Updates for new Kindle Fires to add: Swype keyboard, very basic Camera app, Kindle Free Time Unlimited

NEW FEATURES in latest updates for the Kindle Fire HD 7-inch and Kindle Fire 2 tablets

The two new updates -- v7.2.2 for Kindle Fire HD 7" and v10.2.3 for Kindle fire 2 -- will automatically download and install for most Kindle Fire customers.
  UK Links are: Kindle Fire HD 7" v7.2.2, UK and Kindle Fire 2, v10.2.3, UK.

GeckoFriend and Betsy the Quilter at Kindleboards.com discovered the updates ready to go on the Amazon servers and they include features people have requested -- one for the front-facing camera app for the 7" HD model and the long-awaited SWYPE keyboard mode for both newer 7" models.  Moderator Ann in Arlington points out that the 8.9" Kfire HD tablet already has the camera app built in and comes Swype-featured, which I hadn't noticed

Amazon's sending these over the air already
I just found that I received my v7.2.2 update over the air - Checked by swiping down my Top Menu to get "More" and then "Settings," where I looked at "Device," then "About" and saw that I already have System Version 7.2.2.

  Keyboard
The Swype Keyboard mode is accessed by just starting to draw a line through the keyboard characters you want 'typed' pausing slightly at each letter.  I just did 'erstwhile' that way and it worked right away.  Had never used it before.  I could type it faster, but others love this feature.

  Camera
Although we mentioned on Nov. 10 the HD Camera app, which has unusually fast and thorough customer support from the appmaker and repeated earlier instructions on how to activate the many front-facing camera features such as panoramic mode, time-lapses and video via the ES File Explorer, Amazon is now offering their own (very basic) camera app.

  NOTE that the new Camera app is initiated with an icon of a camera in the Photos section (top menu - Home screen) but it's limited to taking a picture and, as with the more flexible basic mode using ES File Explorer (free) and also the HD Camera app, the basic camera function allows you to send the photos through email or to your Dropbox, for instance.

For those who don't want to wait for the software update to arrive over the air, you can *start* the update from the Kindle Fire (see the appropriate software update page for each on how to do that -- essentially it's sync'g the Kindle Fire with the servers via the option on your top-menu quick-settings row but they want you to make sure you have a full battery before doing the sync).

  For those who prefer to do the updates via USB cable because you don't have WiFi), the update files are at the Amazon server locations linked above.

The Kindle Fire HD 7" update includes the following, in Amazon's words (Amazon kept changing the software-update page wording on new features while I was writing this blog and driving me bonkers).

• Camera app. You can now use the front-facing web camera to take pictures of yourself with an included camera app in the Photos library.
    [It earlier said "New and improved keyboard functionalities" and now says]
  Swype.  Swype is a keyboard feature that provides a fast way to enter text.  It lets you create a word by drawing through letters.  Swype also provides additional keyboard functions like copy and paste [ YAY ] and the ability to change the keyboard language.
  
• Japanese support Customers can now select Japanese as the device language.
  [This was dropped as a stated new feature while I was typing this article.
  But I do see it in my updated software under 'Keyboards.']
  
• Location based services will now be part of the parental control settings and will appear on the page where you can set parental control for individual apps/features [Amazon removed this while I was copying it, but the feature is in the new software.]
  
• Kindle FreeTime Unlimited. Kindle FreeTime Unlimited is a subscription service you can choose to sign up for within Kindle FreeTime. Parents can subscribe children's profiles to a wide variety of videos, apps, and games appropriate for ages 3-8. For more information, see www.amazon.com/freetimeunlimited.

The newer Basic Kindle Fire 2 doesn't have a camera, so no camera app for those.

 UK residents: NOTE that the UK listing doesn't include FreeTime Unlimited.

IF Downloading Version 7.2.2 or 10.2.3

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 WiFi File Explorer PRO app rather than USB).

Before you begin, confirm your current software version:

1. Swipe down from the top of the screen and 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.  Most will find it more convenient to have it arrive via the automated download.

NOTE that when it does, 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
  . 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.

---

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!

Kindle Fire 2 (non-HD) Update v10.2.1 is also here. How to opt in or out of Personalized Recommedations. FreeTime parental control feature. Kindle for Windows, Kindle for Android update.

SOFTWARE UPDATE v10.2.1 is here for the KINDLE FIRE 2 (the NON-HD one, for $159), and it automatically downloads and installs for most Kindle Fire 2 customers

The changes are the same as the Kindle Fire HD upgrade the other day, though it wasn't announced at the same time.
  As mentioned earlier, those who don't want to wait can *start* the update from the Kindle Fire 2 (see the Kindle Fire2 update page for the various ways to get the update.

Version 10.2.1 includes the same (1) Kindle FreeTime feature; (2) a requested setting to opt in or out of personalized recommendations below the carousel on the Home page; and (3) the ability to set the default device language to one of six languages.

Here's the Amazon explanation as it appears at the update page:

' The software update will include:

• Kindle FreeTime, a tablet experience just for kids allowing parents to set daily screen time limits, and give access to appropriate content for each child.
• A setting so customers can control whether or not personalized recommendations appear below the carousel on the device homepage.
• Ability for customers to set the default device language to one of six languages, including English (US), English (UK), German, French, Italian, and Spanish. '

Thanks to FJ for the alert on this yesterday.


To OPT OUT OF PERSONALIZED RECOMMENDATIONS

Do the following on the Kindle Fire HD or Kindle Fire 2:

• Go to the 'Home' screen.
• Swipe down (lightly pressing and pulling down) from the top of the screen.
• That gets you the Quick Settings Menu.
• Click on "More" at the top right.
• Go down the Settings list to "Applications" and lightly tap that.
• Go down that list and select "Amazon Home Recommendations" to choose either to "Show or "Hide" the Recommendations under the Carousel when the Kindle Fire is held in Portrait mode.  You can later re-set it to 'Show' if you decide you'd like to see recommendations briefly (usually based on the book in the middle of the carousel items showing).
  
