January 24, 2012
by Kelly
1 Comment

Official Hotmail app comes to the Kindle Fire

Hotmail users, here’s some good news for you. The Hotmail team at Microsoft recently released its Hotmail app for the Kindle Fire. You may be familiar with the app as it is already available on iOS and Android. The Android version served as the basis for the Kindle Fire app which needed some modifications to work with Amazon’s custom version of Android.

Most Hotmail users likely used the native mail app to check their email.  You can still use the Kindle Fire mail app to check your Hotmail email, but Hotmail users may want to install this dedicated app. The Hotmail app lets you sync your mail, contacts, folders, and subfolders via Microsoft Exchange Active Sync. The Hotmail app for the Kindle Fire is available in the Amazon App Store for free.

[Via Windows Live Blog]

January 20, 2012
by Kelly
0 comments

Amazon’s making $136 off each Kindle Fire in circulation

Amazon may be losing money on the Kindle Fire hardware, but it’s making up for that loss (and then some) through its content. According to a survey by RBC investment firm, Amazon makes about $136 per Kindle Fire. This additional income comes from the purchase of digital items over the lifetime of the unit. Most of these purchases are eBooks. RBC’s survey suggests about 80 percent of Kindle Fire owners have purchased an eBook, and 58 percent bought three or more books in their first two months of ownership. Kindle Fire owners are also buying apps, videos and other accessories for the device. Combined, all these digital purchases will bring Amazon a good chunk of change, especially when you take into account the millions of Fire tablets that Amazon sold last quarter.

[Via AllThingsD]

January 18, 2012
by Kelly
0 comments

Amazon adds full-screen browsing with its Kindle Fire 6.2.2 update

Amazon is rolling out the 6.2.2 update to its Kindle Fire tablets. The latest version of the Android software contains a handful of bug fixes and tweaks including the ability to use the Silk browser in full-screen mode. You can wait for the update to land on your Kindle Fire or download the update and install the software manually using the instructions on Amazon’s website. The update will remove root access, but the Burrito Root 2 utility has already been updated for this latest software version. Just run the rooting tool and you’ll be back in business.

[Via Engadget and Amazon]

January 17, 2012
by Kelly
0 comments

Fake Kindle Fire tablets may hit online retailers

A report from Bill Snyder of the Consumer Tech Radar warns customers to watch out for fake Kindle eReaders and Kindle Fire tablets being offered with extreme discounts. Discount sellers like Alibaba and TradeKey are often targeted by counterfeiters who use the sites to sell their knockoff products. The fake merchandise often resembles the real item, but lacks the branding (the big Kindle logo on the back) and distinct packaging that characterizes the Amazon product. Customers may not notice these differences and be fooled into thinking that $75 price tag is a bargain. The number of these fake products may rise after CES as counterfeiters take advantage of the increased focus on gadgets.

If you’re buying a Kindle Fire outside Amazon, follow these simple rules which’ll help you avoid being scammed.

  • Check the seller’s feedback to make sure its positive.
  • Look at the product description and make sure that it’s a Kindle Fire tablet and not just a generic tablet like the Kindle Fire.
  • Look closely at the images to confirm they are actual pictures of the product that you will receive and not a stock image.
  • Make sure the retailer you buy from has a return policy or a buyer protection plan that’ll protect you if the seller turns out to dishonest.
  • Use your credit card to fund the purchase. Many credit cards have a buyer protection plan that protects you if the product you buy is not as described.
  • Trust your instincts. If the deal is too good to be true, then it’s likely a fake.

These guidelines should help you make an informed purchase and avoid being scammed by counterfeit sellers. If you have any other tips, please leave them in the comments.

[Consumer Tech Radar]