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Show Mode Charging Dock for Fire HD 10 (Compatible with 7th Generation...
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Customer reviews
- Show Mode Charging Dock for Fire HD 10 (Compatible with 7th Generation...
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- Customer reviews
Top positive review
Excellent dock - 5 stars. Case works as advertised, but missed the target - 1 star
July 13, 2018
Pros: Great example of how to make a docking station. It's heavy enough and has rubber pads to keep in position if someone snags the cable. The embedded magnets in the case and dock do an excellent job of centering the case in the dock so the charging contacts line up.
Cons:How not to make a case. The back is completely smooth.It will slide away on smooth and/or polished surfaces that have more than 10-15 degrees of slope. It doesn't have a cover It's also a little more challenging to hold onto with one hand. The Amazon tablet case doesn't slide away, AND HAS A COVER!
Amazon, it actually hurts me to ask this question. Why didn't you add the power circuit and magnets to the existing case, as an upgraded tablet case? You could leave the cover closed, or flip it over the back of the dock.
Update 8/13: I will change back to the tablet case and cover when it leaves the house with me. It's annoying, but I like having the cover.
Update 11/9/2018: I got tired of switching cases. This is now sitting in a corner gathering dust. I'm hanging on to it for now, just in case Amazon releases a charging case with a cover.
Cons:How not to make a case. The back is completely smooth.It will slide away on smooth and/or polished surfaces that have more than 10-15 degrees of slope. It doesn't have a cover It's also a little more challenging to hold onto with one hand. The Amazon tablet case doesn't slide away, AND HAS A COVER!
Amazon, it actually hurts me to ask this question. Why didn't you add the power circuit and magnets to the existing case, as an upgraded tablet case? You could leave the cover closed, or flip it over the back of the dock.
Update 8/13: I will change back to the tablet case and cover when it leaves the house with me. It's annoying, but I like having the cover.
Update 11/9/2018: I got tired of switching cases. This is now sitting in a corner gathering dust. I'm hanging on to it for now, just in case Amazon releases a charging case with a cover.
549 people found this helpful
Top critical review
Upgraded review after using for a longer period of time.
July 20, 2018
Pros: easy to assemble and gives some protection to the Fire HD - Great value when on sale even for the No-Nag version.
Cons: You CAN'T dock the Fire and leave the screen on full time. 30min is the limit. This is really stupid because the charging station is supposed to charge while using the unit. There is NO reasonable explanation from Amazon support staff as to why this option was REMOVED on the newest units.
- The display is very dim even on the highest settings
- Amz support is clueless and keeps bouncing me around their group to answer even the simplest questions - they even had the FIRE TV support group call me then transfer me to a dead line! REALLY? Then, they even quoted old and outdated support information that is not associated with the product I purchased from them!
Cons: You CAN'T dock the Fire and leave the screen on full time. 30min is the limit. This is really stupid because the charging station is supposed to charge while using the unit. There is NO reasonable explanation from Amazon support staff as to why this option was REMOVED on the newest units.
- The display is very dim even on the highest settings
- Amz support is clueless and keeps bouncing me around their group to answer even the simplest questions - they even had the FIRE TV support group call me then transfer me to a dead line! REALLY? Then, they even quoted old and outdated support information that is not associated with the product I purchased from them!
364 people found this helpful
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Showing 1-10 of 1,108 reviews
July 20, 2018
Pros: easy to assemble and gives some protection to the Fire HD - Great value when on sale even for the No-Nag version.
Cons: You CAN'T dock the Fire and leave the screen on full time. 30min is the limit. This is really stupid because the charging station is supposed to charge while using the unit. There is NO reasonable explanation from Amazon support staff as to why this option was REMOVED on the newest units.
- The display is very dim even on the highest settings
- Amz support is clueless and keeps bouncing me around their group to answer even the simplest questions - they even had the FIRE TV support group call me then transfer me to a dead line! REALLY? Then, they even quoted old and outdated support information that is not associated with the product I purchased from them!
Cons: You CAN'T dock the Fire and leave the screen on full time. 30min is the limit. This is really stupid because the charging station is supposed to charge while using the unit. There is NO reasonable explanation from Amazon support staff as to why this option was REMOVED on the newest units.
- The display is very dim even on the highest settings
- Amz support is clueless and keeps bouncing me around their group to answer even the simplest questions - they even had the FIRE TV support group call me then transfer me to a dead line! REALLY? Then, they even quoted old and outdated support information that is not associated with the product I purchased from them!
July 13, 2018
Pros: Great example of how to make a docking station. It's heavy enough and has rubber pads to keep in position if someone snags the cable. The embedded magnets in the case and dock do an excellent job of centering the case in the dock so the charging contacts line up.
Cons:How not to make a case. The back is completely smooth.It will slide away on smooth and/or polished surfaces that have more than 10-15 degrees of slope. It doesn't have a cover It's also a little more challenging to hold onto with one hand. The Amazon tablet case doesn't slide away, AND HAS A COVER!
