How To Prevent Kindle Fire 6.2.1 Update - Kindle Fire General

Posted this on Gizmodo last night - not sure if people would still find it useful.
http://gizmodo.com/5870339/how-to-keep-your-kindle-fire-rooted-and-update+free
Bascially: just install DroidWall and whitelist the applications you want to give access to. Even though I would rather do this for now, TWRP + 6.2.1 w/built in su does seem tempting though.

this has already been posted to the XDA forums....
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=20599145&postcount=13

krelvinaz said:
this has already been posted to the XDA forums....
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=20599145&postcount=13
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Click to collapse
I was the first one to post about it.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=20569169&postcount=221
My post count was too small to create a standalone post or insert URLs.
And actually, zirooo just copied and pasted my Gizmodo article, although he did include a helpful image.

You would have to block all amazon services including video, store, etc.
It might be easier to turn off the wifi.

LukeQr said:
You would have to block all amazon services including video, store, etc.
It might be easier to turn off the wifi.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, you can selectively choose Video and Appstore. Enabling those did not cause the update to download.

The only way to know for sure would be to use the device for a couple days as many suggested blocks didn't show them selves to be ineffectual until a number of days went by.

Well here is why I think this one works for real:
Before installing DroidWall, the instant my Kindle would connect to Wi-fi, my bandwidth would spike to 600kbps (as per my Tomato router). There were no other applications that would be running, so I attributed that to the update. After installing DroidWall, the massive spike ceased.

Related

Ad-Free Android since Official 2.2

Originally I was on stock 2.1 rooted with the official update and ad-free android was working fine. The other day I used kies mini to get the official 2.2 froyo update as per tmobile's instructions, then I re-rooted with super one click. All my root only apps are working fine and able to get SU permissions, including ad-free android. I run ad-free android like I always have and it just doesn't block any ads at all, neither in apps or on the web.
I've search the forums for days but can't make sense of any of the threads that seem related.
Hoping someone can put me on the right track.
So far I have tried:
1. Reverting, and redownloading/reapplying hosts. (Within ad-free android.)
2. Uninstalling, rebooting, and reinstalling.
And to summarize my state, I'm stock 2.2 with root and the only root apps I have are wifi tether, barnacle and ad-free android and they all report getting superuser permissions successfully.
It was doing this for me too. I would check for host updates but it would say they are the latest and still would not.block ads. A reinstall, update of hosts file and reboot worked for me though.
So I have to play devils advocate but why block the ad's. I realize that they can be annoying but after listening to droid cast and following some of the app dev's on twitter I can say that I no longer use them.
Biggest reason to not use an ad blocker is to support your dev's otherwise they go to the apple side to make more money.
But anyway like the other user said make sure you have the most up todate files. then It will work.
also tried:
3: settings/manage apps/clear data
-Uninstall, reboot, reinstall, redownload/apply hosts
-reboot, still ads
hazard99 said:
So I have to play devils advocate but why block the ad's. I realize that they can be annoying but after listening to droid cast and following some of the app dev's on twitter I can say that I no longer use them.
Biggest reason to not use an ad blocker is to support your dev's otherwise they go to the apple side to make more money.
But anyway like the other user said make sure you have the most up todate files. then It will work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I want to block ads on websites primarily, and also block ads in angry birds, which I've already paid for on iPod touch.
But ya I tried all that and it still doesn't block ads. It's very weird. It says it's all set and up to date, but no ads anywhere are blocked.
hazard99 said:
So I have to play devils advocate but why block the ad's. I realize that they can be annoying but after listening to droid cast and following some of the app dev's on twitter I can say that I no longer use them.
Biggest reason to not use an ad blocker is to support your dev's otherwise they go to the apple side to make more money.
But anyway like the other user said make sure you have the most up todate files. then It will work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, I only care about ads on websites that are misplaced and horribly annoying (flash ad's come to mind). I don't mind having ad's in apps/games that are free.
I use adblock + flashblock on Firefox because of my reasons above, however I do let ad's on certain sites load to support the site owner (xda and teamwhiskey sites for example). I don't mind ad's like google adsense which aren't really annoying, but some sites just overkill on the ad's and force me to block them.
I think I figured it out, my /system directory was 100% full.
I used root uninstaller (free from market, by "android text") to remove telenav gps then reinstalled ad-free and now it's all good.
Hope it helps someone else.
This begs the question though as to why my /system is 100% full.

[Q] Anyone know what ADCP does?

