Social media apps make it easy for users to keep up with Twitter and Facebook. There are apps to help keep users organized and on track (e.g., Evernote, Remember the Milk, etc.). In addition, word processing apps (e.g., Documents to Go, Quickoffice, etc.) can be purchased to allow viewing, editing, and sharing documents and spreadsheets. We think of it as a service.” A native email app comes with the Kindle Fire that supports Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo, and AOL (but not Microsoft Exchange so a separate paid app such as TouchDown is required for that). Amazon Chief Executive Officer Jeff Bezos has said, “We don't think of the Kindle Fire as a tablet.

In fact, that is the purpose of the Kindle Fire. The Kindle Fire easily connects users to magazines and journals, books, music, video, and applications (apps) and makes content easy to buy in all of these areas from Amazon. It is too soon for a comprehensive review, but what, at first glance, is the potential value of this device for health care students and professionals? The low price of the Kindle Fire (just $199) and its release during the holiday season have led to brisk sales and widespread adoption. The Amazon Kindle Fire, Amazon's first tablet device, debuted in November 2011. With its ereader parentage, white-coat-pocket size, and Android capabilities, the Kindle Fire seems well positioned to become popular as a tool for discovering and consuming literature and information, as well as engaging with productivity tools.

Column editor's note: In this issue, we look at a different kind of “electronic” resource: hardware.

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