• When finished, press the back button on the right edge, center.

KINDLE for WINDOWS 8 and UPDATE for KINDLE for ANDROID Catching up here, as these are now two days "old" in a fast world, and so I've used a red font for them.   You can read about each of these and download them and check others you may be needing at the Free Reading Apps page.

EARLIER posts on Kindle Fire HD

• Comparison reviews of the Kindle Fire HD 7" and Google Nexus 7" tablets
  
• Basic Features Comparison Table for iPad mini, Google Nexus 7", Kindle Fire HD 7"
  
• Step-by-step guide for installing a working Adobe Flash player when needed.
  
• KFHD Tips - Flash video, Using the camera and Video, Panorama mode, App for WiFi file transfers w/o cable.

---

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!

Kindle News: CNet says, Amzn told them, two 7" tablets to be announced. UPDATE.

Last week, All Things D's Tricia Duryee wrote that they had word that a 10" tablet was not ready yet, so CNet's title about the lack of one would jibe with that  [Picture is from Verve's earlier images.]

  Duryee had said that "...a larger Kindle Fire 2 -- which would be equal in size to Apple's iPad -- is most definitely not a done deal.  According to several sources, even though a larger cousin of the seven-inch Kindle Fire is definitely in the works, it's not clear if Amazon is ready to roll one out quite yet  There might, though, be a slightly larger version, perhaps around eight inches or slightly more."

Duryee added, re "Connectivity" that while the device formerly known as Kindle Fire shipped with Wi-Fi ... "Expect that to change, but how it will work is anyone's guess."

  My own guess is that Amazon has always had the clout to get good 3G deals and might have an optional package for customers eventually, if 3G is a 'go' on this.
  I'd more likely opt to just use, as usual, my existing phone tethering plan which allows me to let my Samsung smartphone give my other devices some of its 3G as needed (though it is battery-intensive for the phone to do that).

  Free WiFi is not THAT easy to find and some of us don't like to sit at Starbucks, McDonald's, or Safeway, etc. to do something with Wireless (and then there are the security concerns on these free and easily-sharable public WiFi spots).

  To remain grounded, one should remember that Apple charges $130 add'l for an iPad model that offers 3G/4G cellular network access *capability* and then a paid data plan follows on top of that.

CNet and The Verge, and Amazon sources
CNet, upon seeing The Verge images, wrote they'd be contacting Amazon.  They've been among the favored in earlier times when it comes to leaks (TechCruch too when the older crew was there).

  Amazon responded to CNet's inquiry, and the latter reported Friday that "Kindle Fire won't go big to take on iPad," adding that (emphases mine):

' Amazon next week will announce two 7-inch Kindle Fire models, one with new hardware and the other an updated version of the original, CNET has learned. '

  The article was written by Roger Cheng and Steven Musil and they are adamant that "Amazon will stick with the two 7-inch tablets.

  As expected by one and all, the "slightly upgraded version of the [current] Kindle Fire, which includes a new user interface" will almost certainly be priced lower.

The usual features mentioned
  For the new 7-inch Kindle Fire, we've now heard about the same coming features, repeated almost daily by news sites (and how will Amazon surprise anyone at the press conference now if all this goes as described?).

  The oft-mentioned features, for those who haven't read the earlier articles, are a "faster processor, a front-facing camera (the better to Skype with), physical volume controls (Yes!) and an HDMI port" plus "larger storage capacity..."

  Alas and alack (of an SD slot), CNet says "it will still not be expandable."

  If so, they'll have missed the one sure advantage that would have sent their tablet sales and market share booming well ahead of even the Nexus.  I suppose the added customer support required for syncing content on removable storage was one concern + worries that too many would use swappable SD cards of content rather than focus on digital content from Amazon, which Amazon relies on to justify the lower device pricing.

Kindle Fire and Google Nexus
  Without an SD card expansion capability, though, and if Amazon doesn't announce outstanding features beyond what the Nexus offers, Amazon would still be working hard to keep up with it, as Google offers direct access, of course, to its own Google Play store, and vendors building systems on top of Google's Android will always be a software upgrade behind Google, unable to make use of the latest features of Android until Google provides the upgrade, once they already have it on their Nexus.

Consumer-oriented tablets vs Google's Nexus
  An upside will always be that a consumer-oriented interface means a simpler one, which means more consumers will tend to gravitate toward that (if they know it's easier).

  Some customers will definitely be more comfortable with Amazon's user interface, as it's far more direct for average consumer needs --"Show me this, that, or that" -- while the Android interface can be a disjointed experience for those not used to having to go get all the basic apps on their own and mix and match, mostly in experimental mode, and have it all work well enough together so that anyone can just point, click and get what they want.  Those who enjoy tweaking their systems and customizing their tablet interface will go more for non-consumer-oriented basic Android devices.
  Apple's success has largely been based on not only excellent hardware but a very company-controlled, consistent user interface, and walled garden of only what Apple has approved to run on its devices.

  The Kindle Fire has been successful as a consumer-oriented device for consumption of entertainment, most of it usually (although not necessarily) purchased from Amazon.

  While B&N restricts its customers to installing apps received only from the company store, Amazon does not restrict its customers to that.
  (B&N mgmt is much more restrictive in essence than Amazon here, as Amazon has the more open policy of allowing installation of Android apps from 'unknown sources' and many of us make good use of that.)

The possibility of connector kits
  The iPad and the Samsung 10" tablet I have (refurbished) don't have built-in SD slots either, but they both have a type of connector that takes an adapter kit that allows use of external USB devices and SD cards.
  The Nexus doesn't have this, and I wouldn't bet that Amazon went for this either, though it's important for many of us when traveling and wanting to offload or back up photos as we go.

