Amazon Fire tablet useful or not?
Thinking of buying this for my kids. So many mixed reviews on Amazon.
How useful is it? For example, can it run Microsoft teams and Roblox?
How useful is it? For example, can it run Microsoft teams and Roblox?
Amazon Fire tablet useful or not?
- Last Updated:
- Jan 12th, 2021 2:03 pm
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- stimy [OP]
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- Oct 27, 2009
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- Scote64
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- Jan 21, 2018
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It runs most Android apps (with the addition of a few missing Google components and the Google Play Store). There are minor quirks and limitations, but you would have to look at the specific app to see if they're a problem.
For example:
- The Fire tablet runs Netflix fine, either the Amazon version or the Google Play version or a side-loaded apk, doesn't matter. But it can't cast video to a Chromecast from the Fire tablet because that function is deliberately crippled (Amazon wants you to buy a Fire stick). Doesn't matter what version of Netflix you use.
- Many non-Amazon apps can't do notifications in FireOS. On another Android tablet I have a home automation app that passes notifications to Tasker to trigger actions. I was hoping to run it on the Fire tablet, but can't do it because the app can't generate notifications in FireOS.
Also some advertised features are blocked in Canada (if you are using an amazon.ca account instead of an amazon.com account). There's no hands-free Alexa, and no Show Mode.
For example:
- The Fire tablet runs Netflix fine, either the Amazon version or the Google Play version or a side-loaded apk, doesn't matter. But it can't cast video to a Chromecast from the Fire tablet because that function is deliberately crippled (Amazon wants you to buy a Fire stick). Doesn't matter what version of Netflix you use.
- Many non-Amazon apps can't do notifications in FireOS. On another Android tablet I have a home automation app that passes notifications to Tasker to trigger actions. I was hoping to run it on the Fire tablet, but can't do it because the app can't generate notifications in FireOS.
Also some advertised features are blocked in Canada (if you are using an amazon.ca account instead of an amazon.com account). There's no hands-free Alexa, and no Show Mode.
- Phils
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- Sep 29, 2005
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I had my account changed to the US in order to activate show mode. I even bought the show mode dock to automate show mode.
I have also installed Google Play.
What I can say is that, for the most part, my experience has been disappointing.
I find the tablet is just too laggy to have an enjoyable experience. Everything just seems very slow.
I use it in show mode probably 95% of the time now and even that is not the same full show mode that you would get with a real echo show.
I have also installed Google Play.
What I can say is that, for the most part, my experience has been disappointing.
I find the tablet is just too laggy to have an enjoyable experience. Everything just seems very slow.
I use it in show mode probably 95% of the time now and even that is not the same full show mode that you would get with a real echo show.
Phils
- redflagdealsguy
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They need a Fire XS tablet for high speed performance.
The current line up have weak processors.
The current line up have weak processors.
I aim to be inclusive and considerate of others in my posts. If I fall short of that mark, feel free to let me know in good faith, and where appropriate, I'll edit my posts. Thank you.
- Scote64
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Personally I don't find the performance to be a problem. Maybe my 2018 Fire HD 8 is not as snappy as a current-year $500 tablet or phone, but my expectations are reasonable, and it doesn't disappoint in that department. Same with the screen, the size/weight, the extra features - all very reasonable for the very low price compared to the competition.
Show Mode does have some puzzling limitations compare to a dedicated Echo Show, but that doesn't make it unusable. For example, when you tell Show Mode on the Fire tablet to launch a music service, it launches the associated app and drops out of Show Mode. You can look at a Ring doorbell camera view by saying "Alexa, show front door", but you can't answer it from Show Mode when someone rings the bell by saying "Alexa, answer front door" like you can on the real Echo Show. Since the last FireOS update Show Mode has started announcing "Show Mode is not supported on this device" a couple of times a day - but it doesn't seem to disturb Show Mode, which continues to run.
- tebore
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- Feb 9, 2006
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They're decent value.
Grab one during on of the deep discount sale days and load up Google's frame work and you can live in the both worlds of Amazon and Google. But Some Google only features won't work like Casting.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/wind ... 1.3889604/ that will simplify adding all the google stuff and removing amazon stuff.
I found the kids "FreeTime" feature just a waste of space and resources if you don't have kids.
Grab one during on of the deep discount sale days and load up Google's frame work and you can live in the both worlds of Amazon and Google. But Some Google only features won't work like Casting.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/wind ... 1.3889604/ that will simplify adding all the google stuff and removing amazon stuff.
I found the kids "FreeTime" feature just a waste of space and resources if you don't have kids.
- Terabithia
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I been troubleshooting it for my friend who owns one. It was okay for him: youtube watching
Got one during BF myself. Not a fan and returned it. Too laggy for me. Funny that I didn't feel that on my friends fire hd.
The only good thing I see is it has amazon's good service to back it up. I wouldn't want to play Roblox on it.
