The Amazon Kindle has become a staple device in many households. It’s something we adore using and love gifting. It’s a simple device that helps us improve our life. The Amazon Kindle is an entire library in a single device and that is something absolutely amazing.
The Amazon Fire is a surprisingly powerful and smart tablet computer and today, we’re going to take a look at the history behind the Amazon Kindle eBook reader, the Amazon Kindle HD and HDX tablets and why the Kindle Fire is the perfect gift to give your friends and loved ones this season.
A Brief History of eBook Readers
Why a brief history? Because eBook readers don’t really have much of a history. We can say that it all began in 1992 when Sony released the first eBook reader, called the Data Discman. It had a little screen and ugly body, it looked nothing like the Amazon Kindle looks today and it worked only with CDs. The device was highly unpopular, perhaps because of the design, except for Japan. Sony had aimed it at students and young people, but it didn’t manage to make a splash outside Japan.
Before the frumpy Data Discman, in 1968, a PhD student named Alan Kay came up with the concept of Dynabook. A personal computer/eBook reader that looked pretty much like an Amazon Kindle eBook reader. He wanted it to be a personal computer for children of all ages, but the Dynabook simply didn’t come true. It stayed in concept form until 2008, when it was already a bit too late for it to take form.
Amazon released their first eBook reader, the Amazon Kindle in 2007. It was something the world hadn’t really seen before and it became immensely popular in no time. It was a brand-new device that people all over the world suddenly needed.
When the tendency, these days, is to condense all the devices we require, need and want, into a single device, the popularity of the Kindle took many by surprise. Then again, it’s pretty awesome to be able to put an entire library into a single device, isn’t it?
Amazon Dips Its Toes in the Tablet Market
In 2011, Amazon just had to get a piece of the tablet pie. They ruled the eBook market and felt the need to put the Amazon name on the tablet market also. That year, Amazon released its first LCD tablet, called the Kindle Fire. It was an Android-based tablet with its own operating system, called Fire OS 1. It was the first Amazon device that didn’t have E Ink, a massive leap and risk taken by Amazon.
The device was successful and in 2012, Amazon released the second generation of Amazon Kindle Fire, called Kindle Fire HD. It is available in two screen sizes: 7’’ and 8.9’’. This version of the Fire was so successful, that Amazon refreshed the line by putting the Kindle Fire into a new body, the body of their next generation of Fire, the Kindle Fire HDX. The HDX was released in September 2013 and it is the third and latest generation of Amazon Kindle Fire line. With the launch of the HDX, Amazon removed the Kindle from the naming of all Fire products and they are all now called Fire HD and Fire HDX.
Kindle Fire HDX
The Kindle Fire HDX was launched in September 2013 and it is available in two sizes: 7 inches and 8.9 inches. In September 2014, Amazon refreshed the line of Kindle Fire HDX that have faster processors and more powerful graphics than the previous model of HDX.
The 7’’ model from the first generation (2013) featured a screen resolution of 1920×1200 with 323 ppi, a Quad-core 2.2 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 CPU and da Qualcomm Adreno 330@450 MHz. It had 2GB of RAM and internal storage up to 64 GB; it lacked a back camera, but it did have a front-facing camera of 1.2 MP which was capable of HD recording. It featured Fire OS 2 (which is a fork of Android 4.2.2). The 4500 mAh battery gives it life for up to 12 hours and its weight is also great: 10.7 oz (303 grams) for the Wi-Fi version and 11.0 oz (311 grams) for the Wi-Fi plus cellular version.
The 8.9’’ model from the first generation (2013) had a better screen resolution compared to the 7’’ model: 2560×1600 with 339 ppi, but the same Snapdragon 800 processor and 2GB of RAM. Internal storage is also up to 64 GB and it has the same operating system as the smaller model, Fire OS 3. It does have an 8 MP back camera and as opposed to the 7’’ model, this one is no longer for sale, as it has been discontinued. So, if you want a 2013 Kindle Fire HDX, you are going to have to go the 7’’ model. If not, go for the 2nd generation model, the one from 2014.
