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kindle

(38 Posts)
ggmarion Tue 14-Feb-17 12:15:58

I have one of the first kindles and use it all the time to download books and read them. I would like to have one that will allow me to download audio books and use my earphones. Any advice and suggestions welcome.

hildajenniJ Tue 14-Feb-17 14:04:09

Hi ggmarion. I have a Kindle fire HD 7" tablet. I mostly use it for reading books, but it comes with a load of apps already installed, one of which is Audible. You get a 30 day free trial and one free book. I haven't used it yet but I've been thinking about it. I can recommend the Kindle fire though, it's a handy size for my handbag. I take it with me on the train when travelling to visit the grandchildren.

aggie Tue 14-Feb-17 14:24:01

I have the Paperwhite but have never tried audio on it . What I like is that it is so light and slim

LuckyDucky Tue 14-Feb-17 14:58:00

We started with a Peperwhite, then moved onto an Amazon Fire. The photos it takes are superb.

You're right "Hilda, the Fire fits nicely inside all my handbags. I prefer reading it than trying to find an interesting magazine at the hair salon.

When either of us feel sufficiently unwell to go to bed, the Fire has been a boon e.g., watching a film, reading, or "do a clothes or shoe search online.

Only one drawback - it doesn't have a volume control confused

aggie Tue 14-Feb-17 15:06:58

I have the Amazon fire , the volume control is on the side or when you swipe down . I love it too but it needs recharging very frequently

annodomini Tue 14-Feb-17 15:42:37

I have both Fire and Paperwhite. When one is charging, I can use the other! I agree that the Paperwhite needs recharging frequently - much more often than my original Kindle which gave up four years ago. The Fire is a very versatile tablet and I love it.

mcem Tue 14-Feb-17 16:32:27

My Samsung tablet is becoming 'sticky' and is showing its age.
I'm wondering if a kindle fire would be a good replacement? My original basic kindle is fine meantime but I suppose I'm hoping a new fire would cover both functions.
Am I being overoptimistic?

hildajenniJ Tue 14-Feb-17 20:36:36

I have a hudl2, but it freezes now and then and is becoming annoying. The fire is a good replacement.

NanaMacGeek Tue 14-Feb-17 21:31:19

I have an older Kindle Paperwhite with no facility to play audio. However, I also have the Kindle App on my Android phone and my iPad. I can read my books on all three and use whichever suits me, Kindle keeps a note of my place too so that, no matter which I pick up, I can carry on from where I left off. The reason I mention the smartphone and iPad is that they both have the facility to play sound (you'd hope so with a mobile phone). If you buy a book for a Kindle that doesn't play audio, you can also buy the audio to play on smartphone or tablet on which you can also both read and listen to the book. I have used a Kindle Fire, I know they are popular but you don't need a Kindle, another tablet that may have more to offer than the Fire or a even a smartphone will do if you have the Kindle app.
I have one problem with audio books though, as far as I know, no tablet can actually identify the moment you fall asleep. I never seemed to get past the middle of Chapter 10 of the Rebus audio book I had on my iPod. Night after night, I started again at the beginning of the same Chapter. Things have moved on from audio books of course, now, with Amazon, you buy the book to read and add the audio if you want.

Izabella Wed 15-Feb-17 10:57:18

Interesting thread. I have a really old kindle which i used to take travelling and listen to music on. Now I have the Kindle app on my phone so the Kindle is out of favour. I will certainly look into the logistics of audio,books though via the app. Not sure the sound would go via my hearing aids. Must investigate unless anyone else already knows the answer to that?

mcem Wed 15-Feb-17 11:23:42

I decided some time ago that I wouldn't install books on my phone or tablet because I'd need more memory and don't choose to upgrade or pay more for contract. Also I've occasionally left my reading specs at home and find that I can still read comfortably if I increase the font size on the kindle.
Ideally I'll keep phone for obvious use and combine the tablet and kindle into one.
Am I right to think the kindle fire would do that?

