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Author Topic: Tech: Kindle Fires  (Read 7142 times)

Aster Breo

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Kindle Fires
« on: January 11, 2014, 06:48:56 pm »
Since there seem to be several of us using Kindles, I thought it might be good to have a thread for sharing info.

I'll start.  Is anyone using OfficeSuite Professional 7 on their Kindle Fire HD? It seems to be the full version of the light word processing app that comes installed on the Fire.  It's currently priced at $14.99, which isn't cheap, but is a helluva lot better than MS Office.

Also, stupid question:  Is it possible to put programs/apps on the Fire from sources other than Amazon's app store -- like Open Office, f'ex?  If so, do they show up in the carousel like "normal" apps?
« Last Edit: May 07, 2019, 05:52:09 pm by RandallS »
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stephyjh

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Kindle Fires
« Reply #1 on: January 11, 2014, 06:55:47 pm »
Quote from: Aster Breo;135985
Since there seem to be several of us using Kindles, I thought it might be good to have a thread for sharing info.

I'll start.  Is anyone using OfficeSuite Professional 7 on their Kindle Fire HD? It seems to be the full version of the light word processing app that comes installed on the Fire.  It's currently priced at $14.99, which isn't cheap, but is a helluva lot better than MS Office.

Also, stupid question:  Is it possible to put programs/apps on the Fire from sources other than Amazon's app store -- like Open Office, f'ex?  If so, do they show up in the carousel like "normal" apps?

I've heard you can mod it to get Google Play access, but I'm pretty sure that's a case of installing a standard version of Android rather than Amazon's proprietary version.
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Re: Kindle Fires
« Reply #2 on: January 11, 2014, 07:05:53 pm »
Quote from: Aster Breo;135985
Since there seem to be several of us using Kindles, I thought it might be good to have a thread for sharing info.

I'll start.  Is anyone using OfficeSuite Professional 7 on their Kindle Fire HD? It seems to be the full version of the light word processing app that comes installed on the Fire.  It's currently priced at $14.99, which isn't cheap, but is a helluva lot better than MS Office.

Also, stupid question:  Is it possible to put programs/apps on the Fire from sources other than Amazon's app store -- like Open Office, f'ex?  If so, do they show up in the carousel like "normal" apps?

 

I've been using OfficeSuite Pro 7 on my kindle fire since I got it, and I find it very easy to use. It is one app that I am very glad I bought.

Don't know about other programs/apps.

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Re: Kindle Fires
« Reply #3 on: January 11, 2014, 07:13:10 pm »
Quote from: NanLT;135991
I've been using OfficeSuite Pro 7 on my kindle fire since I got it, and I find it very easy to use. It is one app that I am very glad I bought.

Don't know about other programs/apps.


Kingsoft Office is very decent, and free.
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Aster Breo

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Re: Kindle Fires
« Reply #4 on: January 11, 2014, 07:24:19 pm »
Quote from: Chatelaine;135992
Kingsoft Office is very decent, and free.

 
Isn't the version of Kingsoft that's available in the Amazon app store just a light version that doesn't allow you to create new docs? Or did I misunderstand?
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Chatelaine

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Re: Kindle Fires
« Reply #5 on: January 11, 2014, 07:28:06 pm »
Quote from: Aster Breo;135997
Isn't the version of Kingsoft that's available in the Amazon app store just a light version that doesn't allow you to create new docs? Or did I misunderstand?


It does allow you to create new docs, although the process is rather counter-intuitive.
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MadZealot

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Re: Kindle Fires
« Reply #6 on: January 11, 2014, 07:33:13 pm »
Quote from: Aster Breo;135985
Also, stupid question:  Is it possible to put programs/apps on the Fire from sources other than Amazon's app store -- like Open Office, f'ex?  If so, do they show up in the carousel like "normal" apps?

You can get apps from outside Amazon, but you'll have to change a setting in your Kindle to do so.  Then to access the app you'll have to go to the 'downloads' tab in your silk browser and install it from there.  (Open Office doesn't have a Kindle app at the moment, though. )
Yes, once installed, it shows up in your apps and on your carousel.

The full version of Kingsoft is free on their website.  From what I saw of it you can create new docs but I didn't mess with it.
« Last Edit: January 11, 2014, 07:35:24 pm by MadZealot »
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Aster Breo

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Kindle Fires
« Reply #7 on: January 11, 2014, 08:07:55 pm »
Quote from: Chatelaine;135999
It does allow you to create new docs, although the process is rather counter-intuitive.

