Staging Product – Not for Retail Sale

Excellent device if you're into the Amazon Echo System and are an Amazon Prime member. If you're one who consume Amazon services daily let it be Amazon music, Amazon video, kindle e-books, audible, Alexa etc this is a good all in one device. It's not the definite device for Amazon services as Alexa is better on the Echo, and e-books is easier to read on a kindle device; but this device is great if you want to consume all of Amazon's content outside your computer. If you're one who are already part of the Apple (iOS) and/or Android echo system then there are some cross over in terms of Apps (although very limited, more on this later), music and video, but the first party services do not pair with the tablet due to legal issues. Some third party apps works like Netflix, Pandora, and Hulu, along others. This tablet mainly centers around Amazon Prime, so if you are not a Prime users; you'll be missing out on a lot and will not take full advantage of this tablet. You can side load Android OS/Google Play Store to this device if you don't consume Amazon services, but note that due to the hardware specs some apps may not work properly on the tablet. Now going to go through some features of the device comparing it to the HD7 and other versions of the HD8: --Which to buy HD8 Vs HD7 Similar design choice looking at the exterior to the current fire 7 with differences being: - HD 8 has larger screen size, obviously. With the one inch difference videos look way more immersive especially with the higher resolution the tablet provides compared to the HD7 -Smaller horizontal bezels making reading easier in portrait mode, and watching moves are more enjoyable in horizontal orientation. This may be an issue when you hold the tablet in portrait mode. Best as a one handed device in the portrait orientation; when using two hands, at least one hand (mainly the palm) may cover part of the screen activating the touch sensors. -All buttons, mic, 3mm headphone jack and charging port in one convenient location (all on one side of the device). I like this because you don't have to orient yourself all the time. The only port separate from the rest is the expandable memory from SD card slot, which i assume will not be used often less you download tons of movies -Speakers are better than the current gen HD7 (2017), not not as good as the HD7 (2nd gen) 2012** model with dual speakers. If you're close to fans or in a loud environment; the sound may get muffle the speaker sound a bit, so in this situation it's best to switch to wired headphones or bluetooth. **Wished this device had the same speakers as the HD7 2012 model, guess some compromises have to be made to cut cost. A bit disappointed that the budget tablet line has mono sounding speakers instead of Dobly sounding speakers. Yes, Amazon does market this tablet as having Dobly surround sound, but it doesn't sound like it; they probably put the a low grade Dobly sound chip in for lower production cost -Cameras are not the best quality in the world. front facing camera is okay for video chat if you just want to recognize the person on the other line and don't care about having a full 4k resolution of them. Back facing camera...if you already have a current smart phone, you're not going to use this over that. Good to have for immediate use to capture something on the fly if you have your phone charging in the other room i guess. Honestly i think it's not needed, but it's probably there for kids who complain that their tablet doesn't have a camera (and don't know the difference between image quality) The OS is very streamline and simple to navigate with tabs and large icons. Provides easy way to navigate all of Amazon services like ebooks, video, photos, app/amazon store, prime music, etc If you own a previous Amazon device, everything can be sync automatically along with all purchases you've made through your amazon account App library not as diverse as the Google Play or iOS store. You can side load Google Play store, but not all apps are going to be compatible especially those the require GPS (while roaming) or have high hardware requirements. Also you sort of have to be tech savy or able to do research on how to load it in or know someone who does. There are some advantages of the Amazon app store as some full apps/games are free (without micotransactions) compared to the Google Play store which charges a few bucks or have you make purchases in-game with real life money. Battery life. Lasts a few hours more, mixed use compared to the HD7 Alexa. Supports Alexa and compatible smart phone devices. The tablet is not available to pick up your voice when you say her name like the Echo devices, as you have to hold on the home button and wait for a visual prompt to say a command. So which one should you buy 7 or 8? I say if you're going to watch video more than reading e-books, shopping, browsing the web, or check e-mail; i'd go with the 8 for a more immersive experience. If you want more battery life out of a single full charge i'd go with the 8. Overall i'd say if you can afford it, 8 is a better option especially for media consumption --Which version to buy: special offers vs no special offers I've own several amazon devices in the past and the discounts for special offers have drastically gone down as most major sales is now aimed towards Alexa voice purchasing via echo devices. You will get some deal here and there, but the deals are not as deep as voice Alexa deals. Most of the time you'll see advertisement for new upcoming movies, tv shows or books. When deals do show up it's close to MSRP and do not have exclusive discount deals you see in the past. Normally i just ignore the ads out of habit, but other times something catches my eye for a second (~99% of the time i dont' buy anything) or it'll just give me a reminder that the new season of Game of Thrones is coming up for example. The only reason i can see you purchasing special offers is if you want to give a generous tip to amazon and/or you have a problem impulse buying stuff (digging deep into your bank account), or if you have children who knows your amazon password and purchase anything they find inciting --Kid edition vs normal Same specs as the regular HD8 but with some software changes Basically a worry-free version 2 year warranty/protection plan Includes a rubberized case 1 year amazon free-time unlimited which includes parental controls: You can set how much time your kids can spend on a particular application such as reading, viewing videos, playing games etc. unlimited access to a catalogue of child-friendly apps, games, ebooks and videos not present on the regular HD8. Basically the same as the HD8 (aside from the bumper case), but some content unlocked via software Great budget tablet for kids,but if they're really into youtube, there's an app for this device on the Amazon app store, but it's not as intuitive as the one on iOS or Andriod. Had it cash on me sometimes or have issues negativing and saving scroll history. Also there's no picture-in-picture if you want to watch a video while browsing. Either Google doesn't want to do ongoing software/security updates for it or Amazon do not the exact same app on iOS/Andriod it on their store because they want you to use the Amazon Prime Video. It may be the former since Amazon let in Netflix and Hulu, and seeing the small install base compared to iOS/andriod updates may come in slow. --Which memory version to buy? -So there's a micro sd expansion; best to buy the 16gb as oppose to the 32 in my opinion as it's cheaper to buy a micro sd card and insert it into the device. Only reason i see someone purchasing the 32 over the 16 is if 1. 16gb is sold out and you can't wait to buy one 2. 32gb is on clearance and 16gb is not due to supply issue 3. Used vs New pricing 4. Have a coupon or credit to purchase the 32gb and a micro sd card isn't applicable with the promotion 5. buying as gift to friend and family and want to show you're generous by spending extra money for them 6. cheaper in a bundle Overall, best budget tablet for the price if you are a Amazon Prime member despite some negatives (namely the speakers and camera). Most mainstream tablets can range upwards to 5 or 6x more. Yes, they can do more and have better hardware specs, but if you just want a tablet that can do the basics and get the most out of your Prime subscription this is the tablet to get.