I notice there's always a system process called ADCP running, I think it stood for Amazon Device Control Program. Anyone investigated what it does and what happens if you disable it? I'm wondering if it's involved in any way with the OTA updates, and also what ramification disabling it has, like will the various Amazon programs not work right? I've not been adventurous enough to experiment with, in fact I've got my wifi off for now until it's clear whether the OTA update can be blocked by the methods discussed here.
jb0ne said:
I notice there's always a system process called ADCP running, I think it stood for Amazon Device Control Program. Anyone investigated what it does and what happens if you disable it? I'm wondering if it's involved in any way with the OTA updates, and also what ramification disabling it has, like will the various Amazon programs not work right? I've not been adventurous enough to experiment with, in fact I've got my wifi off for now until it's clear whether the OTA update can be blocked by the methods discussed here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
check this out
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=20166149&postcount=1
essentially it connects the amazon apps to the kindle registration
I'm suspicious, I suspect it does more, and is the thing responsible for the OTA updates everyone is getting no matter what they do....
I really want to try and freeze it, but too afraid that it might actually be necessary...
Well I installed Droidwall and didn't give permissions to ADCP and so far my device is still registered and I can watch videos and use my books, can use the Amazon App Store (I gave it permissions, I don't think it's the program responsible). I've effectively disabled ADCP by not allowing it to connect to the internet, but it's still running in case it does, say, DRM services or something. All good and still on 6.2 (and I did do the other suggestions previously).
jb0ne said:
Well I installed Droidwall and didn't give permissions to ADCP and so far my device is still registered and I can watch videos and use my books, can use the Amazon App Store (I gave it permissions, I don't think it's the program responsible). I've effectively disabled ADCP by not allowing it to connect to the internet, but it's still running in case it does, say, DRM services or something. All good and still on 6.2 (and I did do the other suggestions previously).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad it worked for someone else too. I am not sure which process is actually responsible for downloading and installing the update though.
EDIT: Oh, I didn't post about DroidWall in this forum. I figured out DroidWall last night and we posted on Gizmodo about it.
An important element I overlooked, even after adding apps to the whitelist, you have to go back to Menu and enable firewall. It's NOT enabled by default even if you change whitelist apps. Even though I had it not running firewall until 10 minutes ago, I hadn't received update. Maybe moving otacerts.zip stopped it....
jb0ne said:
I'm suspicious, I suspect it does more, and is the thing responsible for the OTA updates everyone is getting no matter what they do....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I installed ADCP on CM7 when I was trying to find a way to get amazon video working. It brings up the page to register your kindle, but it never seemed to work right on CM7. There's a different apk for the OTA update, if I remember correctly.
You could put /system/etc/security/otacerts.zip back in and see if ADCP then lets your register your kindle.

