Kindle Fire questions

[Psychodisney]

We're considering a Kindle Fire for oud DD13 birthday. We're concerened about the costs of using the device. I saw that you can join Amazon Prime for about $80/year. What other costs are associated with it?
How much does it cost to download a movie to rent? Anything else we should know?

 

[Shanna-like-Banana]

We just gor DD12 one for her b-day and so far, It hasn't cost us a dime

We purchased ours at Target and got the additional warranty on it for $7, we got a shock case and screen protectors. They were $20 for 2 which both DD and DH promptly screwed up. They have them on Amazon for $5-7

Hers came with 1 free month of Amazon Prime, in which she downloaded just about anything she was considering reading.

They have tons and tons of free books, magazines, etc. and they also have books for borrow ( usually 1 week)

They do have GC that you can purchase just like there are I-Tunes cards.

So far, she's done really well with it and we like it too

 

[sammielynn]

I purchased the Prime membership with mine. I have paid for one or two books and one TV series. But really didn't have to do that. I really like mine.

 

[nzdisneymom]

Our boys have Kindle Fires (thanks, Santa!) and so far haven't cost anything - we share an amazon account and DH is always on the lookout for free books for himself and them. Plus we can borrow books for Kindle from our public library which we sometimes do for the children.

They have tons of free apps / games that they play.

Also they can stream Netflix via the Kindle Fire as long as you're connected to a WiFi, so they do that for any movie watching. They are both into Dr. Who right now so they've been enjoying watching that via the Fire.

 

[Psychodisney]

Have you downloaded any videos to watch while you don't have wifi access(in an airplane or car)? Do you use Netflix?

 

[verlee]

If you have Amazon Prime you will have minimal costs. I have bought a couple of books ($10ish), apps($1 ish) and one video ($2ish). All not really needed but wanted You can download movies/tv shows to your device and watch them without wifi. With wifi you can watch what ever you want on your Prime (free section) and Netflicks without any extra cost.

We are taking our first long road trip this summer and are considering using the Kindle instead of buying a portable dvd. If we can find a car charger and external speaker we would be set. Without a speaker it is too quiet. Either way I will have my shows loaded and set for the ride.

 

[Psychodisney]

When you download the videos, do they cost extra? Is there a headphone jack?

 

[verlee]

We downloaded the movie to the device at home. It takes a little while to down load 10-15 mins for 2 hour show. I am not sure if that is standard but that is how long it takes for us. But once downloaded you have it with you always.
There is a headphone jack. So viewing for one person is no problem and is enjoyable. We would just need a speaker for our trip, if both kids want to watch at the same time.

 

[Cindy B]

You dont need prime to make a fire work. It is self sustaining even without prime. I do have a separate Netflix membership and it works lovely on the Fire, but I did not purchase it specifically for that.

I have bought many free books and haven't paid for one. I have quite a few free apps and again haven't paid for any.

 

[verlee]

You dont need prime to make a fire work. It is self sustaining even without prime. I do have a separate Netflix membership and it works lovely on the Fire, but I did not purchase it specifically for that.

I have bought many free books and haven't paid for one. I have quite a few free apps and again haven't paid for any.

I would also add that if you do not order from Amazon frequently, the Prime is not worth it. Their free shows are not any better then Netflix and the one free book you get a month is in my opinion not worth the $70. However, we order from Amazon pretty regularly and so the free shipping along with the movies and books makes it worth it for us.

 

[griswalds]

Have you downloaded any videos to watch while you don't have wifi access(in an airplane or car)? Do you use Netflix?

We usually rent a movie from Amazon for long car rides. You can go to the Amazon store on the device and see the movie selection. You can either rent or buy most of the movies. To buy runs $10ish and you have it forever. Renting is around $2-3 and you have it for a 48 hour period. You download it to your Kindle and you dont have to have wifi to watch. That works for us because you can rent one movie for the way down and one for the way back (as long as you have wifi at your destination to download 2nd movie). At the end of the 48hours its removed from your device.

Netflix is different. We have a Netflix account already so we just downloaded the free Netflix app to the Kindle Fire. You can stream whatever you want to your Kindle as long as you have wifi access. My kids do that around the house to watch old episodes of shows or movies.

Hope this helps.

 

[MrsPete]

We're considering a Kindle Fire for oud DD13 birthday. We're concerened about the costs of using the device. I saw that you can join Amazon Prime for about $80/year. What other costs are associated with it?
How much does it cost to download a movie to rent? Anything else we should know?