The 2014 model comes in just one size: 8.9 inches. It has the same screen resolution of 2560×1600 with 339 ppi, as the 2013 model, but comes with a newer generation operating system, Fire OS 4. This model also features a newer and better processor, a quad-core 2.5 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 with a GPU QualcomAdreno 420@450 MHz. It has 2 GB of RAM and up to 64 GB of internal storage, an 8MP back camera and a 1.2 MO HD front-facing camera. The battery gives you juice for up to 12 hours and it weighs a little over the weight of the 2013 8.9’’ model (which we must admit, is a bit strange): the Wi-Fi only model weighs 13.2 oz (375 grams) and the Wi-Fi plus cellular, 13.7 oz (389 grams).
If we were to choose one thing that we absolutely love about the Kindle Fire HDX (both generations), it has to be the pixel density. As a reference, you should know that Retina-class iPads have a screen resolution of 2,048×1.536 with a pixel density of 264 pixels per inch. The non-Retina iPads, have an even weaker resolution, of 1,024×768 with 132 ppi. With this in mind, the Kindle Fire HDX sure looks like a winner, doesn’t it?
Mayday, Mayday, Amazon!
Another feature that we haven’t yet discussed and we’re going to present now is the Mayday button. If you need help with your Fire HDX, all you need to do is tap the Mayday button from Quick Settings and you can connect to a tech advisor from Amazon who will guide you through by actually drawing on your screen and doing things for you on your very own tablet. This amazing feature is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and it is absolutely free.
What’s great about it, is that you can see the tech advisor on your screen, which is much less strange that if you couldn’t be able to do that, but they can’t see you. So, if you need help at 2 AM in the morning, when you’re not looking your best, it doesn’t matter at all! Amazon put some serious thought into this feature before they implemented it into all of the Fire tablets.
You only need two things to gain access to Mayday: a registered Amazon account and a very good Wi-Fi connection. The Amazon account is what you need to buy eBooks, so it’s nothing that you wouldn’t do. But, know that if your Wi-Fi is not very strong, then you might experience some connection problems, so remember this before blaming Amazon. Also, know that the session may be recorded for quality assurance, as Amazon puts it. The Mayday feature is something quite special and we’re sure that Amazon has won over a lot of clients with it.
Kindle Fire HD
Kindle Fire HD has reached its third generation in 2014. We’re not going to mention the technical specifications of the previous two models, simply because they have been discontinued. If you’re looking for a second hand model, then we strongly suggest you buy it from a trusted source, especially one that allows you to return products.
The 2014 generation of Fire HD has two models: one with a screen size or 6 inches (15 cm) and the other with 7 inches (18 cm). No more 8.9 inch Fire HD for you! If you want that kind of size, then Amazon is twisting your hand into buying their upper level tablets, the Fire HDX. They are indeed better, specification-wise, but also more expensive.
The Fire HD 6 has a quad-core processor, two high-performance ones (1.5GHz) and two lower-power ones (1.2GHz). Amazon claims that this will deliver two times the speed and three times the graphic performance of the previous Fire HD model. The 6-inch display has a resolution of 1280×800 with 252 ppi, which means that it has over a million pixels. The two front and rear cameras take amazing photos and can capture HD videos. The Gorilla Glass display adds to the reliability of the Fire HD 6. The 6-inch tablet measures 6.7’’x4.1’’x0.4’’ (169x103x10.7 mm) and weighs 10.1 oz (290 grams). The HD 6 has a mono speaker, Dolby Audio and a built-in microphone.
The Fire HD 7 has the same quad-core processor and the same cameras. It is pretty much identical to the Fire HD 6, except for the larger display, naturally. The Fire HD 7 measures 7.5’’x5.0’’x0.4’’ and weighs 11.9 oz (337 grams). The HD 7 has dual stereo speakers, Dobly Audio and a built-in microphone.
