Tips and Tricks: Amazon's Cloud Drive and the Kindle Fire

Continuing our series on getting the most out of your Kindle Fire, which has gotten into topics like setting up Gmail and using a microphone, we're going to get back into the issue of memory and how you can pack more of it into your device. If you remember, we previously discussed portable storage drives, but there is another option: Amazon's Cloud Drive.

As you know, the Fire automatically comes with free cloud storage for all of your Amazon content, which is a big reason why the device's 8GB of space is passable, but a good portion of us may already have a lot of songs  that we'd like to have access to. Fortunately, everyone with an Amazon account gets 5GB of free storage. You can also increase your storage space from 20GB for $20 a year to 1000GB.

Uploading Media to the Cloud Drive
The easiest way to start moving files into the cloud is to visit Amazon's Cloud Drive and click "get started." There you'll see a tab for Upload Files. For music, your best bet is to use the Cloud Player to both access music on iTunes/your computer and then play them. To make this easy, you'll download the Amazon MP3 Uploader [instructions here]. Ok, that should get our media into the cloud. Now how to access it from your Fire, which can be a bit of a chellenge.

Accessing Media in the Cloud
To get items down from the cloud, you have to click on the item and then go to the orange download arrow, and then your browser will present you with a list of download options. This is particularly easy for music, but some people have more trouble with other types of files. One solution involves using an app called ES File Explorer. On your Fire browser, go to the Cloud Drive, tap and hold the file name until a pop-up appears that lets you save the link. Using ES File Explorer, search your download folder for clouddrive.bin. Tap and hold to rename it properly, then run it with ES or find it in the gallery.

So there are a couple methods of accessing files in case one doesn't work. For extra help with uploading and downloading, visit this FAQ. Now let's move on to another option for cloud storage, Dropbox, which you can link to the Fire's office app.

Using Dropbox
Dropbox is another cloud service that gives you 2 GB free and can allow you to move files from your computer to the web to your Fire. It involves opening an account, downloading a client onto your computer, to which you can drag files that will appear online. Since the Amazon Appstore doesn't have the Fire app for this available, you'll need to get it from the their website here and sideload it onto your Fire (if you're having problems installing, use this). Accessing that app will allow you to get to files that you've moved into the cloud and put them on your Fire. All of this should save you the trouble of emailing files to yourself.

All of this can seem really complicated, but the most important thing is finding a system that works for you so that you can store files and access them when you're on the move. I'll end with another quick plug for one of my favorite apps, WiFi File Explorer, which can help you access other nearby devices.

This afternoon we'll be looking at some great RPG and action games for the Kindle Fire!

Pool Bar HD: Today's Free App of the Day (12/2)

There were a few big announcements yesterday, including that it's possible to get a Kindle Fire for $99 with a new Audible membership [details]. It's also worth mentioning that the Fire is crushing the iPad over at Best Buy to become their bestselling tablet online.

We're also down to the very last day of Amazon's Cyber Week Deals, and it looks like they're saving the best for last!

It's now the second day of the 25 Days of Free Holiday Music, and today's free download is Peace on Earth by Brian Wilson.

Today's free app looks like a good one, and don't forget to check back later for more news, tips, and tricks!

Name: Pool Bar HD
Rating: 3.6 stars over 45 reviews
Price: 0.00
Description: Calling all pool sharks! Casual league players and those that like to shoot some pool with friends after work and on the weekends are also welcome. Whether you're an award-winning pool pro, or just think you're a pro, Pool Bar HD is the app for you. With realistic 3D images and accurate physics as well as a variety of classic games and difficulty levels, Pool Bar HD is a must have for all pool lovers.


Analysis: Rack 'em up! Who doesn't enjoy a good pool game. This one features two-player mode or an automated opponent, plus a few different types of play.
Get your free copy of Pool Bar HD!

Today's Kindle Daily Deal also looks very appealing, so let's take a look at that as well.

Title: Ivy and Bean 1
Rating: 4.2 over 89 reviews
Price: $5.99 0.99

Description: In this first book in Annie Barrows' bestselling series, young readers will meet Ivy and Bean--a dynamic duo like no other. The moment they saw each other, Bean and Ivy knew they wouldn't be friends. But when Bean plays a joke on her sister, Nancy, and has to hide quick Ivy comes to the rescue, proving that sometimes the best of friends are people never meant to like each other. Vibrant characters and lots of humor make this a charming and addictive introduction to Ivy and Bean. This series is perfect for readers ages 6-9. 
Get Ivy and Bean Bk 1!

