Top critical review
3.0 out of 5 starsI think that if a higher resolution is available, just use it for all devices. 167 is too blurry.
Reviewed in the United States on December 15, 2019
The product arrived, very well packaged, gift quality, and easy to open. The power up and use process was pretty fast and easy. Figuring out all the ways to access tools and functions was pretty fast and there are plenty of you tube videos to help you see ways to optimize the use of the kindle reader.
I know, I'm an adult and perhaps kids can see better than me, but if there is 300ppi, and it's better than 167, then drop the 167ppi option and just make the 300ppi products only. There's no reason for it. If this is a new 2019 Gen ten device, why offer a grainy, blurry, glitchy device. I used a kindle in 2016 and it was crystal clear, so easy on the eyes and easy to read. Better than a book because you could customize your viewing preference to perfection. This is dull. I played with the settings quite a bit trying to get it to be clear, but even the transitions between settings, and pages seems to flash in my face and glitch. When it comes to kids, they have access to all the high def stuff we have in the home to include the latest HD tvs and comupter screens. Going to this device after a modern computer is going to be a strain. There is no way to adjust the contrast and brightness to my comfort. The dyslexia setting or font, is about as relaxing as I can get. Maybe it's a software issue that can be cleaned up and improved. Kids deserve to have tech that will be kind to their eyes and minds. Aside from that this is a 10th gen, black and white, sterile device that could be much more fun, colorful and modern and still be offered in an affordable price of around 100, a price that assumes there will be more online purchases, which justifies the affordable purchase price.
This device is for kids because of parental pin and access, or parental approval added. The kindle cover, space station, is really cute, but there could be more choices. The blue and pink options are very 50s. Maybe, animals, tech, STEM, scouting, sports, or just regular colors, other than pink and blue.
For people who have not had a kindle, this is a regular kindle you can share with your child. But, I'd get a higher resolution e reader that offers color and better, easier flow and visibility of books. within kindle/amazon brand there are higher definition options. The cool things about the kindle are vocabulary building, progress with reading, etc.
I'm wondering if my complaints are typical of the kindles now or if this one has been damaged, or perhaps the app or software needs a 'fix'. I'm really not sure. I went though a rough patch with printers and they are all great now since the drivers were fixed, or updated properly. Perhaps that is what's needed here, a software update.
What I like:
Opportunity for more experience in tech to get kids used to utilizing the devices, without the temptation of web and games; just focused reading and learning.
It belongs to the child, that's a cool thing that they can name their device.
It's semi customizable for personality with settings and choice of cover.
There is a great replacement policy for 2 years and it comes with 1000 kid titles to check out for the first year.
Don't like:
The fact that there is a better quality screen and kids should have that, the best.
Should be colorful.
Should be smooth, flow and function and easy on the eyes.
I still like it but the price difference between paper white and this device isn't much. Also, there are other brands and types of e readers, it's not like you can't get another brand that offers those things. I still like it and it's competitively priced.Just for reading in black and white, focused, no games, movies or other stuff.