CNet awaiting more word from Amazon
The CNet article was written before the Verge's 2nd posting of multiple images apparently.  Now CNet is waiting on Amazon to update them on whether the two 7" versions will have different names. (Me: Why do people care about things like that before the general announcement ?)   Bits and pieces of info with no real quotations is not the way to get these things.

  We'll know by the afternoon of Sept 6 what's actually in store for customers, and the dropping of unquoted tidbits at, first this site, and then that one, may serve to dampen overly high expectations that have occurred, but it's also not pleasant to try to figure out just who really knows what when no quoting is allowed.  Paraphrasing what's heard or read is too often incorrect, for one thing.


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!

Kindle News: Quite a bit more on the expected Amazon announcements

A bit more on the Amazon announcement

As a result of the raised expectations and Amazon's announcement Friday that the company has "expanded its licensing agreement with Comcast-owned NBCUniversal adding, to its Prime Instant Video feature, "hundreds of popular and award-winning TV episodes, including prior seasons of Parks and Recreation, Parenthood, Friday Night Lights, Heroes, Battlestar Galactica and more..." Amazon's stock hit a record high ($246.87/share)

Rumors from Staples
At first (on July 23), it was Demos Parneros, president of U.S. Retail for Staples Inc, who was reported by Reuters' Alistair Barr (paraphrased -- not an actual quote) to have said, in Reuter's words:

' Amazon is to introduce up to five or six tablet SKUs, or stock-keeping units ... The tablets will be different sizes, including a 10-inch model, Parneros said. Amazon spokespeople declined to comment on the company's plans. '

And, with that, the news sites began reporting that there would be 5 or 6 tablets, when actually "stock keeping units" are more often variations on a basic model.

  That can mean, for example, that a Kindle Fire could be sold in configurations of 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB of storage with 8GB or 16GB of RAM and you'd have 4 to 6 "tablet SKUs" already.  Add that they might even add 3G capability as an option to one or two of those and you have more tablet SKUs.

  People are expecting they'll keep a basic Kindle Fire model with a configuration close to the one we have now (maybe at $149) and add an upgraded one with the heavier specs we've discussed for a few months.

  However, Barr also reported that Parneros mentioned there will be a 10-inch model.  We don't know exactly what he said though.   A 10" version had not generally been expected until closer to the holidays or even early Spring 2013, but they might announce the plans and timetable at the coming press conference.  Or they could surprise us with one.  Personally, I like the 7" or even 8.9" form factor but then I already have a 10" tablet (Samsung) that I don't use nearly as much as I use the Kindle Fire, though I do like it.  It's just not as practical for carrying outside and is not as comfortable to hold for extended reads.  The 7" one is more like carrying a book (and easier on the eyes when reading books).

More rumors from Staples
1.  While re-reading a CNet story I'd recommended the other day, I noticed a comment from someone identifying himself as a Staples employee.  This reminded me of having seen and reported a comment at Engadget.com in April 2010 from a Best Buy employee who reported seeing cases for Kindle on the truck, before there had been verification Best Buy was to be a seller and while it took those Kindles quite some time to show up at Best Buy they eventually did.  At that time, it seemed odd to think of Kindles selling there, for some reason.

  The CNet story commenter (ss5joshua) this week said the following:

' I work at Staples, and our store is getting a reset in two weeks.  Part of the reset is taking out the two endcaps that the Kindles are currently using (one for the standard E-Readers, the other for the Kindle Fire) and giving them a 20' display on the first aisle of the technology department.  I figured four devices wouldn't be able to take up that much space :P '

  A 20' display IS quite large, especially compared to the current two endcaps.  So there may well be quite a selection in store, so to speak, for us.  They may also have opted to stock up on much more in the way of accessories.

  That commenter's info does seems plausible though.

2.  Another one I noticed is just a wish and a question and probably has no basis in fact at this time, although many have wished we'd heard anything about a color e-Ink model.  We'd be lucky to get a front-lighted b&w model, and I think it's important they do that.  Users of the Nook Glowlight have shown they don't care that much about any resulting loss in contrast due to the added layer.  (I hope Amazon keeps at least one e-Ink model without the light, as I love the contrast of the Pearl screen the way it is.)

  But the commenter (paulej) links us to the Eink company's page on their Triton or Color Active Matrix technology.  The color is, as always with these e-Ink devices, very muted and not to be compared with LCD devices' vivid colors, but they may be good for understanding color charts, graphs, and other illustrations in textbooks that can also be read in bright daylight.

  HOWEVER, again, I've seen *zero* rumors credited to the usual chatty "supplier" sources when orders are involved) and then proudly described to reporters in Taiwan.  There's just been no inkling (pun intended) of that, and it's not something that could likely be hidden either  However, it might be possible for next year's batch.  In demos of this technology, which also involves a second layer, there has been a reported loss of contrast seen.  Imagine a third layer to shed front-light on a 2-layered color e-Ink device.

But the many possibilities will keep us guessing for the next 13 days.

That same Reuters article -- the section on Lab 126 growing
The Reuters article had a substantial section on what the Lab 126 staffing growth indicates.

They had 500 employees listed on Linkedin when Amazon launched the KFire and that's
up to 865 as of mid-July, including 792 of them in the San Francisco Bay Area.

An emphasis has been on hiring hardware and software engineers who have experience with cellular products and one post involved responsibility for "adhering to carrier requirements," so it's pretty obvious Amazon has been working on mobile technology involving cell/smartphones.

The postings of jobs is anything but private, and they quote this also: ""Prior wireless or related field test experience that covers smart phones or smart devices a plus..." The hiring of experienced managers in this field is telling also.

One (of two hired from Microsoft's Windows-Phone area) is, Reuters says, director of product management for Kindle Cross Platform and blogged his good luck in getting to work on a product he really loves, before and after joining Amazon, and adds:

' I can't really say much about some of the things on which I am working.  I can say that the goals of some of the teams are huge. Huge." '

  He also mentions something he was told by an Amazon senior VP during the recruitment process:

' He said, "the goal of Kindle was to enable a system to allow someone to buy any book ever published, and have it delivered anywhere in the world in 60 seconds.  It's time to think bigger." '

Maybe we'll get a hint of that.

