Database Users

[Q] Rooting other than model R800i

I have a AT&T Xperia Play R800AT and was wondering if the R800i Root method works on the Canadian R800A model? What build are you guys on? I'm very anxious to Root mine with the R800i method but was wondering if it's build specific? Thanks!

If you try I would try the gingerbreak method as it's more universal then using a unlocked bootloader and flash some firmware.

yep gingerbreak v1.2 works great did it to mine first day i got it

Hey thatsupnow - what did you do once rooted? Are you running Cyanogen? If so, how well does it work?
I've never installed modded android before, though I've jailbroken plenty of iPhones in my day:
1) Will my purchased stuff transfer over if I purchased it before Cyanogen? (
2) Does anyone know if PS Classics work on Cyanogen?
3) Should I even bother with Cyanogen, or just root my Xperia Play and be done with it?
4) What can I do once I'm rooted that I can't do pre-root?
Total, noob, I know. Thanks for any advice!

illuminerdi said:
Hey thatsupnow - what did you do once rooted? Are you running Cyanogen? If so, how well does it work?
I've never installed modded android before, though I've jailbroken plenty of iPhones in my day:
1) Will my purchased stuff transfer over if I purchased it before Cyanogen? (
2) Does anyone know if PS Classics work on Cyanogen?
3) Should I even bother with Cyanogen, or just root my Xperia Play and be done with it?
4) What can I do once I'm rooted that I can't do pre-root?
Total, noob, I know. Thanks for any advice!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've come from the Apple Scene as well so I'm pretty much new to this and only flashed a couple of android devices so far.
1) Samsung Vibrant
2) Samsung Galaxy Tab
3) Flytab (generic 7" ipad 1.6 android)
Whatever you purchase in the Android Market, As long as you login using the same google account you made the purchase with previously just like iTunes you can re-download your purchases for free. You can also browse the APK folder on your device and backup your .apk files if u wish as well.
Cynogen is a custom rom that tweaks a android device with better options and customization. To my knowledge I don't think you should flash the device right now since there is no "cooked roms" specifically for the Xperia Play at the moment. The android OS is pretty much universal on lots of platforms but just like any OS it needs specific drivers built into it in order for it to talk to your device and run correctly.
Think of Windows for example, in order for your new Graphics card you bought at the store to display properly on your PC you would have to install the device drivers first in order for it to work properly. If you don't you will experience vast side effects like only 256 colors 640-680 resolution etc.
In this case Android is like windows and "fragmented" because there are lots of IBM compatible PC's in the market today each with it's own different graphics cards, cd-rom/dvd and media etc. This is why Apple IOS mobile devices can see faster updates because they only have to develop for minimal devices.
I just picked up a Dell Streak 7 from my coworker that i've been toying with. It's definitely faster than my Galaxy Tab but I'm hoping in due time Dell or a awesome DEV will port Honeycomb 3.0 onto it. Reading threads people are saying maybe looking into the Motorola Xoom will help develop for the Dell since it uses the same Tegra 2 processor but again just like the above I mentioned, it's a whole different animal besides the Tegra and needs specific drivers. Look at the Nook Color with Honeycomb. I'm amazed at how well it's working but it still needs some work to be polished.
So yeah man, just root the phone and chill for the time being. Thats what I did for the moment although I would like to change a few things. Have you tried any home launchers yet and have you found a way to switch to Edge? I'm always on 3G and it would be nice to switch to EDGE so i'll have more battery life for games.

Netflix

Is there an app for viewing Netflix on the Iconia? I tried to view Netflix from the browser and received an error about formatting for this device.
Sent from my A500 using XDA Premium App

Nothing official from them yet. I've seen a leaked app, but it didn't work on my Samsung Fascinate.

Unless Google comes up with some blanket deal with Netflix, the process for portable devices is device specific:
1. Device must have the proper DRM keys and chipset for adequate streaming & playback.
2. OEM must submit the device for approval and pay Netlfix for the set-up and Netflix server access.
It would be cool if this changed, but Google would have to pay up, since already tons of iPhones, iPad and iPods using the service. LG is the only Android OEM to get Netlfix approval with their Revolution.

You can use Playon Mobile to watch Netflix on your Android device temporarily. You'll have to pay for it though after the trial is done. I think you pay annually and then you get access to PlayOn on pretty much any device the whole time. Hulu, Netflix, and Amazon VOD should work this way.

PlayOn is nice, but less efficient than a straight Netflix app (need to have your host computer on to network off of for PlayOn). Still better than nothing and provides more options for content.
People waiting for a working Netflix app will probably not be happy. OEMs have to pay up and the chipset must be qualified.

i have a netflix app for my G2 which works great. It also worked on my Nook Color. But it doesnt work on my brand new acer. It says my device isnt supported.

minotauri said:
i have a netflix app for my G2 which works great. It also worked on my Nook Color. But it doesnt work on my brand new acer. It says my device isnt supported.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The actual Netflix app that stream movies from Netflix, or just the rental management?

android netflix
the app is out and netflix said they are going to add phones/devices

i guess netflix finally figured out that android is the real deal

FYI, I've installed the apk directly on my device and it will not play videos on the A500 currently. You click to launch a video and the screen flickers and then goes back to the page you were on before clicking play.

