11.23.11 26

Playing with Fire

Kindle Fire that is!
I have had my new Kindle Fire for 7 days now.
In that seven days I have learned that I could not have possibly functioned before I had one. OK not really. I have an iPhone and a macbook I function quite well. But something about reading all my books, magazines and playing words with friends and on twitter all on one device gives me the warm fuzzies!
Here are my first few minutes with the Kindle Fire….please excuse the hot mess….I had just gotten home from a long day of 2nd graders

And here are some pics of it in action….

 My camera is on its last leg …pardon the poor quality and pics that are not right side up…lens broken…

My current library

My review: Amazing. I wanted something for books and magazines and the fact that I can do basically everything on it the iPad can do makes me happy. The price is $199 where as the price of the iPad is 3 times that! If you are looking for a great eReader that you can do a little extra on(words with friends, hulu plus, netflix, twitter, read blogs, etc) this is for you. Also if you buy it through amazon.com the only way it is sold now, you can a month of amazon prime for free. You can stream movies, tv shows(greys, wonder years) and get free 2 day shipping on any item through amazon! I have had the student version for the last year which coincidentally ran out this week and now I have this free for a month. I will be paying the $79 a year for prime after that.

Since I have no owned an iPad myself 2 of my fabulous blog friends(even though I consider Rachel a legit friend, I have met her) offered to give their take on the iPad just so you get both sides….

First up Jess @ Pretty Physicist

When Neely asked me to talk about my iPad, this was all I wanted to say, because it sums it all up: I have an iPad, it is amazing, and I love it. Haha. Unfortunately, that doesn’t tell you much, and it certainly doesn’t make for good reading.

Why do I love my iPad?

  • Speed. I can pick up the iPad, push a button, and swipe my finger and we’re up and running. I haven’t used my laptop in weeks because I can’t stand to wait for it to boot up. In fact, I think the last time I used it was to update my iPad and my iPhone.
  • Ease of use. I can’t tell you how many times I have tried to touch the screen on my laptop or on my computer at work. There’s something wonderful about being able to manipulate whatever you want on the screen.
  • Organization. No other “tablet” – Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet – has the ability to organize and group apps. I find this crucial because, honestly, how else do you find the app you’re looking for?

Apps I love:

– Skyfire. Everyone knows that Apple can’t run flash. Well, I hate to break the news, but with the Skyfire web browser app, Apple CAN run flash.

    – Flipbook. It turns websites into magazine layouts. So. Much. Fun. and so easy to read. Below is a screen cap of my Google Reader with some blogs so you can see how they show up.

      – Words with Friends. Yes, I usually play it on my iPhone, but it is WAY easier to play on the iPad because the board is just so big. 
      – Show Me. This is a white board app for the iPad. You can draw, write, whatever. Again, a lot of fun. Probably fun to entertain kids, although I wouldn’t know.

       – AllRecipes.com. This app is great for cooking. It walks you through the steps while you’re cooking and it has a timer built-in. (and if you pay for it, it will make your grocery list and you can send it to your phone)

        So I am an Apple addict, which makes my IT husband happy. We have pages upon pages of apps, most of which are free (bonus!). If you have any questions about the iPad, accessories, or apps, feel free to contact me!

        Next up Rachel from Running Backwards in High Heels and also from her hubs

        As a family of Mac enthusiasts, I find myself with one of every Apple product on the market. Currently, we have not one, but TWO iPads.. a first generation that is a hand-me-down from my husband, while my husband has the prized iPad 2. I will be honest, I wasn’t a general fan of the iPad. Hubs said I could read books on it. I like to turn pages in “real” books. I didn’t enjoy typing on the keyboard– I am the Queen of typos. It’s terrible for blogging. But this was also in the beginning of me having to swipe it from the hubs to actually get to use it.
        Then, he talked me into buying a book on it. I actually enjoyed reading it on there, although I would never have told him that. It had the backlight, so if I was reading late, I wouldn’t have to leave a lamp on and keep him awake. After that? I found the addiction that is Angry Birds. And then? The Pandora App. Then an app for my nerdy photography forums. I started to come around to the iPad. It may not have all the luxuries of a laptop, but it certainly holds all of my addictions quite nicely.
        Then, I found the game changer, people. The Netflix app. Yep. I figured out I could watch TV shows and movies as I ran on the treadmill. Game changer, peeps.
        Is my Macbook Air my go to for surfing? Yes. But I use the iPad for mainly a way to read books, listen to music while getting ready, watching those Upper Easter Siders (Gossip Girl) while I run, or a babysitter for my kids. Don’t judge. Angry Birds, Fruit Ninja, the Toy Story game, or the Princess paper doll game are my friends.
        I asked Hubs to write why he loves his iPad.
        Addison playing on the iPad
        I was asked to write about why I love my iPad. I don’t know how I lived without it. It is my only form of a computer for evening web browsing. It is perfect for me. It is light weight and does not have a hot battery that threatens the life of my manhood by sitting it in my lap. I use it for apps, games, surfing, music, and facebooking along with tweeting. 

        I had an original iPad and I got the 2 when it came out. I’m a Mac junkie and I must have something of everything they make. I love the screen size and the battery life. It is perfect for me and my kids love playing games on it and watching princess videos on YouTube. I bought the Steve jobs biography so I would start using it a a book reader and I’m looking forward to reading that ebook. 

        When the iPad 3 comes out I guess my oldest, Addison will finally get her first iPad. I’ll give her the 1 and Rachel will get my 2 and I’ll get the new 3. Sounds like a great plan to me.
        OK people you now have 4 points of view: Mine of the Kindle Fire and 3 on the iPad. Thank you Jess and Rachel and John for writing your opinions for me. I really wanted everyone to get a good opinion of which they should get if they are looking.
        Hope everyone enjoyed this 🙂 

        Leave a Comment

        26 Comments

        1. Jennifer wrote:

          I asked for a regular Kindle for Christmas. I don’t get the color e-readers. I think it negates the fact of having the bright light there while reading. I definitely think it’s cool though if you use it for a bunch of other things.

          Published 11.23.11
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        2. Becca Christensen wrote:

          Ooo thanks for this post. I have the old school Kindle and I like it but I have to say I haven’t used it nearly as much as I thought I would. But since I travel about 15 weekends a year, I really couldn’t live without it either. : ] Hmm, I wonder if I’ll start craving the fire now.

          Not too be cheesy or anything – but I’m thankful for you this thanksgiving. : ] I’m glad we’re blog/twitter/facebook/pen pal friends! Hope you have a great holiday.

          Published 11.23.11
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        3. Jessica wrote:

          I love my Kindle and am so jealous of your Kindle Fire!!

          Published 11.23.11
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        4. Rachel wrote:

          As I reading this and about to comment, the girls ran up and said, “Mama, can we play with your iPad, please?” So, enough said. 🙂 Such an excellent babysitter.. 😉

          Published 11.23.11
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        5. E- wrote:

          Ohh, this just confused me more! I’ve been looking into the Kindles as well as iPads and other types of tablets. Too many decisions 🙂

          Published 11.23.11
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        6. Allison wrote:

          Thanks for this post! I’ve been trying to decide what kind of ereader/tablet I want for Christmas this year! I’m between the Kindle Fire and Nook Tablet! I’ve got to decide soon!

          Published 11.23.11
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        7. Katie wrote:

          Reading this makes me a teeny bit sad that my disposable income is now going to airfare and not to buying stuff like this. Hahaha!!

          Published 11.23.11
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        8. Katie wrote:

          I am so glad that you did this! I have an old school Kindle, almost 4 years old, and I am really torn as to what I want to get next. I have thought about the Kindle Fire or the Kindle touch. I mainly use it for just reading. How have you liked the backlit screen for reading books on the fire? I am just afraid it will hurt my eyes. I might just buy it anyways.

          Published 11.23.11
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        9. conventionalbliss wrote:

          I have the old school Kindle and was totally bummed when I saw Amazon’s new line last month… BOOOO, I wish one of my dogs would chew mine up so I have an excuse to go buy a FIRE! 😛

          I’m debating the iPad2 for DH’s Christmas gift…

          Published 11.23.11
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        10. Lindsey @ Running Down A Dream wrote:

          Glad you like it! I don’t have any of these products, but I do love my little nook 🙂

          Published 11.23.11
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        11. Jennifer B wrote:

          I want one of everything: Kindle Fire, iPad, Nook tablet.

          Published 11.23.11
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        12. Kasey wrote:

          The Kindle Fire is on my Christmas list. It’s gonna be awhile before I can ever get an iPad due to the price but if I get the Kindle Fire for Christmas, I think I’d be pretty happy with it. I like the options! 🙂

          Published 11.23.11
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        13. Renata wrote:

          Woo I’m pumped. I’ve just been informed that I’ll be receiving the Fire from Mr. Santa – my dad can’t keep things hush hush for the life of him. Reading your review makes me very happy!

          Published 11.23.11
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        14. Amanda wrote:

          Great review! I think I might get M one for Xmas. I would love to get him the iPad, but it’s a little pricier…

          Published 11.23.11
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        15. Laura@Cowboy Boots wrote:

          gray has an ipad…i just like anything

          Published 11.23.11
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        16. Caroline wrote:

          I love my iPad but it isn’t very good for reading. But I guess I still like an actual book. Too bad they cost so darn much!

          Published 11.23.11
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        17. Allison wrote:

          I have been trying to decide if Ishould get the kindle fire or the nook tablet! Thanks for writing this post…do you think it runs “slow”? That’s what some of the reviews are saying…

          Published 11.23.11
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        18. meghan wrote:

          Is it functional for reading, too? I have the regular nook, and I know one of the benefits is that there’s no glare and that it’s e-ink, so do you find that this one is also no glare and doesn’t hurt your eyes to read? I want one so much now…my fiance says he doesn’t think I’ll use it a lot…is it easy to go from site to site on it? And is hulu a service you have to pay for? Sorry so many questions…I’m just thinking this is what I might be asking for for Christmas…

          Published 11.23.11
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        19. J wrote:

          I’ll email you my address so you can send me my Kindle Fire for Christmas.

          Please and thank you.

          Published 11.23.11
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        20. Ashley @ KiwisandCocktails wrote:

          PERFECT TIMING. I have been reading about the different kindles all day. My mom wants one for her bday and I need to order quick. I see the fire has wi-fi and the kindle 3G touch has 3G. We live in an area that wifi might be shady…so if the person cant get a wifi connection than the fire doesnt work, right? Or am I wrong? I want to be wrong because I WANT This device! but im worried it wont work around where my mom lives 🙁

          Published 11.23.11
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        21. Lauren wrote:

          This looks really neat. I’ve never been big on the ipone/ipads/ etc but I do want a nook, which I’m pretty sure is similar to the kindle.

          Looks like you’re having a lot of fun with it!

          I’d love it if you would check out my giveaway that I’m posting on Friday!

          Hope you have a very happy Thanksgiving!

          Lauren
          http://www.laurensweetnothings.blogspot.com/

          Published 11.23.11
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        22. Meg O. wrote:

          The kindle fire looks amazing! I really want an e reader and this looks like something I could really use! I don’t see the point in spending so much for an iPad when I have an iPhone and a MacBook

          Published 11.24.11
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        23. Cori H. wrote:

          I have the regular Kindle, but I think I just may have to upgrade to the Kindle Fire now reading your review. I’m looking for a good tablet that is cheaper than the iPad. This sounds amazing! Thanks! 🙂

          Published 11.24.11
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        24. Cara wrote:

          I just got the Fire too….am OBsessed! Its awesome to read on, and I have been catching up on Revenge on it too

          Published 11.25.11
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        25. Wiz wrote:

          As you saw, Colt is a freak about the Ipad, and I saw me on words with friends 🙂

          Published 11.27.11
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        26. little miss southern love. wrote:

          I love love love my Ipad! Don’t know what I’d do without it!

          xoxo.

          Published 12.1.11
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