Useful Prevention Tools For Amazon Updates, Non Root Users

WARNING: NEW UPDATE (14/13.3.2.3) ROLLING OUT, I ADVISE NOT USING THESE METHODS FOR NOW IN RISK OF ACCIDENTALLY UPDATING. STICK TO AIRPLANE MODE AND WIFI OFF FOR NOW. USE THESE METHODS AT YOUR OWN RISK. Thanks to Faznx92 for the update notice.
Alright guys, I believe I have found a decent way on how to prevent Amazon updates while using the device. Some may have done this but maybe haven't mentioned these methods because I have never found a thread on this. If you have other ways to block Amazon's updates, please don't hesitate to post! This is to help you and me, all ideas are welcome
1. Blocking WiFi
I found a neat app on the Google Play store that allows you to block inbound and outbound WiFi transmissions, (or you could just turn off the WiFi yourself, but hey, are you fast enough?). It is called "Net Blocker". Upon starting the application, select every Amazon application (including settings, which is the gear icon) and check the mobile and wifi boxes. You should see the wifi and mobile icons disappear next to the application names. One more important application to disable is your current LAUNCHER. This way the WiFi/Mobile Data is disabled when using the launcher. The WiFi/Mobile Data will be re-enabled if you go on an application that isn't blocked. EX: If you are using Silk Browser (with WiFi/Mobile Data enabled), and hit the home screen (with launcher WiFi/Mobile Data disabled), the WiFi/Mobile Data will disable on its own, since you blocked the launcher.
2. WiFi Timer
Amazon likes to be a butthole and likes to update while you sleep. This app is called "Wifi Timer", which is on Google Play, that allows you to set a schedule when you want your WiFi on or off (or you could just turn off your kindle and not use it). Just add a schedule, select all the days of the week, and where it says "stop wifi" set the time whatever time you go to sleep. It should disable the WiFi at that time if not already disabled by Net Blocker. (Just to be really safe, set a bunch of schedules during the night to disable WiFi) (Also I don't know much about what happens in the background during the update process, but if the application is still running in the background, I'm sure that the WiFi would turn off during the downloading process if your schedule turns the WiFi off. But Amazon probably closes all the running applications before starting the update process so that nothing interferes with it.
I must state that these methods are a tad bit risky (for now). A big flaw in these WiFi methods is the Kindle's feature on remembering the WiFi's password, EX: When the Kindle Update starts, it will search for your saved WiFi and automatically connect with the password it remembered. So if we can find a WiFi manager application that will purposely forget the WiFi's password so that you have to always put in the password every time you want to log in, then that will fix the flaw. Again, Amazon will probably prevent that type of application from running in danger of stopping the updates.
These applications work on the kindle. For those who want to directly download the applications from Google Play use Evozi's Apk Downloader (search for it on Google). When you get to the website copy and paste the Google Play address of the application and click download.
3. DIY Zip Dummy
There has been some debate on this method, I don't recommend this because I'm pretty sure that the kindle has it's own partition for system updates. Basically in this method you fill up you kindle's memory with a zip file full of memory to take up space "preventing" the kindle from installing anything else because of insufficient space. But I wouldn't do this, unless you do it for testing and you want to risk yourself into getting an update.
Wouldn't it be better block amazon in the router setting?
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Sj12345 said:
Wouldn't it be better block amazon in the router setting?
Sent from my LG-D800 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That was a huge error on my part, I meant to say droidwall, which is the application that requires root to block addresses and applications from wifi.
Block wifi completely when idle
I would just like to add that there are several "battery saver" apps in the kindle store that will immediately disable wifi when the devices screen is off. This way you don't have to worry about schedules at all. When the device is not in use, WIFI is off.
Despite the fact that I blocked all the Amazon stock apps- settings, kindle,etc. I can still download things. This is quite worrying, if I can download it, maybe the kindle can by itself? Maybe I am missing something, lets hope its something obvious.
ferrouskid said:
Despite the fact that I blocked all the Amazon stock apps- settings, kindle,etc. I can still download things. This is quite worrying, if I can download it, maybe the kindle can by itself? Maybe I am missing something, lets hope its something obvious.
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Click to collapse
Could it be silk browser? It is default when it comes to downloading files. Depends what application is downloading. I had no problems preventing downloads, whenever a download is launched by any application (that had the WiFi disabled) the WiFi shuts off, like the Amazon Appstore, and my browsers. Make sure to have the launcher shutdown also so nothing will connect to the internet while using the launcher.
I would just like to add that there are several "battery saver" apps in the kindle store that will immediately disable wifi when the devices screen is off. This way you don't have to worry about schedules at all. When the device is not in use, WIFI is off.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This brings up a good point, I just like having layers of protection just in case one fails
oOBubbleBoyOo said:
Could it be silk browser? It is default when it comes to downloading files. Depends what application is downloading. I had no problems preventing downloads, whenever a download is launched by any application (that had the WiFi disabled) the WiFi shuts off, like the Amazon Appstore, and my browsers. Make sure to have the launcher shutdown also so nothing will connect to the internet while using the launcher.
This brings up a good point, I just like having layers of protection just in case one fails
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try bolcking Download manager. Nothing can be downloaded without this feature.
Sent from my KFTHWI using XDA Premium HD app
I don't like seeing the same mistake happen twice. There are some good ideas here but there is only a hand full of ways to block the ota update and the most effective ones need root.​
1. Roms that removed the ota apps and functions. -root
2. Airplane mode or turning off wifi
3. Apps that block wifi or try to filter it (extremely risky)
4. Tools that disable ota. (My kfhdx utility is one example.) -root
Until we crack the thing I wouldn't joke around with firewall blocking or trying to do so (<-- the mistake I first made).
At least we have ways to block ota effectively. Requires a little patience.
btw
Notice: 14/13.3.2.3 rolling out​
Faznx92 said:
I don't like seeing the same mistake happen twice. There are some good ideas here but there is only a hand full of ways to block the ota update and the most effective ones need root.​
1. Roms that removed the ota apps and functions. -root
2. Airplane mode or turning off wifi
3. Apps that block wifi or try to filter it (extremely risky)
4. Tools that disable ota. (My kfhdx utility is one example.) -root
Until we crack the thing I wouldn't joke around with firewall blocking or trying to do so (<-- the mistake I first made).
At least we have ways to block ota effectively. Requires a little patience.
btw
Notice: 14/13.3.2.3 rolling out​
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the notice, ill update the thread with that warning before attempting these.
Also as a precaution I would recommend going to the WiFi settings and go to your nearest connections and "forget" them, that way if out of nowhere an update starts (which will never probably happen) it won't have anything automatically to connect to.

Fire TV software update 5.2.1.0 is now rolling out!

