I've had the Amazon Kindle Fire long enough for a first look review. Despite a sometimes confusing user interface and a few other problems (for example, it's hard to plug in), I like it and already use it more than my iPad (which I also like).
My favorite features are the 7 inch screen form factor and the way it's optimized to work with Amazon's content and shopping services. I also like the price ($200) and free access to movies and TV shows for Amazon Prime customers.
I thought the 7 inch form factor would be too small. But it fits nicely in my book bag and I'm already traveling with it. When I travel I also carry an 11 inch MacBook Air and an iPhone. I feel a bit geeky carrying 3 computing devices, but each plays a role.
The MacBook Air let's me do real work while traveling. It supports almost all the applications I use, has an excellent keyboard, yet is small and light enough to easily carry.
I use my iPhone's for text messaging, quick and simple Internet access and a range of location-based applications. The screen size and keyboard make it impractical for me to do real work on it.
I'm finding that the Fire fills a niche in-between. It's a much better mobile computing experience than the iPhone, but small enough to use on the move and in airplanes. I also use in meetings instead of pulling out my notebook.
The Fire also reduces the weight and size of my airplane carry-on bag because I use it for books.
Like the iPad, the Kindle Fire doesn't replace my notebook or any of my existing computing devices. It's also not targeted at mobile business users and doesn't have some features mobile users might want or need (wireless modem support, a camera, etc.).
The Kindle Fire also suffers in many ways when compared to the iPad. The user experience is not as good, the product design is not as elegant, and the feature set is smaller. It also doesn't have the array of business oriented applications the iPad has.
But if you travel and like to quickly and easily view a wide range of content while on the go, the Kindle Fire is hard to beat - especially at $200.
We'll update this review after we have more experience with the Fire in business settings.
Kindle Fire's price tag and functionality makes it a hands-down go-to-gadget. However, in some instances like text messaging, I still use my iphone for basic communication with friends.
Posted by: Send SMS Thailand | April 28, 2012 at 04:15 PM