---

Current Kindle Models for reference, plus free-ebook search links

US: Kindle Fire  7" tablet - $199 Kindle NoTouch ("Kindle") - $79/$109 Kindle Touch, WiFi - $99/$139 Kindle Touch, 3G/WiFi - $149/$189 Kindle Keybd 3G - $189, Free, slow web Kindle DX - $379, Free, slow web

UK: Kindle Basic, NoTouch - £89 Kindle Touch WiFi, UK - £109 Kindle Touch 3G/WiFi, UK - £169 Kindle Keyboard 3G, UK - £149   Keybd: w/ Free, slow 3G WEB

OTHER International Kindle NoTouch Basic - $109 Kindle Touch WiFi - $139 Kindle Touch 3G/WiFi - $189 Kindle Keybd 3G - $189   Keybd: w/ Free, slow 3G WEB

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!

Kindle News: About time? Amazon finally announces a press conference for Sept 6 - Update

Amazon finally announces it will make announcements :-)

After yesterday's endless Kindle product-page changes with Buy boxes disappearing and then reappearing before disappearing again, it was time for something to be said.

See Update below.

I just got back here and a note from vigilant commenter Edward Boyhan said we probably know about the press conference announced for Sept 6 in Santa Monica. Last year, announcements were made in NY, so this time the West Coast gets the event, and it probably has something to do with all the recent streaming-video Agreements Amazon has been making.

Expectations
  I browsed the news and saw that most are expecting 'just' a Kindle Fire 2 (calling it Amazon's "e-reader" (which IS a key function for Kindlers) and maybe a Kindle Fire 10" announced for year-end or early Spring as mentioned before.  Some hope for a smartphone announcement too.  Very few mention e-Ink readers probably because they may seem passe for those interested only in tablets these days.  But it's the e-Ink Touch Kindles that have been noticeably missing from product pages recently and appearing "on hold" in a quiet way.

E-Ink Readers too
  This reminds me of something in last year's atmosphere. I remember that a key analyst for Apple Insider predicted two Touch e-readers along with a Kindle tablet would be introduced and he gave price points also, but he was almost alone in this, and the other press conference attendees were quite surprised with a fairly full lineup and some attractive pricing.

  A lot has happened in just the one year since.

What kind of Kindle device announcements are done (or not)  via press conference?
  In August 2010, there was no press conference when they released the Kindle 3 Keyboard model and the new Kindle DXG 9.7" - both with the Pearl 'Graphite' display which had considerably more contrast than previous Kindles. These more were more 'evolutionary' than something really new though.

  Last year we had the unveiling of the new family of Kindles, including the colorful latest member.

  It'll be definitely interesting to watch what's to be introduced with some fanfare this time.

Front-lighted e-Ink Kindle reader?
  I did see one columnist hoping that the front-lighted e-Ink Kindle is going to be ready, finally, although I'm hoping they really did take the time to work out kinks of the type we've seen with the Nook Glowlight's fragility and some relatively minor contrast loss due to a 2nd piece of glass over the display.

  I'm happy with my Beam N Read so will be more interested in what's happening with the follow-up tablet(s).

Tablet capabilities
  The tablet's capabitilities will be key, though I'm still enjoying mine, as I don't fill it with stuff but enjoy video streaming on it, including via the Wi-Drive external storage and simultaneous streaming (for up to 3 devices) of videos and documents from it and being able to read e-books and periodicals with photographs.

  A key factor with the conservatively spec'd Kindle Fire has been the ability to read DRM'd ePub on it because Amazon allows Kindle Fire owners to install apps on the tablet from "unknown sources"

Important for any new Kindle Fire
  What I personally want most from the next tablet will be  1) at least 16 gigs of storage so others don't have to worry about running out of space between richly featured apps and data,  2) 16 gigs of memory, and  3) an SD card slot, which the Google Nexus is lacking, and which I feel will be a key factor in the success of the next tablet.

  I haven't read any rumors of an SD slot being installed in coming Amazon tablets, but I feel it'll be an very strong plus for Amazon if it's there and quite a drawback if it's missing.  At least my Samsung 10" tablet and ipads have connector kits for USB and SD card adapters.

  If an SD card is not there they will have missed a large opportunity to pull ahead instead of playing catch-up.  Barnes and Noble put one on their Nook Tablets but they are far more restrictive than Amazon in that they don't allow non-company-store apps to be placed on the Nook while Amazon allows these on its Kindle Fire..  Most tablet owners who use tablets for entertainment don't want to depend on having to 'root' a tablet (with subsequent rooting updates necessary) to get basic functionality and flexibility out of it.


 So, in about two weeks, we'll finally hear what they're planning.

This time the global community will be watching with great interest, as Amazon has asked that developers provide Android apps outside the U.S. (finally) for whatever it plans.

CNet's David Carnoy has expanded their article on this.

If I read anything unusual on this today, I'll be adding it to this blog article.

Update - Forbes's Eric Savitz describes the venue a bit.

' The dramatic ceiling vaults to impressive 43-feet at the center, providing an arched steel truss over a 150- by 234-foot cement floor ... The 35,000 square foot hangar is one of the biggest and most versatile venues in Los Angeles '

And Savitz says Amazon must expect a good crowd.

Whimsically, I'll add that the Department of State's e-documents distribution needs as described in its latest Request for Information, requires centralized management of multiple Kindle e-reader models and also tablets but that a key requirement is that the devices must be capable of 3G delivery of documents via 3G wireless to its staff and to schools worldwide.

The Kindle Fire would need to have 3G cellular phone access capability if it is used eventually in any Agreement made with the DoS, not necessarily in the coming model but eventually.
  3G wireless is turned 'off' by going into 'airplane' mode on many devices, so having the announcement in an airport hanger would be somewhat humorous (and far-fetched but I enjoyed the idea momentarily today).