Amazon has released yesterday a New software update 5.2.1.0, for all the FireTV units:
http://www.aftvnews.com/fire-tv-software-update-5-2-1-0-is-now-rolling-out/
Some FireTV users, are already complaining that some APPs like "HBO GO/HBO NOW" (if you have Kodi/SPMC installed), "Mouse-Toggle 1.04", "Wukong Remote 1.9.0EN" and "Firestopper" now do not work at all...
Fo Realz, has mentioned on www.aftvnews.com, that after the update he can’t use "HBO NOW", unless he uninstall Kodi... Because he always get the following message:
“For security reasons the following apps must be uninstalled to use this app: Kodi”
Luckily, KODI and SPMC are still working flawlessly!!
Others users, have noticed that it looks like Amazon has changed the FireOS Font, that now it looks a bit like “Trebuchet”... And that the Remote-Control, the Wifi-Direct version, got a new update too…
It is not known yet whether this 5.2.1.0 update is Rootable or not!
Someone who has received this 5.2.1.0 update, has noticed something new or any improvements?
I just got the update yesterday as well. Netflix doesn't load properly anymore, gets stuck at 99%. Amazon videos don't play they load the video and I just see like a screenshot of the video and it doesn't play. I've lost all audio. Tried resetting, clearing cache, data, reinstalling Netflix etc.
ulises.rodriguez said:
Amazon has released yesterday a New software update 5.2.1.0, for all the FireTV units:
http://www.aftvnews.com/fire-tv-software-update-5-2-1-0-is-now-rolling-out/
Some FireTV users, are already complaining that some APPs like "HBO GO/HBO NOW" (if you have Kodi/SPMC installed), "Mouse-Toggle 1.04", "Wukong Remote 1.9.0EN" and "Firestopper" now do not work at all...
Fo Realz, has mentioned on www.aftvnews.com, that after the update he can’t use "HBO NOW", unless he uninstall Kodi... Because he always get the following message:
“For security reasons the following apps must be uninstalled to use this app: Kodi”
Luckily, KODI and SPMC are still working flawlessly!!
Others users, have noticed that it looks like Amazon has changed the FireOS Font, that now it looks a bit like “Trebuchet”... And that the Remote-Control, the Wifi-Direct version, got a new update too…
It is not known yet whether this 5.2.1.0 update is Rootable or not!
Someone who has received this 5.2.1.0 update, has noticed something new or any improvements?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you get a chance to grab the URL for this? I can start tearing apart the update to see what changed.
I'm very sceptical about the comment on my site claiming that HBO Now won't work with Kodi installed. I have not received the update myself yet, but a reader I trust has received the 5.2.1.0 update on his Fire TV 1 and says he can launch HBO Now with Kodi installed and with Kodi running in the background. He does not have an HBO Now subscription, so it's possible the message only appears when you try to play content, but he said he does not receive a message when launching the app and going to the login screen.
Wukong Mouse mode is dead on Firestick after latest OS update
Xfinity TV does not allow clicking after the update. Mouse mode is DOA. Maybe something to do with the prompt that comes up stating . "You don't have a controller" when you bring up the TVGo app. BTW I have not 'rooted' my FireStick.
Surprised you took it seriously in the first place. Obvious troll is obvious.
There's also a comment that ADBFire doesn't work. Not believing that either.
AFTVnews.com said:
I'm very sceptical about the comment on my site claiming that HBO Now won't work with Kodi installed. I have not received the update myself yet, but a reader I trust has received the 5.2.1.0 update on his Fire TV 1 and says he can launch HBO Now with Kodi installed and with Kodi running in the background. He does not have an HBO Now subscription, so it's possible the message only appears when you try to play content, but he said he does not receive a message when launching the app and going to the login screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Claude Koch said:
Surprised you took it seriously in the first place. Obvious troll is obvious.
There's also a comment that ADBFire doesn't work. Not believing that either.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well you never know. When the first couple comments started rolling in that 5.0.5.1 was removing FireStarter, my initial reaction was to assume it was a troll. I'm not going to go posting about something based on a comment or two, but I've learned my lesson to not dismiss anything entirely.
I'm curious... In theory, if I were to repack/recompile the Kodi APK into a different name and then installed on my Fire TV, would I survive an Amazon Kodi block if it were to happen? Is it really that simple to avoid a software block?
AFTVnews.com said:
Well you never know. When the first couple comments started rolling in that 5.0.5.1 was removing FireStarter, my initial reaction was to assume it was a troll. I'm not going to go posting about something based on a comment or two, but I've learned my lesson to not dismiss anything entirely.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Elias, I understand your point of view and that is precipitated taken as certain some news only based on one or two comments... But, there are many users complaining about Adb-Fire problems (that not allows applications sideloading anymore) and also problems with the Mouse-Toggle1.04 and Wukong-Remote1.9.0EN APPs, that Amazon might have changed something in this new 5.2.1.0 update.
Maybe as you already said in aftvnews.com, the issues trying to run HBO-GO or HBO-Now, with Kodi installed or running, could be "a troll comment meant to stir up concern with a false statement", however I am very worried because I'm starting to see more complaints about Netflix and Amazon Video, that are not working well after installing this update:
1 - When I watch a movie with Netflix, it don't load completely and gets stuck on 99%.
With Amazon-Videos, movie loads, but the video does not play, and does not have audio"
