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    iPad 2 vs. Kindle Fire: Consumer Gripes [VIDEO]

    By Lauren Indvik | Mashable – Thu, Feb 16, 2012

    When shopping for a tablet, consumers often compare specs and the benefits of each device, including screen size and resolution, processor speed, battery life and software. But sometimes a gadget's biggest draw -- or its most exasperating feature -- doesn't make the spec list.

    [More from Mashable: Chinese Workers Make $8 on Each iPad Sale [REPORT]]

    Product Q&A website FixYa released Thursday a study that ranks the top consumer gripes with the iPad 2 and Kindle Fire. Overall, Kindle Fire owners had a longer list of frustrations than owners of iPad 2 devices. For Kindle Fire owners, the top issue is the lack of security inherent in the device's one-click shopping system; for iPad owners, Wi-Fi connections. Some of those frustrations were identical: Users of both tablets say they have trouble securing Wi-Fi connections and getting their computers to recognize their devices when connected via USB, for instance.

    The top five iPad 2 issues

    • Wi-Fi Connection Issues (35%). Some iPad 2 owners complain that they are unable to connect to the Internet via Wi-Fi or that they are soon booted off after they log in.
    • LED Display Issues (15%). Some users complain of splotchy light patches in the corners and on the edges of their screens when their screens display dark graphics or pages.
    • Microphone Quality (15%). Some iPad 2 owners are dissatisfied with the tablet's audio recording capabilities.
    • USB Issues (10%). Some users have trouble getting their computers to recognize their iPad 2s after connecting them via USB.
    • Other Screen Issues (10%). Owners have reported a number of other screen-related issues, including screen freezes and touchscreen inaccuracy.

    The top five Kindle Fire issues

    • Can’t Turn Off One-Click Shopping (30%). The Kindle Fire allows users to store their credit card information to make automatic purchases. Although convenient, this creates security issues for some consumers, if, for example, their children make accidental purchases, or if their devices were stolen. Amazon says it's working to address this issue.
    • Wi-Fi Connection Issues (25%). Many users complain of poor Wi-Fi connections and sudden disconnects. FixYa found that updating the Kindle Fire's software to the latest version solves the issues in 30% of cases, however.
    • No Parental Settings (15%). A problem for Kindle Fire owners who share their tablets with their families and are worried about children's access to uncensored web content.
    • Touchscreen Precision (15%). Similar to the iPad 2, some users complain of touchscreen inaccuracy.
    • USB Issues As with the iPad 2, some users have trouble getting their computers to recognize their Kindle Fires after connecting them via USB.

    iPad 2 and Kindle Fire owners: Are you similarly frustrated with your tablet for the above reasons? What's the one thing about your device you'd fix if you could?

    [More from Mashable: iPad Owners Rush to Sell Devices Ahead of iPad 3 Announcement [VIDEO]]

    This story originally published on Mashable here.

     

    17 comments

    • Paleo
      Paleo  •  3 mths ago
      At least Amazon's telephone customer service is available free to Kindle owners for more than three months from their date of purchase. Apple wants you to pay them (either thru buying AppleCare or at approx $29 a call) for the privilege of addressing the failures of their products beyond a mere three months after you've given them a lot of your money.
    • ripped off
      ripped off  •  Eastlake, Ohio  •  3 mths ago
      My Kindle Fire: a nifty stylus solved 95% of my problems with touchscreen precision... and it is easy to turn off 1-click shopping... those that don't do it are lazy... can't say I've experienced other concerns
    • JF GeSchmidtt
      JF GeSchmidtt  •  Pleasanton, California  •  3 mths ago
      The only issue I have is that I occasionally hit the on off button on the Kindle Fire when in portrait mode. Not a lot to complain about though. If you learn how to side load apps it is really one of the best Android pads out there and at a fraction of the cost.
    • commonsense
      commonsense  •  3 mths ago
      Kindle Fire is the best! What I love about it? AFFORDABLE! I am estatic that FINALLY someone like Amazon had the dignity and respect to to come out with a device that is affordable for everyone. I have a renewed respect for Amazon. We all ready live in a society where we pay "more for less". Amazon curbed that runnaway freight train.
    • Josh
      Josh  •  3 mths ago
      Got one for my wife, kinda jealous now, she plays with it more than me!!! Price should be the biggest complaint for the iPad....I am not much of a book reader but i love the access to TV shows, Amazon Prime is a good deal to me. The onmly complaint we have had so far with the Fire is the occasional freezing.
    • Casey
      Casey  •  3 mths ago
      for the $$$ Kindle Fire just can't be beat. If having 3g is an issue then Ipad is the answer
    • MCMAN
      MCMAN  •  3 mths ago
      I would certainly rather put up with the Kindle problems at 1/4 the price of the iPad
    • yummygirl
      yummygirl  •  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania  •  3 mths ago
      I don't have any of those isssues with my Kindle Fire. I absolutley love it! And at a price $400 lower than the ipad, it was well worth it.
      • Ian L
        Ian L 3 mths ago
        Yummygirl your math is off. iPad 2 (16GB WiFi) is 499 the Kindle Fire is 199 that is a $300 difference in price. I have both devices the iPad is much nicer and well worth the extra cash. The kindle fire is great but only if your a prime member.
    • Greg
      Greg  •  3 mths ago
      I'm assuming the percentages in the article are based on the total number of complaints, not the number of owners. If 35% and 30% of owners are dis-satisfied, neither product would be around for long.
    • C.N.S.
      C.N.S.  •  Ogden, Utah  •  3 mths ago
      I love my Kindle Fire, but the touch screen is quite inaccurate. I regularly click the wrong link on webpages, and cannot type a single word without having to backspace to make corrections. I never have this problem on my android phone, which has a much smaller screen.

      Hopefully, Amazon will fix this problem with a software update. It seems to me that they need a screen calibration tool.
      • Lynne
        Lynne 3 mths ago
        I and another user both use a stylus and it works really well...no mor mistakes
      • C.N.S.
        C.N.S. 3 mths ago
        I've ordered a stylus. I'm waiting for it to be delivered.

        I also wish it could support an external keyboard. That would make it a powerhouse.
    • Sam
      Sam  •  3 mths ago
      From what is written (gripes), it would seem that the iPad has more of a hardware issue, whereas the Kindle has more of a software issue.
      The software issue is easier to fix...a new firmware/update would suffice.
      You can't fix hardware...unless you buy a new product, eh.
      Apple has it covered, though...with the iPad 3 (let's hope)...and will happily take ANOTHER $600+ from you.
    • me
      me  •  3 mths ago
      #$%$ are you comparing ipads to fires? they are two different markets and anyone who 'needs' everything an ipad compputer will do is not a fire customer, and someone who only needs the functionality of a super good reader/viewer Fire is not a ipad customer, especially when there's such a large price difference! Stop comparing these two!
    • Junichiro
      Junichiro  •  3 mths ago
      You could just save yourself several hundred dollars and go to your local library.
    • *
      *  •  3 mths ago
      I love my B&N nook color.
    • Chris
      Chris  •  Cedarville, New Jersey  •  3 mths ago
      I don't think the quality of the pictures I take on the Kindle Fire are good enough.....oh wait...
    • A Yahoo! User  •  Virginia Beach, Virginia  •  3 mths ago
      The most important issue: which one has the biggest library?
    • who cares
      who cares  •  Boston, Massachusetts  •  3 mths ago
      iPad issue #6: At $500 i didnt get the lap dance..

      Funny though cos with the KF at $200 i do feel as if i was screwed!
     Post a comment
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