http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/kindle-fire-hd-helpful-tips-tricks-secrets/#!K8vBx

10 USEFUL FEATURES ON THE KINDLE FIRE HDX
(Modified for workshop)

1. HELP:

• The built-in Mayday feature.. connects to an Amazon representative within 15 seconds.
• Just swipe down from the top of the screen and tap the Mayday icon at the top right

2. ADD eBOOKS.

• Allowed formats: proprietary Amazon Kindle AZW format, ORt KF8, TXT, PDF, or unprotected MOBI files.
• From outside of Amazon, download eBooks in a supported format, and put them in your Books folder.
• Use ES File Explorer to move files around. ebook in unsupported format?
• Convert into the AZW or MOBI format with (free) Calibre app.

3. GET RID OF ADS (Kindle “With Special Offers” at rock bottom price, loaded with ads)

1. Pay $15 to Amazon: Go to Amazon, sign into your account, and go to Manage Your Devices. Under Special Offers click Edit > Subscribed > device >Unsubscribe
2. Turn off recommendations Settings > Applications > "Home Screen" > Amazon Home Recommendations and set to Hide.

4. INSTALL APPS FROM OUTSIDE AMAZON'S APPSTORE

• "root" your Kindle (see last option, below) - but you’ll void the warranty
• install a good Android security app.
• OR
• install a good Android security app.
• Settings > Applications and turn "Apps from Unknown Sources to On.

You can now "sideload" APK files onto the Kindle.

• download them to your desktop and copy them over or send them by email
• go direct to websites that stock APK files for Kindle Fire HDX. See alternative Android app stores
• Use a Google Android device to download apps from Google Play, & copy them to your PC using a file explorer app.
• install (free) ES File Explorer app. Copy APK files (apps) to Kindle Fire HDX from the PC use the file explorer to find them and install them.
• Use Dropbox to easily share APK files wirelessly.

5. LOCK SCREEN ROTATION:

• Pull down the notifications bar
• Tap the "Locked" or "Auto Rotate" option at the top left of the Quick Settings.

6. ENABLE SECURITY & PARENTAL CONTROLS:

• Pull down the notifications bar, then "Settings > Security and turn Lock Screen Password to On.
• Run app: Kindle FreeTime to carefully control your child’s access to content on the device/

7. WATCH KINDLE FIRE HDX CONTENT ON YOUR HDTV

Second Screen:

• Amazon Fire TV, or 2013-or later Samsung TV, Samsung BluRay Player, or PlayStation 3/4
• Share content via Wi-Fi. Your Kindle Fire HDX can serve as a second screen for additional information and as a remote control, while the content plays on your compatible display.
• Register Amazon Instant Video app on the device using your usual Amazon email and password (allows instant purchases of content)
• Sign in to the Amazon Instant Video app. You should now see a Second Screen icon when you start a movie or TV show on your Kindle Fire HDX.
• Tap it to send the content to your big screen (the Amazon Instant Video app has to be open on the PS3, PS4, or Samsung TV).
• Your Kindle Fire HDX can be used as a remote control and as a customized display for X-Ray, or you can safely get on with other tasks like browsing the Web and the big screen content won’t be interrupted.
• Second Screen also works with the second generation Kindle Fire HD.

Miracast: display mirroring with a Miracast-certified device.

• This method doesn’t require any cable and it doesn’t use your home Wi-Fi network.
• If you have a Miracast device then it should be as simple as going to Settings > Display & Sounds > Display Mirroring on your Kindle Fire HDX and the tablet will search for a compatible device.
• When it finds one, just tap Connect and you should see and hear your Kindle Fire HDX’s display and audio on the big screen. This can take up to 20 seconds after you tap connect.
• If it doesn’t show up then you may also have to make the device discoverable (there may be an option somewhere in the menu of your TV or device, refer to the manual).
• You won’t be able to use your HDX for anything else while you watch without interrupting the stream as this method mirrors the screen.
• If you want this option, but you don’t have a Miracast-certified device then you can try using an adapter that plugs into an HDMI port (Amazon recommends the Netgear Push2TV).

8. INSTALL FLASH (TO WATCH FLASH VIDEOS)

1. The native Silk browser does not support Flash, so you’ll need a new browser.
2. Settings > Applications and turn Apps from Unknown Sources to On.
3.  Install a file explorer app: ES File Explorer is free.
4. Find Dolphin HD and Flash Player APK files online.
5. load the APK files onto your Kindle Fire HDX,
6. use the file explorer to find them
7. tap to install starting with Dolphin and then Flash Player.

9. GET MORE STORAGE

1. get 5GB for free with Amazon Cloud Drive.
2. Music you have bought through Amazon should be available via the Amazon Cloud Player
3. Use the Amazon Music Importer found here to upload some of your own music (250 songs for free).
4. You could also try another cloud service like Dropxox, SugarSync, or Box.
5. Buy an external hard drive like the Kingston Wi-Drive which also has a companion Android app to install on your Kindle Fire HD.

10 . ROOT YOUR KINDLE FIRE HDX

• If you do decide to smash out of Amazon’s walled garden then you’ll be voiding your warranty
• allows you to access lots of extra content and tweak the device in ways that are impossible with an unrooted Kindle Fire HD or HDX.
• There is always some risk involved in rooting, so make sure that you follow instructions to the letter if you’re going to give it a try (it’s not very difficult really).
• The best place to go for advice and guides on rooting is undoubtedly XDA Developers. You’ll also find APK files and customized ROMs there.