Mother’s Day is right around the corner and I received an Amazon Kindle Fire HDX to review. My husband is now wondering how he is going to top this, because I am slightly obsessed.
Amazon knows what they are doing. We’ve enjoyed the Amazon Kindle Fire HD and the Amazon Kindle Fire TV. Now they have completely outdone themselves with the new Amazon Kindle Fire HDX. Everything down to the packaging is just perfection.
If you are in the market for a new tablet, let me tell you about why i’m loving the Kindle Fire HDX and how it matches up to the Apple iPad and Google Nexus 7.
10 Reasons to Love the Amazon Kindle Fire HDX
1. 8.9 Inch Screen
I love the Nexus 7 size. It made the standard Apple iPad feel bulky. Then I held the Kindle Fire HDX. It’s the perfect size at 8.9 inches. It still fits in my purse, doesn’t require a backpack and holds nicely like a book. If you are looking for the resolution on the 8.9 inch -> 2560×1600 it’s SHARP.
Here is the HDX that fits nicely into my OGIO bag‘s tablet pocket.
Learn more about this tablet on Amazon
2. Ease of Navigation
This device is so easy to use, your Grandma could use it. No – I’m for real. It’s very “don’t make me think”. During setup, there is a quick tutorial on how to use the device (which I love, if you are going to buy something you best know how to use it.)
3. 2 Cameras
3. 2 CamerasKindle Fire HDX 8.9″ features an 8MP rear-facing camera that allows for high-resolution photos and 1080p HD video. The rear camera includes an LED flash, Electronic Image Stabilization to remove hand jitters, a wide-aperture lens, and support for panorama and High Dynamic Range (HDR) imaging. Kindle Fire HDX tablets have a front-facing 720p HD camera, perfect for Skype HD video calls and taking selfies.
4. Light Weight
This device is light-weight, weighing in at 13.2 ounces (13.5 ounces for 4G version).
5. Audio Sounds Amazing
With the Kindle Fire HDX interface, you have 3 features that you want good sound with – movies, audiobooks and music. The Fire HDX features a Dolby Digital Plus audio engine. Dolby Digital Plus includes technology that adjusts volume, creates virtual surround sound.
6. MayDay = Ultimate Customer Service
Having a problem, or don’t quite understand something with the Fire HDX? Just hit the MAYDAY button. Nope, not kidding.
If you are looking for a gift for Grandma and Grandpa – and think you will be stuck in tech support hell – buy them this and let Amazon MayDay help them!
7. Screen Fling
Fling movies and TV shows from your tablet to your big-screen TV using Second Screen. Second screen works with these devices:
- Amazon Fire TV
- PlayStation 3
- PlayStation 4
- 2013 Samsung TVs
8. All of Your Favorite Apps
Amazon offers a plethora of apps. The Kindle Fire is built for the best in gaming, with tilt, turn, and multi-touch controls. Did you know that you can save up to 10% by pre-purchasing Amazon Coins to use towards apps, games and in-app items.
9. Kindle for Kids
While I intend on not letting my kids use this device, I know they will get a hold of this (I just ordered a Otterbox Defender for the Kindle Fire HDX – JUST in case). For the time being – IT’S MINE. In the event that I do give up sole ownership – Kindle offers Kindle FreeTime.
When kids use Kindle FreeTime, it’s like they have their very own personalized tablet. The background color and fonts change to a kid-friendly design, they only see the titles that they have access to see, the home screen carousel shows their recently viewed titles, and they can even navigate visually to content based on characters or topics—for example “Cinderella,” “Dinosaurs,” or “Puppies.”
This is the thing that urks me all the time with the iPads – there is no easy interface and control mechanism when it comes to managing my kids screen time. SO glad that Amazon sees this need and is incorporating this into their devices.
10. Price
As much as I love technology, I have 4 kids to raise and money doesn’t grow on trees. The Amazon Kindle Fire HDX starts at $229 (currently $199!) for the 7 inch and $379 (currently $339) for the 8-inch. Fairly priced for an awesome device.
What I Love
This tablet packs everything you could want in a device. There are numerous things that you can do that I didn’t list that you can do such as email, web, docs and more!. I didn’t even talk about battery life (10+ hours). Or my husband’s FAVORITE thing – this charges with any USB cable, no special fancy Lightning cable needed.
If you are an Amazon Prime Customer, this device is absolutely fantastic for watching movies and TV shows on. You can download movies for off-line watching. We are hitting the road the next few months, and will be using this feature often.
You can also hook the HDX up to a data plan on Verizon or AT&T and have access to everything, anywhere.
What I Wish It Had
One feature that I can’t get enough of on Apple products is the Find iPhone function. It allows you to track down any of your Apple devices that have the feature turned on. As many times as we misplace things, this features is a God send for our family. I wish that Fire HDX supported something of the such, I know we would use it and it provides a nice stress-relief for those who freak out when their devices go missing.
Conclusion
If you are looking for a solid product, definitely check out the Amazon Kindle Fire HDX. I am totally partial to the 8.9 inch screen. I would make sure that you purchase a Fire case for it. Amazon makes a really neat origami case, but I am always partial to the Otterbox Defender. When my Defender arrives in a few days, I’ll post a review.
Unboxing the Kindle Fire HDX
Here is a quick view of the Amazon Kindle Fire HDX unboxing: