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Turning a Kindle Fire HD Into a Power Tablet

Posted by timothy on from the or-at-least-giving-it-some-muscle-tone dept.

jfruh writes "The Kindle Fire HD is in theory a powerful device at a reasonable price — but its Android-based OS is so oriented towards Amazon's ecosystem that it can be tricky to unlock its full potential. Still, with a little savvy you can get underneath the covers, improving battery life, getting full access to cameras and other devices, and even listening to music you've purchased through iTunes."

15 of 81 comments (clear)

  1. Why support proprietary systems? by tsj5j · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Kindle Fire HD isn't especially cheap or well-specced for its' price. For a little more, you can support the idea that Android users DO want devices not laden with locked bootloaders, operating systems, forced UI makeovers, etc. with a Nexus 7.

    1. Re:Why support proprietary systems? by tsj5j · · Score: 4, Insightful

      The Nexus 10 is larger, higher-res and better specced at $85 more (comparing ad-free).

      I'll willing spend that much to vote with my wallet for an open, customizable device; not for one which is laden with commercials, locked to a single provider and essentially wants you to consume content only. I certainly don't want it to become like a portable TV, for viewing certain sanctioned content only.

    2. Re:Why support proprietary systems? by ckblackm · · Score: 5, Informative

      That's ridiculous. YMMV, but I set a budget, saved up my money a little bit at a time, and bought what I could afford. Just because someone can't buy the best thing out there, it doesn't mean they should go without. What it does mean, is that one should temper their expectations and not complain if their choice doesn't perform like the best thing out there.

    3. Re:Why support proprietary systems? by SketchOfNight · · Score: 3, Informative

      I've already read through two books on my Nexus 7, so I can tell you from experience it functions just fine as an eReader. I'm not sure what you're getting at in terms of screen differences, because they have identical resolutions (and PPI).. Even the Color Gamut is identical, though the red range is superior on the Nexus 7 and the Kindle Fire HD does better with greens and yellows.

      The only real noticable difference between the two screens is factory calibration and range of brightness, and it's minor. You may subconsciously perceive the Fire HD's screen as superior because it as touted as a "media device", but try a head-to-head comparison. You've been bamboozled if you think the Kindle Fire HD is far superior as a display.

    4. Re:Why support proprietary systems? by JazzLad · · Score: 3, Funny

      But the Kindle has HD right there in the name, it has to be a better screen!!!11@

      --
      "If you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear." - Every fascist, ever
    5. Re:Why support proprietary systems? by tsj5j · · Score: 3, Insightful

      A few points of contention here...

      1.) You are implying I'm blowing 30% only to make a point, which is only partly true. The extra money pays for better specs and future proofing. The Nexus 10 can probably last you longer (longer support for latest apps, longer support for new Android updates from Google) than the Fire HD can. Long-term, the Nexus 10 is definitely the better value proposition.

      2.) Tablets are in itself a luxury for most. 10 inch tablets are even more so the luxury than their 7 inch counterparts, where Nexus 7 is the priced the same as the ad-ridden Kindle Fire HD 7 inch. If you're spending 300+ dollars on a "want", 80 dollars more is barely a stretch, isn't it.

    6. Re:Why support proprietary systems? by adisakp · · Score: 4, Insightful

      If you can't afford $85 more for a tablet with better spec's without the hassle of having to "do something to make it work better", you probably shouldn't be buying a tablet at all.

      You never considered the possibility of receiving a Kindle Fire HD as a gift and then wanting to maximize it's utility? Significant numbers of Fire HD's were given as gifts (with a huge spike in sales around XMas).

  2. I tried by Chrisq · · Score: 4, Funny

    Turning a Kindle Fire HD Into a Power Tablet

    I tried but I couldn't swallow the damn thing

    1. Re:I tried by virgnarus · · Score: 3, Funny

      It's not an oral medication.

  3. Whoa there by Antipater · · Score: 3, Funny

    Hold on a second. If you want full access to cameras and other devices after getting under the covers, that's your business. "Unlock [your] full potential" all you want, but I don't want to hear about it!

    --
    Everything is better with chainsaws.
  4. Nook HD+ make more sense? by guidryp · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Less money, higher screen resolution, Micro-SD memory slot, no adware.
    http://www.barnesandnoble.com/p/nook-hd-plus-barnes-noble/1110060512

    Workarounds for side-loading apps:
    http://www.barnesandnoble.com/p/nook-hd-plus-barnes-noble/1110060512

    Root:
    http://www.xda-developers.com/android/permanent-root-for-the-nook-hd-and-hd-unofficial-cm10-for-the-hd/

  5. But instead of doing this... by davmoo · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Why not buy a device that does what you want, and there by support the manufacturer of a more open device so maybe they'll keep doing it, like a Nexus? Instead you'd rather give money to the maker of a closed system, which encourages them to keep it closed since everyone buys their crap anyway, and then you spend your time making it sort of do what you wanted in the first place.

    --
    I want a new quote. One that won't spill. One that don't cost too much. Or come in a pill.
  6. Re:Good grief by rwise2112 · · Score: 4, Funny

    To save you some trouble, this is basically "how I like my Kindle Fire HD set up." I particularly enjoyed this gem:

    Caps lock: Just double-tap on the SHIFT key and it'll turn into the caps lock key!

    I TRIED THIS, BUT HOW DO YOU TURN IT OFF?

    --

    "For every expert, there is an equal and opposite expert"
  7. Re:Good grief by tippe · · Score: 3, Funny

    With that kind of attitude, I'm not telling you! Why are you mad at me anyway?

  8. Re:Good grief by sootman · · Score: 3, Funny

    WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO?

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