Kindle Fire HD News, Sideloading Tips, Updates, Returns, Yellowed Whites & YouTubed

The  Kindle Fire HD is selling quickly, however it is not devoid of problems. Yesterday, we compared it to the Nexus 7 and will be writing a review about it soon.

Buyers who want to look at the new Kindle Fire tablets before buying are having trouble finding them in stores. Owners have noticed a kind of "yellowing" of graphics. The browser doesn't support Flash, while owners are finding ways to install apps that are not in the Amazon app market.

Shoppers who go to Walmart or Target will not be able to tryout any Kindle products anymore. The easiest place to buy a Kindle Fire HD or any model is online Amazon, but it want to look at it you'll have go to Best Buy, Staples, OfficeMax and Office Depot. These brick/mortar retailers will sell the devices in-store only not online.

Those who bought an original Kindle Fire 30 days ago , can return a new Kindle you purchased or received as a gift from Amazon.com within 30 days of delivery. The Kindle must be in new condition and returned in its original packaging.

Kindle Fire Update Update

Some of the features that were announced for the new Kindle Fire tablets will be pushed out in an update later. In the coming weeks, free  automatic software updates will be coming to Kindle Fire HD and the latest generation Kindle Fire. The updates include Kindle FreeTime for setting up content for kids with password and default languages to one of six languages English (US), English (UK), German, French, Italian, and Spanish.

No Flash in the Fire Pan

Adobe Flash is not supported on the Kindle Fire HD which comes with the Amazon Silk browser.

 Some forum members have found that they can't access some webpages with the built in browser on the Kindle Fire HD.  To install other browsers if you go to the Play Store you will be redirected to the Amazon app store.  In order to install other browsers you have to get an .apk from another source and sideload it. The Dophlin  browser can be installed with some work-arounds by sideloading it. To install the Dophlin Browser to use Flash according to forum members:

1. Enable outside apps
>Swipe top bar down >choose +more >scroll down to device and choose it > turn "allow installation of applications" on.
2. Load ES File Explorer
>Go to the app store and search for ES File Explorer and install it (its free)
3. Download the Dolphin Browser apk file >in the silk browser, go here and download the file - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1787595 it will download into your downloads folder.
Note - Do NOT try to install the file from the "notifications" bar.
4. Install Dolphin
> Open ES File Explorer and navigate to the "downloads" folder. >Locate the dolphin apk file and click on it. It should begin installing, after it finishes open it!

Adobe no longer supports Flash but you can find it here.

Yellow Mellow?

A problem that has been reported by a photographer to the Amazon Kindle team is that it looks like the white colors while watching movies turns yellow. Other users have reported a "yellowy hue" especially while watching movies.  Someone compared the picture for the same movie to a Kindle Fire 1st Gen, laptop, and  TV and the Fire HD picture  definitely seemed off. Some yellowed Kindle Fire HD owners are returning their tablets. Some contend they may have received faulty units.

Buying on Your Dime an' Time on Amazon

Another problem that persists with the Kindle Fire is that it comes automatically populated with the buyers Amazon Account. For example a buyer purchased a Kindle using her Amazon account for a family member as a gift.  The gift-receipent's  digital content downloads are inadvertently being charged and paid on her account."

If you buy someone a Kindle you have to go to your account,  Manage Your Devices, and click de-register next to that Kindle. Your gifted-person will then have to re-register it to his/her own account."

If the buyer puts books on the Kindle from his/her account, when the recipient gets the Kindle and registers it the books will be lost.

Camera Photo-Fire-Shootless?

The Kindle Fire HD  only has a front facing VGA camera for video conferencing and does not come with a camera app. In order to use the camera to take photos you will have to download a photo app such as PicShop Lite.

Can't Google-in But Can Get In Sideways

The fact that you can't load Google apps such as YouTube, Gmail and Google Maps, is not stopping developers from making their own versions. The Kindle Fire HD bootloader is locked to the Amazon ecosystem, if you unlock it, you will void your warranty.  Many have resorted to sideloading apps but finding the apk. file.

To sideload apps you have to  install a file manager app such as File Expert, but you can use whatever works for you. Then to get the app file apk file. You can find it by searching on Google: (app name) apk. Once you have files, navigate to the Downloads folder with the file manager, and tap the .apk file.  Click Install, and the app will install.You can find the app in apps>device, it will not be in Cloud.

Most sideloaded apps worked well but the sideloading does notwork with apps that you have to use Google account. Some have noted that Google Chrome and YouTube will work but you can not sign into your account.