Kindle Fire Browser security for children-NO WORRY NOW!

Hesitate to give your Kindle Fire to your child just because she/he might order an one thousand camera accidentally for you? Now you can do something fairly easy to prevent that from happening...
==> Tap upper right corner " More..."
==> Restrictions
==> "Enable Restrictions"  tap "ON"
==> You will be asked to create password, enter a password with at least 4 characters and enter another time to confirm.
==>  Now " Enable Restrictions" and "Password Proteced Wi-Fi" are both set to "ON" which means
        you will be prompted to enter your password (you just set) in order to enable Wi-Fi. You will
        notice there is a "key" symbol appeared on the upper right corner.
But make sure to disable Wi-Fi before handing the Kindle Fire to your child !!!

Essentially this is to disable the Wi-Fi thus there is no way your child will connnect to internet.

Enjoy the convenience. But if your child needs to connect to internet anyway eg. playing an internet game, then find another way.

Kindle Fire Tip-How to get free third-party android apps from GetJar

You may or may not know GetJar which is the world¹s largest free app store with more than 350,000 free mobile applications for Android. How do you get your free android apps from GetJar? Easy!

Step 1:  In your web app browser on Kindle Fire input address   getjar.com and go.

Step 2:  A popped small window will ask you to " Tap to download GetJar! (app), you must download
             GetJar app to your Kindle Fire first. Press " Download" to start downloading.

Step 3:  There will be a Youtube video " Getting started with GetJar-Installing GetJar " showing you
              how to install.

             ==> Return to the home screen

             ==> Tap the Menu Button

             ==> Select " Settings"

             ==> Check "Unknown Sources"

             If you installed third party android apps before, you actually do not have to worry about all the
             steps above.

            

             ==> Tap your notifications (on the left upper corner, there is a number after ×××'s Kindle Fire),
                     and you will see GetJar.apk. Tap on it once and enter the installation page.

             ==> Tap " Install " button on the left bottom corner to install the GetJar. 
             ==> Tap " Open " to try use GetJar app to download tons of FREE apps you need.
                    
                     That is all.

Summary:  Settings to allow installation of unknown apps first and then install GetJar app.

Kindle Fire Tip-How to read EPUB books on Kindle Fire

You may find out that your Kindle Fire cannot read ePub format ebook directly by Amazon's own Kindle for Android app. But I am sure everyone should have plenty of ePub books form your public library or other online resources such as Gutenberg. Though we can convert the ePub file to mobi by Calibre, it is not convenient.  Here is one of the easiest solutions-installing OverDrive Media Console app which is offered for free by OverDrive (an American digital distributor of downloadable eBooks, audiobooks, music, and video titles). The following are the steps you may follow:

Step 1:  Go to OverDrive download page to download the android version app  
             "ODMediaConsoleSetup.apk" to your PC (Choose option "android"  then click the small
              fonts link below to download). And next transfer the file (using any mini usb cable you
              have inyour home) to the "download" directory on your Kindle Fire.

Step 2:  Follow my post  "How to install non-Amazon Kindle Fire apps on your Kindle Fire
              without rooting"( In that post I use ES File Explorer as document viewing app to locate the
              app file we just copied, still there are some other free apps such as "File Expert" 
              "AndroxPlorer" which can also serve the purpose.)

Step 3:  Use File Expert to locate your ePub ebooks or directly copy the ebooks to the directory 
             "Documents". If you open your ePub ebook by OverDrive Media Console for the first time, 
             do the following:
            
            Run File Expert (File Expert is recommended here!) 

            ==> My Files
            ==> SD Card
            ==> Download (if your ebooks are in this directory)
            ==> Double click the ePub ebook
            ==> An "Open As..." window pops out
            ==> More...
            ==> Pick the " OverDrive Media Console" App, you may also check the " Use 
                    by default for this action ".
            ==> When you "OverDrive Media Console" you will see your ePub ebook is already on
                    its bookshelf . Enjoy reading.

In summary:  Three simple steps

==> Download "ODMediaConsoleSetup.apk"  
==> Set kindle device to allow installation of third party app (if you have already installed 
        third-party app before, no need for this step)
==> Install and open Overdrive Media Console 
The above steps seem lengthy, actually they are pretty easy to follow.

Kindle Fire Tip-Solving issue of "can't open file"

Have you ever encountered such an error message when trying to open your own .mobi, epub, or other documents on your Kindle Fire through the free your_kindle_account_name @ free.kindle.com?

"can't open file"

Possible solution (this may not work for you):

1. Go to Amazon App market to get the FREE app called File Expert. 
2. Install on your Kindle Fire.
3. Run File Expert
4. My Files ==> SD Card ==> Download ==> Select the file you just downloaded
5. A window pops out  " Open As...  ==> More... ==> Select "Amazon Kindle " app to open the file.
6. Done

Or you may try to move the files from the download folder into the documents one and reboot, see if you can read it directly.

Kindle Fire Tip-The browser you are using doesn't work with HTTPS in Hotmail

I am sure for those who are using Kindle Fire with a hotmail email account have encountered this warning: "The browser you are using doesn't work with HTTPS in Hotmail..."  
This is another thing I dislike Kindle Fire. But there is one solution: through a third-party website called http://www.kinstant.com/ (a new start-up---because of the bad of kindle). You simply enter that website first and look for the "hotmail" link, on the next page, you will be asked for your user name and password, finally you will be able to get access to your hotmail account.
Warning: since you have to enter your account through this third party site, I am not sure of the security of your privacy. So use it cautiously and for your own risk.
The best solution may be giving lots of complains to Amazon and urge them to solve this inconvenience.

UPDATE:
Please see my other post for a much better way: http://hello-ereader.blogspot.com/2012/01/kindle-fire-to-open-hotmail-email.html

My tip with purchase of case for Kindle Fire

There are lots of thirty party case for Amazon Kindle Fire to choose. I bought my own when there is a deal ($6.95 instead of $9.95) for this case which has a pretty good user review score, and for less than $7 it is a nice deal. After more than two weeks use, I found the design of the case has a very annoying thing: the cover around the IPS screen makes it hard to touch the "home" or any soft buttons very close to the edge of the screen. I am surprised that no single reviewer mentioned this, and actually it sometimes made me very frustrating. I would not recommend  Kindle Fire users buy a case with such a design (with the cover edge very close to the screen).  But I am not saying here that this case is not great considering its good user review and value. I am satisfied with everything else except for this complain. Hopefully this little tip will help you in picking up a better case for your Fire.

Another feature you'd better to consider is that the case should be able to protect your investmet (Fire) in case of an accident - drop down to the ground at the corners, so your future case should be able to have some protection at the corners.  No perfect case? Do your research.

Apple to unveil two versions of next-generation iPad in January

According to one Taiwan DigitalTimes, Apple is to unveil two versions of next-generation iPad in January. Instead of the previously-rumored 7.85-inch, the upcoming iPad models will still feature 9.7-inch screens but come with QXGA resolution (1,536x2,048 pixels). 


The website also claims that "the iPad 2 will be competing directly with Amazon's kindle Fire in the price-sensitive market segment, while the new models will focus on the mid-range and high-end segments respectively", which means:

 v.s.       

Now the game is going to start...but how $499+tax  v.s. $199 ? I have no idea. Apple is going to cut the price? This will never happen. It might be more realistic if Apple offers a smaller screen one with cheaper price. Then Kindle Fire will be in trouble.

Nook Color v.s. Nook Tablet v.s. Kindle Fire v.s. Lenovo IdeaPad A1

The comparison between these three gadgets can be seen at B & N (who made Nook, always keep this in mind) website.   The link to the comparison.
While this is from B&N and surely it is biased toward nook , it can be a good reference at least the specifications of Nook Tablet.