2 - "I am having amazon issues, and Netflix Issues stuck 99% and no audio"
3 - “Netflix doesn’t load properly anymore, gets stuck at 99%.
Amazon videos don’t play they load the video and I just see like a screenshot of the video and it doesn’t play.
I’ve lost all audio”
Since I still have not received this new 5.2.1.0 update, I would appreciate if you could contact some users who have received it, to ask if they have experienced these strange behaviors with Netflix/Amazon-Videos, and to also confirm issues with adbfire and the sideload of apps.
Thank you Elias, for your Excellent comments, your Great AFTVnews site and always help with all our requests!!
ulises.rodriguez said:
... But, there are many users complaining about Adb-Fire problems
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
adbFire worked for me on 5.2.1.0
trek70000 said:
I'm curious... In theory, if I were to repack/recompile the Kodi APK into a different name and then installed on my Fire TV, would I survive an Amazon Kodi block if it were to happen? Is it really that simple to avoid a software block?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, currently Amazon is only blacklisting apps by package name. FireStarter and FiredTV are the only two apps on the list as of the 5.0.5.1 updated. I haven't received the 5.2.1.0 update yet, so I don't know if the list has changed, but several people have said Kodi installs/runs fine on 5.2.1.0
---------- Post added at 11:13 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:09 AM ----------
ulises.rodriguez said:
Elias, I understand your point of view and that is precipitated taken as certain some news only based on one or two comments... But, there are many users complaining about Adb-Fire problems (that not allows applications sideloading anymore) and also problems with the Mouse-Toggle1.04 and Wukong-Remote1.9.0EN APPs, that Amazon might have changed something in this new 5.2.1.0 update.
Maybe as you already said in aftvnews.com, the issues trying to run HBO-GO or HBO-Now, with Kodi installed or running, could be "a troll comment meant to stir up concern with a false statement", however I am very worried because I'm starting to see more complaints about Netflix and Amazon Video, that are not working well after installing this update:
1 - When I watch a movie with Netflix, it don't load completely and gets stuck on 99%.
With Amazon-Videos, movie loads, but the video does not play, and does not have audio"
2 - "I am having amazon issues, and Netflix Issues stuck 99% and no audio"
3 - “Netflix doesn’t load properly anymore, gets stuck at 99%.
Amazon videos don’t play they load the video and I just see like a screenshot of the video and it doesn’t play.
I’ve lost all audio”
Since I still have not received this new 5.2.1.0 update, I would appreciate if you could contact some users who have received it, to ask if they have experienced these strange behaviors with Netflix/Amazon-Videos, and to also confirm issues with adbfire and the sideload of apps.
Thank you Elias, for your Excellent comments, your Great AFTVnews site and always help with all our requests!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's very tedious and slow to check/verify update changes by contacting people who have already received the update. I just keep a list of all the issues I've heard about and check them myself once I receive the update. I'd rather be a few days late with postings than be inaccurate because information is being relayed to me.
AFTVnews.com said:
Yes, currently Amazon is only blacklisting apps by package name. FireStarter and FiredTV are the only two apps on the list as of the 5.0.5.1 updated. I haven't received the 5.2.1.0 update yet, so I don't know if the list has changed, but several people have said Kodi installs/runs fine on 5.2.1.0
---------- Post added at 11:13 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:09 AM ----------
It's very tedious and slow to check/verify update changes by contacting people who have already received the update. I just keep a list of all the issues I've heard about and check them myself once I receive the update. I'd rather be a few days late with postings than be inaccurate because information is being relayed to me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I totally agree, it is very tedious and time consuming too, trying to contact users who already have received this 5.2.1.0.update.
I meant to get in contact with only known and trusted users, that have received the new update, as you already did with the user who confirmed that he had not received any safety message launching HBO-NOW, with Kodi installed or running.
However, maybe you're right, it is better to keep a list of all problems reported and once you receive the update, check to see if they are true or not...
I really hope that in a couple of days after receiving this update, you will have the time to write a full review in AFTVnews.com, about the negative things and also the new features of this 5.2.1.0 update.
Deleted post
I'm from Germany and I received the 5.2.1.0 update on my Fire TV Generation 1. After this Update the aftvnews.com Update blocking methode 2 isn't working anymore. No Feedback from adb when I send the command. My 2nd device, a Fire Stick hasn't got the update to 5.2.1.0, and there the blocking Methode works I think, because adb shows a Feedback after sending the command.
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harlekinade said:
@aftvnews: Just as a small critique (well - thats how it started out, anyways... ) - when people looked at you in the past to provide context, this is what they got as first responses in return.
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Click to collapse
First off, thank you for posting this long and detailed criticism. Feedback, even negative feedback, is always welcome. I'll respond inline.
- When Firestarter first stopped working - it was pronounced by you "probably just an incompatibility issue".
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Click to collapse
