November 17, 2011 43 Comments

Amazon Kindle Fire Is Worth It

I just picked up my Kindle Fire (amazon affiliate link) and found it to be really good as a consumption device. I’d seen some early tech reviews saying that it wasn’t all that and a bag of chips, but I’m not seeing it. I think the device is pretty slick, shiny, and works well. I shot a video review, so scroll down if you want to see it in action for a moment. (There’s even some Batman to be seen.)

What it isn’t is an iPad2. And maybe that’s where people are getting all hung up.

Amazon Kindle Fire

The device is about 7 inches, which makes it a bit smaller than an iPad2, bigger than a smartphone (one hopes), and absolutely reasonable to put into a larger pocket, or to tuck into your laptop bag or purse. There are a decent number of covers and sleeves available at this time, but I haven’t tried any out, so I will just point you towards a few at the bottom for you to check out (again- none of these have been touched by me, so I can’t vouch for them.) Upon getting the device turned on, connected to my wifi, and then linked to my Amazon account, I suddenly had access to all the books I’d bought from the Kindle store, to all the music I’d purchased from the Amazon MP3 store, to the movies and TV shows I’d purchased from Amazon’s video service. It was pretty quick and simple.

The system running underneath all this is an Amazon-skinned flavor of Android, the popular Google OS. Amazon offers a much smaller version of the Android App store with fewer applications available, but I haven’t yet found that to be particularly limiting (except there’s no Google+ yet, which kind of bums me out). The average regular person user will likely not notice a thing, plus all the other social networks are well represented, and I presume Google+ will have a Kindle Fire version soon.

My Video Review


Can’t see the video? Click Here

NEW: My PARENTS’ Video Review

This video is a tad long at over 11 minutes, but there are some interesting parts to consider. Plus I trimmed out some of it, so what’s left is pretty meaty.


Can’t see this video? Click Here

So Why Were People Complaining?

I think it’s because we’ve seen how slick an iPad2 is, and because we’ve seen some of the other feature-heavy tablets, and we think that the Kindle Fire should be that instead of what it is: a perfectly good, quality digital consumption device. If you’re thinking of getting a non-Apple tablet device for someone over the upcoming holiday season, and the person isn’t a hardcore Apple fiend, this might well be the device.

Get the Kindle Fire (amazon affiliate link)

Need a Cover or Sleeve?

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  • http://www.mommywords.com Brittany at Mommy Words

    Thanks Chris.  I have had that baby in a cart for a few days and I think I am one step closer to purchasing.  I do still hold a grudge at amazon (and my own state) for cutting off affiliate relationships with us North Carolinians but I still have been eyeing this!

    • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

      I totally get that, about the affiliate part. That stinks. But I think that’s bigger forces at play. Plus, if you USE a lot of amazon digital products, this thing is built to receive them. : ) 

  • http://jeffkorhan.com Jeff Korhan

    Hey Chris – Glad to see you have Paid to Speak in your library.  I authored the chapter on blogging!  

    Of course, why should I be surprised as you seem to read everything.  :)  

    Agree that Kindle Fire will serve a portion of the market well.

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  • http://keithkorneluk.com Keith Korneluk

    I ordered one for my wife for Christmas for the purpose of consuming content. I think it’s a great device for movies, books and some gentle web browsing. Sure, a camera would be nice but what do you expect at a $199 price point?

    Personally I like my iPad and couldn’t see replacing it. I travel often and it’s nice to have a bit more of a full-featured device. I couldn’t see just carrying a Fire with me to meetings the way I often do on the iPad.

    Thanks for putting out this review. I swear, almost every other review of the Fire is exactly the same. My only regret is that I can’t play with it prior to December 25th (it’s for her, for heaven sake!).

  • http://wwww.ontargetcoach.com Brent Pittman

    Might be a good choice for traveling and on the go…I’m still saving up for the I-pad 3 though. 

