Kindle Fire OS question.

11 years ago

I have long wanted a Kindle Fire HDX 7 and it has been around for quite a while. I am afraid if I buy one now it will soon be outdated. I would like the Fire because my original Kindle reader is aging. So, I want a new reader and I want it to also be a tablet. I once bought a Netbook and deliberately chose one with Windows XP because I understood how it worked. Shortly after that they came out with Vista and then 7! The loss of XP support really bums me out! So, is the Kindle Fire due to make any major changes? Is if wise for me to buy the HDX 7 now or will it able quickly become obsolete? Thanks for any input.

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kudzu9

11 years ago

mudlady-
You're sort of comparing apples to oranges. A Kindle Fire OS is much simpler and more limited in function than a PC's OS. You should simply buy the newest Kindle Fire and not worry. I suspect the device will fail physically before you have to worry about the OS being a problem. Amazon wants the Kindle Fire to work well for years to come: they don't want to alienate their ebook-buying customer base by introducing incompatibilities with new models.

Finally, in all fairness to Microsoft, their ending of support for XP was no secret. They did maintain it for 12 years and warned people years before about the fact that support would be ending, and they even had three successor systems in release before they did end XP support. I have an old tablet that came with the latest OS available at the time -- XP -- and it's still functional. Just because support ended for that OS doesn't mean the software quits working.

The best strategy is to buy current technology with the most current OS and use it. You may want something new in 10 years, but I don't think there is cause for alarm that an HDX 7 will suddenly turn into a lemon.

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Comments (8)

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kbarb - San Francisco - Z10a
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
I'm probably not the most qualified to answer this but Kindle Fire HDX 7" is 3rd generation, 2013, whereas the latest 4th generation HDX model (2014) only comes in 8.9" - no 7" version.
I saw elsewhere where someone asked if there was going to be a 4th gen 7" - but who knows.

(It's a little confusing to me, as Wikipedia refers to 3rd gen as 1st gen, and 4th gen as 2nd)

Anyway, having said that, what do you mean by obsolete ? What are your concerns.

The 3rd gen HDXs are updatable so far to OS version 4.5.3, just like the 4th gens, so at least they can keep current as far as that's concerned.

See Kindle Fire HDX Software Updates

Unfortunately, everything in the world of computers eventually becomes obsolete, it's just a matter of time. On the other hand, with the Kindle I'd imagine that typical functionality would be workable for quite a while. It's just that processors get faster, displays get higher resolutions, better cameras, and so on. But I'd wait for more input from people more familiar with the Kindle than I.
acraftylady
11 years ago
My 2nd generation kindle fire is still going strong. I also have a 2013 HD fire that still works great. If you take care of them they will last. Mary
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kudzu9
11 years ago
The other thing to remember is that there will undoubtedly be updates to your Kindle Fire's software, but it will be more like gradual and subtle improvements rather than something that is a radical, one-step change.
mudlady_gw thanked kudzu9
mudlady_gw
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks to all for your input. All I want is a new Kindle reader with the capability of being taken on vacation to keep up with my email and possibly surf the net for interesting attractions nearby as I travel. My original Kindle reader is still going strong but it would be great to have a Kindle reader that also functions on vacation for email and occasional net browsing. Oh, I am addicted to ordinary, old fashioned Solitaire and would love to be able to play while I am stuck waiting for an appointment. Thus, I want a simple, reliable tablet and want to continue reading on the kindle format.
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kbarb - San Francisco - Z10a
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
I think you're probably ok with the Kindle Fire HDX 7 then. It's highly unlikely that anything would come up that would make that reader unusable. If anything it would be hardware malfunction, equally unlikely, but that's different than obsolescence. Since it's new, it's going to have hardware stability and reliability just like any new gizmo, so I shouldn't even write that.
But as kudzu writes, his/her XP tablet still works.

(Of course, as soon as I write this they'll come out with a new Kindle that includes a digital hot-tub or backscratcher, so you always have to be prepared for a little buyer's remorse)

But go ahead and get the thing, and can you send us all photos from your vacation spot ?
mudlady_gw
Original Author
11 years ago
Maine----The way life should be!
User
11 years ago
I bought a Kindle Fire (the original) for my wife many years ago. She really likes it and has read many books on it. She also plays games on it, still running strong.

I purchased myself an Acer Iconia a500 10.1" Tablet (w/ Android 3.1 upgraded to 4.0). I like the Acer much better than I like her Kindle. I have only read 3 books in the last 30 years, all of which were on my Acer. My Acer a500 Android Tablet is also still going strong.

I liked my Acer so much I recently purchased an new Acer Iconia W4-820. The New Tablet is only 8" and it's running Windows 8.1. It is an Awesome little Tablet, just like a Mini Computer. It has an Intel 1.8GHz Atom Processer and is pretty snappy. I can still read all of my books on this Tablet thru Google Play!

As for the Technology, as stated before there is always Buyers Remorse. As soon as you buy it you're almost guaranteed something new will be released. Just bite the bullet and buy what you want. I would suggest looking around at other brands and operating systems also. You just never know, you might like another Tablet better?

Kindle Fire OS question.

kudzu9

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kbarb - San Francisco - Z10a

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