Kindle Fire Tips & Tricks for Newbies
by Esther P., Pad & Quill Techster
There's a certain thrill that comes with getting a new tech device, but there's also a learning curve when it comes to figuring out how to use it—which can be frustrating. That's why we've put together these tips for Kindle Fire newbies on how to help you get the most from your device.
1. Nix the ads.
If you've got a nose for a bargain, no doubt you choose the "With Special Offers" version of Amazon's Kindle Fire. Putting up with ads can save you money up front, but if you get fed up with advertisements after a few weeks, luckily there's a way to get rid of them.
The unfortunate part is that you're going to have to crack open your wallet again. Turning off ads will cost you $15. Just log in to your Amazon account, navigate to Manage Your devices, and click "Edit" under Special Offers. From there, you can unsubscribe.
2. Lock screen rotation.
By default, your Kindle Fire rotates from portrait to landscape when you turn the device. To lock the orientation in one mode, view your notifications and choose Locked under Quick Settings. To allow automatic rotation again, choose Unlocked.
3. Set parental controls.
Got a Kindle Fire for your kids? Control what your child can access on the device by adjusting the Basic Parental Controls under the Settings menu.
Do you own a Kindle Fire but let your kids borrow it? Try Kindle FreeTime, an app that lets you control your child's access by setting up multiple user accounts. This allows you to use your own device without the parental controls and keep your kids protected when they borrow your Kindle.
4. Hook up to an HDTV.
Watching HD content on your Kindle Fire is sweet. Watching it on a full screen HDTV is even better. Hook your Kindle Fire HD up to your HDTV with a micro HDMI to HDMI cable. Then watch to your heart's content. Just keep in mind that certain services (like Hulu Plus or HBO Go) may not allow you to watch content from your Kindle on HDTV.
5. Protect your investment.
While there are plenty of Kindle Accessories to choose from, your first investment should be a Kindle Fire case. Without a case, your Kindle is vulnerable to scratches, dings, and other damage. Besides protecting your device, a Kindle case also adds to your style, disguises your device to prevent theft, and makes it feel more like holding a book when you read ebooks and other digital content.
Kindle Fire Case
Got a new Kindle Fire? Protect it with a Kindle Fire case from Pad & Quill. Our built-in smart cover feature turns your Kindle on/off when you open and close the case. Get free shipping when you purchase any other case or accessory!
