Kindle Fire questions

[MrsPete]

I'd treat this as a lesson in delayed gratification and the value of saving for what you really want instead of having a lesser item today. The lesson could likely last longer than the item! (not saying the iPad mini wouldn't last; rather, that the financial lesson can last a lifetime.)

Also, you're wise to insist upon a protective case. All the adults I know personally keep their gadgets carefully protected, but most teens tend to use them "naked", and I know several who've ended up in tears after an accident.

 

[granmanh603]

Also just a thought when you buy , from Apple or Best Buy check buy on line and look for cash back... I used my Shop Discover and got 5% cash back, check with other cash back sites or cards. Just make sure there are no restrictions. Apple site might have student or teacher discounts too? Anyone?

 

[DawnM]

No teacher discounts on iPad, only on computers.

 

[Fyrefly]

Have you looked at a Google Nexus 7 at all? Same size as the iPad Mini, very inexpensive and none of the nonsense with Amazon's app store, it just does the Google Android store right away. You could see if the apps are available there and see if he enjoys it - add the Kindle app and functionally it would be no different than the fire.

Just putting it out there because the Nexus line is quite nice. The Asus Transformer line is also amazing and what I have but they are iPad priced while the Nexus is cheaper.

 

[DawnM]

Can you add more memory to the Google Nexus? Or is 16gb the most you can get?

We have looked up the apps and out of 8, four are available for Android but they aren't free.

I have read that the android version is more susceptible to viruses? Is this the case?

Dawn

 

[DawnM]

I have it under control, thank you.

I'd treat this as a lesson in delayed gratification and the value of saving for what you really want instead of having a lesser item today. The lesson could likely last longer than the item! (not saying the iPad mini wouldn't last; rather, that the financial lesson can last a lifetime.)

Also, you're wise to insist upon a protective case. All the adults I know personally keep their gadgets carefully protected, but most teens tend to use them "naked", and I know several who've ended up in tears after an accident.

 

[Angiea1114]

I am not an Apple fan but we have gone through 6 ipod touches. They have broken, the wifi has gone out on them, they have locked us out, etc. My children loved the itouches though.

I have a fire and an android phone, and I agree the fire is limited.

My daughter recently bought a samsung galaxy tab 2, 7 in, and you can get amazon app store, Samsung apps and Google play on it. Plus the Kindle app is on it. It has video capabilities and camera and a slot for memory card. AND IT WAS ONLY $179!!!

 

[DawnM]

Are most of the andriod devices similar?

How do you store things? For example, I have an itunes account, not all of our devices have all the items on them, so they are stored in the itunes account in case they want to put them on, etc......

What is comparable for the android? And WHERE can you store it? Can you use an Apple computer or does it have to be a PC?

What about music? where is that stored? Is there something like itunes for that?

 

[mistysue]

Are most of the andriod devices similar?

How do you store things? For example, I have an itunes account, not all of our devices have all the items on them, so they are stored in the itunes account in case they want to put them on, etc......

What is comparable for the android? And WHERE can you store it? Can you use an Apple computer or does it have to be a PC?

What about music? where is that stored? Is there something like itunes for that?

If you have a bunch of stuff in your itunes account, you can get an app from the google play store that lets you stream itunes just like you would on an ipod/ipad.
You could also store things in google music or the amazon cloud, but if you are using itunes it will probably feel redundant. Google and Amazon's storage clouds have different limits. I've never reached them so I don't really pay attention or know what the deal is with itunes for limits- but ALL of these systems can be used on any computer you want. Google and Amazon can be accessed through any web browser so you don't have to run the program like itunes.

 

[DawnM]

We actually DID reach our cloud limit and had to pay $20 for more memory (for the year.)

Dawn

If you have a bunch of stuff in your itunes account, you can get an app from the google play store that lets you stream itunes just like you would on an ipod/ipad.
You could also store things in google music or the amazon cloud, but if you are using itunes it will probably feel redundant. Google and Amazon's storage clouds have different limits. I've never reached them so I don't really pay attention or know what the deal is with itunes for limits- but ALL of these systems can be used on any computer you want. Google and Amazon can be accessed through any web browser so you don't have to run the program like itunes.

 

[DawnM]

Really?

My 3 year old ipod touch was fine, although we sold it recently and upgraded the memory as the old one was full and only 8gb. Since the price on them has dropped we got the 64gb as it was only $30 more than the 32gb.

