Amazon Announces New Fire HD 8 Tablet

[Paperbackstash]

I noticed one of the only other changes was working on the camera, but that kind of baffles me. I mean, I rarely see people walking around taking pictures with giant tablets on their face. Does anyone use their Fire camera regularly? Not that I've seen or heard, so it's a bit odd to put more work into its improvement IMO. I suppose if it's supposed work better with their other products their trying to promote - like the post above me mentions - it at least makes a bit more sense.

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by Barbara1955

Funny how folks complain about Amazon taking over ebooks & such Yet Jump on other Amazon devices like they gods gift...

I'm the opposite. I buy all my ebooks from Amazon, but have no interest in their other devices. We bought one of the el cheapo Fire tablets, but once I bought my Surface the better half immediately replaced that Fire with the still perfectly nice Lenovo Tab2 Plus.

[j.p.s]

Originally Posted by Paperbackstash

I noticed one of the only other changes was working on the camera, but that kind of baffles me. I mean, I rarely see people walking around taking pictures with giant tablets on their face. Does anyone use their Fire camera regularly? Not that I've seen or heard, so it's a bit odd to put more work into its improvement IMO. I suppose if it's supposed work better with their other products their trying to promote - like the post above me mentions - it at least makes a bit more sense.

I suspect it is for better video phone calls and to give amazon a better idea what you look like.

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Picture this. Alexa, get dressed and go to work for me

Picture this. Alexa collects and keeps your paycheck. It'll happen to us all eventually.

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by Paperbackstash

I noticed one of the only other changes was working on the camera, but that kind of baffles me. I mean, I rarely see people walking around taking pictures with giant tablets on their face. Does anyone use their Fire camera regularly? Not that I've seen or heard, so it's a bit odd to put more work into its improvement IMO. I suppose if it's supposed work better with their other products their trying to promote - like the post above me mentions - it at least makes a bit more sense.

You said it buddy! I don't understand why tablets have cameras in the first place. Mediocre front facing cameras for video calls? Okay. But who in their right mind takes photos with a tablet?

I was at a wedding once where one of the guests did walk around taking pictures with her iPad. Everyone else looked at her like she was a weirdo.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by j.p.s

I suspect it is for better video phone calls and to give amazon a better idea what you look like.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

Picture this. Alexa collects and keeps your paycheck. It'll happen to us all eventually.

nooooooooooooooooooooooo...

[Breathinlady]

Originally Posted by frahse

Picture this. Early in the morning or late at night, dark outside, still in the bed, eyes bleary and still shut, muscles stiff, "Alexa what time is it? Alexa what is the weather? Alexa set an alarm for: ,
Alexa Fox News, Alexa CNBC , Market news, bitcoin, Cancel, Alexa play Simple Man.",
and so on.

You never have to move or open your eyes.

I will go into the music, etc., in another post.

I also love Alexa I use it for a timer daily for many reasons one being I have to take certain medications after other meds. I use it for all of the above and I use it to turn on/off lights. Really nice to do that when out of town! Horay ALEXA! Yes, I could put them on a timer but I think being able to turn them on and off at any time is better than a timer. It sure beats a CLAPPER! I love reading in bed at night all cozied up and just say lights off and not have to walk or reach for a light. Yep, I bought the Koolaid and love it!

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by Breathinlady

Yes, I could put them on a timer but I think being able to turn them on and off at any time is better than a timer. It sure beats a CLAPPER!

Alexa, clap on, clap off

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by DNSB

I'm still wondering why this is being announced as if it was a major change. Other than the built-in Alexa, what is the difference between this Fire HD 8 and the 2017 Fire HD 8? We've added an Alexa app is big news?

I think the hands-free feature is the big "advance" — now you can use the Fire as an Echo. I wonder how much it's going to harm Echo sales (especially the Echo Show)?

I'm not an Alexa (or Google – whatever-theirs-is-called) fan, but for those who are, this is a big deal for them.

Just as a side note, why does the 32GB version cost $30 more? 16 additional GBs of memory doesn't seem to justify a $30 price jump.

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Picture this. Alexa, get dressed and go to work for me

Or ... "Alexa, please don't report to my boss and tell him I'm really not sick."

[Catlady]

I wish Amazon would come out with a 9-inch tablet. The 10-inch seems a little too big.

[Ken Maltby]

Hmm... so it won't be Cylons but Alexons? And again we make ourselves vulnerable.

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by Catlady

I wish Amazon would come out with a 9-inch tablet. The 10-inch seems a little too big.

They used to have one. Very good for the time but it was premium priced.

The new line is value priced so they use high volume components and 8" and 10" tablets are more common than 9". Which means cheaper high quality panels.

The 8" is actually very good.
Check the reviews.

[Catlady]

Originally Posted by fjtorres

They used to have one. Very good for the time but it was premium priced.

The new line is value priced so they use high volume components and 8" and 10" tablets are more common than 9". Which means cheaper high quality panels.

The 8" is actually very good.
Check the reviews.

I have last year's 8-inch. It's been having charging issues, so if there's a good Black Friday price on the new version, I may buy it. Or maybe jump up to the 10-inch.