I got my Fire on Tuesday and I love it. Anyone who follows me on Twitter (mykindlestuff) knows of my increasingly bitter relationship with my iPad. It’s just too big to cart around unless I’m using a backpack or tote bag and it is increasingly hinky–plus out of warranty. Apparently if you’re out of warranty, you can’t even call Apple without paying and I wouldn’t step in another Apple Store to save my firstborn.
Financially I can’t justify the cost of the iPad as it is basically a convenience item, not a necessity. And last but definitely not least, I made the phone switch to Android (lovin’ it!) so I would rather have a single app store ecosystem to deal with–that means I have need an Android tablet.
Back when the iPad was first announced there were a few folks complaining that it was just a big iPhone with no phone. I happened to think that idea was brilliant and also figured that was all I really needed in an Android tablet. I was basically looking for a larger form factor to do all the stuff I do on my phone, plus add in a few games.
So for over a month I’ve been looking at 7″ tablets and wishing Amazon would hurry up and release their thing already. I ignored the bad reviews and hoped the good reviews were correct. Luckily I was able to borrow a Samsung Galaxy Tab, because testing out features, whether over a day or a month are not enough. All that gives you is an idea of what works and what doesn’t, I also wanted to have an Android experience to compare it to. Despite all the lukewarm reviews I’ve seen on non-iPad tablets, the Tab was great. I put aside the iPad and happily installed apps, checked email and spent hours losing at backgammon; so now I would be ready.
Then I got my Fire! I really don’t understand reviewers that call the styling clunky. Every new device you can get today is a freakin black (or silver) rectangle with none, one or more buttons and a couple of ports to plug stuff in. I have to laugh because those types of statements sound truly silly to me. (The last clunky device I had was my first Kindle–man was it ugly! But I overlooked all of that because it worked great.) Oh, and those who hate the border around the screen? It’s gonna finally allow me to get my screen protector on straight.
I got thru the easy setup and added all the apps I’ve been buying for my phone….well most of them anyway. After I sideloaded a few I came across some that won’t install at all–and others that install but don’t work. There was an article about that a couple of weeks ago about what permissions are allowed and what not, but I can’t find it now, but will be looking for it. That is an article for another day, but I’m keeping a running log of sideloaded apps and my results here.
I know that a few people have bemoaned the lack of 3G, but I haven’t noticed it yet. My iPad was 3G, but I eventually settled for using my phone as a hotspot for the (very) few times I ended up somewhere that didn’t have wifi. I’ll be doing the same for my Fire. Until providers figure out a way to offer fair and reasonably priced data only plans, I will stay away.
The Fire is a perfect complement to my existing Kindle collection. I can use the Fire for mass media plus it will finally properly render all those text/technical reference books that even the Kindle DX couldn’t, but I will still mostly read my other books on the Kindle Keyboard and Touch. I also have a Roku player to extend the viewing locations for my Amazon videos (and those sync just like my books).
So here I am a couple of days later. I’ve decided that I’m not just in love because it’s a new gadget, I’m actually going to use this thing daily and in place of my iPad. The iPad will stay at home and be a use-on-the-couch device as there are some apps that won’t work on my Fire. Unfortunately for the iPad, if Amazon releases a larger Fire with the ablity to run apps that need location info, I will most likely switch over to the Amazon world and won’t ever have to look back at i-anything.
Just like the original Kindle, this was a real stroke of genius on Amazon’s part, make a tablet for the masses. Cause at $199, a lot of people who can’t afford the iPad will be getting this one under the tree.
And even thought I love it I know Amazon is great as incremental improvements so I will also keep a list of things I wish they’d change (some are just bugs) here.