The Fire HD is available in five colors: white, black, citron, cobalt and magenta. You should know that the Fire HD does not have the Mayday button; customer support is done through email, phone and web. Also, there is no 4G available on the Fire HD, only on the HDX.
The Price
Now that you know pretty much all you need to know before getting an Amazon tablet, it’s time to take a look at the prices for these awesomely smart tablets and see which one is for you!
The Fire HD 6’’ (2014) – Amazon is marketing this as the most powerful tablet under $100. To be honest, they are absolutely right! The Fire HD 6’’ starts at $99 for the 8GB model and for what’s under the hood, this is a complete bargain. When it came out, the Wall Street Journal exclaimed: Finally, a $100 tablet worth buying. This tablet is also available in the 16GB of internal storage version.
The Fire HD 7’’ (2014) – Starting at $114 for the 8GB model, the Fire HD 7’’ is also available in the 16GB version.
The Fire HDX 7’’ (2013) – You will pay $179 for the 16GB model. 32GB and 64GB versions are also available, but you will need to shell out more money. The HDX are indeed more expensive than the HD models, but they are truly top-of-the-line products, comparable to the best tablets out there. As we mentioned earlier, the HDX has a better screen resolution and ppi than the latest iPad Air 3!
The Fire HDX 8.9’’ (2014) – The HDX 8.9’’ tablet is available in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB. The 16GB version costs $379. Our final verdict is that this tablet is worth the money. It will impress you; it will deliver and it will not disappoint. If you can afford it, go ahead and get it, you will not regret buying it, we can assure you!
Five Reasons Why You Should Buy the Fire HD and HDX
- The Kindle Fire is a spectacular device!
The Fire tablets are without a doubt some of the best tablets in the world. If you’re looking for a great eBook reader, get a Kindle, but if you want a tablet, forget Samsung and even Apple, give Fire HD and HDX a change and you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
- Amazon Prime
Amazon Prime means unlimited streaming of TV episodes and movies, access to over a million songs (ad-free) and reading a Kindle book a month, also for free. When you buy a Fire device, you get 30 days free trial! Millions of people already adore Amazon Prime and you will, too, once you get a Fire HD or HDX.
- Great Gaming Tablet
The HDX is just perfect for gaming! The latest games will play smoothly on this tablet. If you plan to buy it for a friend who is into games, know that your gift will be appreciated. Even if you don’t plan to get the HDX, the HD is going to be satisfactory enough. Keep in mind that both the HD and the HDX are some of the most powerful tablets on the market at the present time. Whether you get one tablet or the other, you’re not cutting corners!
- ASAP
Amazon has ASAP, which is short for Advanced Streaming and Prediction. This allows you to play a video, the moment you hit the play button. No more waiting around for buffering! It learns what movies you like and gets them ready for you. That’s something quite extraordinary that you can only experience with an Amazon device.
- Kindle Fire HD for Kids
How can you not love a company that makes a tablet designed for kids? The package includes a year of Free Time Unlimited, a 2-year special guarantee and a kid ready carrying case. The tablet costs $149, but you can find it at a discount, especially during the holiday season. What is a special guarantee, you ask? Well, Amazon will give you a new tablet to replace your broken one, no matter what happened to it. That’s pretty cool, you have to admit. So if your kid drops and breaks it during the first two years of its purchase, you get a new one, for free! No other tablet manufacturer offers that!
Fire HD for Kids makes a perfect first tablet for children. You, as a parent, have control over what your child views online, naturally, so you don’t have to worry they are being exposed to various damaging content.
All the photos were taken off the official Amazon website. The information about the prices, was also taken from Amazon. The prices for the Fire HD and Fire HDX tablets may vary online or in physical stores. When buying online, make sure you correctly identify the product you want to buy, before hitting the buy button.
Do you have an Amazon Kindle Fire? Are you happy with it? Are you planning to get a Fire HD or Fire HDX for you or your friends and family? Did this article help you decide? Drop us a line in the comment section below and tell us about it!
Roxanne Briean
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