 Also, Savitz mentions that "Google’s Motorola unit and Verizon are also holding a product launch event in New York on the 5th" and that this will be annoying to those wanting to catch both events 3,000 miles apart.  Apple's own planned announcements may take place on the 12th of Sept. in San Francisco.

---

US: Kindle Fire  7" tablet - $199 Kindle NoTouch ("Kindle") - $79/$109 Kindle Touch, WiFi - $99/$139 Kindle Touch, 3G/WiFi - $149/$189 Kindle Keybd 3G - $189, Free, slow web Kindle DX - $379, Free, slow web

UK: Kindle Basic, NoTouch - £89 Kindle Touch WiFi, UK - £109 Kindle Touch 3G/WiFi, UK - £169 Kindle Keyboard 3G, UK - £149   Keybd: w/ Free, slow 3G WEB

OTHER International Kindle NoTouch Basic - $109 Kindle Touch WiFi - $139 Kindle Touch 3G/WiFi - $189 Kindle Keybd 3G - $189   Keybd: w/ Free, slow 3G WEB

  For daily free ebooks, check the following links:

Temporarily-free books - Non-classics USA: by:    Publication Date      Bestselling   High-ratings UK: PubDate   Popular The Kindle Daily Deal What is 3G? and "WiFi"?       Battery Care Highly-rated under $1,  Newest: $1-$2, $2-$3

Most Popular Free K-Books U.S. & Int'l (NOT UK):    Top 100 free UK-Only:    Top 100 free USEFUL for your Kindle Keyboard(U.S. only, currently):   99c Notepad 1.1,   99c Calculator,   99c Calendar,   99c Converter

  *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!

Things we've recently learned about any coming additional Kindle Fire tablet and e-readers

Back in July, All Things Digital's John Paczkowski mentioned that Amazon had been "approaching developers to bring them up to speed on the new hardware."

1. From "talking to sources who have been briefed" (these would be fairly good sources), they heard what we've heard from others so far, repeated endlessly -- but of interest to me was that the developers mentioned they'd "been instructed to build their apps for a display with a 1280 x 800 pixel resolution, which is a bit different" from "the 1024 x 600 display of the current Kindle Fire."

We'd heard this already and also read reports of the change in aspect ratio (the vertical mode would be not as long -- although the length had been good for wide-screen movies w/o letterboxing bars) but we'd not heard, generally, that this info came from instructions to developers.

2. I mentioned, in the blog article on the US State Department Request for Information on E-Readers and centralized management that may be needed for these in connection with their global needs, that the State Dept is now requesting this vendor/manager information from all and Amazon would not now be the sole source as had been planned.

 However,
  a. The vendor must be able to manage "multiple Kindle models" which would include replacing any broken ones (whether accidental or not) and providing free shipping and would require a 24/7 HelpDesk globally and a separate cloud-based documents store.

  b. 3G wireless for these is a requirement. (No one else is including that on current e-readers.)

  c. The required document formats include Mobi and Prc files -- these are Amazon Kindle formats, and ePub is not included in the list of formats.

  d. New wrinkle -- the battery life was to be fairly substantial and a matter of weeks had been mentioned.  Now the preference is that the battery life shall be no less than 8 hours of continuous reading or 7.5 hours of video playback.  And the light, compact portable device should be no more than 15 ounces and could be 8" x 5" by 0.5" (larger than current e-Ink devices).

    Since no one else can support multiple Kindle devices with a 24/7 helpdesk internationally and replace the Kindles as needed -- no questions asked -- we are talking about a future Kindle Fire tablet.  Again, the file formats for the documents will include Kindle formats but not ePub.
"DOC(X)" format files will also need to be supported, something Amazon's done for some time.

  d. While the Request for Information (RFI) does not mean a contract will take place, because they are just taking information here, they asked for this almost immediately after cancelling the earlier contract proposal, which had focused on e-Ink type devices.


What the new Kindle Fire would have to include to meet the proposed requirements
  .  Text to Speech. This is included in e-Ink Kindles but not in the current Kindle Fire.
  .  3G Wireless capability.

  Also, the information disseminated world-wide requires downloads via 3G in many of those areas (known to be expensive)  This kind of thing is already done by Amazon but not by others, internationally.

  So, we are seeing a new set of requirements that would include a device that has less battery life than e-Ink readers and can do video playback.

While the coming Kindle Fire 2 might not include these two features needed for that contract -- eventually, it would have to include them if this contract is negotiated successfully.

Other indications
I mentioned that Nate Hoffelder's articles on FCC papers from front companies for Amazon point to a new Kindle Fire and possibly to another e-Ink device though none of this is that clear.  But they'd be for new devices.

  In addition to that, he discovered something else:
  For some time, there has been an expensive 'dock' made by a third party for the Kindle Fire: the Grace Digital MatchStick Charging Speaker Dock for Kindle Fire.
  The maker named it FireDock when Nate reported on it in late March.  It's fairly expensive but has been getting good reviews and this week has more good word of mouth in the Amazon Kindle forums.

  Since that time, Nate reports, Grace Digital Audio doesn't use that name and Amazon owns the trademark for "Firedock" which might get some bonus attention if they announce one when launching the coming Kindle Fire 2.  "Kindle Fire 2" is not necessarily a name for a new device but one that describes what it would be, essentially, with the hope it would be a Kindle Fire on steroids.  It would almost have to be at this point.

The new filing was in addition to one which seemed to be for a larger tablet, reported by Nate earlier last week, and may describe a new e-Ink model.  There's no testing of a front light but maybe testing would not be needed for the filing.

We've seen that Amazon is currently out of Kindle Touch models and won't be able to ship any, per their current product pages for 1 to 2 weeks (the info on which could change entirely at any time, the way it's been going!), which indicates a lack of sufficient energy to keep either the Touch WiFi-Only or the Touch 3G in stock.

