered via the Amazon app store. And even if I could buy them from another app store via my computer...I'd not want to pay upfront only to find out that the app wouldn't work on my tablet.

My first weekend with this tablet has me very pleased. So much that I now get the 6-pack Amazon is offering. I see lots of grandparents buying these in bulk like that

09-29-2015, 03:54 PM	#35
frahse occasional author Posts: 2,315 Karma: 2064403292 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Wandering God's glorious hills, valleys and plains. Device: A Franklin BI (before Internet) was the first. I still have it.	Delivery date: Oct 22. The price of hesitation is delay! Last edited by frahse; 09-29-2015 at 03:56 PM.

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09-27-2015, 07:10 PM	#31
leebase Karma Kameleon Posts: 2,960 Karma: 26738313 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: iPad Mini, iPhone X, Kindle Fire Tab HD 8, Walmart Onn	Don't forget to buy a memory card too as it only comes with 8gig internal

09-27-2015, 09:17 PM	#32
Anabana Zealot Posts: 109 Karma: 2735606 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: San Diego, CA Device: Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Fire 7" & 10"; 11"(?)-12" Lenovo laptop	At $50 this is a 'toss in your purse or pocket' tablet for the ease of reading your email, reading your books, playing games or whatever you do while you're waiting for your appointment or eating your lunch. So, no HD, well really, who's planning to watch HD movies or sports events on this 7" device! Not me, certainly. I do prefer reading on a dedicated reader, but for a day in town - shopping, appointments, etc., it's wonderful to have internet, email, etc., available. Can't beat the price...

10-01-2015, 12:20 AM	#36
leebase Karma Kameleon Posts: 2,960 Karma: 26738313 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: iPad Mini, iPhone X, Kindle Fire Tab HD 8, Walmart Onn	Mine is due tomorrow! Didn't even realize I was preordering, let alone early.

10-01-2015, 01:50 PM	#37
leebase Karma Kameleon Posts: 2,960 Karma: 26738313 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: iPad Mini, iPhone X, Kindle Fire Tab HD 8, Walmart Onn	Just received mine and booting up now. It's a little thick an a little heavy compared to my iPad mini 2. Screen looks nice. Did not see my 5.x ghz wifi but did see the 2.x ghz. Standard Micro USB is nice. First thing it does is update the software. Interesting for a brand new product. It takes a good little while to upgrade the software. The case and memory card I ordered at the same time did not arrive yet. You can see the pixels on the screen. Still, for $50, it appears to be a nice screen. More later

10-03-2015, 09:22 PM	#38
frahse occasional author Posts: 2,315 Karma: 2064403292 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Wandering God's glorious hills, valleys and plains. Device: A Franklin BI (before Internet) was the first. I still have it.	Well, we got our tablet on Oct 1 also. (Not Oct 22 as they had said.) Very nice

10-04-2015, 08:04 AM	#39
booklover6 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,545 Karma: 14008730 Join Date: May 2008 Location: PA (USA) Device: Kobo Clara, 2E, Libre 1, PW4, PW5, 2022 Kindle, Kobo Libre Colour	Reviews can now be written on Amazon....good for some laughs. I like the one that said the $50 tablet makes a good beer coaster.

10-04-2015, 12:31 PM	#40
Josieb1 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,082 Karma: 18051062 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: UK Device: Kindle Scribe, Coloursoft, PW SE, Kindle 6, Kobo Libra Colour, Libra 2	I read on other forums and blog posts that the SDcard can't be used for Amazon music (but that may just be Prime) and the Kindle ereader won't recognize sideloaded books either.

10-04-2015, 03:01 PM	#42
leebase Karma Kameleon Posts: 2,960 Karma: 26738313 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: iPad Mini, iPhone X, Kindle Fire Tab HD 8, Walmart Onn	Prime movies download to the SD card as do kindle books. Don't know if apps run from the card. Was able to get the Aldiko ereader app to load and it can open books from the SD card.