I did not say "probably." I said "one theory is." There's a distinct difference. At that point nobody knew why FireStarter wasn't working yet. I hadn't even received the software update yet (which I pointed out), but thought people would like to know sooner rather than later that the update was causing some unknown issue with FireStarter. I'd love to have weeks with an update to fully dissect it before posting anything about it, but by then it would be too late for many people to avoid the update if they suddenly want to.
- When Amazon started blacklisting apps and banning Firestarter you first repeated the same notion, then celebrated Amazon for providing "their own launcher" and therefore "making it easier for most people". And only afterwarts wrote about the issues it created, also for the company itself (reputation damage).
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Click to collapse
The first thing I wrote about the 5.0.5.1 update was that sideloaded apps were added to the home screen and there was a quicker way to get to apps. That's what Amazon told us about the update so that's what I reported. Nobody had any idea apps were blacklisted at that point. I didn't first write about app banning and "then celebrate Amazon" like you say.
- When people asked you why to root Fire TVs, you "couldnt tell them, because everyone is different" - nfts support (circumventing the 4GB filesize limit), running a smb server, using VPN services (currently also possible without - but generally speaking), blocking software updates, using open APIs or a web interface to control the device -- are all usecases I'd argue most people should know about that are possible by now - even though Amazon put in extra effort to specifically take them out of base Android one by one. So by glancing over those - you actually follow Amazons product politics once more -
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I assume you're referring to when people ask about why they should root in the Q&A portion of my podcast. That question comes up nearly every week and if I listed all the reasons why someone would root in every episode it would not be interesting to the listeners. Heck, if I listed and talked about just the things you mention above, which is still just a small portion of the reasons to root, it would take up the entire time I allocate to Q&A. If you want to compile a full list of all the reasons to root and keep it up to date with links to guides, I'd love to point people to it every single time this question comes up. But nobody, including myself, has created such a list because it would be very time consuming to create and maintain.
- to put it out in the open, I have a problem with you having become the gatekeeper of most information in the Fire TV ecosystem.
Is saw german mainstream technology outlets copying your first statements on issues verbetum - even if they turned out to be beside the point (as in the blacklist issue case)
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Other websites not covering the Fire TV more or not doing their own research is out of my control.
and I ultimately hold you personally responsible for Amazon being able to --
Put blacklist routines into Android, uninstalling apps from their users devices - which they dont like because of anti competitive reasons - and allowing them to spin this feat to be just something thats "easier for the user".
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Holding me personally responsible for that is just plain stupid.
You maybe single handedly prevented the "Amazon uninstalls its users Apps" headline and made it a "Great new feature" story.
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You over estimate how much influence I have over other tech blogs. Every time Amazon does something negative to Fire TV owners, I contact numerous tech blogs to let them know. They simply don't care. It's not newsworthy to them. The issue isn't that the headlines were "Great new feature," it's that there were no headlines at all outside of my site.
I also hold you responsible for maintaining an atmosphere where every slight new feature, change, or tidbit Amazon "creates" gets received with unfiltered optimism first ("cheerleading"). Even down to overly detailed changelog analyses that are made to be seen as newsworthy - just because they are something new to report on. Something of general interest to your audience.
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I'm sorry everything I write about isn't newsworthy to you. I write about what I find interesting. It's not that I think everything Amazon does is worth cheering about, it's that I don't write about things I don't think are interesting. It might be a shock to you, but a headline like "Amazon did a thing that you shouldn't care about" is not at the top of my list of articles to write.
When you made them care more about ES File explorer (by pronouncing it "the easiest way") than if adb (which was first limited, then got puposely rewritten (?)) actually remains usable for things not predetermined by Amazon - you did this entire community a disservice.
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I didn't "make" anyone do anything. My sideloading guide lists 7 methods. The ES File Explorer method is by the the preferred method by most for obvious reasons. The fact is ADB is confusing to many people. A GUI, even if limited, is usually preferred by most. Hence the popularity of utilities like adbFire before ES File Explorer was even an option.
When you let tutorials regularly get pushed off of the front page of your blog by 12 times the "Amazon echo appreciation messages" - something important changed - combining the "how to tinker with the device" angle with the actual product messaging of the manufacturer - created a hybrid that I'd argue actually resembles a frankensteins monster that produced more harm than good.
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If you're saying I deliberately push guides off the front page, that's just stupid. I cannot control when something newsworthy happens. If something happens that results in a bunch of posts right after I release a guide, that's out of my control. I'm not going to hold back news just because I wrote a guide.