I was most intrigued by the constantly shifting status reports and missing sales-boxes last night and today though, and then the re-appearance of one on the 3G model, twice today.

I think it's hard to conclude nothing's coming down the pike, and most of us hope it's sooner than later, as it's all too confusing at this point.


In connection with all this, Amazon is still running the 40% off select devices and accessories when using their Amazon Rewards Visa Card.  This normally precedes changes in or additions to the current lineup.

---

Current Kindle Models for reference, plus free-ebook search links

US: Kindle Fire  7" tablet - $199 Kindle NoTouch ("Kindle") - $79/$109 Kindle Touch, WiFi - $99/$139 Kindle Touch, 3G/WiFi - $149/$189 Kindle Keybd 3G - $189, Free, slow web Kindle DX - $379, Free, slow web

UK: Kindle Basic, NoTouch - £89 Kindle Touch WiFi, UK - £109 Kindle Touch 3G/WiFi, UK - £169 Kindle Keyboard 3G, UK - £149   Keybd: w/ Free, slow 3G WEB

OTHER International Kindle NoTouch Basic - $109 Kindle Touch WiFi - $139 Kindle Touch 3G/WiFi - $189 Kindle Keybd 3G - $189   Keybd: w/ Free, slow 3G WEB

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!

Kindle News: Amazon quelling August 7 rumors for Kindle Fire 2?

Now more 'sources' choose AllThingsD to put out a new estimated shipping date for Kindle Fire 2.

AllThingsD's John Paczkowski wrote on Sunday that "Sources familiar with Amazon's plans" apparently made contact to make sure the news got out (and it did) that:

'... the company hopes to debut the next iteration of the Kindle Fire in the second half of this year; the current launch window is late in the third quarter.'

I had rumor-manipulation fatigue and the news mainly promised a later delivery date for any new Kindle Fire 2's.  Normally Amazon uses the word 'launch' to mean they *announce* or intro a product with information on estimated delivery dates, but news sites have started to use the word to mean *deliver* a product into the customers' hands, and a lot of confusion results from that.

"Debut" of the Kindle 2 in the 2nd half could mean anywhere from July to December 2012. "Current launch window" being "late in the third quarter" gives us a September expectation rather than the August 7 one which did the rounds due to other sources, and Amazon, little doubt, might have wanted to quash that rumor since it would mean they'd not meet the sudden expectations that came from talk by 'supply chain' reps.

This report from AllThingsD comes from "sources that have been briefed," by Amazon, of course, and then gives us information in connection with "developers familiar with the device" and what they've "been instructed to build" in the way of apps for the new higher-resolution display.

Developers and the improved display resolution
The information about the Kindle Fire 2 itself is not changed nor enlarged beyond CNet's information the week before, other than that the display's screen shape is changing just enough to give developers more work on their currently used apps.  DisplayMate President Raymond Soneira told AllThingsD that the "...shape is changing from an aspect ratio of 1.71 (tall and narrow in its standard Portrait mode) to an aspect ratio of 1.60."

While it's pointed out that this is a 'fairly common" aspect ratio with tablets, and the 1280x800 pixel resolution will make the display slightly sharper, this is a new width-to-height ratio. Apps that use the length of the current Kindle 2 for material that must be on a page (as in game screens and even menu information) would have to make some relative adjustments in their apps for this model in addition to designing for 1200x800 pixels vs 1024x600.

  I've liked the longer, narrower aspect of the Kindle for wide-screen movies, as both the current Kindle Fire and Nook Tablet just fill up the screen rather than show us letterbox-style black areas in a smaller area for the film.  Now the new tablet will be the same size and the display area would still be diagonally about 7", but a wide-screen movie would need to fit a shorter length while the sides are further apart.  Those who use tablets mainly to read will like the width to height change.

Will Amazon move fast enough and offer enough?
  At any rate, we all need to adjust the expectations from the many rumors.  And Amazon has to, however, move as fast as they can, as the Google Nexus is making waves, due to more current hardware specs for the same price, even if they don't have the strong ecosystem nor any record of direct customer service.

 I think Amazon could well lose the 7" tablet battle (due to the limited easy access to apps) now that Google's tablet has the full-store capability and a media ecosystem of sorts) unless Amazon adds something bold and very much needed, such as an SD card slot, and then they'd run away with it.  They need to put more faith in the customer.

  The Google Nexus doesn't have an SD card slot and even in late 2012 has only 8 gigs for storage for the $200 price.  B&N's Nook Tablet has an SD card slot but B&N doesn't allow customers to side-load, to the tablet, apps from unknown sources while the current Amazon does allow sideloading of apps from other sources for its Kindle Fire (but most customers won't know how to find the apps (in safe-site settings) and most don't know how to sideload and install these.


Unusual Kindle Daily Deal book
Today's Kindle Daily Deal, for Tuesday only, is 'Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist David Halberstam's brilliant chronicle of "America and the Korean War"' -- $1.99 (80% off Mondays's price).

---

US: Kindle Fire  7" tablet - $199 Kindle NoTouch ("Kindle") - $79/$109 Kindle Touch, WiFi - $99/$139 Kindle Touch, 3G/WiFi - $149/$189 Kindle Keybd 3G - $189, Free, slow web Kindle DX - $379, Free, slow web

UK: Kindle Basic, NoTouch - £89 Kindle Touch WiFi, UK - £109 Kindle Touch 3G/WiFi, UK - £169 Kindle Keyboard 3G, UK - £149   Keybd: w/ Free, slow 3G WEB

OTHER International Kindle NoTouch Basic - $109 Kindle Touch WiFi - $139 Kindle Touch 3G/WiFi - $189 Kindle Keybd 3G - $189   Keybd: w/ Free, slow 3G WEB

  For daily free ebooks, check the following links:

Temporarily-free books - Non-classics USA: by:    Publication Date      Bestselling   High-ratings UK: PubDate   Popular The Kindle Daily Deal What is 3G? and "WiFi"?       Battery Care Highly-rated under $1,  Newest: $1-$2, $2-$3

Most Popular Free K-Books U.S. & Int'l (NOT UK):    Top 100 free UK-Only:    Top 100 free USEFUL for your Kindle Keyboard(U.S. only, currently):   99c Notepad 1.1,   99c Calculator,   99c Calendar,   99c Converter

  *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!

