Home ” Analysis ‘ Amazon “ Kindle Fire HDX 8.9 2014
Amazon renews its range of tablets, for the fourth consecutive year, redesigning its bid to compete this time only a Product maximum performance , and betting visibly increase the number of devices set-oriented input range and mid-range prices. The Kindle Fire HDX 8.9 in 2014 is therefore the only tablet in known online store that maintains the philosophy of being one of the most accessible market few teams opt for more hardware powerful.
In this regard, the Amazon tablet meets expectations and was following the Galaxy Note 4, the first team in a mount Snapdragon 805 , which does not cease to be a major boost from Qualcomm, for now, does not seem to go exactly overrun units of its flagship chip. The Quad HD and superb audio equipment, work once again collaborating with Dolby , refitted on HDX Kindle Fire tablet as a higher quality technique among their own kind.
The truth is that the high level of hardware of the device is a registered trademark of house and little wonder that those foundations that both blunted in the past remain. However, the challenge remains Amazon making such a versatile software as Android, iOS and Windows or build a richer ecosystem for applications, services and content. Will it deliver the new Kindle Fire with this pressing need?
Design
Nothing has changed with respect to last year’s model on the outside. The Kindle Fire HDX 8.9 still looks the same retro look which inaugurated its predecessor; finish different types of plastic , a rubbery feel and a brighter future for the area of the camera and the speaker surface. Certainly, this design of geometric dyes is not liked by all users but personally, it seems original and attached to the Case Origami , it becomes a different and attractive proposition, at least in our view .
Still, the most passionate of devices of this type will miss any news , even including some just a different color into the offer.
A perhaps less favorable point is that frames on the front remain prominent , in contrast to the solutions adopted by other representative models of the moment, like the Nexus 9 or iPad Air. The Amazon tablet is suffering the consequences of having chosen the horizontal orientation as reference and can not cut inches (due to the location of the camera), unless the entire structure of the apparatus rethink what would build it from scratch.
Dimensions
The tablet presents measures 23.1 cm x 15.8 cm x 7.8 mm weights 375 grams . In this sense, we see that the body is went really like the model of 2013, even in weight. In fact, the only change is certainly in the updated chip and operating system from Amazon, no visually apparent at first.
If you are facing the dimensions of this Amazon tablet to Nexus nine (22.8 cm x 15.4 cm x 7.9 mm), we see that there is little difference between the two, although the choice of format on the screen that each makes. Still, the Kindle Fire offers a clear print thinner to hold, probably favored by the shape of the back of the machine.
Ports and external elements
Amazon chooses, like many of the major manufacturers, for a minimalist solution on the tablet hardware. Only connections minimally necessary on the surface of the computer appear.
So, the front is presented in a framed by a bezel slightly recessed screen with respect to outbound profile to protect this delicate area. The front camera appears on top when holding the device in landscape orientation
profiles are extremely thin and only found a 3.5mm jack port headphone on the right side and a USB port on the left, leaving the physical buttons for cover back.
At first time is something counterintuitive physical controls to turn and adjust the device volume is not in the side, but you get used quickly, and the truth is that is not at all uncomfortable. Moreover, we would say they are pretty tightly coupled .
In any case, find new locations for the buttons is something that two leading companies like Amazon and LG have been doing a couple of years and we suspect that other firms had just joining the trend, since this way you can reduce the thickness of the profile.
In addition, we found that the logo back Amazon, the main camera the device and two speakers .
Display and Multimedia
It gives the impression that little has updated the team on the ground from last year. Its core technology, however, is already sufficient to be best height market. The screen in both definition and color accuracy, viewing angles or brightness is simply spectacular. It is an IPS LCD capacitive 8.9 inches , with 16:10 aspect ratio and 2560 × 1600 pixels ; reached a density of 339 dots per inch
For a negative note, we miss the panel respond to a double tap, as does the Nexus 9 or many high-end smartphones.; one of the simplest and facilitators have seen lately many functions in mobile devices.
As for the sound, Dolby provides Digital Plus Sound which puts the Kindle Fire HDX, once again leading the way in this regard. In our view, there is only one team now able to compete on the field with the Amazon tablet: the Surface. The Nexus 9 indeed, despite the system BoomSound HTC, is a bit behind in terms of both volume and audio clarity.
