Amazon updates Kindle Fire HD to support Swype, Camera app
updated 11:27 am EST, Fri December 7, 2012
Child-friendly walled garden FreeTime Unlimited support also added
Amazon has updated its Kindle Fire HD 7-inch tablet to include a number of new features. Swipe support, the camera app that previously appeared on the 8.9-inch version, and the addition of the child-friendly Kindle FreeTime Unlimited service have been put into the latest over-the-air upgrade, putting the handheld's operating system at version 7.2.2
Previously a walled garden for younger users to watch or read pre-bought media, the FreeTime Unlimited adds in a selection of apps, games, books, and video content in an all-you-can-eat manner. All content included has in-app charges, rental fees or item purchases removed, which when combined with the ad-free environment, received an endorsement from Common Sense Media. Existing prime subscribers can add FreeTime Unlimited at $3 per child, per month, or $7 for a family license of up to six users.
The on-screen keyboard gains Swype, which allows users to type words by drawing a line through letters. The previously-omitted Camera app takes photos using the front-facing camera, adding images to the on-board Photos library.
Users wanting to update can either wait for the over-the-air version, or can perform it via USB.