Dh and I both have iPhones. His is through work and mine is running on Straight Talk. Middle son has an iPhone as well, but he just has Spot Mobile and uses it mostly as an iPod. We haven't had them go out yet.

Dawn

I am not an Apple fan but we have gone through 6 ipod touches. They have broken, the wifi has gone out on them, they have locked us out, etc. My children loved the itouches though.

I have a fire and an android phone, and I agree the fire is limited.

My daughter recently bought a samsung galaxy tab 2, 7 in, and you can get amazon app store, Samsung apps and Google play on it. Plus the Kindle app is on it. It has video capabilities and camera and a slot for memory card. AND IT WAS ONLY $179!!!

 

[Angiea1114]

Really?

My 3 year old ipod touch was fine, although we sold it recently and upgraded the memory as the old one was full and only 8gb. Since the price on them has dropped we got the 64gb as it was only $30 more than the 32gb.

Dh and I both have iPhones. His is through work and mine is running on Straight Talk. Middle son has an iPhone as well, but he just has Spot Mobile and uses it mostly as an iPod. We haven't had them go out yet.

Dawn

Sounds like you have luck with Apple and all your family is comfortable with it. I loved the ipod touches at the time but the last straw was the one that locked my daughter out of hers for the equivalent of around 20+ years!!! Lol

I have just found for us the android works better especially since we are all on Google calendar. Plus I like being able to use more than one app store.

Good luck everyone on your decisions!

 

[DawnM]

THANK YOU for recommending the Nexus 7. Tomorrow is his b-day but he got to open it today because tomorrow is full from waking up to going to bed and we wanted him to have a day to play with it.

A few kinks we will need to work out, but overall he is very happy with it.

Dawn

 

[kellia]

I am not an Apple fan but we have gone through 6 ipod touches. They have broken, the wifi has gone out on them, they have locked us out, etc. My children loved the itouches though.

I have a fire and an android phone, and I agree the fire is limited.

My daughter recently bought a samsung galaxy tab 2, 7 in, and you can get amazon app store, Samsung apps and Google play on it. Plus the Kindle app is on it. It has video capabilities and camera and a slot for memory card. AND IT WAS ONLY $179!!!

I recently got the Galaxy, also, and love it! So much better than the Kindle Fire HD I now let the kids use. Where did you get it for $179?

 

[luvthemouse71]

It sounds like getting the Kindle to accept the apps from Android sites is tricky though.

We looked up about 8 apps this am that he plays with from itunes and none of them were available for the Kindle. They may be available for Android, but I haven't looked.

And I don't think this is about a "name" like iwhatever, I think ultimately it comes down to what works best for your needs.

Dawn

You're right. Apple products work well with little fuss, that's why they're popular. There are also tons of apps on the Apple app store, including plenty of free ones.

I have had both Android gadgets and Apple gadgets..the Apple ones win. I also agree, you get what you pay for.

I have an ipad mini and a regular ipad. I use them both every day.

 

[Pigeon]

We've also had horrible luck with Apple products. Most recently, dd had an iTouch whose screen shattered without her dropping it. She was sitting on the couch with it in her lap, and all of the sudden the screen was cracked to bits. The insane pricing, the inability to expand the memory and the planned obsolescence also have me looking at the Galaxy for a tablet. I've got an iPad for work and I'm unimpressed. It locks up all the time.

 

[Ephany]

I recently got the Galaxy, also, and love it! So much better than the Kindle Fire HD I now let the kids use. Where did you get it for $179?

Not sure where the prior poster bought theirs but Costco carries them for $189 and $199 with cases. I think I've seen a few times on slickdeals where the galaxy tab2 has come up for $179 (maybe newegg), so that might be a place to look.

 

[DawnM]

Wow. I have never had that happen on my ipad.

I did have my imac need a new battery and hard drive, but it was covered under warrantee.

We've also had horrible luck with Apple products. Most recently, dd had an iTouch whose screen shattered without her dropping it. She was sitting on the couch with it in her lap, and all of the sudden the screen was cracked to bits. The insane pricing, the inability to expand the memory and the planned obsolescence also have me looking at the Galaxy for a tablet. I've got an iPad for work and I'm unimpressed. It locks up all the time.

 

[DawnM]

Ok, after several days of going back and forth I ordered the Otterbox defender for the Nexus. It will get here tomorrow.