Kindle fire questions.

knightstyle

Thinking of getting one, 7th gen.
So can I move books from my Kobo and read them on it?
It says wi-fi so can I use it like a tablet and see emails, and various websites?
If I buy books from Amazon are they kept on the tablet or are they in the cloud till I want to read them? the Kobo only has a few books readily available on the tablet, others need downloading to read which is not much good when away with no wi-fi and no mobile signal.
Finally should I buy a Kindle or is there something better that does not feed the Amazon whale?

Alisha2008

Do you want an e-book or a tablet? The kindle fire is a table, but limited to Amazon apps. If you want mainly to read books I would go for a normal kindle, I've had one for 7 years and it's one of the best things I've purchased, but I wouldn't be able to read on a table because of the type of screen.


I'm not sure if you can move books from Kobo, are you able to take the files out of the device? If so you can convert them, but Kindle books cannot be taken out of the kindle (if bought form Amazon).


Any device will require to download the books and for this you need wifi or mobile signal, so I can't see what's the difference here between a kindle or a fire.

knightstyle

Thanks, what I mean is that after purchasing the Kobo books can be downloaded from the Kobo site onto the Kobo device. But only the most recently accessed ones are kept there, most seem to go into the ether and when I click on them I have to wait for them to be downloaded again which is a pain when I am away with no internet for a long time.

DCFC79

knightstyle wrote: »

Thanks, what I mean is that after purchasing the Kobo books can be downloaded from the Kobo site onto the Kobo device. But only the most recently accessed ones are kept there, most seem to go into the ether and when I click on them I have to wait for them to be downloaded again which is a pain when I am away with no internet for a long time.

Can you not download them onto a pc and then transfer them over to your Kobo connected to your pc ?

Heedtheadvice

The fire is an Android tablet and works as such.
As supplied it is set up to make best use of Amazon and it's facilities. However it can be configured to work as a generic Android tablet that gives access to Google's Playstofe as well as Amazon's. Just about the best of both worlds.
You can then install the Kobo app and sync to your Kobo device. See kobo's help at https://help.kobo.com/hc/en-us/articles/360017707914-Get-the-Kobo-Books-app
You should ask Kobo (or wait for a better response to tell you more about that as I do not use Kobo.
Similarly my Kindle books are available under a main heading on the fire. Once downloaded from the 'cloud' library they do seem to be stored on the fire (I can select between All and Downloaded books)....and it has loads of memory to cope (mine is a 32GB fire-not all is for user storage)



Having said that the fire is a tablet and not a reader but the apps allow you to read your books or play as audiobooks..but the screen is different, but of good quality.
Plus it has or can have apps for all the features of a tablet computer; browsing, Google Earth, maps, iPlayer, Camera, photos, Alexa, Translate, email, docs, Skype, casting to other screens, bluetooth, etc.


I had an early kindle and the only thing I miss is the better screen useability in bright sunlight (being lcd) and the long battery life so great for a read on holiday (still prefer a paper book though!!) but the fire has much better resolution, colour, touch screen etc. and facilities. I really prefer the fire.


It gets a bit of stick for not being near the best tablet but then it is one of the cheapest good budget machines.



Alisha has a different preference but is wrong to say it is limited to Amazon apps. I am glad I got one and have not used my kindle reader for many a month. I use as a mobile device(8 inch variety) but still my PC for more intensive/complex use but increasingly rarely.


Hope that helps clarify.

Robisere

I bought a Lenovo 8" tablet over 2 years ago and I can download apps for every e-book reader under the sun, including Kindle. I also have a Hudl2, still in perfect condition, which does the same. I can email and use websites, link and sync to my phone and desktop, use Google Play Services and run a Google account, with either device. Doesn't have to be an Amazon Kindle device, . My wife has the original Kindle from prehistoric times.. but it works fine for her.

knightstyle

Thanks again, especially Heedtheadvice for all the info. I think I will be buying the fire 7 from Amazon, at £49.99 it looks a good deal.
I am on my third Kobo but think a more versatile Fire will be better.

Tom99

knightstyle wrote: »

Thanks again, especially Heedtheadvice for all the info. I think I will be buying the fire 7 from Amazon, at £49.99 it looks a good deal.
I am on my third Kobo but think a more versatile Fire will be better.

Here is a link explaining how to install Google Play Store:
https://www.saintlad.com/install-google-play-store-on-kindle-fire/

Heedtheadvice

Ah! I didn't notice the version you were considering. I was referring to, have and would recommend you consider the Fire 8!
Well the 7 seems to have improved a lot (more memory capacity now) but the 8 beats it on screen size (a bit bigger) resolution (a bit better) text rendition supposed to be better too I read, longer battery charge life, twin (stereo) speakers, extra screen size makes typing easier (when you have stubby fingers like mine!). There was something else that was important to me at the time I purchased, but sorry I forget what that is!!! It was related to one of it's facilities that made the seven a bit more limited.
I got the version without 'special offers' that I would and people do find annoying - effectively advertising pop ups.


Having said that current specs seem very similar and the 8 is towards twice the price but still good value. Have a look at this (or other current) review (usa based but nonetheless good!) https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/amazon-fire-7-vs-fire-hd-8 before buying.


Edit: cost comparison.
7 without special offers, 32GB £69.99 (cheapest - option I would prefer not buy 49.99)

8 for same £109.99 (69.99)



So it is is a fair bit more expensive for the 8 but probably (my recommendation) worth the extra especially for batt life and screen readabiity. Other options up to you.

knightstyle

WOW Heedtheadvice thanks again for the in depth comments, just the information I was looking for.
We are a bit cash short, so I will look for an 8 secondhand, it will still be fairly new and if nothing available for around £60 will probably go for the 7.

EDIT, just found 16gb Fire8 refurbished for £65-£75 what do you think?
Ebay 113505302072
Now confused as there are some fire HD8 7th generation, available cheaper. are these the Fire 8 you are talking about? Ebay 202227691806

almillar

I think I will be buying the fire 7 from Amazon, at £49.99 it looks a good deal.

It is not. The 8 inch fire is a better tablet, if the size suits, and if you can wait a couple of weeks, they will be on offer on Amazon (15th/16th July) and probably at other retailers. For example, I bought the Fire HD 8 for £50.