Nook (tablet) looks like a little nicer than Kindle (Fire). The newly released Nook Tablet is an upgrade of Nook Color with double memory (512MB==>1GB) and double storage (8G==>16GB), the processor is upgraded to dural core 1G from single core 800MHz , and the price is increased from $199 to $249.

Well, from my point of view, I would either get a Nook Tablet [B&N, Amazon] or Kindle Fire, compared to "Fire" which has the same price as the Nook Color (if you can get Color without paying tax, while sometimes you may find $120 or even lower deal of the Color) but Kindle Fire has dual core faster speed processor, it is slightly lighter and smaller than Nook Color.

Another nice comparison  "Kindle Fire vs. Nook Tablet: Which 7-Incher Is Best For You?"
from a third-party can be found at Huffingtonpost.  I would trust this comparison review more than the B & N one.
Update! Apple is going to release its new generation IPAD soon... , will it be a 7 inch one? If yes, the three ones we talk about here will get into trouble.

Now you have three strong candidates when considering the 7" portable and affordable tablets: Kindle Fire, Nook Tablet [amazon] and IdeaPad A1 [amazon].  Which one is your best love? See this concise comparison.

Ref: Pic is taken from InfoGenra

Note: Nook tablet (Amazon, B&N)  is the latest version of Nook, which is the direct competitor of Amazon's Kindle Fire.

Root, JailBreak and Legality

You may encounter many such jargons used by many who are in favor of up-to-date technology about "Gadget" (A gadget is a small technological object such as a device or an appliance that has a particular function typical examples are smart phone, tablet). 

Root: 

    Rooting enables users to use the superuser, or root, permissions of the Linux-based operating system (OS)(Android is based on Linux system) thus have more control over it,thus overcome limitations carriers or manufacturers put on your devices. One example is Amazon Kindle Fire, the Android on the Fire is extensively customized to allow users more easily buy stuffs from them, and has many limitations. Another example is the fire-saled HP TouchPad (TP), the WebOS does not have as many apps as on Android, thus a totally new Android has to be installed on the TP.

    Advantages of rooting are: more freedom to control your gadgets, fun to explore

    Disadvantages are: risk of "bricking" (Firmware cannot start and run on your device) your gadgets and loss your data; void your phone’s factory and/or service provider warranty  

JailBreak:         

   This is often applied to only Apple's system IOS. Hacking the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad allows users to

My fresh taste of Kindle Fire

I would say it is a great little tablet with excellent value considering its sweet price ( I got it in an even lower price).

• It is not as great as a kindle keyboard or the new 4th generation family as a book ereader without e-ink technology.
• I notice there are many complains about its no physical volume buttons, no cameras, no expansion slots etc.   
• Without the physical buttons is indeed a drawback. What I really want is one button (as the "U" button on Nook Color) which allows you quickly return to the home screen. If it had hdmi port, that would be great.

How to install non-Amazon Kindle Fire apps on your Kindle Fire without rooting

Think again before rooting your Fire since you will lose the privilege of streaming video from Amazon. But you do not have to root in order to install third-party non Amazon Kindle Fire apps.

It is very similar to those steps to install non-Market android apps on HP TouchPad. First you need to change the settings (allow installation of third-party apps) on your kindle fire to "ON" , then install a free document viewing app such as   ES File Explorer.

Step 1:  Go to the settings of your Kindle Fire by tapping the top part of the screen. Click “More…” then
              select “Device.” Where it says “Allow Installation of Application,” change your Kindle Fire settings
              from “Off” to “On.”


Step 2:  Download and install the Amazon Kindle fire free app such as "  ES File Explorer or File Expert ".


Step 3:  Use  "ES File Explorer" to get access to the app file (*.apk) you'v already copied to your Kindle
              Fire（such as the directory "download"--- look for directory "sdcard/Download" by the file manager
              such as ES File Explorer or File Expert and install the app.

Step 4: You are done.