Ah. Thanks.
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Aster Breo

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Kindle Fires
« Reply #8 on: January 11, 2014, 08:08:43 pm »
Quote from: MadZealot;136001
You can get apps from outside Amazon, but you'll have to change a setting in your Kindle to do so.  Then to access the app you'll have to go to the 'downloads' tab in your silk browser and install it from there.  (Open Office doesn't have a Kindle app at the moment, though. )
Yes, once installed, it shows up in your apps and on your carousel.

Thanks.  I obviously need to spend some quality time poking at my Kindle.  ;-)
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stephyjh

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Re: Kindle Fires
« Reply #9 on: January 11, 2014, 08:21:00 pm »
Quote from: MadZealot;136001
You can get apps from outside Amazon, but you'll have to change a setting in your Kindle to do so.  Then to access the app you'll have to go to the 'downloads' tab in your silk browser and install it from there.  (Open Office doesn't have a Kindle app at the moment, though. )
Yes, once installed, it shows up in your apps and on your carousel.

The full version of Kingsoft is free on their website.  From what I saw of it you can create new docs but I didn't mess with it.

 
Hmm, that's new, then. Used to be that you could only do Amazon apps.
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MadZealot

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Re: Kindle Fires
« Reply #10 on: January 12, 2014, 02:42:29 am »
Quote from: stephyjh;136004
Hmm, that's new, then. Used to be that you could only do Amazon apps.

 
I think so.
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Asch

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Re: Kindle Fires
« Reply #11 on: January 12, 2014, 09:05:17 am »
Quote from: stephyjh;136004
Hmm, that's new, then. Used to be that you could only do Amazon apps.

 
Hmm that's my understanding too but I haven't had Kindle training lately. Generally speaking be cautious about 'modding' a Kindle as it may invalidate the warranty. I'd recommend calling Amazon directly for guidance. All tech support on Kindles is free (I have seen a weird ass site out there that claims to be Amazon support and charges $1.99 a minute it's a flat out scam).

veggiewolf

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Kindle Fires
« Reply #12 on: January 14, 2014, 07:31:34 pm »
Quote from: stephyjh;136004
Hmm, that's new, then. Used to be that you could only do Amazon apps.

I had to uncheck a box to get Blowtorch to work on my Kindle Fire.  It wasn't in the Amazon app store, and I downloaded it from elsewhere.
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Aster Breo

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Kindle Fires
« Reply #13 on: January 14, 2014, 08:15:21 pm »
Quote from: veggiewolf;136312
I had to uncheck a box to get Blowtorch to work on my Kindle Fire.  It wasn't in the Amazon app store, and I downloaded it from elsewhere.

Last night, while working on figuring out how to get the video lectures from the Coursera class to play on my Fire, I discovered the Android Cowboy website ( http://androidcowboy.com/).  It's got instructions for doing that sort of thing, written in lay-person language.  There's also a free pdf Kindle Fire Guide that explains how to expand your Kindle into a fully functioning android tablet.

I'm looking forward to making the modifications that will allow me to download apps from the Google Play Store.  Just waiting for my bluetooth keyboard to get here, because that will be a lot easier to use than the on-screen keyboard.
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Asch

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Re: Kindle Fires
« Reply #14 on: January 14, 2014, 08:52:05 pm »
Quote from: Aster Breo;136315
Last night, while working on figuring out how to get the video lectures from the Coursera class to play on my Fire, I discovered the Android Cowboy website ( http://androidcowboy.com/).  It's got instructions for doing that sort of thing, written in lay-person language.  There's also a free pdf Kindle Fire Guide that explains how to expand your Kindle into a fully functioning android tablet.

I'm looking forward to making the modifications that will allow me to download apps from the Google Play Store.  Just waiting for my bluetooth keyboard to get here, because that will be a lot easier to use than the on-screen keyboard.

 
Heh I just got the AmazonBasics BT keyboard today. I really like it, I was concerned it might be too small but its about on par with a smaller laptop keyboard. I'm going to look in to some of the recommended word processing apps this weekend. It's my pay day so I may splurge on the $15 office compatible app. I'll have to see how my recent work outage thanks to a dead work comp hurt me first >.<

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