The DU Lounge

Last edited Mon Dec 1, 2025, 07:42 AM - Edit history (8)

The 8" and 10" Amazon Fires are currently on one of their regularly scheduled half-price sales. The 12th generation HD 8, introduced in 2024, is $55. The 13th generation HD 10, introduced in 2023, is $70. Best Buy, Target, and other places will match the Amazon price. I might break down and buy a 10" Fire myself. I had a good weekend.

Out of the box, a Fire is a doorstop. Its only purpose in life is to keep you up to date on all the wonderful things you can buy at Amazon. To hell with that.

The first thing I did after charging this Fire was to install the software that allowed access to Google Play. Doing this breaks the Fire from the Amazon apps jail and turns it into a whole 'nother critter.

The instructions on how to do this are everywhere. For one:

https://www.androidpolice.com/install-play-store-amazon-fire-tablet/

There's a super support group at Reddit.

https://www.reddit.com/r/AmazonFire/

HD Fire timeline and details:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_HD

Here's a great review of the HD 10:

At Google Play, you will find several alternative apps to Kindle. Install one of them and walk away from Jeff Bezos.

TL;DR: A sideloaded Amazon Fire is a terrific device.