Advice on Kindle Fire use in the UK

BPearce

25 Oct 2011, 03:12 PM | Post: #1

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Hi there

My sister is in the US and she has asked if I would like a Kindle Fire for Christmas. But I don't know if it will work in the UK. I was wondering if someone would be able to tell me exactly what functionality the Fire will have in the UK.

Will I be able to download books like an ordinary Kindle and will I be able to play movies?

When / if the Fire is finally launched in the UK, will the US version that I may possibly own, work with the UK interface, or will I be stuck with a limited tablet forever?

Thanks

Bryony

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Lou Reading Ryria Series by Michael J Sullivan

25 Oct 2011, 04:28 PM | Post: #2

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RE: Advice on Kindle Fire use in the UK

Hi Bryony and welcome to the forum.

In all honesty, nobody really knows what the Kindle Fire is going to be capable of from the UK until we actually get our hands on one. One of our members has one on order and will be reporting back to us as soon as he receives it which should be very soon after the 15th Nov. (launch date).

At this stage, our best guess is that web browsing, facebook, twitter, email etc should be fine (although the Silk feature may have to be disabled in the preferences) and along with that the Kindle Cloud Reader should also work correctly. For things that require other cloud services like Amazon's Movie and Music downloads, it is very unlikely that they will work outside the US.

Personally, I would say that buying one at this stage is risky, more so than a Kindle Touch because of the Fire's dependence on Amazon services not available in the UK. I would advise to wait until we get a confirmed report from an owner in the UK.

We should know for sure by the 20th of November or so and this should still be ok to get one for Christmas.

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BPearce

26 Oct 2011, 11:14 AM | Post: #3

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RE: Advice on Kindle Fire use in the UK

(25 Oct 2011 04:28 PM)Lou Wrote: Hi Bryony and welcome to the forum.

In all honesty, nobody really knows what the Kindle Fire is going to be capable of from the UK until we actually get our hands on one. One of our members has one on order and will be reporting back to us as soon as he receives it which should be very soon after the 15th Nov. (launch date).

At this stage, our best guess is that web browsing, facebook, twitter, email etc should be fine (although the Silk feature may have to be disabled in the preferences) and along with that the Kindle Cloud Reader should also work correctly. For things that require other cloud services like Amazon's Movie and Music downloads, it is very unlikely that they will work outside the US.

Personally, I would say that buying one at this stage is risky, more so than a Kindle Touch because of the Fire's dependence on Amazon services not available in the UK. I would advise to wait until we get a confirmed report from an owner in the UK.

We should know for sure by the 20th of November or so and this should still be ok to get one for Christmas.

Thank you - it's good to know that there will be concrete information in time for Christmas! I haven't got an ebook reader and really wanted one that also played movies (for the kids on long car journeys) so I've been holding out. Fingers crossed that it does what I want Smile

Bryony

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carryonvending Reading Friend Request - David Wailing

31 Oct 2011, 12:24 AM | Post: #4

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RE: Advice on Kindle Fire use in the UK

This post was last modified: 31 Oct 2011 12:27 AM by carryonvending.

I rang Amazon Customer services only yesterday to clarify.

They said, that the Kindle should work EVERYWHERE in the World as long as the KF was bought and shipped to the USA and REGISTERED to a DOT COM US account. Its WHERE the actual unit was sold not its use. Otherwise Apple will be saying... "hey US citizens, why buy something you can't use outside the USA" - Suicidal PR for Amazon if it were true.

I will know soon, and for the £129 its a no brainer to test it out, even if I have to wait for full funtionality till the European Launch (if and when it happens)

Worst case is that I lose all purchased US content if I Register it to my DOT CO.UK account later on.

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carryonvending Reading Friend Request - David Wailing

31 Oct 2011, 01:00 AM | Post: #5

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RE: Advice on Kindle Fire use in the UK

Try this ONLINE Chat with Amazon CS USA - Names changed for security and confidentiality.

========== Chat ============
End Chat
You are now connected to Amazon Agent from Amazon.com.
Me : I partly live in Atlanta GA, I have a Kindle Fire on order for shipping shortly. My question is, will The K Fire work in the UK and Spain when I am travelling?
Amazon Agent : Hello, my name is Agent. I'll be happy to help you today. May I have the name on the account please?
Me : David

Amazon Agent : Thank you David, you are inquiring if you can use the kindle fire in UK and Spain?
Me : Yes
I know its ok whilst I'm in USA
I purchase through my USA Amazon acct
Amazon Agent : Yes, you can use the kindle fire in UK and Spain as long you have a wifi connection but for some book might not be available in those country. Kindle will give all the list available on that country.
Me : Will SILK work?
and CLOUD?
Amazon Agent : let me check that information.
Me : ok
Amazon Agent : You can use the amazon silk but for streaming you can't used it.
Me : Ok, so no movies or music?
Thats kool
What about Cloud Storage?
Amazon Agent : Yes, since it required a US address and definitely kindle will detect that you are not in the U.S.
Me : So with a US address can I use the Cloud outside USA or not?
Amazon Agent : Nope, kindle will detect that you are not in the U.S.
Me : Ok, bummer.
Any news yet on the sale of Fire to Europe?
Amazon Agent : None so far, once we have update will post it at amazon.com
Me : kool
thanks for your help.
bye

Amazon Agent from Amazon.com is Online Secure Connection.

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carryonvending Reading Friend Request - David Wailing

31 Oct 2011, 01:22 AM | Post: #6

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RE: Advice on Kindle Fire use in the UK

This post was last modified: 31 Oct 2011 01:25 AM by carryonvending.

This is buried deep within the T&Cs
Amazon Cloud- International Availability

The 5 GB free storage plan is available to all Amazon.com customers,however further upgrades to the storage plan are currently unavailable in the following countries:
As the KF knows which Country you are in. The previous statement should have said Amazon.com Customers in USA only

Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
United Kingdom

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Lou Reading Ryria Series by Michael J Sullivan

31 Oct 2011, 08:48 AM | Post: #7

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RE: Advice on Kindle Fire use in the UK

Thanks for researching that CoV, it seems to tie in pretty much with what was expected.

What is going to be interesting is to see how many of the unavailable Amazon services can be replaced by other means here in the UK, for example Amazon video streaming won't be available but presumably via the browser you will be able to use other streaming services ok and the same for music too.

Barnacle Boy! We have to find those stolen Naggy Daddies!

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