They have only released Netflix for select phones. Don't even bother trying it on the a500, it won't work.

rushless said:
The actual Netflix app that stream movies from Netflix, or just the rental management?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this was the leaked official app from the LG phone. but like others said, the official release is out now but only supports certain phones.

Yeah, Work's great on my Nexus one hope they release an optimized honeycomb version for A500 soon...

Works really well on my evo. Even the hdmi out is nice. Hopefully netflix will show some tablet love soon.

I suspect the problem is with the tegra and not the os. It may not be optimized to be decoded on our tablets yet, but I guess software may be a limitation also. Does the optimus 2x have a netflix app? That might be more useful for us to try if it does...just a thought?

There's been a work around that can get it to work w/ other non-supported devices posted over at android police (would post link, but I don't have enough posts under my belt). Haven't tried it yet, so no idea if it works for the A500.
Sent from my A500 using XDA Premium App

I tried the work around. No dice. Tried both build props for HTC vision and Nexus S. Worked on my G tablet running CyanogenMod 7 though.

It does not work on the gTablet that uses Froyo, either.
Netflix is SUPPOSED to be device specific, but there has already been hacks for Droid X (certain rooted roms it works). Folks that should be ticked are official rom users that own bloatware infested devices that use Blockbuster.
Blockbuster bloated devices will probably "never" see official support for Netflix, but rooters might luck out.
Netflix works great on my Incredible, but it is an officially supported device.

rushless said:
It does not work on the gTablet that uses Froyo, either.
Netflix is SUPPOSED to be device specific, but there has already been hacks for Droid X (certain rooted roms it works). Folks that should be ticked are official rom users that own bloatware infested devices that use Blockbuster.
Blockbuster bloated devices will probably "never" see official support for Netflix, but rooters might luck out.
Netflix works great on my Incredible, but it is an officially supported device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well....the blockbuster infected Evo was added to the list yesterday....so I wouldn't give up.
For those that have a subscription there are options, but as mentioned it does require a host computer

minotauri said:
i have a netflix app for my G2 which works great. It also worked on my Nook Color. But it doesnt work on my brand new acer. It says my device isnt supported.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
have you tried the method mentioned today 5/13 about changing a line to HTC vision or nexus s?
you can find this over androidguys.

[Q] Extracting APKs from 3.1 roms...possible?

Hey all,
I am not a dev, I just dabble. Anyone try extracting any of the apks from the 3.1 sdk or Xoom? I am not sure if the USB connectivity is modular like that, but that could be useful until Acer gets off its a**.
I know dc13 bricked after trying to flash the Xoom rom, but is what I ask even feasible?

This is not a bump, but I think this is a valid topic. Anyone get any real good looks at the apks included with 3.1 on the xoom or in the sdk? I don't own one anymore so I can't check it and I currently do not have access to my computers to try the sdk.

How easy is it to root a Xoom? is it as easy as it was for us? if that is the case, I could probably go to a best buy, root it, and then do a system dump to my dropbox...logoff and leave >_>

I don't know if it is that easy to root, but I really appreciate the reply and willingness.

No one I know owns a tablet apart from iPad or ipad2. I am actually the first of my friends to have an Android tablet and around school, all I see are apple products. The good thing is that the best buy is like 5 minutes from my university, so it's no hassle going in. Plus the staff there is nice, so they won't mind =P

Theres a real easy one click root available for the xoom. I've got mine rooted and overclocked to 1.6 ghz along with having the sdcard slot working and usb hosting enabled.

Update Alert...
dhruvmp said:
Hey all,
I am not a dev, I just dabble. Anyone try extracting any of the apks from the 3.1 sdk or Xoom? I am not sure if the USB connectivity is modular like that, but that could be useful until Acer gets off its a**.
I know dc13 bricked after trying to flash the Xoom rom, but is what I ask even feasible?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Endgadget report today that Acer will release Android 3.1 next month
So my advice is stop tinkering with OS and wait for the update.

what to do now?

