An Overview of The tablet from Amazon
Amazon Kindle Fire
is the firstborn from the Amazon to the tablet market. The device was
introduced in December last year and it has become one of the most
interesting novelties of the season. The tablet is based on Android OS
version 2.3, "disguised" under the original shell.
The main "chip" of Amazon Kindle Fire is the low price and very attractive hardware characteristics (quality display with a diagonal of 7" and a resolution of 1024x600 pixels, dual-core processor clocked at 1 GHz), in the U.S. It can be purchased online for $199 (excluding tax) that is rumored to be a little higher, and possibly lower than the cost. Selling tablet almost at a loss, Amazon has benefited from related services: online music stores, books, magazines, videos, and applications, as well as the "cloud" service Amazon Cloud Drive, Shell interface. Amazon Kindle Fire is arranged in such a way as to make use of all these services as convenient as possible.
The main "chip" of Amazon Kindle Fire is the low price and very attractive hardware characteristics (quality display with a diagonal of 7" and a resolution of 1024x600 pixels, dual-core processor clocked at 1 GHz), in the U.S. It can be purchased online for $199 (excluding tax) that is rumored to be a little higher, and possibly lower than the cost. Selling tablet almost at a loss, Amazon has benefited from related services: online music stores, books, magazines, videos, and applications, as well as the "cloud" service Amazon Cloud Drive, Shell interface. Amazon Kindle Fire is arranged in such a way as to make use of all these services as convenient as possible.
However, the Amazon's services for the Amazon Kindle Fire are for the U.S. market only, so in other countries there are some problems in the work of services. But, despite this, Amazon Kindle Fire is able to settle into a gadget park not only for the residents of the United States, but of other countries.
In this review, we will not only address the topic of access and Root-cracking of Amazon Kindle Fire, but will discuss the main features of the tablet and its interface, as well as how to adapt it to the needs and demands of the users.
Specifications
Operating system: Android 2.3
Processor: Dual core, 1000 MHz
Random access memory: 512 MB
Built-in Memory 8 GB
Screen: TFT IPS, 1024x600 pixels, 7 "
Type of sensor: Capacitive with multitouch support
Wireless interfaces: Wi-FI 802.11n
Support formats: TXT, PDF, unprotected MOBI, PRC natively, Audible (Audible Enhanced (AA, AAX), DOC, DOCX, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP, MP3, MIDI, VP8, AVI, MP4, AAC, WAV, OGG
Connecting to a computer: USB
Operation time: 8:00 (7.5 hours of video playback) Measurements 190x120x11 mm Weight 414 g
As can be seen in the above table, the dimensions of Amazon
Kindle Fire are 190x120x11 mm. The size of the device can be compared with the other 6-7-inch electronic "e-Book" readers. In the pocket, it is not fully fit, but it will likely fit in the inside pocket of a suit coat or jacket.
Despite the fact that the Amazon Kindle Fire tablet is quite broad, it is easy to hold with one hand, in any orientation. But to manage it with one hand, most users cannot work as the screen size is too large for this.
Processor: Dual core, 1000 MHz
Random access memory: 512 MB
Built-in Memory 8 GB
Screen: TFT IPS, 1024x600 pixels, 7 "
Type of sensor: Capacitive with multitouch support
Wireless interfaces: Wi-FI 802.11n
Support formats: TXT, PDF, unprotected MOBI, PRC natively, Audible (Audible Enhanced (AA, AAX), DOC, DOCX, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP, MP3, MIDI, VP8, AVI, MP4, AAC, WAV, OGG
Connecting to a computer: USB
Operation time: 8:00 (7.5 hours of video playback) Measurements 190x120x11 mm Weight 414 g
As can be seen in the above table, the dimensions of Amazon
Kindle Fire are 190x120x11 mm. The size of the device can be compared with the other 6-7-inch electronic "e-Book" readers. In the pocket, it is not fully fit, but it will likely fit in the inside pocket of a suit coat or jacket.
Despite the fact that the Amazon Kindle Fire tablet is quite broad, it is easy to hold with one hand, in any orientation. But to manage it with one hand, most users cannot work as the screen size is too large for this.
