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Amazon Kindle Fire HDX
From £ 199
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When North Korea recently created its own version of the iPad, complete with Angry Birds – described as ‘surprisingly impressive’ by one tourist – it was a sign. This really is the post-PC era.
By the dawn of 2014, half of British Households will own a tablet PC, According to Ofcom’s crystal-ball division.
Those wondering which one will Santa bring ‘em may be feeling anxious: They could unwrap an iPad Air … but It Could Also be an Argos tablet, the tech equivalent of deodorising socks.
THE PURSUIT OF appiness: The Kindle Fire was already simple to operate, but now you can bring up a list of apps by swiping to the side , so you can easily access email and the web browser. It’s still an entertainer first, second computer – so do not try running a business on it
skyped UP: The older 7in Fire HD lacked a forward-facing camera for Skype calls – one reason why it did not quite cut it. Amazon has finally added one on the HDX, making this the perfect My First Tablet for aging relatives or technophobes
WALLED THE JUNGLE: There are, of course, ways to watch and read content that’s not from Amazon on the HDX, but it requires fiddling on the level que verges on computer hacking. If the ‘shopping trolley’ aspect does not bother you, great – Nearly Amazon always beats its rivals on price, Especially with books
At least, unlike the Koreans, Argos victims can visit the actual internet, rather than the state-controlled substitute with ‘news’ Mainly Consisting of lingering shots of missile batteries.
For my money, this year’s gems are the Air and iPad, for entertainment, Amazon’s new Kindle Fire HDX.
Available in 7in and 8.9in sizes, the tablet has improved so much in one year, you wonder if They have one of Those guys with the drums on Roman galleys down there in engineering.
Or perhaps
CEO Jeff Bezos just wanders around the factory floor with a pistol.
The near-bezel-less screen is a colorful little dazzler, and the signature gimmick, the Mayday button – Which summons the little video box containing an Irish IT helper elf with a headset on – is so good that I’m sure I’ll shortly be blacklisted.
It’s there 24 hours a day, so while the HDX is not quite idiot-proof (if you’re the family ‘techy guy,’ Could you still get a call asking where the button is on), it’s certainly idiot -resistant.
The helpers are
Within seconds there – although on Christmas Day, I imagine it’ll take hours, unless Bezos hires the entire population of Ireland.
ever, you’re locked inside Amazon, shopping-wise, but it’s brilliant for books, films and magazines – so great for older users.
Crucially, it’s great for kids too. I always feel a pang of guilt using the touchscreen as a toddler-silencer, but there’s only so far you can go with Calpol and bribes.
Amazon’s child locks are brilliant – better than any I’ve seen.
You can lock off different bits for different children on the new Kindle, including, usefully, the entire internet, like a domestic Kim Jong-un.
LEGO MARVEL SUPER HEROES
From £ 17.99, PC, PS 3/4, Wii U, Xbox 360/One
Lego Marvel Super Heroes is hilarious , turning po-faced Marvel heroes into silly little toys to great effect
Having done Batman, Harry Potter and Star Wars, you’d think the guys would Lego-games of King Lear or something. Nope. But this one’s hilarious, turning po-faced Marvel heroes into silly little toys to great effect. ? ? ? ? ?
WAKE THE CAT
69p, iPHONE / iPAD, ANDROID
Wake The Cat , where you roll a ball of yarn through obstacles to awaken the lovable kitten, has geek appeal aplenty
The internet’s passion for cats is eternal and undying – so this puzzler, where you roll a ball of yarn through obstacles to awaken the lovable kitten, has geek appeal aplenty. Nul points for originality, but it’s a change from Angry Birds. ? ? ? ? ?
ASSASSIN’S CREED IV: BLACK FLAG
From £ 29.99, PC, PS 3/4, Wii U, Xbox 360/One
Every previous Assassin’s Creed game has basically been about sneaking along roofs. Now, you’re a pirate – and this is a swashbuckling delight
No change of setting has ever been such a relief. Every previous Assassin’s Creed game has basically been about sneaking along roofs. Now, you’re a pirate – and this is a swashbuckling delight. ? ? ? ? ?
APPS
Wattpad
Free, iPhone / iPad, Android
Twenty million free books – in one app? OK, they’re mostly self-published, but there are some gems among the sci-fi and One Direction fan titles.
Life In The Womb
£ 2.99, iPad
pregnancy There are plenty of apps out there, but none look as good as this one, with 3D-ish graphics que ILLUSTRATE what’s happening week by week.
Presence
Free, iPhone / iPad
Feeling paranoid? This superb app can turn an old iPhone into a cheap home security camera-que you can access from the web.
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