OS and Interface
Follow being the weak point of Amazon devices; and what begins to be worrisome is that hardly see evolution . Perhaps not too familiar with the mobile platform user interface Kindle Fire perfectly suited for their lack of complexity, but anyone who has used a standard version of Android (including TouchWiz or MIUI) greatly missed the enormous flexibility of Google operating system.
Although the Fire OS 4 Indent is built on Android 4.4 Kitkat, what we will find in this Kindle Fire is the same black background with a carousel that displays applications based on the last used, and many ways of reaching the same sites. Very little. No widgets, no multitasking, not even the option to put a wallpaper to our taste
In short, Amazon takes four years to replicate the same interface, even in something as basic as typography , with slight changes in organization, while its competitors (Windows, iOS and Android) have all giant leaps .
The good news is that Kindle Fire HDX has one of the more responsive and faster systems transitions, that is undeniable, but it is a pity, that are so power loss in the use of a simple carousel with huge icons and letters white on black background.
In terms of applications and services, gradually, the App Store Amazon is growing and we could even say it’s more or less at the height of Windows (maybe a little behind). The pity is that they have not yet come to the movies and Spanish store, while the musical offer is limited. Yes, as a eBook is concerned, neither his nor his catalog app find anyone that makes them Simbra.
Performance
The Kindle Fire HDX shows a performance to match that expected in one of the most powerful tablets on the market. As mentioned earlier, Amazon has the strong support from Qualcomm , which has supplied 805 units of Snapdragon, while other houses like Sony or LG have not yet had access to more powerful chip manufacturer .
However, it seems that the only visible change of equipment in relation to last year’s model has been the replacement of Snapdragon 800 to 2.2 GHz (with Krait 400 and Adreno 330) by 805 to 2.5 GHz (Krait GPU Adreno 450 and 420), while the RAM is still 2GB. The performance, as you can imagine, is “stratospheric” and there is no game that is not able to move with ease.
In fact, performance tests that can be downloaded from Amazon store is to show that tremendous potential
Storage Capacity
We have three variants:. 16, 32 and 64 GB . The positive is that the price jump from one to another is significantly lower than other similar devices. The problem, as always, is that the new tablet from Amazon does not support memory cards .
When buying the Kindle Fire HDX also have 10GB of storage Cloud Drive , where you can automatically sync all your photos and documents.
Connectivity
It is possible to add connectivity 4GB LTE in the models 32 and 64 GB by adding 100 euros to the price on the WiFi version only
Moreover, we have the usual systems and sensors. Ambient light, GPS, accelerometer, gyroscope and supports Bluetooth wireless accessories .
Autonomy
The autonomy of the Kindle Fire, as with all such devices, bastantante differs depending on the task you’re performing. Amazon estimates that can go until 18 hours if you just read, and even 11 hours in various assignments. On the other hand, our estimate is that by putting pressure on the team to play or performance tests, we will have some 6-7 hours continuous power.
The Kindle Fire has, for Meanwhile, a Smart mode which disables the WiFi to save battery when the computer is idle long time.
Camera
Amazon has given its tablet in a reasonably good camera: 8MP , LED flash and brightness of f / 2.2 . The results are quite remarkable outdoors, as you can see in the gallery below.
Here is a test video, where the device goes badly either. In AF, in this case, is quite fast but it shows small jump image
The application to operate the camera is pretty Basic in features but on the other hand, the Amazon store has a lot of photo editing apps , so you can always fill the gap.
Price and conclusions
The device shows light and shadow . In terms of hardware remains one of the most powerful tablets on the market, no doubt. Performance is high, the display has a Image sharper and clearer than most, and audio signed Dolb and it exposes many others high-end models. The price of the device, if you consider its very powerful technology, is reasonable, especially to look at the variants with more internal memory.
It’s downside is the underdeveloped is yet the OS. If this team run a version of Kitkat stock probably would result in a best of the best tablets of the moment. However, for a user with an understanding of advanced minimally Android, Fire OS is quickly outgrown. It’s no mystery. The next Kindle Fire requires a profound revolution in its interface o be very hook regarding rivals
If we take into account that this year’s Google Nexus 9 is a extraordinaro device and costs about the same as the Kindle Fire HDX 9 Amazon may have very complicated prosper among high-end devices. Their prices are, respectively, 379 euros , 429 euros and 479 euros for models of 16 GB, 32 GB and 64 GB. As we say, the variants with 4G 32GB cost 529 euros and 579 in 64GB.