You managed to commercialize most aspects of device hacking, for - and mostly in the name of the company that produced the device - while Amazon itself promoted a purely anti right to modifications message at the same time. You tried to moderate this conflict - and somehow it never quite worked.
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If I didn't make money from the website through ads, it wouldn't exist. Not in the same capacity at least. The same way XDA wouldn't exists if it didn't have ads to make money off of device hacking. If you have an issue with me turning my hobby of tinkering into a means to support my family, then so be it.
When Amazon put the blacklist into the Fire TV firmwares - you werent the person that first discovered the database entries - they were reported (In here or on your comments section) and you picked it up - but now you are promoting yourself to be the person we should look at for a confirmation if Amazon has added new entries to their blacklist, or if they didn't.
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I never took credit for discovering the blacklist. I said "XDA forum member jkchr1s has discovered that FireStarter is being explicitly disabled by name" in my post and linked to his XDA post. jkchr1s and I were going back and forth via XDA private messages trying to locate the, at the time, theoretical blacklist. He explicitly asked me to not credit him with certain things, so I left some things vague.
I am not "promoting" myself to be "the person we should look at" for anything. It's simply a fact that I'm in a position to be the first one to know if the blacklist has been updated, since I know where to look and I have several Fire TVs and Fire TV Sticks dedicated for the sole purpose of capturing the update package to pass along to rbox.
Something about all of this just feels wrong. You were more a Steward of public opinion towards your cause (a world where a advertising message can stand eye to eye to a "how to intall Kodi" tutorial - ) and at least created an information silo - that kept out certain aspects of what is possible, or what happened in the past, and overemphasized others (I see ES File Explorer use as a real problem to people learning better ways of interacting with their devices, f.e.) at least I don't agree with.
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I agree that learning ADB is far superior to any GUI like ES File Explorer. The only guides where ES File Explorer comes up is when I write "no pc needed" guides for rooting and sideloading, since those two topics are the most popular types of guides. But for every "no pc needed" guide I have ever written, there was always first an equivalent guide posted that did everything with just ADB.
Now that the hype is mostly over, Firestarter is no more and we are gossiping whos next on Amazons in Android blacklist - where do we actually stand considering discoverability of methods or tutorials, do we understand the actions Amazon has taken, do we promote best practices - and do you - for example know - why not letting Amazon blacklist Kodi is actually important?
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Despite what you think, I don't control the future of FireStarter, the actions Amazon has or will take, or where the Fire TV community stands.
You take both sides on this issue as well - why? And when you, a few months from know - write your article about how it was actually necessary and beneficial to the average user - will you still be part of this community? Or do you just want to feature its work? And tell your readers to mostly use Alexa ("the service economy"), just because it is there by default.
Hey - and buy an "order from Amazon" WiFi button for 20USD while you are at it, because maybe one day you will be able to launch an App on the Fire TV with it. Great pitch.
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I don't "take both sides on an issue", but I do try to explain both sides of an issue. When Amazon does something the community thinks is negative, I don't blindly defend their actions. I do give my opinion on why I think they chose to do what they did, regardless of whether I agree or disagree with it. There is a distinct difference.
I've hid my reply to the comments that were deleted to help clean up this thread.
@harlekinade
So your old account was banned? And you decided to come right back in here with your obvious rants now directed at the main person who keeps this community going? Good job dude.
Biggest question (for us "pros") is actually: Is root (and downgrade) still possible on the fire tv 4ks that ship with that firmware?!
harlekinade said:
I'm glad to see that the posting got some kind of of recognition, I'll take some time reading through the responses and give another rebuttal in the following days.
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If you do reply, I encourage you to do it in a new thread and link to the posts in this thread as reference because discussions of your opinion of me and my site do not belong in a thread about a Fire TV software update. This is potentially an important thread (depending on what is discovered in the update), so it should not be cluttered with off-topic conversations. I absolutely will no longer reply to you in this thread regarding myself or my website.
zroice said:
Biggest question (for us "pros") is actually: Is root (and downgrade) still possible on the fire tv 4ks that ship with that firmware?!
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I don't know if anyone whos gotten it yet has confirmed if the preloader hack is still active.
harlekinade said:
@aftvnews:
.
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Dude, quit it. No one's reading your responses, you're acting like a sorry little git. If the mods bothered to read these, expect your second ban real soon. Quit starting fights and leave everyone alone.