MBought the kf for my wife today and I took one look at the launcher and was confused to put it politely. I'm an owner of a transformer prime and galaxy nexus and I love ice. I'm wondering if there is a post you guys could point me to or tell me what the pros and cons will be of rooting this device and running a custom rom? More specifically, there are certain books, NY wife tells me, that say ''kindle fire edition'' or something like that. Would you lose the ability to get those books after a root?

vballrkc said:
MBought the kf for my wife today and I took one look at the launcher and was confused to put it politely. I'm an owner of a transformer prime and galaxy nexus and I love ice. I'm wondering if there is a post you guys could point me to or tell me what the pros and cons will be of rooting this device and running a custom rom? More specifically, there are certain books, NY wife tells me, that say ''kindle fire edition'' or something like that. Would you lose the ability to get those books after a root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just some of my opinion :
After rooting the device (not installing a custom rom, only root, you will still be using the Amazon version of Android), you can install full Android Market, alternate launcher(can be switched between Amazon Launcher and alternate launcher you installed.) So in this case you can still enjoy services / app that amazon provides for kindle fire.
If you install a custom rom (CM7[GingerBread] or CM9 [Ice Cream Sandwich], you may gain some more performance but some Amazon services may not work perfectly.
I installed CM7 before and now on CM9, CM7 has less bug and more functional than CM9 I think. Right now CM9 for Fire is still under development and not a stable version for everyone to use. It cannot play HD Youtube and the Hardware Acceleration is not functioning, it also has SOD(Sleep of death) problem that may halt the device and require a reboot.
For more information on custom ROM, you can visit this for the post for CM7 and CM9:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1309

You shouldn't lose the books if you install CM7. Just download the Kindle App and it's pretty much the same thing as using a normal kindle. All of my books that I purchased for my regular kindle transferred over to the Kindle App. Also all the books I downloaded from torrents also showed up in my kindle library when I installed them in the Kindle folder on my KF.

You can install go launcher ex without root and make it look more androidish. That may help

Rooting will disable your KF's ability to stream Amazon video content. To get around this, you can use OTA rootkeeper to unroot or root your KF with one click (though it won't do the initial root). I suspect that installing CM will permanently disable this capability. So, if Amazon video streaming is important, be careful about switching ROMs.

Suggestions for a new KF user?

Hello all,
Long time member of XDA, and love of android devices.
I just got a KF and am pretty excited to see what this thing can do.
I am interested in rooting it, mainly for all my android games that I have but dont want to lose any features.
So far this sounds like CM7 is the way to go due to no HD on CM9?
However by rooting I lose the Amazon interface completely right? This I would maybe like due to the e-books I have as well.
Any suggestions on best ROM, kernels?
Recommended Recoverys/root methods?
Thanks!

+1 on best rooting method. I get mine Wed.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=23537660&postcount=1011

Rooting Basics
ssmercurys said:
Hello all,
Long time member of XDA, and love of android devices.
I just got a KF and am pretty excited to see what this thing can do.
I am interested in rooting it, mainly for all my android games that I have but dont want to lose any features.
So far this sounds like CM7 is the way to go due to no HD on CM9?
However by rooting I lose the Amazon interface completely right? This I would maybe like due to the e-books I have as well.
Any suggestions on best ROM, kernels?
Recommended Recoverys/root methods?
:
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds like you want to have your cake and eat it too!
Well you can, sort of.
Rooting the Fire by itself, doesn't remove the kindle interface, although it does affect the ability to buy or watch a movie from Amazon unless you temporarily unroot the device, which is easy to do with an unroot app. What rooting does is give you control over the Fire so you can download from other markets other than Amazon and install other Android roms.
Even using the stock Kindle you can read other books on it. I use a program on my win PC,Calibre, to download and convert other books onto the kindle, works great.
But, not as much fun as installing and playing around with other roms. Using a good recovery program like TWRP, will let you backup and restore both the stock Kindle any any of the other Android versions you install. The KFU program link in post #3 in this thread is a good start to get your device rooted, new boot program, and recovery program. I did mine without it, step by step, but it sounds pretty easy and reliable. I would suggest reading up on it first though.
I'm using the rooted stock kindle, Cyanogenmod 7, and the Energy version of ICS. It has a few bugs, no video hardware assist but other than that runs well. The key is being able to backup and restore, so if you don't like one version, you just go back to another.

my expiriences
Personally ive installed a couple Roms cm7 being my favorite but I reverted back to the of stock Rom and just use go launcher ex. Rooting is worth it if you don't have amazon prime but if you do the amazon instant video is a loss but with the android market installed then you can still buy movies with that. Twrp is also needed but my favorite is simple changing the annoying rotating wallpaper.

I'm new to the Kindle Fire party as well... I managed to use the Kindle Fire Utility to perm root, install TWRP, and then FireFireFire. Following that, I installed the CM7 rom by Whistlestop and it seems to be running fine so far.
My only question is this:
Since I just got my Kindle Fire, I have Amazon Prime and want to use instant video. Is there any easy way to get instant video running on the CM7 Kindle Fire? I understand the need and method to hide root or temporarily unroot, but I've seen posts saying install some amazon account stuff, then the app.
Are there any simple steps to take in order to do this properly and watch my amazon prime instant videos on cm7?
( example: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1347745 )

I have joined the ranks of the kindle fire with the 139 deal. I was about to drop on a ipad2 3g referb but jumped on the KF. I'm looking to root and install the go lanucher Ex and Play store.
My questions
1. How is the stock KF on battery life compaired to the CM7 rom?
2. I love how my Galaxy S2 functions and way to recreate that on the KF?