<p>Hi,</p>
<p>I just watched the KindleFire demo at Sam’s. I am toying with getting one for my parents to share. My mom has an old Kindle to read, but this would be to play games and surf from the sofa.</p>
<p>Any thoughts on usability? I searched an old thread, but they’ve been out a while now so looking for more informed opinions!</p>
<p>There was an 8" Vizio tablet that looked good (also for about $200) but they are apparently out of stock everywhere.</p>
<p>thanks!</p>
<p>I like my Fire.
Its kindle small for my tired ires.
Sharp, color, lasts and portable
Features Google and Amazon for supportables
Cheap also everything I aspire.</p>
<p>don’t know about the fire but after visiting last year my Dad got an iPad and he loves it. Uses it all the time. Didn’t get the 3G just the wifi version.</p>
<p>Just saying, I wouldn’t mind finding it under my tree.</p>
<p>…</p>
<p>Do they have wifi ?</p>
<p>You might want to read this:</p>
<p><a href=“Amazon Kindle Fire Faces Critics and Remedies Are Promised - The New York Times”>Amazon Kindle Fire Faces Critics and Remedies Are Promised - The New York Times;
<p>I have been using the original iPad for a while and just received a Kindle Fire. Before I played with it I thought that I might order one for my mother as a Christmas gift. I don’t know how old your parents are but my mother would not have the small motor skills to work the touch screen. I love fiddling with a new gadget but am finding the Fire frustrating. Transitions are jumpy and using it is not as intuitive as the iPad. As the Times article said, it can size a website improperly and you will have to adjust the size. I have not watched a movie on it but I did look at a few Youtube videos to test it visually and it was fine. The price is great but if I had to grade the Kindle Fire I would give it a C+ at best.</p>
<p>My techie friends are NOT giving the Fire good reviews,unfortunately. My elderly father got a regular Kindle and is struggling to use it. I don’t know if it’s the motor skills thing (I haven’t personally seen him with it) or just old dog/new tricks etc. He did pretty well with his Blackberry, but the Kindle seems perplexing for him. I was in favor of an iPad, but my half-brother went with the Kindle instead. I think he also has an iPhone now, which should also be an adjustment. I’ll see him at Christmas.</p>
<p>Thanks for the help. I decided against it mainly due to usability worries. I would love to get them an IPad2, but that is beyond my budget.</p>
<p>Appreciate all your help!</p>
<p>The problem with most of the devices that are marketed as a do-it-all hybriddevice is that they fail miserably. No matter how much hype it gets, the iPad is not a computer. Neither are the tablets such as the Nook and Fire. </p>
<p>The Kindle is/was an amazing device to … READ BOOKS and emulate the experience of the books as closely as possible. The long battery and light weight are are major qualities. The moment one goes to color screens, one creates issues of battery life and portability. The Kindle works well for reading book with a nice degree of comfort. Reading books on active and color screens is NOT that great of an experience. </p>
<p>As usual, one should measure his or her expected use of the device before splurging on one type over another. While people use their smartphones all the time, it is because of the phone and text capabilities. The hybrid devices are most often left behind and the result of an impulsive purchase. </p>
<p>Caveat emptor. </p>
<p>PS I just purchased a Kindle Touch as a Xmas gift.</p>
<p>I’ve been taking the K-Fire with me when I’m out with W. She shops, I look for a hot spot. The K-Fire is not a iPad (she has one) but bigger than a iTouch and definitely lighter than a laptop or minilap. I got a zippered, 5x10 leather document folder (some cruise ship giveaway) at a garage sale, that also carries any flyers that I may pickup, Yesterday I got flyers from a Korean Store for a couple of models of washlet bidgets.</p>
<p>So LongPrime, do you like your Kindle Fire?</p>
<p>I bought a Kindle Touch 3-G. I managed to get it up and running and downloaded free books from the local library and Amazon. I have re-sized the text for my aging eyes. I like it, but just for reading books.</p>
<p>I like the K-Fire better than sitting on a mall bench while waiting for W.
DS got a K-Fire. He works with the thing, so if there are any problems, I know who can help me, although with some begging.</p>