Kindle Fire HD 8.9, small tablet grow - Reuters

Into arrives today in Italy the second tablet from Amazon: we have tried to preview

Into The debut of the Italian elder brother of the Kindle Fire HD launched in the U.S. last October. On sale today, the model with 8.9-inch Full HD screen has the same name as the first, the same look, the same functions. Compared to the 7-inch version, the Kindle Fire HD 8.9 is naturally bigger (240 x 164 x 8.8 mm versus 193 x 137 x 10.3 mm) and heavier: 567 grams versus 395.

Into If you already have a Kindle, the first contact with the new tablet will be a pleasant surprise: just turned on and connected to the Wifi network, presents all apps, photos, documents, videos, songs recorded on the other, because it comes already registered for the account of the owner (you can of course change the settings at a later time). In fact, on closer inspection, there are all apps: ??Evernote, Rai TV, Flipboard, Spotify, Giallozafferano, Skyscanner, La Stampa are among the thousands already optimized for the 8.9-inch model and will be unloaded immed iately. Some still missing, but as soon as they become available, the tablet will automatically install and free. Here too, the mechanism is that the App Shop, where is Amazon itself to ensure the quality of applications: this avoids getting lost in the vast sea of ??700,000 apps for Android, not always reliable and often designed to run on smartphones and not on tablet. On the other hand, however, purchased on the Kindle app can also be installed on other Android devices.

Del Into Google’s operating system, the Amazon tablet there is nothing, not even the icon: the interface is completely redesigned. At the top, under the bar with status indications (wi-fi, time, battery charge, current activity), there is a space for research, with three options: the device, or in the Store Amazon web. On the Home screen, below the space for the search you can scroll through the contents: Games, Applications, Books, Music, Video, Web, Photos, Documents. The first and last link (B uy Offers and) take you directly to the store, but using the Kindle one quickly realizes the total integration with Amazon services: in every app, book, piece of music (and also in screen saver) always appear suggestions for new purchases. This confirms the vocation of the Kindle Fire HD, designed primarily for receiving multimedia content, rather than to create them: this explains the camera only front (that’s fine with Skype and also allows you to take pictures without claims), as well as the connection superfast WiFi, perfect for streaming movies.

Into Excellent display, with a resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels, IPS (in-plane switching), polarizing filter, and Gorilla Glass anti-glare to allow good vision even with the sun or other bright lights. The pixel density is 254 dots per inch (the iPad retina is slightly higher, with 264 ppi): the text is well-defined images rich in detail, comics seem almost printed on paper. Also on the Kindle Fire HD 8.9, as on the 7- inch, the colors are pretty hot and veer a bit ‘towards yellow. The result is that the reading is more relaxing, confirming that the Fire really has some kinship with the family of Kindle eBook readers. The larger screen helps a lot, the rest do very well made app, compatible with various digital formats, and a store wide (more than 1.5 million shares, of which 41,000 in Italian). In addition, thanks to the Kindle app for the major platforms, an eBook bought from Amazon can be read on iPad, iPhone, Android devices, Windows and Mac computers, bookmarks and notes will be synchronized automatically with technology WhisperSync.

Into The processor is a Texas Instruments OMAP4470 1.5GHz dual-core Imagination PowerVR graphics chip 3D: 50 percent more powerful than the lesser model. Beyond numbers and data, however, you immediately notice that the interface is more fluid and the response to commands faster, and ever the user experience is very pleasant, especially consider ing the price range. The range is about ten hours, compared to eleven in the 7-inch Kindle Fire HD. Also here are two speakers, integrated into the rear metal band, and the respectable volume and the presence of Dolby Digital Plus allow you to easily follow the dialogues and sound effects of the movie, in addition, the Kindle Fire HD automatically optimizes the audio for the video or music, for speakers or headphones. The sound is still not high fidelity, but eliminates a dock (and, in the case, there is a Bluetooth connection, you can use it to external speakers or for other devices, such as keyboards). Again, the digital store of Jeff Bezos makes the difference: there are over 20 million songs in MP3 format, compatible with all media players, and there is the Amazon Cloud, where to upload documents and files and access them from multiple devices. You can transfer up to 250 free songs from your computer, and all those purchased from the Store will automatically be listened on smartphones and tablets where you installed the CloudPlayer (there’s also iPhone and iPad).

Into In the U.S. the top model has 64 GB of flash memory and 4G cellular connection, Italy has only the WIFi and you can choose between 16 or 32 GB, the memory is not expandable, but in return transfer data from your PC is easy, just drag and drop (and there is an app for the Mac on purpose). Next to the mini USB port, there is a mini-HDMI for connecting the tablet to a TV. The left side is completely bare, on the right you can find the headphone jack, the volume buttons and the power button, which is no longer flush with the edge: so it is easier to find them, even in the dark. The Kindle Fire HD 8.9 comes in a black cardboard box, with minimalist elegance, which includes only a USB cable, in addition to the unit. It should be possible to recharge it with any computer, just like the smaller model, but not all PCs have enough amperage, then the power of Amazon becomes a r ecommended purchase (but who has one for smartphones, Android, Windows Phone or iPhone will most likely use that). The solution? Charge it while it is off.

Into For those looking for a tablet-sized, the Kindle Fire HD 8.9 is a smart choice: it is true that it leaves little room for geeks, but it’s perfect if you want a robust and easy-to-use device with a crisp screen and that is not easy to watch. As the younger brother, a strong point is the integration with the Amazon store, especially digital, and the choice of the app, but limited quality. And this time the price is attractive: 269 € for the 16GB version and 299 for the 32 GB.