Amazon Kindle Fire's Screen is based on a matrix TFT IPS and has a resolution of 1024x600. Viewing angles are very good, both horizontally and vertically. The picture quality may also be commended - the colors of juicy. The color is true while displaying anything on the screen in white, such as web pages with a white background and it is noticeable that the screen slightly "yellow". The brightness is more than enough. Comfortable for the tablet in bright conditions is 70 percent short of its maximum level, while in the dark enough place, it is only 20-30 percent of the maximum level.
Amazon Kindle Fire's screen Sensor works with a slight delay, for example by moving your finger up and down or scaled image in a browser: it will be noticeable, as it is slightly behind the finger. Serious impact on the usability of the tablet, this delay does not have, but in some applications, such as in dynamic games, it slightly reduces the efficiency of management.
Another notable characteristic of the Amazon Kindle Fire is the built-in memory - it is the 8 GB tablet, with 6.5 GB available to the user of them, which by today's standards is not much. For example, in this volume will fit 3.4 film as 720p. In this case, a memory card slot in the Amazon Kindle Fire is missing.
But the owner of the Amazon Kindle Fire tablet can register his device on the official website and Amazon offers 5 GB on the "cloud" service for Amazon Cloud Drive. The user can also be installed on the tablet customers of other "cloud" file storage, such as Dropbox. But a full replacement of internal memory or a memory card "cloud" gigabytes are not available, as to access them you need access to the Internet (in the case of the Amazon Kindle Fire is a Wi-Fi connection).
Packaging and Delivery
Amazon Kindle Fire comes
in a large box of unusual shape, with the "cut" corner, packaged in a
decorative box cover. Inside the box, it is quite simple: cardboard,
with no frills. But the cover on the contrary, is bright and attractive,
with shiny labels and colorful pictures.
Amazon Kindle Fire box contains only the most essential minimum guides. There is no full instructions. Instead, Amazon only put a brief guide in the scope of the voucher from a cardboard with a description of how to turn on your tablet, unlock the screen, and how to find inside an electronic version of the instructions. In addition to this, this is the first time the tablet user is given a briefing in the pictures, which tells about the features of the interface.
From accessories to complete Amazon Kindle Fire,
there is only Charger with American "fork". To charge the tablet,
International users will need to purchase an adapter cable or
USB-microUSB, with which you can also connect the Amazon Kindle Fire to the computer.
The creators have decided not to put the tablet such cable, they are probably not considering it necessary since Amazon Kindle Fire is positioned as a stand-alone device that is independent of the computer. And it's true: all the applications and files in this tablet is available for download via the Internet, including through service Amazon. To transfer files from your computer to your tablet and vice versa, you can use "cloud" service Amazon Cloud Drive (although in many cases, to transfer files using a cable is more convenient).
Appearance and Construction
Skin of the Amazon Kindle Fire is
so amazing that this tablet can be recognized only by pressing the logo
Kindle and Amazon dull nameplate on the back. There are still other
distinguishing marks on the tablet. It is completely black, and from the
front, it seems like the device of the discharge "bricks" like a large
Chinese media player or unknown "reading room" with a color screen.
The design of the Amazon Kindle Fire is not so interesting, which would make this tablet is remembered and would allow it to stand out among other gadgets. On the other hand, any unsavory moments in the appearance of the tablet is also not just that he is extremely modest.
Amazon Kindle Fire Case is a "sandwich" in which the bottom is a pane of frosted plastic and tempered glass, and between them is shiny metal frame. Plus housing is build quality, it literally is solid, minus a tendency to "collecting" fingerprints.
There is only one Hardware button on the body of Amazon Kindle Fire, it
is the on / off / in sleep mode, which is located on the bottom plate,
although in the case of the Kindle Fire, there are buttons in both
bottom and top of the tablet, which is the concept of conditional: it is
almost symmetrical both horizontally and in vertical, and has automatic
screen rotation. This button is noticeably "give away" from the body,
so it is the owner to base plate on the end, which is the button, as it
works and offers turn it off.
At the opposite end of the Amazon Kindle Fire are slotted speaker. The speakers do not play very loud, but for a portable device, it is surprisingly high quality.
At the side of the rear panel of the Amazon Kindle Fire are connectors. At one end could be placed "rocker" volume. The volume has to regulate screen means that it is not always convenient.