Kindle-related News: Google officially announces Nexus 7" tablet. The upshot? - Update

The Google Nexus 7" tablet is officially announced.

As I wrote in the last blog entry, Google's Nexus, made by Asus, has been "due out any day" and they finally officially announced it today.  It's obviously meant to be a Kindle Fire competitor.  Coming almost a year later than the Kindle Fire, it has the latest features of course.

Like the 2011-Economy model Kindle Fire though, the $199 price gives you 8 gigs of storage and No SD card slot, the latter omission a surprise to many.

  Many of us use the cell-phone sized Wi-Drive for external portable storage with the Kindle Fire (and even with the iPad), and it streams files simultaneously to up to 3 devices and works very well.

A 16-gig Google Nexus tablet will cost $249.  It won't have an SD card slot either though.  Note that the Nook Tablet does.

An 8-gig tablet will no longer do it, although it barely did before, and the new Android games that are popular can use up most of the app storage space.  So, 16 gigs is the minimum, and the Kindle Fire 2 too will also have to offer that and should have before.

  But the Nexus has definite advantages over the current Kindle Fire (although as reported today, a 'credible source' told CNET that Amazon is due to announce a 2nd Kindle Fire model on or about July 31).

The more noteworthy specs
Engadget's Jon Fingas reports that, as the creator of the operating system, Google has "the first and currently only tablet shipping with Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean), which has optimization for smaller tablet screens, magazines and movies."

"What we get for the money: that quad-core Tegra 3, 1.2-megapixel front camera, NFC and 1280 x 800, IPS-based LCD are traits we'd normally look for in a pricier tablet.  How much pricier, you ask?  Google is asking just $199 for a dainty 8GB model and $249 for a 16GB version -- that's a lot of speed for the money, especially with a $25 Google Play credit and a slew of bundled content.  There's no SD card slot, however" [as mentioned above because it's such a disappointment to many].

So, that is a FAST 7" tablet.  Now, many of us wait to see what Amazon might be smart enough to offer because they need to offer something more substantial this year.

  While the first Kindle Fire work was outsourced, this one has been rumored to be Amazon's own to manage or mangle, so it'll be interesting to see.   I already have what is considered one of the best two Android 10" tablets out there (Samsung's, in my case), and I do love to use it, but it's still the Kindle Fire that I pick up everyday to use at home and to take out with me, so there is something about it that works for me and, it seems, for many others.

   Despite my previous computer background, my everyday needs are fairly simple.  I just want to read, browse the web, and listen to some music and not infrequently watch a TV series program that I missed on my TV and which my OnDemand cable doesn't offer.  That's easily done.

  GAME players will run out of space faster however, and people who are app-happy and want to have them all available, rather than store most of them on the cloud until actually using them, just need more storage space.  I mainly wish Amazon had added more internal storage space and an SD card slot for the usual storage expansion capability.

  The new Kindle Fire coming (and we know it is, because of all the activity in Europe, and leaks to CNET are for a purpose).

  At this point the Kindle Fire 2 needs to have a 1280px long-side display though I've been happy with the 1024 x 600, but this gadget game is about ever-increasing best specs and now iPad's 'Retina' has set higher expectations (and higher storage needs for iPad owners), although with smaller screens the current displays for KFire and Nook Tablet still look very good, which surprised a friend of mine who uses an iPad 3.

Here's Engadget's Google I/O 2012 event-details page for those more interested in this.

The Bits blog at the New York Times, by Brian X Chen (didn't he work for Wired?) adds that the v4.1 Jelly Bean Android system "will have smoother animation and the ability to transcribe speech into text, according to Google."

TNW (The Next Web) has a good events page too.

  They mention that the new OS version has a predictive keyboard, and Google Voice Search (which I have on my Samsung Galaxy S2 smart phone and it's really amazingly accurate and understands my mumbling somehow).

  As someone more interested in privacy of movements, I'm not that keen on the "google Now" feature, since they explain that it "figures out where you commute to work and...gives you a faster route if there is a lot of traffic. When you're at a public transit stop, Google Now tells you when the next one arrives."  Others will find that a neat thing and very helpful.   I'd prefer Google not always 'know' where I am (it reminds me of sci fi stories and seems to give larger entities a bit more control over the crowd, at least our buying and going habits), and, besides, enabling the GPS feature can really drain the battery, so I leave mine off.
  My phone lasts a long time and that's more important to me, to say the least.  I like that I can turn ON GPS and get traffic info and directions when I want, though.

The movie partners for the Google app store (called Google Play -- formerly known as "The Market" or "The marketplace") includes "Disney, Bravo, NBCUniversal and more."  They'll of course be paid features. Google's store used to offer video only rentals but will now offer complete purchases (movie and tv) and magazines.

That should give you enough information.  It will ship in mid-July and people can order now.  I'll wait for the Kindle Fire announcements though, as I am actually still enjoying my KFire without having to spend more money yet.  If Amazon offers something substantailly better, I may spring for it.

Right now a faster, maybe visibly sharper-display tablet with no SD card slot is not that attractive to me yet, and the $199 version still has only 8 gigs of storage space, which is really odd and false economy for something so forward-looking otherwise.

 I'll say one thing, if anyone decides to buy it, get the 16-gig model rather than the 8-gig one, as in no way with game apps today will you want to spend another $200 on the latest device ("saving" $50) to be limited to forever watching how much space you have for apps and data and wondering what to do about it, moving things back and forth.  That would be false savings and no fun.

