# Just got a brand new Kindle as a gift -- need ideas. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 23, 2012, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-brand-new-kindle-as-a-gift-need-ideas/638672 "2012-10-23T22:21:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2012, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-brand-new-kindle-as-a-gift-need-ideas/638672/1 "2012-10-23T22:21:27Z")
A very kind friend bought me one as a surprise gift that showed up today. I have got it onto my wifi system, and I have hooked it up to my Amazon account. Some specific questions – Keyboard – is there some way to add the row of numbers display above the rows of letters display so I don’t have to keep switching back and forth between the “123” display and the “ABC” display? Also, a way to make the buttons larger? MUSIC: 1. How do I see what model it is, and how much memory there is? I have nearly 50 gigs of music, if there’s room for it. 2. My music isn’t hanging out on any cloud, so am I right that I’ll need to get a USB to mini-USB to transfer music? 3. I use an iPod (5th generation “classic”) for music now… any comparisons you know of as to whether it or a Kindle makes a better music player quality-wise? 4. Is there an iTunes app for this thing? Or a built in app for music and playlist management, and if so are there better downloadable apps for it? OTHER: 1. Maybe I’m all thumbs, but I can’t seem to handle the thing for more than a few seconds without a thumb or finger wandering onto the touchscreen and triggering some unwanted command. Is there a way to give me a slightly larger border around the edges – yes, I know I’ll have either truncated or shrunk images. Or is this just a learning curve I’ll have to go through? 2. Seems maybe fragile. It comes with a zip close travel case. I there some kind of padded or rubberized cover that will allow me to use it without removing the cover? 3. Voice – does this thing have the capacity to use a microphone for, for instance google phone service, or Dragon voice recognition? 4. Free stuff – where are the best places to look besides Amazon? 5. What am I unlikely to know about this thing that I won’t even think to ask about? ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2012, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-brand-new-kindle-as-a-gift-need-ideas/638672/2 "2012-10-23T22:27:02Z")
Which model did you get? ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2012, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-brand-new-kindle-as-a-gift-need-ideas/638672/3 "2012-10-23T22:27:57Z")
I dunno. Where do I look to find out? ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2012, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-brand-new-kindle-as-a-gift-need-ideas/638672/4 "2012-10-23T22:31:10Z")
Ah, it says Kindle Fire. Is there more than one model of Kindle Fire? It’s new, that’s the only other thing I know. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2012, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-brand-new-kindle-as-a-gift-need-ideas/638672/5 "2012-10-23T22:49:51Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > 1. Maybe I’m all thumbs, but I can’t seem to handle the thing for more than a few seconds without a thumb or finger wandering onto the touchscreen and triggering some unwanted command. Is there a way to give me a slightly larger border around the edges – yes, I know I’ll have either truncated or shrunk images. Or is this just a learning curve I’ll have to go through? > 2. Seems maybe fragile. It comes with a zip close travel case. I there some kind of padded or rubberized cover that will allow me to use it without removing the cover? You’ll have to figure out [which kind you have](http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Accessories/b/ref=sv_kinh_6?ie=UTF8&node=1268192011), but the right case can make a world of difference in your comfort level for both these things. A good case can add heft and contours to more comfortably grip the device, as well as making it less vulnerable to accidents. ---
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2012, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-brand-new-kindle-as-a-gift-need-ideas/638672/6 "2012-10-23T23:07:55Z")
if you got to [amazon.com](http://amazon.com) and sign in to your account (did you register it?) there is a section on managing your kindle. lots of info and forums, as well. ---
**Author:** ![Skara\_Brae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f0a364/32.png) [@Skara\_Brae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skara_Brae)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2012, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-brand-new-kindle-as-a-gift-need-ideas/638672/7 "2012-10-23T23:17:07Z")
Check [this place](http://www.kindleboards.com/) out too. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2012, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-brand-new-kindle-as-a-gift-need-ideas/638672/8 "2012-10-23T23:31:35Z")