In one corner of the front panel there is a mysterious "eye". You may think that this lens webcam, but unfortunately, there is not camera in Amazon Kindle Fire, and the eye is actually a light sensor.
Interface and standard applications
At the side of the rear panel of the Amazon Kindle Fire are connectors. At one end could be placed "rocker" volume. The volume has to regulate screen means that it is not always convenient.
In one corner of the front panel there is a mysterious "eye". You may think that this lens webcam, but unfortunately, there is not camera in Amazon Kindle Fire, and the eye is actually a light sensor.
Interface and standard applications
What we can see on the Amazon Kindle Fire screen bears little resemblance to the standard interface of the OS Android 2.3, running on this tablet. Of the common features - only tray (line with system icons at the top of the screen), and it is, in comparison with a standard Trey Android, has undergone some changes.
When you touch the right side of the tray of Amazon Kindle Fire appears compact setup menu that allows you to quickly adjust the display brightness, volume, turn on or off WiFi, lock or unlock the automatic screen rotation, and to synchronize the time and date on the tablet with the server Amazon. In order to move to a more "advanced" settings list, the pop-up menu, you need to click More.
Accustomed to Android desktop not to Amazon Kindle Fire. Instead there is a "carousel" of the icons of recently opened applications and files. Under the carousel menu favorite applications and user files (Favouurites), represented as a bookshelf. Owner of Amazon Kindle Fire alone can add application icons, files this menu and remove them from it.
Between Trey and the carousel is the fast search and a horizontal list of categories (sections), which graded the contents of the Amazon Kindle Fire tablet. Category contains the following:
- Newsstand - Newspapers and magazines
- Books - Books
- Music - Music Player
- Video - Video
- Docs - Documents
- Apps - Application
- Web - Web browser Silk
The category Newsstand get electronic newspapers and magazines in PDF, as well as applications that can be used to purchase subscriptions to certain publications. The standard program for reading magazines Amazon Kindle Fire can work in both landscape and portrait orientation, support displaying content and fast scrolling, scalable method page "double-tap" and "stretching your fingers."
In the Books displays e-books in a AZW format (mobi) which is a proprietary format of Amazon, in which literature is distributed in the online store of the company. In the public domain books in the format AZW rare, officially closed format.
No other formats, including such popular as FB2 and Epub, built-in Amazon Kindle Fire "reader" is not supported. But, fortunately, with the help of special tools (eg, calibre) can convert books from these and many other formats to AZW.
The functionality of "reading" is not inferior to that of individual devices for reading electronic books. There is the ability to create bookmarks (in a book may be several), create notes, linked to selected pieces of text, navigation, content and jump to a specific page, search for the selected text in Google and Wikipedia. Also the "reader" can scale the text, change the font, adjust the margins and line spacing, select one of three background colors.
Music player in the Amazon Kindle Fire is a convenient and well-organized interface, but in terms of format support and the availability of additional functions, it is quite simple.
Music collection of user sorted by artist and album. It supports playlists, there is one automatic list "Latest Additions" - recently added songs.
From the sound settings, there is only a fixed equalizer "presets". Supported formats include WAV, MP3, WMA, AAC and OGG - as you can see, no exotics.
It is unlikely that many users Amazon Kindle Fire will complain about the lack of functionality of the built-in music player: Still the music is not the main function tablet.However, if you want a more "advanced" music player, we can recommend one of two programs - PowerAMP or Neutron Player.
In the video shows only the videos that the user Amazon Kindle Fire bought in the store Amazon. To see all the other videos in the tablet application provides Gallery (Gallery), with which you can also view photos and arrange slide shows.
Docs section contains the documents in the formats PDF, DOC (X) and TXT. Program for viewing documents functionally similar to the "reading room" magazine section of Newsstand.Edit documents with it is impossible. For those who value the editing function, you can suggest an office suite QuickOffice. This program is good for working with documents in the "field conditions", for example, while traveling in the metro.
The section shows all the Apps installed on Amazon Kindle Fire application. By default, in addition to the above "Gallery" in the tablet have clients Facebook (in fact "only" opens the Facebook tab in the browser), IMDB, "clothing" store Amazon and e-mail. Also present player for audio books Audible, electronic notebook, service application "Help & Feedback", containing a FAQ for Amazon Kindle Fire and allow the user to contact support, and news app "Pulse".
