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Kindle Fire |OT|
- Thread starter BFIB
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Material541
Member
Can you load your own video files onto it and play them (or also stream them from Amazon Cloud Drive), or is this not possible?
dr3upmushroom
Banned
I was going to try and get one of these from the family for Christmas, but after being disappointed with the Engadget review (magazine reading is the primary reason I want one, and it looks like the screen's pixel density just isn't quite cut out for that) I'm going to hold off for a revision or two.
It's a shame because I love the form factor, as long as their resolutions weren't too different I'd far rather use a 7" tablet than a 10". With the rumors that Apple may release a 7" iPad it'd be awesome if they made one with a "Retina" display. Or, you know, if anyone else did, but it looks like we'd have to wait a bare minimum of a year for Kindle or Nook to step up.
It's a shame because I love the form factor, as long as their resolutions weren't too different I'd far rather use a 7" tablet than a 10". With the rumors that Apple may release a 7" iPad it'd be awesome if they made one with a "Retina" display. Or, you know, if anyone else did, but it looks like we'd have to wait a bare minimum of a year for Kindle or Nook to step up.
I uploaded a video to my cloud drive to test this out for you only to discover that only music is currently supported on the Fire. I can't even upload documents or pictures to try those out! Very disappointing.Material541 said:
There is an email address you can use to send yourself documents, but when I tried to send the video, I got this in return:
That seems to be more focused on the older Kindles, and not the tablet. None-the-less, the video didn't send over.
The only thing I didn't try is using a USB cable, but I'm not sure that works either. The video app seems focused on video content purchased through Amazon.
Tested is starting a live quicklook http://www.tested.com/live/
If you miss it, it should be on their video section soon after.
If you miss it, it should be on their video section soon after.
perryfarrell
Member
sykoex said:
Great, thanks for the link!
perryfarrell
Member
lawblob said:
Well compared to tablets more than 2x the price, you can't expect Fire to be better. I think Tested is pretty positive so far.
Edit: I guess they don't like the browsing a whole lot... hmmm
VindictiveGnome
Member
I ordered a Fire this morning. After watching that Tested I'm not sure if I should wait for a revision in the next year or so. Everything software related should just get better, right? I would think they could release updates for the device and apps. It seems the software is some of the problem not the hardware. So, I would think there is hope some of these issues can get fixed.
Stormwatch
Member
I got my Fire in the mail today. I only got to play with it for a couple minutes. I was disappointed to learn that you can't stream videos from the Cloud. I guess I'll just have to plan my movie watching in advance. I want to wait until I get more of a chance to use it before I form an opinion. Initially I'm a little underwhelmed, but I haven't had a chance to explore everything on it yet.
Liu Kang Baking A Pie
Member
"I'm buying this because it may potentially get better in the future... right?"VindictiveGnome said:
VindictiveGnome
Member
Yes and no. It seems pretty good now and I feel it could only get better in the future. I've never owned a tablet and I was just looking for a little guidance. Thanks for your help.Liu Kang Baking A Pie said:
From personal experience, I wouldn't advise purchasing (or, in your case, holding on to a purchase) based on theoretical potential. I know that's a boilerplate statement, but it's borne out for me more often than not. It is possible that Amazon will right the ship where software is concerned in future updates, but when you're plunking down $200, I don't think you should have to be waiting for the future.VindictiveGnome said:
Open it up and try it out when it arrives, since Amazon allows you 30 days to change your mind. If at the end of a week you aren't sold on it, return and wait for the revision.
TheChewyWaffles
Member
Posting from my Fire. Browser is slow as shit on this thing but otherwise I like it.
VindictiveGnome
Member
After reading many reviews, it seems like Amazon delivered a great device with pretty good software. I was just curious to know if the minor annoyances (sluggishness, web browser issues) could be fixed with a software update. I will try it out for awhile and see how I feel about it. I hope it ships soon. I was thinking about going to pick one up at Target and then returning the one from Amazon to Target, but I think it's different packaging.renitou said:
zou said:
You can't stream files from your cloud, but of course the Amazon instant video works.
I got mine today and love it.
Reading is much easier than I thought it would be since I am used to the e-ink screen. Like others have said the browser is a little slow, but I think the kinks with that will be worked out as time goes by.
Krauser Kat
Member
It has been rooted. Damn they are getting fast.
dskillzhtown
keep your strippers out of my American football
VindictiveGnome said:
If you think it seems pretty good, then go ahead and buy it. The tech cycle goes every year now, so of course there will be a Fire 2 that will be better than this one. But if you are happy with this one, then why wait?
From everything I have read, you can't go wrong with it. $200 bucks for a decent tablet that plays nice with the Amazon ecosystem. But you have to make your own decision with your wallet.
VindictiveGnome
Member
Are you sure? The boxes at Target looked white with some sort of design on it. They were laying down so I couldn't see exactly what it looked like so I could be completely wrong. Every unboxing I've seen has had a different box. If you're right I'll go out right now and pick one up.nemss said:
Edit: I see it here that it's a sleeve that goes over the box. It must be the same box. Thanks.