10-05-2015, 06:20 AM	#43
disconnected Fanatic Posts: 527 Karma: 4504715 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: US Device: Kobo Forma, Libra, H2O2e2, Clara, Auras, Kindles, Nooks, Sony, iPAQ	I don't see this info on the product page but people have posted that music, Kindle books, and audiobooks can't be put on an SD card. I suppose that you might be able to get around some of that by storing stuff on the SD card and using a file explorer to move things into main memory before using them -- always supposing that the files are recognizable and that the device storage isn't hidden or locked. The product page does mention that some apps can't be moved to an SD card.

10-05-2015, 08:24 AM	#44
fjtorres Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,732 Karma: 128354696 Join Date: May 2009 Location: 26 kly from Sgr A* Device: T100TA,PW2,PRS-T1,KT,FireHD 8.9,K2, PB360,BeBook One,Axim51v,TC1000	The limitations on the use of the SD card are limitations of the apps, not the hardware or the OS. Apps that are smart enough to look for SD cards and know how to use them will see it and use it just fine. But it will be on a case by case basis, depending on the app. So far, everything I've seen says the screen is good, the CPU/GPU performance is good and the new GUI is good. Beyond that? It's a $50 tablet! Like the chess-playing dog, the wonder is that it exists at all. I just finished reading a good review on it over at Teleread that spends half the article detailing all the many ways it isn't a Google tablet and only peripherally mentions the ways (like the included Freetime app for kids) that Amazon adds value. The thing allows sideloading apps. That alone adds a lot of value to the package. A product like this needs to be seen and understood for what it is more than what it isn't, like the early Netbooks. Look at what it does do and if that justifies the cost then you're good to go.

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10-05-2015, 09:14 AM	#45
leebase Karma Kameleon Posts: 2,960 Karma: 26738313 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: iPad Mini, iPhone X, Kindle Fire Tab HD 8, Walmart Onn	@fjtorres is right. This is not a general Google Android tablet. If you are looking for that experience, you will be disappointed. However, it's not sold as a general google Android tablet. This is an Amazon Fire OS 5 tablet that has very nice features and support for a $50 tablet. If you have Amazon Prime, you can get a lot of value from this tablet. That's who it's really for. And there is plenty of extra "Amazon Value". There is the Underground (the name Amazon gives to it's free games library). Some 11,000 apps completely free (included in the price of the tablet) - including all the in app purchases and powerups. And there is Amazon Free time which allows you to lock down the tablet for kids and set how much time they can use it. There is the Kindle lending library as well. These are features you don't get when you have an iPad or a general Android tablet, even if you are an Amazon Prime member. Yes, on my iPad I can watch Prime Movies, listen to Prime Music and read Kindle books. But I can't use the Kindle Unlimited library, the Underground apps and iOS has nothing like Freetime, neither does generic Google Android. At $50, the research that most people should do is buy one for themselves and send it back if it's limitations don't suit your needs. If you aren't expecting a Google Android tablet, you will most likely be delighted as I have been. You can indeed "sideload" apk files. I have the Aldiko ereader so I can read epubs. I've already tested loading an mp4 movie file and a player app from the Amazon App store played it just fine. However, acquiring apk files puts you on the dark side of the internet. Beware. It's not a good user experience and you just might be installing malware. And just because you have an apk file, doesn't mean it will work on this tablet. If the app uses Google services api calls, it won't work on this tablet. But for me, I got my use cases covered. I have all the Amazon content, streaming from Netflix and HBO Go. I can load and watch my own movie files. Even better than my iPad - there is a memory card slot and I can take multiple cards with me with lots of movies, tv shows and books. I did have to sideload the Aldiko app for reading epubs. And I did have a bad experience trying to sideload the Moon+ app. Either I got a bad apk file that was nothing more than adware trying to force me to install game apps....or the actual Moon+ app is a real piece of sh#t app. But given it's high rating, I don't think that's the case. And I don't want to pirate apps. I'll pay the $3-$5 asking price...but these reading apps are not offered via the Amazon app store. And even if I could buy them from another app store via my computer...I'd not want to pay upfront only to find out that the app wouldn't work on my tablet. My first weekend with this tablet has me very pleased. So much that I now get the 6-pack Amazon is offering. I see lots of grandparents buying these in bulk like that