Izabella Wed 15-Feb-17 12:17:49

I can change the size too on my phone as a 12 year old pointed out to me rcently!! And I need an all in one for backpacking ?

Cherrytree59 Wed 15-Feb-17 13:23:35

I have just had a seven inch kindle fire for all the reasons mentionedon here.
So far very happy with it

A couple of questions
I have taken out the 1 month free trial for amazon prime.
Does any gNer pay the yearly £75 subscription and do you think its worth it.?

Any advice regarding anti virus software?

All advice welcome as I have up to yet just used my mobile for Email, GN & google etc.

bartonlady Wed 15-Feb-17 13:51:47

We too have a kindle fire as well as an iPad 2 air. For value for money the kindle fire can't be beaten. I bought mine at Argos and used my nectar points to get £20 off! I load books via the kindle app to it and also listen to audio books on it. We do subscribe to Amazon Prime and find it good value for money.
* Free next day postage and delivery on all Amazon purchases. Really helpful if sending gifts to family and friends
* Good choice of 'free' videos to download
* Free Book a month
* Lending library
* Prime Tv which DH uses to watch Clarkson and Co!
Think there are lots of other benefits which I've not used yet!

ggmarion Thu 16-Feb-17 09:38:55

Thank you all. I have ordered a 7inch kindle fire so look forward to getting to grips with it. Hope it is easy to load music to as I will then be able to carry only 1 item instead of kindle and mp3 player. I was nearly put off buying as a review said there was a problem with compatibility with bt broadband.

Pittcity Thu 16-Feb-17 10:25:55

If you don't want to pay for Amamzon Prime, you should be able to borrow ebooks and emagazines from your local library free. Check your county council website for details. All you need is a library membership number (on your ticket) and to download the free app.
All the latest magazines are free to read from publication day, saved me a fortune!

BBbevan Thu 16-Feb-17 11:07:16

I have a Kindle fire. I use it to access the internet, download books and I am using it at the moment. I have never used Amazon prime

annodomini Thu 16-Feb-17 11:20:51

I got my Kindle Fire as a Black Friday offer in 2015 for just under £40. Unbeatable value, or so I thought until they offered it at under £30 a year later!

bartonlady Thu 16-Feb-17 23:20:37

Ggmarion I have BT Broadband and have never had an issue using the Fire, hope this reassures you. Plus with BT Broadband you have access to hotspots so can use the Fire when travelling.

LuckyDucky Fri 17-Feb-17 12:00:49

Thanks for the info Aggie. I may download a game now smile.

annodomini Sun 19-Feb-17 11:18:52

One caveat: the Kindle scores better than the Fire for reading out-doors because the Kindle has a non-reflective screen and the Fire doesn't. I'll be taking both with me to France in the summer.

phoenix Sun 19-Feb-17 11:55:48

My Hudl 2 died after less than 18 months, Tesco were NOT very helpful!

I was very lucky to see a Kindle Fire offered on Freecycle. Slighter smaller screen than the Hudl, but I have got used to it.

I use it mainly for internet, as I still prefer "proper" books.

However, I downloaded Words with Friends, and am now hopelessly addicted blush

Elegran Sun 19-Feb-17 12:18:30

You can buy books for the Kindle from Amazon Daily Deal at 0.99p without having to subscribe to Amazon Prime. They will send you a daily email with about three books on it.

Sometimes they are bestsellers, sometimes ones from known authors who want you to get hooked on a series by buying one cheaply, sometimes from unknown authors. Many of them are ones that won't interest you, but if you get even one good one a week you will have something to read without breaking the bank. Here is a page with a sample of some

I have read several bestsellers this way, and been introduced to some authors I hadn't heard of.

LuckyDucky Sun 19-Feb-17 22:02:37

cherrytree

If able, we buy Prime products; we've saved more than £75 grin each year.

I'm off piste again but, we've also bought from Amazon Pantry for dried and tinned food. When we had streaming colds and coughs with low energy it was an absolute godsend.

Coolgran65 Sun 19-Feb-17 22:35:51

And there are lots of free books on Kindle.