All You Need to Know About the Amazon Kindle

Amazon offers dozens of Kindle e-readers and tablets

Since its release in November 2007, the Amazon Kindle e-reader has been a key reason for the mainstream adoption of the digital e-book format. E-books now outsell hardcover and paperback books combined on Amazon.com. Learn about the history and evolution of Amazon tablets from the first Kindle to the Amazon Fire.

Information in this article applies broadly to all versions of the Amazon Kindle e-reader and Amazon Fire tablets (formerly known as Kindle Fire).

Amazon Kindle 101

Throughout the years, the original E Ink Kindle has seen plenty of refreshes. Variations include the Kindle DX, Kindle Touch, Kindle Voyage, Kindle Paperwhite, and Kindle Oasis. Major differences between models include the size, quality of the screen, and the presence of features such as cellular data and a touchscreen. Current models come with a web browser so that you can check your email on a Kindle.

New Kindles are always coming out. All are designed for the same purpose, allowing you to comfortably read e-books wherever you go. There are thousands of free Kindle books available, so getting an e-reader is worth it if you're an avid reader. You also might want to consider an e-reader for school so that you don't have to lug around textbooks.

2016 Kindle
Amazon

Latest Amazon Kindle Lineup

These are the current versions of the Amazon Kindle:

Previous Amazon Kindle Lineup

Older versions of the Amazon Kindle include:

  • Kindle
  • Kindle 2
  • Kindle 2 international
  • Kindle DX
  • Kindle DX international
  • Kindle DX Graphite
  • Kindle Keyboard
  • Kindle 4
  • Kindle Touch
  • Kindle 5
  • Kindle Paperwhite (first generation)
  • Kindle Paperwhite (second generation)
  • Kindle 7
  • Kindle Voyage
  • Kindle Paperwhite (third generation)
  • Kindle Oasis (first generation)
  • Kindle 8
  • Kindle Oasis (second generation)

Amazon Fire (Formerly Kindle Fire)

In 2011, Amazon released an Android-based tablet called the Kindle Fire, which has since been rebranded as Amazon Fire. Fire tablets have also seen a number of upgrades over the years. These include newer HD and HDX variants such as the Kindle Fire HD Kids Edition, which is designed to withstand drops and rougher treatment.

Fire tablets can do everything Android tablets can do with some exceptions. Apps are only available from the Amazon App Store. You can't download apps from Google Play on a Kindle Fire without rooting the device.

When shopping for Fire tablets, consider the screen size and the amount of internal storage.

Its best feature is the built-in Alexa support. You can have Alexa read to you and use your Fire tablet to control your Amazon Echo and other smart devices. Amazon Fire tablets are great for reading, watching Netflix, and casual gaming. If you need a tablet for work or playing MMO games, you'll want something more powerful, like the Galaxy Tab S6.

Latest Fire Tablet Lineup

These are the current Fire tablets:

Previous Kindle Fire Line-up

These are the older versions of the Kindle Fire:

  • Kindle Fire (first generation)
  • Kindle Fire (second generation)
  • Kindle Fire HD (second generation)
  • Kindle Fire HD 8.9 (second generation)
  • Kindle Fire HD (third generation)
  • Kindle Fire HDX 7 (third generation)
  • Kindle Fire HDX 8.9 (third generation)
  • Fire HD (fourth through eighth generations)
  • Fire HDX 8.9 (fourth generation)
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