Amazon has once again surpassed expectations by offering a New Kindle Fire HD 7-inch Tablet this 2013 that is sleeker in design and at a price that is so easy on the pocket. This New Kindle Fire HD is a replacement of Amazon’s 2012 Kindle Fire and not of 2012 Kindle Fire HD.
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New Kindle Tablets Technical Specs
Let’s take a look at the technical specs of the New Kindle Fire HD
| Parameters | New Kindle Fire HD Specs |
|---|---|
| Display | 7" high definition touchscreen; 1280x800 resolution at 216 ppi, video playback up to 720p, with IPS (in-plane switching) technology, advanced polarizing filter, and anti-glare technology |
| Processor | 1.5GHz Dual-Core CPU, with 1GB of RAM |
| Storage | 8GB or 16GB on device |
| Camera | None |
| Battery | 10 hours mixed use |
| Size & Weight: | 7.5" X 5.0" X 0.42" (191 X 128 X 10.6 mm) 12.2 oz (345 grams) |
| Operating System | Fire OS 3.0 (Mojito) |
| Network | Dual-band WiFi |
| Input/Output | USB 2.0 (micro-B connector) Micro-HDMI (micro-D connector) 3.5 mm stereo jack |
As you can see, the Kindle Fire HD (2013) has a really impressive specifications at such an affordable price starting at only $139 for an 8GB storage. However, Amazon has sacrificed the camera and microphone which are features that most kids love. This means no video conferencing, Skype or picture-taking.
The New Kindle Fire HD offers two option for storage, the 8GB and 16GB. I would wish for a higher storage option or expandable storage but then at this price point, something’s gotta give. But generally, the New Kindle Fire HD still tramples other tablet’s hardware and offers great value for money.
Kindle Fire HD (2013) Software and Apps
Kindle Fire HD (2013) runs on Android based Fire OS 3.0 (Mojito) which is exclusive to Amazon. Basically, Amazon doesn’t make a lot money when you buy a Kindle tablet but when you use the tablet to access and buy from Amazon’s multimedia library.
The Fire OS 3.0 according to Amazon makes the new Kindle more multi-tasking friendly with an enhanced home screen which allows users to easily switch between viewing recent content in Carousel View and favorites in Grid View. This new Quick Switch feature allows users to easily move between multiple apps without navigating home with just a side swipe gesture.
Click Here to See More Features of the New Kindle Fire HD Tablet
Additional features include more accessibility for the blind and visually impaired through new and improved Screen Reader, Explore by Touch, and Screen Magnifier.
Another upcoming feature for the New Kindle Tablets are the ability to show movies or TV shows from your tablet to your smart TV through the Second Screen. It would be great to watch your child’s favorite Disney movie together!
New Kindle Fire HD Parental Controls
The New Kindle Fire still feature the Kindle FreeTime which allow parents to choose the books, apps and games for their child to access and set a different limit for each. If parents want more option for their kids, they can subscribe to Kindle FreeTime Unlimited which gives additional access to a large collection of videos, as well as apps and books for the kids tablet at a low monthly price. Starting at $2.99 per month for Amazon Prime members, kids can have unlimited access to age-appropriate content.
Customer Service and Warranty
The New Kindle Fire HD unfortunately doesn’t come with Amazon’s revolutionary Mayday button but it still comes with a one-year warranty. If you want a more comprehensive warranty coverage, Amazon offers a 2-year warrranty with accident protection at a discounted, limited time offer.
Customer Reviews
Before deciding to buy the New Kindle Fire HD for your kids, it’s better to first read the reviews from experts and users. Average customer reviews from Amazon is 4.1 out of 5 stars from more than 4,000 customers. Customers who rated 4 to 5 stars rave about the great value the tablet offers ($90 less than the Kindle Fire HDX). They also love the display and sound quality.
Most of those who gave a rating of 3 stars and below were disappointed because they thought the New Kindle Fire HD is the replacement for the 2012 Kindle Fire HD, which has features such as camera, mic and HDMI output which are not present with the New Kindle Fire HD. As mentioned, the New Kindle Fire HD is a replacement of the 2012 Kindle Fire. Blame Amazon for the name confusion.
Final Thoughts
I say the New Kindle Fire HD is not only the best tablet for kids but also the best family tablet. You will not find a tablet with comparable features at such affordable price. The lack of camera is not so bad considering the other features you get. The Kindle FreeTime still has the best parental control features compared to other tablets which makes the New Kindle Fire HD the best kids tablet.
So if you want an inexpensive entry level family tablet, you should consider the New Kindle Fire HD ($139 for 8GB). If you need a higher storage, the 16GB at $169 is still very affordable. On the other hand, if you want the camera feature and doesn’t mind paying more, the Kindle Fire HDX tablets are top choices as well for a tablet for kids and family.
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