Amazon rolls out Kindle Fire 6.2.1 update

Amazon has started rolling out version 6.2.1 of the Kindle Fire software. Much of the user interface has been tweaked to become more responsive to screen tapping and navigation of content is much more fluid. The Silk browser is also smoother when moving through different Web pages and loading content. The update brings customization to the tablet allowing users to hide items that appear on the carousel as well as the ability to password protect Wi-Fi access. By using a password on the device, tablet owners can prevent other users from purchasing content while browsing movies, books or other media.

To update your Kindle manually, connect to a Wi-Fi network and tap the Quick Settings icon in the upper right corner to find the “Sync” option.

According to Engadget, this update also removes root privileges on tablets that have been rooted to replace the operating system with custom firmware. If a user is still using any Amazon software on a rooted tablet, they are susceptible to automatic updates when the device connects to any Wi-Fi network. Replacing the stock Amazon software with most forms of alternate software may void the warranty of the tablet and users are also likely to lose access to Amazon apps such as Amazon Instant Video and the Lending Library feature.

However, many developers creating software for rooted versions of the tablet have found the Kindle Fire relatively friendly when it comes to application development.

According to a press release from Amazon, the Kindle Fire has been flying off the shelves and the company has sold about one million tablets per week during December.

Amazon to update Kindle Fire in two weeks

While Amazon’s Kindle Fire Android tablet might be receiving some mixed reviews from the tech community, the 7-inch tablet seems to be a success among consumers.

But the device isn’t without criticisms, most notably, from users complaining that its performance is leaving something to be desired. Users have trouble with the touch interface on the device, which is reportedly too small and results in tapping the wrong thing a little too often. The device’s web browser, which uses Amazon’s cloud-based Silk feature to help speed its performance, is also still slow enough that it has users complaining. Amazon is addressing those concerns, though, and says it plans to roll out some software updates for the device in the coming weeks.

The enhancements coming to the tablet will fix up a variety of things about the tablet, in areas like its web browser and touchscreen navigation responsiveness.

The over-the-air update to the Kindle Fire is due in less than two weeks, Amazon says. It’ll also give users the ability to choose what appears on the device’s navigation carousel and generally improve performance everywhere.

Amazon still isn’t saying just how many Kindle Fires it has sold, but it has said the number is “millions” and that it’s the most successful product the company has ever launched. It says it’s also building more to tablets to meet continued demand. The Kindle Fire is a cheap alternative to other Android tablets, and recently overtook the iPad to become Best Buy’s best-selling tablet.

Regardless of the reviews, the Kindle Fire has a lot going for it including its affordable price tag of $199, which undercuts almost every other tablet on the market by a couple hundred dollars. It also has a lot of brand recognition and the leverage of Amazon’s entire retail empire behind it, making it a solid way to consume media sold by Amazon.

It seems that Kindle Fire users are mixed on the tablet, but that’s apparently not slowing down sales. If Amazon can address some of the more fixable user-experience concerns, like the interface troubles and the browser speed, it seems likely that the Kindle Fire could become even more popular. Amazon has opened a door with the tablet, now it needs to keep that door open by patching the software and keeping customers happy.

Comparison: Nook Tablet vs Kindle Fire

Here is a comparison of the major features of Barnes & Noble Inc.'s Nook Tablet computer and Amazon.com Inc.'s Kindle Fire:

Price: The Nook Tablet costs $249; the Kindle Fire, costs $199.

Connectivity: Both tablets connect to the Internet only through Wi-Fi.

Screen size: Both tablets have displays that measure 7 inches diagonally. That's about three times the size of an iPhone screen and half the size of an iPad screen.

Software: Both run modified versions of Google Inc.'s Android software. Neither one has direct access to Google's Android Market for third-party applications; Amazon and Barnes & Noble run their own stores.

Apps: Barnes & Noble says there are about 1,000 third-party applications available for the Tablet. Amazon has nearly ten times as many.

Storage: The Nook Tablet has 16 gigabytes of storage plus a memory-card slot. Of the built-in memory, all but 1 gigabyte is reserved for content bought from Barnes & Noble. The Kindle Fire includes 8 gigabytes of internal storage and no memory-card slot.

Battery life: Barnes & Noble claims up to 9 hours of video on the Nook Tablet, Amazon says 7.5 hours on the Kindle Fire.

Thickness: They're nearly identical: the Nook tablet is 0.48 inches thick, while the Kindle Fire is 0.45 inches.

Weight: Again, nearly identical. The Nook Tablet weighs 14.1 ounces, the Kindle Fire half an ounce more.

Movies: Both come with apps from Netflix and Hulu, which provide streaming movies and TV shows to subscribers. The Kindle Fire also provides access to downloadable and streaming movies from Amazon.