Built in Amazon Kindle Fire Silk internet browser like Safari and Google Chrome uses the mechanism of drawing pages WebKit. The browser supports tabs, bookmarks, kinetic scrolling, can perform file downloads in the background. Pages can be scaled as "pushing" them with two fingers, and double-tapping the screen.
For sites with large text fragments available reading mode: In this mode the screen disappear all the controls - there is only a thin scroll bar on the right, the text block "away" the entire width of the screen, if you see there are images, they remain in place, and all other blocks - banners, navigation menus, images, irrelevant to the text - are transferred to the bottom of the page. May not work correctly, but in most cases, makes the reading of texts on the Internet more comfortable.
Of each category menu Amazon Kindle Fire, except Web, one touch you can make the transition to the shop Amazon with relevant content, as well as the files stored in the "cloud." To play music stored in the "cloud" is used online application Amazon Cloud Player.Like the services of Amazon, it is designed to work only in the U.S.. When you try to access it from a different country, a message "For US Customers Only". This happens when the user is not from America, tries to view or purchase a video store Amazon.
Installing Applications
Installing Applications
As we mentioned in the introductory part of this review, the client in the Android Market Amazon Kindle Fire is not, instead it uses a client branded app store Amazon Appstore.This shop is different in that the range of applications it controls the company Amazon, first, that allows it to select only those applications that are guaranteed to be compatible with the Amazon Kindle Fire, and secondly, makes it possible not to include in range of "junk "Applications for itself. For example, in the Amazon store are no programs for reading e-books, no torrent client.
The owner of Amazon Kindle Fire can also find applications for your tablet on the internet just before you begin to install them, you must allow the installation of applications from alternative sources, via the settings menu. You can also download for Amazon Kindle Fire installation file from your computer, but in order to get access to them on the tablet will need to install a file manager. A good option is the manager of the ES File Explorer, to the main benefits of the program include the user-friendly interface, and the fact that it is free.
Services
Unfortunately, with all the advantages of services Amazon, they have one, essential for Russian users, lack: a job in Russia, they are simply not designed. On regional restrictions Amazon Cloud Player and video store we said.
Another, and even, most likely, the first problem to be faced by Russian user Amazon Kindle Fire, wants to use services from Amazon, is that the app stores and the company files not supported by Russian banks, not registering a suitable bank card , they can not buy even free content.
But fortunately there is a way out, not once. Of course, the most versatile and cost-effective option - is to find yourself a real U.S. bank card and register it - but it is possible, not all people in Russia.
No less versatile, but more costly option - to buy virtual card from a U.S. bank. In contrast to the present U.S. credit card to purchase a virtual can literally everyone in Russia (about how to do this can be found by searching the internet), but these have limited card denomination (put money on them not). Their value thus exceeds nominal, usually twice.
Finally, if you are not going to pay for the Amazon services, and wish to get a free content, you can enter the test credit card number. Card with test numbers present in all payment systems - Visa, MasterCard, American Express and so on, have a zero balance, no expiration date and are identified as cards issued by U.S. banks. Example of a test card number can be easily found on the Internet.
In addition to the credit card number to purchase content in stores Amazon, the user must specify the address. And, again, the Russian address will not work, you need an American. We solve the problem is very simple, just enter any address in the United States, no checks will not give Amazon.
The problem with regional restrictions Amazon Cloud Player and video store can also be solved. Here comes to the aid proxy UnblockUS. This website redirects DNS queries Amazon Kindle Fire so that the video service, Amazon and Amazon Cloud Player "thought" that the tablet is in the U.S..
In order to use the service UnblockUS, to include a static IP, specifying the parameters of Wi-Fi networks to which the Amazon Kindle Fire, as well as the addresses of DNS-servers UnblockUS: 208.122.23.22 and 208.122.23.23 in the settings menu Wi -Fi.
Conclusion
As you can see from the review, the Amazon Kindle Fire can be fully, though with some reservations, to use in Russia, even without resorting to measures such as break and reinstalling the OS. For most people, who are willing to spend a bit of time to "adjust" the tablet for yourself, Amazon Kindle Fire can be a good acquisition.