Amazon, it actually hurts me to ask this question. Why didn't you add the power circuit and magnets to the existing case, as an upgraded tablet case? You could leave the cover closed, or flip it over the back of the dock.
Update 8/13: I will change back to the tablet case and cover when it leaves the house with me. It's annoying, but I like having the cover.
Update 11/9/2018: I got tired of switching cases. This is now sitting in a corner gathering dust. I'm hanging on to it for now, just in case Amazon releases a charging case with a cover.
Cons:How not to make a case. The back is completely smooth.It will slide away on smooth and/or polished surfaces that have more than 10-15 degrees of slope. It doesn't have a cover It's also a little more challenging to hold onto with one hand. The Amazon tablet case doesn't slide away, AND HAS A COVER!
Amazon, it actually hurts me to ask this question. Why didn't you add the power circuit and magnets to the existing case, as an upgraded tablet case? You could leave the cover closed, or flip it over the back of the dock.
Update 8/13: I will change back to the tablet case and cover when it leaves the house with me. It's annoying, but I like having the cover.
Update 11/9/2018: I got tired of switching cases. This is now sitting in a corner gathering dust. I'm hanging on to it for now, just in case Amazon releases a charging case with a cover.
July 13, 2018
This product is very misleading. It gives one the impression of converting the Fire HD 10 tablet into an Echo Show when docked with it. The best term I can come up with at the moment is that it "simulates" some Echo Show functions without full integration with any dedicated Echo devices. If this is the only Amazon product with Alexa capabilities that you own, then you will probably be happy for the most part with this device.
But, if you are like me and own several Echo devices that you use in an integrated fashion, I dare say you will not be pleased. My Echo devices can't see, much less interact with the Fire HD tablet in show mode. The developers have set it up so that it can see and interact with my Echo devices as part of the illusion, but my Echo devices cannot see or interact with it. I regularly use the multi-room audio function for whole house music listening. The drop-in feature is also one that I use often. This bundle (Fire HD 10 + Show Mode Dock) was purchased to be an integral part of my Alexa ecosystem. It cannot function in that capacity because it never really transitions from a tablet to an Echo device. Again, it's all an illusion. I am very disappointed with this product, not because of some technical failure. But because Amazon should have done a better job of telling us what this product's limitations were. Full disclosure would have helped me make a better purchasing decision. Had I known, I would not have purchased this product or the tablet.
Let me add however, that the bundle(Fire Hd + Dock) has tremendous potential for Echo users if Amazon wishes it so. This hybrid solution can work if a software fix is developed to bridge the integration gap between Echo devices and this unit. The video images from the device are outstanding and the form factor (aesthetic design) is exactly what I want my Echo Show to look like. I have until about the first week in August to return this product. If Amazon has the ability and will to make what I think are appropriate adjustments to this product in that time frame, I for one will enthusiastically embrace it (I'll keep it). If not, I will return this product along with the tablet and wait until a fix is developed or Amazon releases a dedicated 10 inch hopefully flat panel Echo Show.
But, if you are like me and own several Echo devices that you use in an integrated fashion, I dare say you will not be pleased. My Echo devices can't see, much less interact with the Fire HD tablet in show mode. The developers have set it up so that it can see and interact with my Echo devices as part of the illusion, but my Echo devices cannot see or interact with it. I regularly use the multi-room audio function for whole house music listening. The drop-in feature is also one that I use often. This bundle (Fire HD 10 + Show Mode Dock) was purchased to be an integral part of my Alexa ecosystem. It cannot function in that capacity because it never really transitions from a tablet to an Echo device. Again, it's all an illusion. I am very disappointed with this product, not because of some technical failure. But because Amazon should have done a better job of telling us what this product's limitations were. Full disclosure would have helped me make a better purchasing decision. Had I known, I would not have purchased this product or the tablet.
Let me add however, that the bundle(Fire Hd + Dock) has tremendous potential for Echo users if Amazon wishes it so. This hybrid solution can work if a software fix is developed to bridge the integration gap between Echo devices and this unit. The video images from the device are outstanding and the form factor (aesthetic design) is exactly what I want my Echo Show to look like. I have until about the first week in August to return this product. If Amazon has the ability and will to make what I think are appropriate adjustments to this product in that time frame, I for one will enthusiastically embrace it (I'll keep it). If not, I will return this product along with the tablet and wait until a fix is developed or Amazon releases a dedicated 10 inch hopefully flat panel Echo Show.
July 14, 2018
Pros:
- I will probably use the tablet more as I probably won't forget to charge it now.
- Magnets are used to help you slide the tablet into the correct position for charging.
- Since the tablet has its own battery, I may use it as an alarm clock now. Hopefully, the alarm works without an internet connection.
Cons:
- The dock is expensive.
- The dock is not required in order to use a compatible tablet as an Echo.
- Because the audio from the Fire HD 10 is so tiny, you probably should still consider the Echo Show over the tablet and dock.
- The charge case included with the dock doesn't protect the tablet screen.
Bottom Line:
If good audio is a part of your use case, don't buy the tablet and dock as an alternative to the Echo Show.