Got one during BF myself. Not a fan and returned it. Too laggy for me. Funny that I didn't feel that on my friends fire hd.
The only good thing I see is it has amazon's good service to back it up. I wouldn't want to play Roblox on it.
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- tebore
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I found the Amazon image very heavy. Once you use the toolbox to kill most of the Amazon stuff it's like running an old Nexus Tablet (Blazing fast)Terabithia wrote: ↑ I been troubleshooting it for my friend who owns one. It was okay for him: youtube watching
Got one during BF myself. Not a fan and returned it. Too laggy for me. Funny that I didn't feel that on my friends fire hd.
The only good thing I see is it has amazon's good service to back it up. I wouldn't want to play Roblox on it.
Game performance is ok as the GPU is weak but the resolution isn't high it's not even FHD on the 8".
- Terabithia
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That would be awesome. I used to own an nexus 7(2nd gen) and the speed was satisfying for quite some time. Back then a lot of Android tablets suffered the problem that it got laggy soon after you started using it.
I always get tablets >10 now BTW. A smartphone can take over my use case for a smaller sized tablet
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- tebore
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I actually got the FireHD8 recently during the Amazon sale because my N7 FHD (2nd Gen)'s battery finally swelled up. I used it to check mail and watch Netflix, PH, YT so this works.Terabithia wrote: ↑ That would be awesome. I used to own an nexus 7(2nd gen) and the speed was satisfying for quite some time. Back then a lot of Android tablets suffered the problem that it got laggy soon after you started using it.
I always get tablets >10 now BTW. A smartphone can take over my use case for a smaller sized tablet
- Terabithia
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- lead
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amazon has a kids app to whch you just follow it and it parentally locks it down and filters apps and content too. But thats going be age related. But handy and simple.
- redflagdealsguy
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https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgAZDT ... z4s1R6Jm9wTerabithia wrote: ↑ What does PH stand for?
I aim to be inclusive and considerate of others in my posts. If I fall short of that mark, feel free to let me know in good faith, and where appropriate, I'll edit my posts. Thank you.
- WetCoastGuy
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How old are your kids? Fire tablets are entry level tablets that are designed mainly for consuming content like videos, books, audio, etc. and not for any intensive activities such gaming. I wouldn't recommend running Roblox on it as it may not work well with its low powered chip.
- Menace
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Agree. Don't get it because your kids play Roblox. My 2 kids play Roblox on iPad and laptop.WetCoastGuy wrote: ↑ I wouldn't recommend running Roblox on it as it may not work well with its low powered chip.
- redflagdealsguy
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Does such a thing exist for Snapchat? There's a huge amount of suggestive content on there.
I aim to be inclusive and considerate of others in my posts. If I fall short of that mark, feel free to let me know in good faith, and where appropriate, I'll edit my posts. Thank you.
- lead
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the tablet will be registered under your account and parental guidance. You don't want it its not going be available if you want. I loaded the apps I wanted and parental locked it and if they wanted an app I didn't agree was appropriate.... they didn't get it.redflagdealsguy wrote: ↑ Does such a thing exist for Snapchat? There's a huge amount of suggestive content on there.
- redflagdealsguy
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Good enough. Thanks.
I aim to be inclusive and considerate of others in my posts. If I fall short of that mark, feel free to let me know in good faith, and where appropriate, I'll edit my posts. Thank you.
- Teletran
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I bought this for our kids and I'm glad I did. Both are less than 7 and got them very rugged cases from Amazon and gave stood the test of time (2.5 years so far).
These are the case we bought:
https://www.amazon.ca/Sky-GTOMY-Protect ... ds+&sr=8-3
I installed the Google play store and they can play most games. Some things here and there do not work, but for the most part, 95% of the time, the apps work.
Here is a link that guides you to install the Google play store:
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.howtog ... ablet/amp/
YouTube etc works fine. You can ever cast to Chromecast from YouTube.
I wouldn't recommend if your kids are older (10+) because they will probably loose patience because the tablets are not the snappiest, however the price reflects the speed.
Depends on your budget at the end of the day. For me, I didn't want to spend more than $100 per kid on a tablet including case and all accessories.
- stimy [OP]
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Kids are 8 and 11.WetCoastGuy wrote: ↑ How old are your kids? Fire tablets are entry level tablets that are designed mainly for consuming content like videos, books, audio, etc. and not for any intensive activities such gaming. I wouldn't recommend running Roblox on it as it may not work well with its low powered chip.
I'm also looking at the Samsung A7 now after all the responses, which have been quite helpful. Doesn't look like there would be much point in me getting the cheaper tablet. Being able to run Microsoft teams would be a nice bonus on the Samsung.
I think Lenovo is probably the only option in between that I know of, but I had a bad experience with one a few years ago quality-wise. The power charging port broke just when warranty expiredMaybe that was just the one off
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