Yes, I have registered it at Amazon, but I haven’t yet found anything which tells me what model I have. Looking through the “settings” options, there doesn’t seem to be anything there either. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2012, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-brand-new-kindle-as-a-gift-need-ideas/638672/9 "2012-10-24T13:35:11Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > Yes, I have registered it at Amazon, but I haven’t yet found anything which tells me what model I have. Looking through the “settings” options, there doesn’t seem to be anything there either. Did it come in a box? ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2012, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-brand-new-kindle-as-a-gift-need-ideas/638672/10 "2012-10-24T13:50:59Z")
Looking through the Amazon page on Kindles, check out the old [Fire](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008GFUA4C/ref=fs_2) and the new [Fire HD](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008GGCAVM/ref=fs_ta). Specifically, look at the product pictures. Does the back of your Fire have a rubberish band that goes across it, with the words “Kindle Fire HD” on it? Or does it just say “Kindle”? ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2012, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-brand-new-kindle-as-a-gift-need-ideas/638672/11 "2012-10-24T14:04:26Z")
It just says “Kindle”. Thanks, though, I found the info while looking through the settings. The hardware data is under a tab labeled “device”. It has about 5.4 gigs of memory for books, music, etc. and about 1.2 gigs for apps. I’m also gonna look around and see if that total can be reallocated as needed – it seems kind of odd that the system would have a fixed amount for each rather than a total amount for both. Right now, though, since it’s practically empty, it’s not an issue. ---
**Author:** ![ethelbert](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/958977/32.png) [@ethelbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ethelbert)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2012, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-brand-new-kindle-as-a-gift-need-ideas/638672/12 "2012-10-24T14:15:49Z")
What I do to get “free” stuff is to share my account with people I trust. I share my account with my brothers. They pay for their stuff with gift cards to my account. I get to read all their stuff and they get to read mine. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2012, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-brand-new-kindle-as-a-gift-need-ideas/638672/13 "2012-10-24T14:35:16Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > 1. Voice – does this thing have the capacity to use a microphone for, for instance google phone service, or Dragon voice recognition? The original Kindle has no microphone of which I am aware, sorry. The Fire HD does, since it can do Skype. > [@](#): > > 1. Free stuff – where are the best places to look besides Amazon? First things I do with mine every morning: first, I check my email for the Kindle Daily Deal, a few books which are discounted for one day only. You can also get it from the Amazon website, but it’s more convenient for me to get the email. Next, I go to the app store and check out the “free app of the day” and see if it’s something I’m interested in. I’ve picked up some real gems this way, such as Quell Reflect. > [@](#): > > 1. What am I unlikely to know about this thing that I won’t even think to ask about? Your wife will probably steal it at some point and you’ll have to buy another one. This is a good thing. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2012, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-brand-new-kindle-as-a-gift-need-ideas/638672/14 "2012-10-24T15:00:15Z")
It may be completely out of your price range, but I have a Dodo case for my ipad, and absolutely love it. They make them for the Kindle Fire and Kindle keyboard as well. If you’re having issues holding it without inadvertant touches, it might be a great solution. > **[iPad Cases for all iPad, Pro, Air, Mini Models | DODOcase](https://dodocase.com/)** > > The original and leader in manufacturing personalized custom and stock book style iPad cases and iPhone cases for all models. We offer a wide range of handcrafted products to fit all any iPad, Pro, Air, Mini styles, Made in the US, each piece is... ---
**Author:** ![melondeca](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@melondeca](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/melondeca)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2012, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-brand-new-kindle-as-a-gift-need-ideas/638672/15 "2012-10-24T23:44:05Z")
> **[Free & Bargain Kindle Books | Pixel of Ink](https://www.pixelofink.com/)** > > Daily publishing of Free Kindle Books and the best Bargain eBooks on sale! > **[Popular Freebies (found in the past 24 hours) | eReaderIQ](https://www.ereaderiq.com/freebies/)** > > Try our Kindle Price Drop notifications, our Advanced Kindle Search, our Kindle Author Tracker and sign up for our Daily Deals & Steals email featuring free and bargain bestsellers. These are both good resources for free books.