If you plan to use the tablet and dock as a big screen Echo, check the other reviews for all of the current limitations when using a tablet as an Echo.
If you already have a compatible Amazon tablet and want to enhance it with a slightly over-priced charging dock, then the dock works well for this use case.
- I will probably use the tablet more as I probably won't forget to charge it now.
- Magnets are used to help you slide the tablet into the correct position for charging.
- Since the tablet has its own battery, I may use it as an alarm clock now. Hopefully, the alarm works without an internet connection.
Cons:
- The dock is expensive.
- The dock is not required in order to use a compatible tablet as an Echo.
- Because the audio from the Fire HD 10 is so tiny, you probably should still consider the Echo Show over the tablet and dock.
- The charge case included with the dock doesn't protect the tablet screen.
Bottom Line:
If good audio is a part of your use case, don't buy the tablet and dock as an alternative to the Echo Show.
If you plan to use the tablet and dock as a big screen Echo, check the other reviews for all of the current limitations when using a tablet as an Echo.
If you already have a compatible Amazon tablet and want to enhance it with a slightly over-priced charging dock, then the dock works well for this use case.
July 21, 2018
I already own a Fire 10" tablet, but I wasn't using it as often as thought I would. It was usually dead when I wanted to use it but didn't feel like keeping it constantly charged. Problem solved -- with several very neat extras. The PROs: It costs less than a Show, duh! It's a whole lot larger than a show. (Download the Alexa skill - Aquarium screensaver without sound. It is just BEAUTIFUL!.) You can have Alexa report the weather. You can have Alexa turn on the lights. You can have Alexa tell you the formula for the volume of a sphere. (Really cool!) The CONs: It doesn't make or give reminders. Ouch! That's disappointing. Although you can play music, the sound is even worse than the Dot. BIG BUT -- you can hide a nice Bose portable speaker behind the unit and it's beautiful. I just installed a Blink video camera security system -- AN AMAZON COMPANY. I can see the Front Door on my SHOW, but not on this Show MODE. At least not yet. That would have been nice. I'm being picky now, but look at the picture. The temperature runs just slightly into the time. A slight adjustment from the Amazon engineers will take care of that - soon. Altogether, 4 stars.
July 13, 2018
Update: the Amazon device team called me and provided a solution to my issue. I had to turn off the voice cast settings on the tablet. Making this change solved the issue. Rating changed to 4 stars
I don't have an Echo Show, but in my home I have multiple Echos and the Fire TV cube, which largely functions like an Echo. The problem with the "show mode" for the tablet, is that anytime I ask Alexa a question or any other request that results in a pop up appearing on the tablet screen, it kicks the tablet out of show mode, and I have to give the "alexa, switch to show mode" command to start it up again. It seems like the pop up screens should be disabled if you put the tablet in show mode. I hope this gets written into the next update for the tablet. This will always have limited functions compared to the other echos (most significantly the lack of the far field voice recognition), but overall I think it has a lot of potential. I'd give it 4 stars if not for the pop up problem.
I don't have an Echo Show, but in my home I have multiple Echos and the Fire TV cube, which largely functions like an Echo. The problem with the "show mode" for the tablet, is that anytime I ask Alexa a question or any other request that results in a pop up appearing on the tablet screen, it kicks the tablet out of show mode, and I have to give the "alexa, switch to show mode" command to start it up again. It seems like the pop up screens should be disabled if you put the tablet in show mode. I hope this gets written into the next update for the tablet. This will always have limited functions compared to the other echos (most significantly the lack of the far field voice recognition), but overall I think it has a lot of potential. I'd give it 4 stars if not for the pop up problem.
September 15, 2018
My two kids each have a Kindle Fire HD 8. One has it in a child profile, very locked down. The other has it in a normal profile, but with Parental Controls turned on. I allow and block certain things, but the Alexa feature cannot be used when the parental controls are turned on.
I bought this dock thinking my youngest would love it, but with the parental controls turned on, it won't enter Show Mode. It charges wirelessly, but nothing else. I confirmed with Amazon that the Show Mode won't work with the parental controls turn on.
This deficiency isn't located in the description, Q&A, or any review. While I send mine back for a refund, I hope this review will help someone avoid my mistake.
I bought this dock thinking my youngest would love it, but with the parental controls turned on, it won't enter Show Mode. It charges wirelessly, but nothing else. I confirmed with Amazon that the Show Mode won't work with the parental controls turn on.
This deficiency isn't located in the description, Q&A, or any review. While I send mine back for a refund, I hope this review will help someone avoid my mistake.
July 13, 2018
It’s good at what it does. The Alexa commands were responsive. I could call out on it as well asDrop In to other Echo devices. BUT I bought it to be able to use Drop In into it from my other Echos and it does not support that. That is a show stopper as my user story has not been met. So returning the show mode dock and the Fire HD tablet. Should not advertise that it can do what the Amazon Echo Show can do if it won’t support Drop In inbound. Wish it would have worked as I am a big Alexa fan and use it through out my house for lights, air conditioning, music, intercom, cameras, etc.