An important consideration (Update)
In the meantime, think about any contacts you've ever tried to reach in email or on the phone with Google customer support for any reason.  I am pretty sure this will come to be a very important factor in all this.  Have they ramped up a team to handle this? They tend to leave forum-help to volunteers and work behind the scenes developing a lot of useful programs. So, this will be something to watch.

Also, current Kindle Fire and Nook Tablet users should actually go handle a full Android device first, with its entirely different user interface, to know what that's like, but I read that Google has made the Nexus interface considerably more easily navigable than you'll see on generic Android tablets.

---

Current Kindle Models for reference, plus free-ebook search links

US: Kindle Fire  7" tablet - $199 Kindle NoTouch ("Kindle") - $79/$109 Kindle Touch, WiFi - $99/$139 Kindle Touch, 3G/WiFi - $149/$189 Kindle Keybd 3G - $189, Free, slow web Kindle DX - $379, Free, slow web

UK: Kindle Basic, NoTouch - £89 Kindle Touch WiFi, UK - £109 Kindle Touch 3G/WiFi, UK - £169 Kindle Keyboard 3G, UK - £149   Keybd: w/ Free, slow 3G WEB

OTHER International Kindle NoTouch Basic - $109 Kindle Touch WiFi - $139 Kindle Touch 3G/WiFi - $189 Kindle Keybd 3G - $189   Keybd: w/ Free, slow 3G WEB

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!

Kindle News: Kindle Fire 2 and lighted Kindle Touch may be announced 7/31, per CNet's Carnoy

CNET's David Carnoy cites "a credible source" who has told CNET that Amazon will unveil a 2nd generation Kindle Fire this summer

The source also said, Carnoy reports, that Amazon is targeting July 31 for a launch event.

  This is being told CNET while headlines have a rumored $200 Google Nexus 7" tablet (made by Asus) with Google's latest Android operating system of course (v4.1 "Jelly Bean"), due out any day, which I don't think is coincidental.

  I haven't considered Google's tablet a threat to Amazon because of Google's non-reputation for direct customer support, while customer service is a huge strength of Amazon.

  But Google's Nexus tablet will also have, per specs leaked online, "a 1.3Ghz quad-core Tegra 3 processor, a GeForce 12-core graphics processor, front-facing camera, and 1GB of RAM.  The IPS (in-plane switching) display will offer a 178-degree viewing angle with a resolution of 1,280x800 pixels.  The entry-level 8GB model will reportedly retail for $199."

Carnoy says they can't confirm the Amazon launch date of course.  Then he cites DigiTimes's recent article quoted by one and all (despite what Carnoy rightly calls a reputation for being 'pretty spotty on the rumor front' and which I said had about 60% accuracy in their past predictions) that was ultra vague about sourcing but expected a tablet with a higher resolution, 1280 by 800 pixel display "at the beginning of the third quarter."  That would be July, which I said was too early for any to be ready.

CNET's sources didn't mention a higher resolution display but "did say that the new tablet would have a camera and physical volume-control buttons."   Also not mentioned:  Bluetooth capability,  processor type, memory, expansion capabilities or Amazon's rumored ad-supported Kindle Fire Special Offers version.
  Skype capability would be welcomed by many.

With all the current Amazon activity overseas, including requests that app developers from other countries submit Android apps for Amazon's Appstore, it's no surprise that a new Kindle Fire would be likely by Fall.  Digital rights contracts overseas have been mentioned lately too (finally).  If the launch IS July 31, they would likely not deliver until late August or September the way these things go.

  The current Kindle Fire is expected to be kept, with a price reduction to $150 for those who don't need one with more features.

E-Ink Kindle with built-in front lighting
  B&N's Glowlight has lit a fire under Amazon's development group too, but Amazon did buy technology for this (also leaked at an opportune time - just before B&N's announcement) and have been working on it.

  Also, a front-lit e-reader is required by the State Dept's coming Mobile Learning Initiative project, in its negotiations with Amazon for a no-bid contract, currently stalled by the National Federation for the Blind.

  This model should really be due even sooner, I'd think.  Any concerns Amazon development team have about lessened contrast would be alleviated by the fact that this has been true for the Nook Glowlight, and people who buy them don't care that much although reviewers mention it and hope that the fonts can be darkened later.

But there is very strong competitive pressure to release both an updated Kindle Fire and an E-Ink type reader with built-in 'front' lighting, which needs to be under a 2nd, higher layer, as E-Ink devices can't be backlit -- or, to at least announce them.

Controlled leaks will come when it's more crucial to deal with the competition than to worry about customers waiting on future models before buying a current one.  While there is always a 30-day full refund policy on Kindles, a July 31 launch indicates a late August delivery or later.

   When the last set of Kindles was announced (Sept. 28 last year), the Kindle Fire delivery date was November 15, which would make the updated Kindle Fire delivery date probably more like Sept. 15, close to when Fall school sessions begin.  But I have a hunch that Amazon will try for an earlier date.

---

Current Kindle Models for reference, plus free-ebook search links

US: Kindle Fire  7" tablet - $199 Kindle NoTouch ("Kindle") - $79/$109 Kindle Touch, WiFi - $99/$139 Kindle Touch, 3G/WiFi - $149/$189 Kindle Keybd 3G - $189, Free, slow web Kindle DX - $379, Free, slow web

UK: Kindle Basic, NoTouch - £89 Kindle Touch WiFi, UK - £109 Kindle Touch 3G/WiFi, UK - £169 Kindle Keyboard 3G, UK - £149   Keybd: w/ Free, slow 3G WEB

OTHER International Kindle NoTouch Basic - $109 Kindle Touch WiFi - $139 Kindle Touch 3G/WiFi - $189 Kindle Keybd 3G - $189   Keybd: w/ Free, slow 3G WEB

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!