Special Holiday Apps!

There've been some exciting announcements today, so to recap in case you missed them. There's an exciting promotion being offered for a $99 Kindle Fire. It involves a new membership with Audible and can get you $100 off a wide range of devices. For details on that, click here.

Also, for the next 25 days there'll be a free holiday song to download. Today's (12/1) is Ave Maria by Celtic Woman. Then there are all of the great Cyber Week Deals to check out.

But what about apps? There are a ton of great holiday apps out there to help you organize your shopping lists, cook up memorable holiday meals, or share the joy of the holidays with kids. Here are the highlights, though you can find others in Amazon's list of discounted apps.

Amazon's Santa App                   
0.00                                             

4-Hour Chef Holiday App              Twas the Night 3D
0.00                                               1.99

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer    How the Grinch Stole Christmas
3.99                                                 4.99

Berenstain Bears' Christmas Tree    PopOut! The Night Before Christmas
4.99                                                4.99

Holiday Party: Amazon's Santa App, Kindle Fire for $99, and Free Holiday Music!

As I mentioned this morning, the holidays are in full swing now, and that means there are some really great opportunities floating around that Kindle Fire users can really take advantage of. Beyond the constantly updated Cyber Week Deals, there are a few ways to set yourself up very nicely for the holidays. Let's check some of them out.

Amazon's Santa App
Just released today, Amazon's Santa App is the perfect way to create, organize, and share wishlists. Especially good at helping kids pick out the Toys they want, it also allows them to send their lists to Santa while giving some parental controls on what they can browse for and who can see the lists. For assistance installing or using this app, check out the Santa App Help FAQ. Also, it's free!

Simply download Amazon Santa, sign in with your Amazon account, and start browsing our wide selection of family-friendly books, toys, games, movies, music, and video games. With just a little help, your kids can select gift items they really want from Santa and put together a Christmas Wish List that you can easily and safely share with others. Your friends and family will love knowing they've selected a gift your child really wants, and you'll love worrying less about duplicate gifts. The Santa App is optimized for the new Kindle Fire.

How to Get a Kindle Fire for $99

If $199 was enough to get people's mouths watering about the Fire, imagine what 50% off of that would do. As it turns out, getting a Kindle Fire for $99 is actually what you can get if you join the new Audible Listener Program [details]. Audible is, of course, Amazon's service providing audiobooks, and Audible's AudibleListener Gold plan is for 12 months at $14.95/month. If you're interested in trying out audiobooks anyway or already use them, this could be a very appealing option. Even if you already have your Fire, there's a whole range of things you can get $100 off on. Here's the entire list of eligible products. Half price would make it really easy to give a Fire for the holidays, wouldn't it? To find out more, click here.

Free Holiday Music

Every day for the next 25 days, Amazon will feature a Free Holiday Song from its MP3 Store! Each song can be downloaded for free only on the day that it's featured so it might be a good idea to bookmark this link to check back easily. I've listened and can say that today's song is a very pretty one. It's Ave Maria by Celtic Woman.

Some exciting stuff there, right? That oughta keep you busy for a while! But check back later as we get into some holiday apps!

Break The Blocks: Today's Free App of the Day (12/1)

Happy December? For some reason the last few days it's still felt like early fall where I am. Hopefully we get some snow to help get us in the mood for the holiday season. Amazon is certainly looking forward to the holidays, and they've already released their Santa App, which we'll show now and likely discuss in more detail later today. And of course we are getting down to the end of the Cyber Week Deals too.

Here is Today's Free App of the Day! Without any doubt, it's a classic!

Name: Break The Blocks Full
Rating: 2.9 stars over 46 reviews
Price: 0.00
Description: Do you remember playing Arkanoid when you were a kid at the local arcade? The simple joy of moving the trackball from side to side and breaking blocks became hypnotic and addictive. Now you can relive your brick breaking days with BreakTheBlocks Full. To play the game, all you have to do is swipe your fingers across the screen to control the spaceship platform. You will be surprised at how flawless these controls are. There aren't any jerking motions here; it is just a smooth transition from one movement to the next.
Get your free copy of Break The Blocks Full!