  • http://twitter.com/Avasiare Avasiare

    I’m so wanting to get one.  I’ve been lugging this book around I’ve been reading that’s close to 1000 pages long.  I’m sure at least one airline wanted to charge me extra.  Appreciate your review, I don’t see the point of getting an iPad while having the iPhone (I’m sure there may be several reasons), but if I can save a couple of $100′s for what I use my tech tools for, I’m totally for it!

  • http://www.thejackb.com/ The JackB

    It is hard to beat at $200 per unit. Amazon has a huge library to draw from. I am seriously considering picking one up. The iPads are cool but so much more money….

    • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

      This device gets more use from me than my iPad, but that’s also because I’m heavily into Amazon. 

  • http://twitter.com/RobinEThornton Robin E. Thornton

    This is the exact conculsion I came to and why I decided to buy it.  It’s for my personal media consumption.  And rather than shelling out the $$ for an iPad will probably purchase a Notebook – will serve me better in business!  It’s a challenge to have so many choices.   Thanks!

  • http://twitter.com/RobinEThornton Robin E. Thornton

    Agreed. Super option for personal media consumption.  Notebook better for business purposes.  Lucky but challenging to have so many options.  Thanks for review.

  • http://www.jmlalonde.com Joe Lalonde

    Thanks for the review. Sounds like a solid first shot for Amazon.

  • http://twitter.com/thegospelwriter Wanza Leftwich, TGW

    Awesome! I will definitely consider it. I have had my heart on the iPad2, but this doesn’t seem like a bad option as well. Maybe I’ll get this first and then the iPad2. Thanks!

    • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

      The iPad2 is a LOT more powerful than a Kindle, so if you want to do a lot more …meaty stuff, you might get the iPad2. However, if you’re just likely to use it for consumption of movies, video, blah blah, and browsing, this is a great option. Frankly, if you’ve not invested in the iTunes store, this would be the time to go Amazon. You can play their music on iTunes *or* on a Kindle. 

  • http://twitter.com/TamRachel Rachel Tam

    Nice review. I like how it doesn’t cost $500 like the iPads. But it still lacks some of the functions iPads can offer. Thanks for the review.  

    • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

      iPads do a LOT more and are a lot more powerful, but you can do quite a bit with a Kindle Fire, and save yourself the $300. 

  • Bob Angus

    Agree. I’m a book guy. Usually I get what I need for free at my local library. But the Fire is making it a must have. Plus, I love that Amazon is adding a borrowing library for Prime users.

    One big consumption element that it is missing… an RSS reader. You can subscribe to blogs but have to pay $0.99 each. C’mon Google Reader app.

    • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

      I’m a long time book guy. I love books. However, I fly a lot. Whenever I’m caught without a book, it’s definitely a life-saver. If you want it for consuming media, it’s top shelf. 

    • Anonymous

      Bob – did you know you can borrow books from your library and have them sent to your Kindle? I do this all the time. 

      • http://twitter.com/thegospelwriter Wanza Leftwich, TGW

        I did not know that! Thanks!

  • http://twitter.com/JanetBoyer Janet Boyer

    Hey, did I see Rush’s Test for Echo while you were flipping through content at the beginning?

    • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

      No, but that’s a swell album. : ) 

  • http://www.mobileinquirer.com/ Mobile Inquirer

    Hi. At this price I have to say that the arrival of Amazon’s Kindle Fire along with their expected foray into the smartphone market at the end of 2012 are going to bring about a good old price war that can only help the consumer me thinks…nice review.

    • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

      I totally agree about the smartphone angle. Did you see the Bezos offer where he put EVERY smartphone BUT the iPhone on sale for a penny? 

      • http://www.mobileinquirer.com/ Mobile Inquirer

        Cheers, I have missed this completely….but just found out more.

        Man that is some cheeky entrance to a new market….nice….thanks for the heads up, article coming up tomorrow on this!

  • Anonymous

    Amazon is still suffering from myopia. This is a device to buy Amazon content. Give it for free for people who have bought US$ 1000 in books and videos, give 50% discount for those who bought US$ 500 and so on. The Fire doesn’t do 10% of what the iPad does.
    I have been an Amazon consumer since 1995 and the company never acknowledged me for this loyalty. I will keep reading my kindle books on the iPad, thank you.
    The only interesting feature is the smaller size. Reading in the iPad is not perfect because of the size, especially in bed or lying down.

    • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

      WHy give it away for free when you can sell a shit-ton of them for $200? Apple doesn’t give ANYTHING away for free. 

      • Anonymous

        Chris, Amazon sells the device with no profit. They make money from content. 

        Giving the Fire away or offering a discount would help them to direct more people to their store for music, video and books, creating loyalty, before they run to Apple and start putting all their current and worst, future content from iTunes on iCloud. This is basic share protection marketing strategy, much like what Gillette does when they discount the shaving device in order to sell blades. 

        The time for them to do this is now. The threat is not the iPad, it is content from iTunes. Itunes is much better with songs and videos, and Amazon leads with books because people already have kindle books. But even that can change.

        Man, you just wrote an article on focus ! Amazon must keep their focus, and gate in their customers while they still can.

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  • http://twitter.com/ShakespeareGeek Duane Morin

    I agree completely with your review. I bought one for my wife, to make up for that gap between trying to check and send email on her iTouch before she goes to bed at night, and lugging the computer back and forth from its docking station when she may not be in the mood to do so.  Got a KindleFire, connected up her email and facebook accounts, already had some crucial Office Document viewers from the AppStore, and now she has a new nightstand device that can not only replace most of her computer time comfortably, but also handles the job of being her nightly reading, whether that’s “The Help” or “People Magazine”.  She was never the market for an iPad, and it would be silly for me to spend double the price just because that’s the one everybody has to have.  Shortly my kids (9 and 7) will have them as well.  There’s no way I’d have run out to buy 3 iPads.

    Ironically, I think she’s planning to get me an iPad for Christmas :).  Who am I to say no? I’m the geek in the house, I’m totally the market for that.

  • Anonymous

    Personally my iPad has been replaced. It is too big to carry with me at all times and although it is great for consuming content – I find I much prefer creating content on my MacBook Air.

    Between my MacBook Air, my iPhone and my KindleFire I am set. The iPad now belongs to my toddler. 

    I have read about 2 books a week since getting my first Kindle Reader – hopefully I can continue this trend while using the Kindle Fire.

    My only concern with the Kindle Fire is the shinny screen. It is going to be hard to read books at the beach in the summer, but I have a few months to figure out what to do about that.

    Bottom line… The Kindle Fire is the perfect size to keep with you and consume multiple types of content, especially books and videos.

  • http://www.wildwomannetwork.com SandraLeeSchubert, Get heard.

    Thanks for the review- the price point and size are big draws for me. 

    Reading is big for me, especially on the subway- however lugging one or two around is tiring. I have been eyeing the Kindle just for its size. 
    I don’t need bells and whistles- just my Amazon stuff. Also since I get a lot of review books from publishers, I could now get them thru netgallery, saving another tree and my back. I like the feature where you could lend books to friends and borrow library books. The browsing capabilities makes it sweeter- so at home I could read and check online stuff. 

  • http://www.headwise.net/index.php/services Web Analysis

    Amazon kindle device is one of the best device.I hope this device will also produce better result almost all others companies.Amazon Ebook i have already bought.I am satisfy of this device.Now i am agree of the great work of Amazon.

  • http://www.ragnarok.existencero.com/ragnarok/ragnarokprivateserver.html timfong

    I bought one last week and so far I’m amazed at how well amazon kindle is working. I would recommend it to anyone.

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  • tom

    That “fast forward” squeak is very annoying!!

  • Jccs276

    I got one for Christmas and it’s amazing. Plus with the right apps I can do all kinds of things for work on it. Documents, spreadsheets, powerpoint, email and so on. Sure there is no camera, but it’s pretty damn good for the money.

  • http://www.zip-repair.org/ recovery zip file

    Great post Nice one thanks.

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  • mike

    I have the ipad3 but the kindle fire look so cooler