Specifications

YOUR UNOFFICIAL KINDLE FIRE MANUAL

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3. The Kindle Fire User Interface

While based on Android 2.3, the default user interface on the Kindle Fire is very different than most Android systems.

Gone is the desktop-like styling of the Android Gingerbread UI, replaced by an interface known as the Newsstand.

Here, books and apps are listed, easily navigated by a few swipes of your nger (or, if you prefer, a stylus) and offering

a search tool which can be considered an important part of the Kindle Fire experience, much like a library index.

The focus is clearly on reading books rather than browsing the web and using apps, but these tasks can also be en-

joyed on the Kindle Fire.

3.1 Menus, Icons and Gestures

While the initial user interface of the Kindle Fire differs from other Android devices, once you get behind this front you

will see that there are many similarities.

For instance, a Home button is almost ubiquitous, present in the lower-left corner, while the Settings menu can be

opened by pressing the appropriate cog-like icon in the top-right of the display. Opening this will enable you to toggle

the rotation lock, adjust volume, brightness and connect to Wi-Fi, as well as syncing books with Amazon and providing

access to a whole host of additional advanced settings.

Using the Kindle Fire on a day-to-day basis, however, you will nd the Home button and the Back button (found in the

middle of the bottom edge of the display) are the most regularly used, while an app-specic context menu and search

button can also be accessed.

Like any touch-sensitive device, a number of gestures enable you to interact with your Kindle Fire. First and foremost

is the basic tap, the tablet version of a left-mouse click on a computer. Following this is the tap-and-hold which offers

a context menu of additional options in some scenarios. The swipe will enable you to browse your device contents –

particularly useful in the Newsstand view and when browsing – while the pinch-to-zoom gesture uses the forenger

and thumb and is used to zoom in and out of images and web pages.

Across the top of the device is a narrow bar, displaying your name, the time and information such as wireless connec-

tivity and battery life. Importantly, this is affords access to the Notication Area, where you will nd information about

apps, new emails, etc. The notications are displayed as a number in a grey disc; tap this to expand the view – you’ll

nd the information displayed, often these can be tapped to take you to the appropriate app. When you’re done check-

ing the notications, tap the Clear All button and then Home.

To wake your Kindle Fire from sleep mode, tap the button on the lower edge of the device. This is also the power but-

ton, and can be used to switch your Kindle Fire off and on.

3.2 Browsing the Newsstand

When you press the Home button you will the Newsstand, a virtual bookshelf onto which your books and any regularly

used apps are placed.