Kindle Fire

[Disney Addicted]

Has anyone purchased one while in the States? Are there any problems with using one in Canada?

 

[Polydweller]

Has anyone purchased one while in the States? Are there any problems with using one in Canada?

Lots of problems. The only thing you can do is read ebooks. The fire uses the Amazon app store for apps and that is only available in the US and will not work up here. Also, you cannot stream movies, videos, music etc. because Amazon only can do that to US IP addresses.

IMO it isn't worth the extra cost over a dedicated ereader until that changes. The current Canadian solution is the Kobo Vox.

 

[Disney Addicted]

That is exactly what I wondered, thank you! I wondered with a Canadian IP address if it would block me from using it as a tablet. That's too bad. I keep reading so many good things about it.

 

[Susan2771]

Ha, I feel like a dinosaur because I can only follow 40% of what this thread is about

 

[minnie56]

Really? My DH has the 'fire' ..I haven't heard any complaints

That said--I think he primarily uses for reading..

 

[Polydweller]

Really? My DH has the 'fire' ..I haven't heard any complaints

That said--I think he primarily uses for reading..

Yeah, for reading its absolutely fine. Everyone can use the kindle bookstore. It's the licensing via Amazon app store that's the issue and that's only in the US. The fire is designed to work only with their app store hence the problem. My understanding is that because they have their own app store Amazon has not licensed it for the Google Play app market. You can sideload apps but that is difficult and a real pain.

I have used most ereader software out there including Kindle. It's not my favorite by a long shot, in any of the versions I've tried. I find the Kobo much better with iBooks close. Heck, overdrive is better as well.

 

[minnie56]

I know he orders the books at Amazon.com but knowing him..that's about all!!


My friends have the 'fire' as well..they are a bit more techie..will have to ask them also.

 

[Daisy-J&D]

My friend (who lives in the US) recently bought a fire. Had to return the first one due to issues and then after the second one also had problems she ended up returning it for an iPad. Just because of that I'd be hesitant to buy it for use in Canada. What a pain to get it fixed/replaced, etc. (IMO) I was really surprised because I thought kindle was better than kobo and wanted one as well. The kobo has so many negative reviews and I witnessed first hand, after this Christmas, a very angry mother and child in an Indigo speaking with a manager asking if the "4th one would be a charm". Maybe ereaders just work best as ereaders and tablets as tablets.