Kindle Fire News: Kindle Fire HD (7 and 8.9 inch) + Kindle Fire (2nd Gen) get software fixes in updates 7.3.1, 8.3.1, and 10.3.1

Amazon's product pages are showing software update for the Kindle Fire HD 7", 8.9" and Kindle Fire 2nd generation models

There was no notice of this, but at about 5pm Wednesday, I just noticed, there were notes in the Kindle forum that a couple of Kindle Fire owners saw updates happen on theirs.

  My Kindle Fire HD tablet hasn't received the update, so I checked the product pages.  However, there have been reports of glitches on the three software updates x.3.0 made to the three models on March 30.

  The sofware update pages that the changes include: "bug fixes and performance enhancements."

As usual, am adding UK software pages to the info here, though their pages haven't been updated.  The link will go to whichever is the current software version for that model.

Here are the software update pages for each model:

Kindle Fire HD 8.9":
  [v8.3.1 here]   [Probably soon: UK software page].

Kindle Fire HD 7":
  [v7.3.1 here].   [Probably soon: UK software page].

Kindle Fire 2nd Generation:
  [v10.3.1 here].   [Probably soon: UK software page].

If you need assistance with one of these updates, please visit the Kindle Help Forums. '

IF Choosing to Manually Download the Latest Version

(instead of waiting for it to arrive via WiFi)
This update automatically downloads and installs for most Kindle Fire customers; however, you can initiate the software update from your Kindle or manually download the software update via USB (some use the excellent WiFi File Explorer PRO app rather than the USB cable hookup).

Again -- before you begin, confirm your current software version:

1. KF: Tap the top of the device -- KFHD: Swipe down from the top of the screen.
     Then tap More.
2. Tap Device, and then tap About.

The instructions for manually downloading -- if needed -- the update via USB are at the software update pages mentioned above.  Most will find it more convenient to have the update arrive via the automated download.

NOTE that when it does arrive, your Kindle Fire will reboot and sometimes it does that twice, so don't be alarmed when it happens while it's idle and you're nearby.


EARLIER posts on Kindle Fire HD

  . Follow-up info on v7.3.0, v8.3.0, and v10.3.0 updates (Apr 9)
  . Software Updates for v7.3.0, v8.3.0, and v10.3.0 updates (March 30, 2013)
  . Getting non-Amazon apps on Kindle Fires (non-HD Kindle Fires have storage space limitations)
  . More comparisons on iPad mini and Kindle Fire HD
  . Basic Features Comparison Table for iPad mini, Google Nexus 7", Kindle Fire HD 7"
  . Comparison reviews of the Kindle Fire HD 7" and Google Nexus 7" tablets
  . Step-by-step guide for installing a working Adobe Flash player when needed.
  . Google Maps, Street View and other apps on my Kindle Fire, via enabling one device setting
  . Downloading and playing YouTube videos on Kindle Fire HD
  . Using the camera and Video, Panorama mode, Time Lapses
  . App for WiFi file transfers w/o cable.

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Check often: Temporarily-free recently published Kindle books
  Guide to finding Free Kindle books and Sources.  Top 100 free bestsellers.  Liked-books under $1
UK-Only: recently published free books, bestsellers, or £5 Max ones
    Also, UK customers should see the UK store's Top 100 free bestsellers.

  *Click* to Return to the HOME PAGE.  Or click on the web browser's BACK button


Below are ways to Share this post if you'd like others to see it.
-- The Send to Kindle button works well only on Firefox currently.

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(Older posts have older Kindle model info. For latest models, see CURRENT KINDLES page. )
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Cyber Monday only: Kindle Fire 2 (non-HD) $129 US and £99 UK. Also, Panasonic 3D TVs today, headphones at 70% off, etc.

MONDAY ONLY - Kindle Fire tablet, 2nd Generation (NOT the HD version though), normally $159, is $129 (U.S.), Monday only.
  This is the Standard Definition model.

  [*NOTE: The Kindle Fire Monday deal below
        has ended.*] - Nov. 27, 2012.

The info below is mostly historical now but Amazon is continuing Cyber Monday Deals Week with other ongoing deals, though probably not at the hectic pace we saw Monday.

[Monday's blog entry]
  To get the $30 off this U.S. model, you need to enter promotional code FIREDEAL at checkout, Amazon says, and again, the U.S. deal is only for Monday the 26.

  The UK version of the Kindle Fire 2, normally £129 is £99 for a "Limited time only" and that's the shown pricing today on the UK product page, first seen on Black Friday in the UK.  However, in bold lettering, the UK page says "Final Day" on the Christmas Deals page.

  I normally would not recommend the non-HD version of Kindle Fire when the difference is only $40 or £30.  But when it's a difference of $70 (U.S.) and £60 (UK), that's another story. The Freetime parental control comes with this model.
  RAM was increased from 512 MB to 1 GB.  Has 8 GB storage.

I actually heard about the three offers shown from my local TV News, including even that select Panasonic smart 3D LED HDTVs are shown today at up to 60% off.
  The Amazon deals page says:

' The TC-L42ET5 42-inch TV is available for $599 (list price of $1,099.99), the TC-L47DT50 47-inch TV is available for $799 (list price of $1,899.99), and the TC-L55DT50 55-inch TV is available for $999 (list price of $2,499.99).  All three models feature the VIERA Connect IPTV cloud service so that you can access apps such as Amazon Instant Video, hulu plus, Netflix, Facebook, Twitter, Skype, and more.  TVs also feature an IPS LED panel that delivers an 178° viewing angle for clear, vibrant images from every seat in the room.  Offer valid when shipped and sold by Amazon.com.
. . .
  Offer good through 11:59 p.m. PST on November 26, 2012, while supplies last. Amazon reserves the right to change or terminate this promotion at any time. '

And, as you can see, their other special promo offers include things like (when I last looked a few minutes ago) "$40 Amazon.com promotional credit," one per customer, with the order of a Braun Series 7 shaver plus "an additional $15 off instantly" at checkout when clicking on the item and "clipping the coupon." The credit expires by January 31, 2013.

  This particular promo-credit deal is on purchases before end of day, December 22, 2012, and the product pricing seems to change through the day.

  For instance, the popular Canon S100 normally sold near its list price of $400 was $250 yesterday and is $300 today.  Oddly, the Canon S95 which it replaced, has fewer megapixels and no optical zoom in video mode but has less noise-reduction and therefore a sharper image and is still selling at $400.


The Kindle Fire 2 was a natural 1-day discount to report, but the others might be of interest to some and the three are featured together on their Cyber Monday page today.  If nothing else, interest in the holiday sales is thought to be good for the economy.

  I certainly won't be doing reports on most of these sales -- but the Kindle Fire 2 price today is one that should interest some readers of this blog.  And my local TV news is still at it with the Amazon sales just now again, so it's getting a lot of reporting outside of the Net.

---

Check often: Temporarily-free recently published Kindle books
  Guide to finding Free Kindle books and Sources.  Top 100 free bestsellers.  Liked-books under $1
UK-Only: recently published free books, bestsellers, or £5 Max ones
    Also, UK customers should see the UK store's Top 100 free bestsellers.

  *Click* to Return to the HOME PAGE.  Or click on the web browser's BACK button Below are ways to Share this post if you'd like others to see it.
-- The Send to Kindle button works well only on Firefox currently.

Send to Kindle

(Older posts have older Kindle model info. For latest models, see CURRENT KINDLES page. )
If interested, you can also follow my add'l blog-related news at Facebook and Twitter
Questions & feedback are welcome in the Comment areas (tho' spam is deleted). Thanks!