I had preordered the Kindle Fire so I would receive it on release day. I’m hoping that this device will fill a sort of Goldilocks problem I have: I find my iPhone a bit too small to read books on and my iPad a bit too bulky for reading while commuting (daily) to work. This new Kindle Fire might be that “just-right” product for me – I’ll be able to read on it, and also utilize my Amazon Prime membership to its fullest with the streaming functionalities of the Fire.
Admiting the Kindle Fire Shipping Box
Each Kindle Fire is shipped in a well designed package that is easy to open and not wasteful. At first look, it is a simple brown container, but when you stop and think about the efficient use of materials and space, it really is quite impressive. The packaging does resemble iPad packaging. But compared to most other products of similar cost and use on the market today, such as Samsung Galaxy Tab, it is quite sleek.
Unlike most products which are shipped box in box, all Kindle boxes have been designed to ship in their sales box. The Kindle box is a tremendous saving of materials and size. Also, for the consumer/end-user, the box is much easier to open and to discard. Nice job, Amazon!
Opening the Box
I pull back the tab oin the angled from and the top opens up. Again, I think about how really nice and well designed each Kindle package is, whether the Fire or the Touch. I’m no big granola environmentalist, but I certainly hate wastefulness and this seems an excellent balance of protection for my item and economy.
Economy of Items in the Box
Amazon continues it’s impressive economic packaging within the box. All that comes in the box is:
- a small instructive piece of cardboard,
- a power plug, and
- the Kindle Fire, wrapped in transparent plastic .
That’s it! No manual – yey!
First Observations about the Kindle Fire
The device has a glossy 7 inch screen and no buttons on top. For example, there is no button like the iPad has. Also, there is no home bottom in the front bottom center like the iPad. Nice. Amazon has found a way to build a sleek product without copying Apple outright.
The device is rubbery on the back which gives it a nice feel and makes it easier to hold without dropping (although I think I will get a case for mine… probably this one from Snugg or this one from MiTAB, although I know this rooCASE would be my wife’s choice.)
In the rubber on the back, the product name “Kindle” is indented and there is a faint printing of “Amazon”
Starting up Kindle Fire
The power button is on the bottom and glows green when turned on. The Fire boots up rather quickly, but the date and time out of the box are wrong. The backround picture surprises me. It appears to be a picture of old rusty pen tips. It is easy to see that the Kindle Fire comes loaded with dictionary and Kindle user guide.
It didn’t take long at all to get logged in to my Amazon Prime account and to download my first book on it, which of course, was Steve Jobs’ Biography.
Time to try the Kindle Fire – Review Video Coming VERY Soon
I’m excited to try out this little device. The Kindle Fire links so easily to purchases through my prime account that I’m a little concerned this puppy will give my credit card a run for its money. But also, I’ll be checking out the streaming capabilities and cloud integration as well as the interface overall.
Please post if you have any questions about the Kindle products!
Thanks,
Super Gadget Guy