The #1 thing I suggest is that you factor in the cost of a good cover to protect this expensive toy. I personally keep my Kindle in a zippered bag, but for a teen I'd go for a notebook-style that's a bit more protective. Ironically, the adults I know personally keep their Kindles in a cover . . . but the teens I know who have them just carry them around "naked". I chaperoned a youth group for a beach trip not long ago, and the kids all wanted to leave their expensive Kindles lying on the floor next to their sleeping bags. I kept picking them up off the floor and moving them to the mantle, the bookshelf, etc., and the kids moved 'em right back. Finally I made a rule: I have warned you. From here on out, if someone steps on your Kindle and ruins it, you are not allowed to fuss about it or be angry with the other person.

My other favorite Kindle accessory is my docking station. I keep it in the bay window in my bedroom, and it's so easy to pop it onto the thing over night. Since the Kindle comes with a charging cord, it's not necessary, but it's awfully convenient. It'd probably be even more appreciated for the Fire, which doesn't have a great battery life. This is probably a good "upgrade" for Christmas or next birthday.

I would skip the Prime thing -- unless you're getting it for free by having a "reoccuring order" for something like diapers, or unless you value the other benefits like free shipping. To do it JUST for the Kindle benefits isn't worth the cost -- especially considering that you don't get to keep the books; they're only on loan, and you can't have a second book 'til you've returned the first one. In contrast, Netflicks -- if you want a bunch of movies -- is a better deal. Of course, that gives her access to essentially any movie with any rating.

Depending upon your 13 year old's maturity and your comfort level, you may want to work out a system for monitoring what she downloads. First, it's easy to spend more than you realized you were spending because it's so quick and easy. I'd consider having her buy through Amazon gift cards rather than hooking the item to your credit card. Also, you do want to monitor the free books. Quite a few of them are "romances" that are heavy on the sex scenes.

 

[sammysmom]

My daughter got the Kindle Fire from Santa for Christmas and she loves it! We are Amzon Prime members and she loves watching the tv shows and movies. I haven't figured out yet how to download the movies and watch them when we aren't connected to wifi yet. Need to do that for our September Disney trip. If anyone knows, please let me know!! I have transferred music to it and she loves all of the free apps from Amazon

 

[Priorityonecb]

Our daughter got a Fire for Christmas. So far, we've spent less than $20 in book/shows/apps. It is connected to my amazon account, so I get an email each time she purchases something. I told her to ask permission if anything is over $5, and she has done so.

 

[TnTWalter]

Free app of the day...my daughters are always ckin and get the ones that look good

Also, you can ck out kindle books online from your library.


I recommend the poetic covers that also have stand. We have this in purple and blue


http://www.amazon.com/Poetic-Leather-Amazon-Kindle-Built/dp/B006DKETGC

 

[dtauer]

There is a headphone jack. So viewing for one person is no problem and is enjoyable. We would just need a speaker for our trip, if both kids want to watch at the same time.

A small speaker would probably work, but unless they have their own batteries, it will use the Kindle's power to drive the speaker through the headphone jack.

I think a better solution would be to get a headphone splitter from Radio Shack or Best Buy. One side plugs into the Kindle, and the other end branches into 2 wires, each with a headphone jack at the end. I believe the one we bought was called a headphone Y connector.

It allows 2 people to listen at the same time, doesn't have the battery drain of a speaker, and allows a little extra quiet for those not watching the Kindle.

 

[Green-bay]

I have the Kindle fire since October and haven't had any additional cost with it. Download free books and apps and watch movies on nexflix (which we have an account already. Enjoy!

 

[tavettava]

They have a free app everyday (the app they pick usually has a price.) Right now you can get the Hunger Games series for free.

 

[verlee]

A small speaker would probably work, but unless they have their own batteries, it will use the Kindle's power to drive the speaker through the headphone jack.

I think a better solution would be to get a headphone splitter from Radio Shack or Best Buy. One side plugs into the Kindle, and the other end branches into 2 wires, each with a headphone jack at the end. I believe the one we bought was called a headphone Y connector.

It allows 2 people to listen at the same time, doesn't have the battery drain of a speaker, and allows a little extra quiet for those not watching the Kindle.

Good idea! thanks!

 

[Luv Bunnies]

What are the options for getting books for the Kindle, besides buying from Amazon? I know I could get books from the library, but would I be able to use other ebook sites, like Kobo? If I want to buy an ebook, is Amazon my only option?