Kindle Fire HDX and other tablets?

[Catrin]

Cool! I've a couple more questions about your experience. Given it's an Amazon device, have you noticed increased ads? Have you side loaded any apps from the Google Play Store? I've read it is easily done. Lastly, what is the thing you like least about the HDX?

[ny biker]

Cool! I've a couple more questions about your experience. Given it's an Amazon device, have you noticed increased ads? Have you side loaded any apps from the Google Play Store? I've read it is easily done. Lastly, what is the thing you like least about the HDX?

There are ads on the home page when I wake the device up. You can pay a bit extra to get rid of them, but they don't bother me. I tried to load Zinio (magazine app) from the Play Store but it downloaded to my smartphone instead. I didn't bother to try to reroute it to the Kindle because I was able to download it directly from Zinio's website to the Kindle.

The things I like least are the fact that I needed to get a new one due to the wifi problem, and the fact that Amazon requires One-Click with a stored credit card account to buy anything digital. I guess the app choices are limited; I've been able to find most of what I wanted, but I really haven't wanted very much. I've found that it can sometimes be difficult to move around an online map (like Mapquest, Bing Maps, Ridewithgps.com) using the touchscreen. I have a free version of the app that allows you to view Microsoft Office files, but have not bought the version that lets you create or edit files because I think that would be hard to do on the tablet.

Note that I haven't tried to stream any TV shows, movies or music yet, so I can't comment on that.

If you have a Best Buy near you, you can go and play around with one. I think you might also be able to try one out at Staples. I tried mine out at Best Buy first, and then bought it from them.

[OakLeaf]

FTR, I create maps on ridewithgps.com on my iPad all the time, and it works seamlessly. Mapping running routes is one of the biggest reasons I need (rather than just like) computing power on the road.

I don't think there's a way to send them to the GPS from any tablet though. That's strictly for routes that get either memorized or written on paper.

[Catrin]

NY Biker, here is one of many links about how to side load non-Amazon apps on the Kindle HDX in case you are interested or find that you need/want something that isn't in the Amazon walled off app-garden.

I do appreciate all of the information and am still uncertain which direction to go. I may, in the end, just decide to hold onto the money but we will see.

[ny biker]

Thanks for the link, Catrin.

FWIW, my issue with mapping sites like ridewithgps or mapquest is related to using them with the touchscreen of the Kindle vs with the laptop's mouse. I was able to plan a ride route using the Kindle this weekend, but I had to be more careful about where I touched the screen when I was moving it around and clicking on roads.

[Catrin]

I hope it is helpful. The more I think about it, the more inclined I am just to keep my money. I tend to like snazzy electronic toys just a bit too much, and that is what this is starting to feel like It isn't like I don't already have a dedicated e-reader, and I am around a full computer MOST of my waking hours. I can't take a table running with me, and I can use my way too large phone (Note 2) to run my kettlebell timing program. It is SO easy for me to spend money on electronics!

[ny biker]

So, I'm going to strongly recommend that if you are looking to buy a tablet, do not even consider a Kindle Fire.

The original Fire HDX that I bought had to be replaced soon after I got it, due to wifi connection issues. I should have known right then that I was in trouble -- Amazon considers these things to be disposable. If you contact them with a technical problem, they tell you to press the power button for 40 seconds to restart it. If that doesn't work, they don't try to figure out what the problem is and if there could be a solution. They just immediately conclude that it's unfixable. If it's under warranty, they send you a new one. If it's not under warranty they tell you to do a factory reset. Wipe everything out and set it up all over again, like you have nothing better to do with your time, but don't think that the problem won't happen again because they're never actually going to try to fix anything. And when your barely-over-a-year-old Kindle just dies and won't start up, they say sorry, we don't repair Kindles, but we'll offer you $14 off the price of a new one.

I found it useful to have a device that's smaller and more portable than a laptop but bigger than a smartphone, with internet access and a decent camera. But my budget is really tight right now and I can't afford a new tablet. When I am able to afford one, it will not be anything from Amazon.