FIRE doesn't have a keyboard - not good for those with severe arthritis or other handicaps.

I was interested, but since I need a keyboard, i'll stick to my keyboard 3g Kindle. I only use it to read, color is not an issue, since I don't read "picture" books...so why buy one?

I didn't realize that there wasn't a keyboard, I guess I assumed that it displayed when needed like my iPhone does. H'mmmmmm

I get updates from ZDnet, they have pretty much panned it so I guess it depends on what you are using it for, if just reading books then why pay the extra bucks. But is you want to watch netflix then it might be worth it. One thing tho, ZDnet said that one of the big negatives is that the volume is not easily adjusted. I love my Kindle, but I seldom use it anymore. I have the app on my phone and computers so I usually read there.

I attached a link to the ZDnet site incase you want to read it. I usually follow their advice.

Here is a link that might be useful: 12 things that stink about the kindle fire

I've got the Kindle Fire. The keyboard pops up on the screen when you need it. Sometimes it registers the key next to what I was aiming for, but that is operator error. I have to get used to it..and maybe shorten my nails. I love it. It is the first tablet/e-reader I've had. I haven't had any trouble adjusting the volume. I downloaded Better Homes and Gardens and Southern Living and the BHG digital issue is really cool. I downloaded a couple of games and have been enjoying them - never thought of myself as a gamer type. With the Fire comes a month of Amazon prime for free. I checked out a book for free today from the Amazon library. I can check one a month out for free. And there are thousands of free books you can download. So far, I haven't spent anything extra for content. (Already had the magazine subscriptions.) The color screen is absolutely beautiful.

Tanks for the input. I will discuss this with DD and see what she says. I got her the Kindle last year and asked if SIL would like one for himself. I personally am not interested but they are always on the road and I thought it would be a good thing for them. She mentioned the Kindle Fire so I thought I would check into it.

You can go over to kindleboards.com to the "Fire Talk" thread linked below for additional thoughts.

Here is a link that might be useful: Fire Talk

Mine was delivered yesterday. I haven't messed with it much yet, but so far, I like it just fine. Lots to learn though.

The virtual keyboards on the Fire and most cell phones are useless to people with hand(and finger problems).
My touch is so soft, it doesn't register on those "keyboards" about 90% of the time. A poster talked about frustration with pressing a key twice - try 6 or 7 times, that's when you're ready to give up.

By a keyboard, I meant a "real" keyboard. My LG phone has a slide out keyboard, with real keys that physically depress.
Makes the phone 2x the thickness of my Kindle, but they both leave lots of room in my purse.

I'm liking it. My DH's came on Tuesday, and so far we have both played with it, he has downloaded 3 library books on it, played some Angry Birds and other games and have surfed the web a bit. I think it has a GREAT screen. By the way, I have an iPad which I adore also, but it was lots more money. I find a capacitive stylus works well for virtual keyboards. Better than fingers, in my opinion.

I bought a package of short pencil type things to use on my PDN. They are made for the Nintendo DS I think. There are 5 in a package for $6.

Georgymom......You don't say how you think SIL will use it. The Kindle Fire is primarily a tablet that can be used as a reader. If someone is looking for something that they will be using mostly for reading books then other options may be better. The E-ink on the regular Kindles can't beat in the opinion of many. The Kindle Fire is backlit. Some people find this a plus but many who read books find it an annoyance.

Vala, where did you get them and do they work on touch screens? I have trouble with my iPhone because of my nails being long.....it takes 2-3 days for me to reply to an email or to send a text!

Thank you all for your input. I love this forum. Not only did I get some help but several others may have been helped about the key pad, too.

Wildchild, I think he was thinking about the I Pad and is now thinking about the Kindle Fire. So I guess he wants something more than just a reader. In any event, it makes life much easier for me to have an idea of what to buy.

I'm not sure the Kindle Fire is comparable to an iPad, Georgysmom, so run that by him. The iPad can be a reader but not sure about the reverse. There are probably apps that can download email but not sure if there is full internet access if that is what he wants.

Here is an easy to read and understand article on how the two tablets compare.

Here is a link that might be useful: iPad or Kindle Fire

I am responding via my Db's FIRE. Web access just fine on wifi.

Gosh, I'm glad I'm not buying this for myself. I've read all the sites you posted and am really confused. If it were for me, I really don't know what I would do. I guess I personally would like the bigger screen. I think I will speak to DD and ask if they've delved into this thoroughly. Thanks again for all your help.

I am interested in the Kindle Fire but can't seem to get a clear answer on this question: can it handle corporate (ie. workplace; mine is a university) e-mail accounts? That is, will I be able to read and answer my work e-mail on it? Some have said that it only handles gmail or hotmail accounts. Others have stated that you can convert ("drop"?) corporate e-mail accounts into gmail or hotmail. The Kindle Fire would be useless to me if I couldn't handle work e-mail.

That is very cool I didn't know the Fire was that comprehensive. Great! I may have to reconsider it. My boss told me to buy myself an iPad but at a $800+ price tag I want to check it Fire.

What a nice boss. - If my boss told me to buy myself an iPad, I'd be heading in the direction of the Apple Store!
The iPad will do much more than the Fire with the same battery life. You really get what you pay for. You can get an entry level iPad for about five hundred if you get the WiFi version. The Fire is only WiFi and only 8GB. I haven't had my hands on a Fire though to compare. I use my iPad daily so I am biased.

Happy shopping!

Was the boss offering to pay for it? Telling you to buy one and paying for it are two different things. If he's offering to pay for it, I think I'd definitely buy the iPad