Stormwatch
Member
zou said:
Sorry, I wasn't clear. You can't stream videos that you upload yourself to your cloud. I was hoping I could upload some digital copies I received from combo packs I've purchased in the past. This is actually an instance where the UltraViolet Digital Copy comes in handy. The Flixster App works well on the Fire and you can stream videos from there.
HiroProtagonist
Member
I played with one earlier and I agree completely. The power button (placement and being a button and not a slider) is a worse design flaw than not having a physical volume rocker.luoapp said:
Some pics:
Been playing with it since yesterday evening, some quick thoughts:
-feels solid, good construction. Not cheap or flimsy
- UI is fairly smooth - scrolling and navigating are solid. Not as fast as say, my phone, but good. There are some inconsistencies that are annoying though.
- zooming a little less so, and it's kind of random how well it works on webpages.
- browser is ok, not super slow but I was expecting faster.
- video streaming through both Amazon and Netflix is disappointing. Netflix also froze on me one of the three times I tried it, and the 'shortcut' on the home screen for the Amazon movie I downloaded to test decided it only wants to show half of the icon for some reason. This is kind of a big deal to me, as a media device I want the Netflix/Amazon video experience to be really solid, so big negative there.
- nice screen, though after using my phone I'm kinda looking forward to seeing Nook's 'mounted to the glass' screen
- Comixology works well
- App Store layout is decent, like the free app thing
- no volume buttons? wtf
- had issues with wifi at first, needed to manual update....so no USB cable included? wtf
Overall pretty decent. I'll try it out another week, try and get a chance to go by B&N and check out the Nook, figure out what to do from there.
Been playing with it since yesterday evening, some quick thoughts:
-feels solid, good construction. Not cheap or flimsy
- UI is fairly smooth - scrolling and navigating are solid. Not as fast as say, my phone, but good. There are some inconsistencies that are annoying though.
- zooming a little less so, and it's kind of random how well it works on webpages.
- browser is ok, not super slow but I was expecting faster.
- video streaming through both Amazon and Netflix is disappointing. Netflix also froze on me one of the three times I tried it, and the 'shortcut' on the home screen for the Amazon movie I downloaded to test decided it only wants to show half of the icon for some reason. This is kind of a big deal to me, as a media device I want the Netflix/Amazon video experience to be really solid, so big negative there.
- nice screen, though after using my phone I'm kinda looking forward to seeing Nook's 'mounted to the glass' screen
- Comixology works well
- App Store layout is decent, like the free app thing
- no volume buttons? wtf
- had issues with wifi at first, needed to manual update....so no USB cable included? wtf
Overall pretty decent. I'll try it out another week, try and get a chance to go by B&N and check out the Nook, figure out what to do from there.
CzarTim said:
Received this today as well, and I think that I agree. It's solidly made and looks nice, but having to pop the device out of the clamps every time you want to prop it up seems like unnecessary wear and tear to me. I'll try it out for a few more days, but I might return mine too.
ReturnOfTheRAT
Member
BigNastyCurve said:
I have not experienced that. Most pages load without issue. TMZ.com for example has an ad and I can't seem to scroll past it or close the pop up ad. Everywhere else, even a really heavy site like TheVerge.com loads and functions.
ugh, just got the kindle fire and have been setting it up. I hope If the wifi network screen is not an indication of things to come, scrolling the list was incredibly laggy and jerky..
edit: so scrolling in general is not an issue, it's fast, responsive and accurate. And I like that when you stop scrolling, it automatically changes the position to include any item that otherwise would be only partially visible.
but holy shit is the quality of the streamed videos horrible. it's one giant pixelated mess, almost to the point of being unwatchable. there better be an option to increase the quality, or it's going right back.
edit 2: what the hell, it enters sleep mode after something like 10 seconds, disconnects wifi and throws you out of the current video. And reconnecting is so slow that after unlocking and trying to resume the video it tells me "active wifi connection" required. what the fucking hell amazon.
edit: so scrolling in general is not an issue, it's fast, responsive and accurate. And I like that when you stop scrolling, it automatically changes the position to include any item that otherwise would be only partially visible.
but holy shit is the quality of the streamed videos horrible. it's one giant pixelated mess, almost to the point of being unwatchable. there better be an option to increase the quality, or it's going right back.
edit 2: what the hell, it enters sleep mode after something like 10 seconds, disconnects wifi and throws you out of the current video. And reconnecting is so slow that after unlocking and trying to resume the video it tells me "active wifi connection" required. what the fucking hell amazon.
Compared to Playbook streaming the same video over Amazon Prime:
close ups:
http://i.imgur.com/YEtlc.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/VDaia.jpg
ridiculous.
close ups:
http://i.imgur.com/YEtlc.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/VDaia.jpg
ridiculous.
so netflix audio is playing out of sync, ipad and every other device are fine so it's not a source issue.
and during video playback there is this slim bar that won't go away and can't be hidden, incredibly distracting. and don't get me started on that power button placement, renders landscape mode virtually unusuable.
I cant't believe how badly they screwed up both software and hardware.
and during video playback there is this slim bar that won't go away and can't be hidden, incredibly distracting. and don't get me started on that power button placement, renders landscape mode virtually unusuable.
I cant't believe how badly they screwed up both software and hardware.
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