Q. I am debating over which one to buy..
A. Hi, Dunkin, Kindle Touch is an e-Ink device for reading and not video/web/apps while Kindle Fire is a LCD screen devices for video/web/apps but not too much for reading. Pick which screen and functionality you need but consider my points below before you make a decision.
The only E-ink models I would take into consideration are Nook Simpletouch from Barnes & Noble and the new Kindle Touch (non-ad-supported) that both cost $139. Ad-supported Kindle models show full page ads to you (and everyone around you) every time they go to sleep mode and also show 2 line ads right there at your home screen - so annoying that Amazon even released a software that for $30 can convert ad-supported Kindle into non-ad-supported one. Non-touch screen Kindle models are such basic stone age devices (with page turn lag, buttons, and black blinks/flashes on each page turn) that I would not even speak about them. Nook (unlike Kindle) supports eBooks in ePub format that is the universal format most used in the world. Current e-Ink Nook Simpletouch has the latest generation touch screen display, no page turn lag, it weights less, its battery lasts twice as long (two months on one charge), it has microSD slot and it doesn't blink on each page turn - much better than current Kindle 3 or Kindle Keyboard. Nook Touch is still better designed than even the new Kindle Touch with battery lasting two months with ONE hour reading a day with Wi-Fi off thus it's still twice as long as new Kindle's two months with HALF and hour a day with Wi-Fi off. It looks like Kindle didn't get any battery improvement in the new model, they only changed the test condition. More, Kindle Touch still flashes black on each page turn while Nook Touch reduces the flashing by 80%. Nook Touch and Nook Color (unlike Kindle) have microSD card slot to take a card (class 6 or above) up to 32 GB. If you walk in with the Nook to Barnes & Noble store, youâre allowed to read ANY available eBook for free while in the store via free provided in the store Wi-Fi.
Before you think of getting a Kindle Fire, here's some limitations of it that you need to consider:
- Kindle Fire doesn't have microSD slot that, for example, Nook Color has thus it is stuck with 6 GB usable internal storage unlike Nook Color that can get up to 32 GB card in. Kindles are made to be almost like a "dumb terminal" of the past to make sure you're tied up to Amazon's storage on the web (for which you need Wi-Fi connection to get to) and you can only store content you get from Amazon there, not other files. Quoting Amazon on Kindle Fire: "Free cloud storage for all Amazon content". Get it, Amazon content?
- The stats of how long the battery can last (Kindle Fire theory is 7.5 hours) are taken with Wi-Fi off. It will last only about 3 hours if you use it to access content from their Cloud storage over Wi-Fi.
- Amazon can spy on your web activity through their new cloud-integrated web browser of Kindle Fire.
- VERY IMPORTANT â lack of microSD slot means that if you decide to root your Kindle Fire, youâll have to root the actual device thus there will be no coming back. On Nook Color, you can make it boot from a ârootedâ microSD card and if you want to get back to the original Nook you can just take out the card and reboot.
- Kindle Fire doesn't have a camera.
- Kindle Fire has about 70% less usable screen area than iPad 2.
- Kindle doesn't support eBooks in ePub format that is the most used format in the world.
- Kindle app store contains only Amazon approved apps and it does not include (and will not include) Netflix app that iPad has and Nook Color is getting thus again you're stuck with Amazon content only.
- Amazon confirmed that you cannot download anything to Kindle Fire when traveling outside US.
- Amazon says it will review every app in its Appstore for Fire compatibility, as part of an automated process. Rejected apps will include those that rely on a gyroscope, camera, WAN module, Bluetooth, microphone, GPS, or micro SD. Apps are also forbidden from using Google's Mobile Services (and in-app billing), which, if included, will have to be "gracefully" removed. In terms of actual content, Amazon has outlawed all apps that change the tablet's UI in any way (including theme- or wallpaper-based tools), as well as any that demand root access.
- I'd recommend waiting for Nook Color 2 that is rumored to be released by Barnes & Noble shortly.
Questions about the Kindle Touch?
Q. I'm getting one for an early Christmas Present and I was wondering if its ONLY a e-reader or if I can put youtube or yahoo messenger on it? I've heard to different answers so I'm not sure. :(
A. Hi Liz, Kindle Touch has e-Ink screen that is black & white and does not playback video. Also, it's not even the best e-Ink eReader as per Consumer Reports, CNET, PCWORLD, etc. pro reviews Nook Simple Touch is the best ereader on the market. At $99 (without ads) Nook has twice the battery life of Kindle ($139 without ads), faster page turns than Kindle, and microSD card slot to expand capacity that neither Kindle has. With Nook you can checkout eBooks from public libraries - just need to get Adobe Digital Editions (ADE) software (free from Adobe site). Also it's worth mentioning that if you walk in with any Nook to Barnes & Noble store, you'll get tech support and youâre allowed to read ANY available eBook for free while in the store via free provided in the store Wi-Fi where Nook eBook store has over 2.5 million of paid books and about the same number of free public domain books. Nook already has Cloud as your ebooks are stored in your online library as well as downloaded to your device. Nook Simple Touch actually has a hidden web browser - just press the virtual "Search" button at the bottom of your Nook's screen and key a URL into the search bar when it comes up.
For more entertainment, Nook Tablet (which is Nook Color 2) is the best with also better screen for reading than Kindle Fire. Known issues with Kindle Fire are that it runs hot to touch, video playback is jerky, touch screen is not responsive and it takes 2-3 touches to register, power button placement is very poor and is prone to accidental power off, all the hype of Silk browser is not true where the browsing is actually slower than on other Android tablets, Wi-Fi connection gives a lot of trouble to users on it, etc.
Nook Tablet is much better without a doubt, it's a class above Kindle Fire. All pro reviewers on the web clearly voiced that Nook Tablet is a much better device with superior performance compared to Kindle Fire. It's got Netflix, Hulu, Pandora, Angry Birds, etc., the best battery life (30% better than Fire), the best non-glare laminated screen (not lamination on Fire), double the RAM and space for apps/photos/movies than on Fire, microSD slot and a microphone for Skype (not on Fire), physical volume controls on the side (not on Fire), very smooth video playback with excellent screen, and very fast apps load (unlike on Fire).
Where to buy a kindle touch?
Q. I was looking around online especially on amazon for a kindle touch. I would type in kindle touch and they only are showing that they are used where on amazon do they sell brand new kindle touches. Or should I go to a stores to get one?
A. The Kindle Touch is no longer sold by Amazon. It's an old model.
However if you go to Amazon and search for Kindle Touch you can find several listings with third party sellers of used and refurbished Kindle Touch. You can also find used/refurbished on Ebay. Just make sure you do NOT buy any that say they can't or may not be able to be registered at Amazon because those are ones that were reported lost or stolen (Amazon then blocks that device from ever being registered by anyone).
The main benefit of the Kindle touch is it's the only touchscreen eInk ereader Amazon ever sold that had audio (can play MP3's and according to Audible, Audible audio books). The Paperwhite is their current touch model which adds adjustable frontlighting (so you can also read in dim or dark light, or turn it way down to be like an unlighted model) but it does not have audio.
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Title : Is the kindle fire worth $100 more than the kindle touch?
Description : Q. I am debating over which one to buy.. A. Hi, Dunkin, Kindle Touch is an e-Ink device for reading and not video/web/apps while Kindle Fi...