Google Books: no basket/cart so can't buy books.

Using gbooks_10_16.apk I can search and get a book list, but nothing happens when I click a book. The basket/cart and pay apparatus is missing. Does anyone know how I can fix this?
I've also tried gb152.apk, but this doesn't seem to work at all.
I rooted with Nook Manager and then ran NTGAppsAttack (both v.050). NTGAppsAttack went fine until I clicked on Market only to find there were no apps at all anywhere. I left the Nook near my wifi, with wireless on, for hours and finally What's App appeared. I'd have preferred something simpler, but installed it anyway and then, having doubts, uninstalled via the Apps Drawer. I then upgraded the Market and installed SearchMarket, which just brings up the search keyboard. However, it finds apps, thpough only free ones, and downloads them. The Market still shows only What's App, though something else appeared briefly. There was no Books app in the Apps Drawer, so I downloaded the above versions.
caromcm said:
Using gbooks_10_16.apk I can search and get a book list, but nothing happens when I click a book. The basket/cart and pay apparatus is missing. Does anyone know how I can fix this?
I've also tried gb152.apk, but this doesn't seem to work at all.
I rooted with Nook Manager and then ran NTGAppsAttack (both v.050). NTGAppsAttack went fine until I clicked on Market only to find there were no apps at all anywhere. I left the Nook near my wifi, with wireless on, for hours and finally What's App appeared. I'd have preferred something simpler, but installed it anyway and then, having doubts, uninstalled via the Apps Drawer. I then upgraded the Market and installed SearchMarket, which just brings up the search keyboard. However, it finds apps, thpough only free ones, and downloads them. The Market still shows only What's App, though something else appeared briefly. There was no Books app in the Apps Drawer, so I downloaded the above versions.
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So just to be sure, you are using the NST?
You will see very few/no apps via the Market app. Sometimes the category list will dredge up an app or two (free), but you need SearchMarket to find anything. I think you are right about only free apps. It may be that the old apps cannot negotiate the security transactions for paid apps.
And on that topic, the non-function of the store in Gbooks is your least problem. Have you noticed that it doesn't upsync?! I and others have done a pretty thorough investigation of the various versions that will run on the NST.. The version you mention has a functioning reader but can't upsync. I think up to 1.3.5 the reader still works (going from memory here...) but no upsync. The oldest version that will currently sync is maybe 1.5.2, but only if you can get the book to actually display, which is more miss than hit.
I played with Gbooks for a long time, even though I've never used it. I don't think it's doable without a serious rewrite of the source.
If you haven't already, you'll need to update the certificates on your nook as described in this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=65344931
Some older versions of Google Books will work, but maybe not all of the features. I have Books version 1.2.2 and can download purchased books from my library, although I purchased them on other devices. You can't purchase books on the old version of the Market or the books app since our nooks don't have Google Play Services, but you should be able to download books purchased on other devices (but same account.
You won't find many compatible apps in the Market at this point, and purchased apps have to be downloaded to other devices and then side loaded to the nook (assuming they're compatible). Some older working versions of apps can be found here on XDA.
cjpicci said:
If you haven't already, you'll need to update the certificates on your nook as described in this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=65344931
Some older versions of Google Books will work, but maybe not all of the features. I have Books version 1.2.2 and can download purchased books from my library, although I purchased them on other devices. You can't purchase books on the old version of the Market or the books app since our nooks don't have Google Play Services, but you should be able to download books purchased on other devices (but same account.
You won't find many compatible apps in the Market at this point, and purchased apps have to be downloaded to other devices and then side loaded to the nook (assuming they're compatible). Some older working versions of apps can be found here on XDA.
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Click to collapse
Does your version upsync? If so can you post a copy of the apk?
nmyshkin said:
So just to be sure, you are using the NST?
You will see very few/no apps via the Market app. Sometimes the category list will dredge up an app or two (free), but you need SearchMarket to find anything. I think you are right about only free apps. It may be that the old apps cannot negotiate the security transactions for paid apps.
And on that topic, the non-function of the store in Gbooks is your least problem. Have you noticed that it doesn't upsync?! I and others have done a pretty thorough investigation of the various versions that will run on the NST.. The version you mention has a functioning reader but can't upsync. I think up to 1.3.5 the reader still works (going from memory here...) but no upsync. The oldest version that will currently sync is maybe 1.5.2, but only if you can get the book to actually display, which is more miss than hit.
I played with Gbooks for a long time, even though I've never used it. I don't think it's doable without a serious rewrite of the source.
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Click to collapse
Yes, I'm using the NST. I haven't looked at syncing because as I understand it this is just a question of convenience when reading on multiple devices, which is not my aim. I just want to get books onto the Nook. Many thanks.
cjpicci said:
If you haven't already, you'll need to update the certificates on your nook as described in this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=65344931
Some older versions of Google Books will work, but maybe not all of the features. I have Books version 1.2.2 and can download purchased books from my library, although I purchased them on other devices. You can't purchase books on the old version of the Market or the books app since our nooks don't have Google Play Services, but you should be able to download books purchased on other devices (but same account.
You won't find many compatible apps in the Market at this point, and purchased apps have to be downloaded to other devices and then side loaded to the nook (assuming they're compatible). Some older working versions of apps can be found here on XDA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Many thanks. This is very interesting, but I'll have to wrap a wet towel round my head before going back to the thread you suggest! Too late at night now.
nmyshkin said:
Does your version upsync? If so can you post a copy of the apk?
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It seems to upsync last read pages, roughly anyway since the formatting varies for different devices. Since this old version doesn't support anything like notes or highlights, I'm not sure what else it could sync.
What's the best/most practical way to share files on xda? While I've been lurking for quite some time, I only created an account fairly recently.
cjpicci said:
It seems to upsync last read pages, roughly anyway since the formatting varies for different devices. Since this old version doesn't support anything like notes or highlights, I'm not sure what else it could sync.
What's the best/most practical way to share files on xda? While I've been lurking for quite some time, I only created an account fairly recently.
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You can attach the apk file using the options below as you compose your reply or if you're not able to do that yet you can provide a link to any safe place where you can store a copy (Dropbox, etc.) so that people can access the file.
This is sort of amazing. I've never run into a version number like that and am really curious to see what it can do. Casual reading and syncing are all I would care about.
nmyshkin said:
You can attach the apk file using the options below as you compose your reply or if you're not able to do that yet you can provide a link to any safe place where you can store a copy (Dropbox, etc.) so that people can access the file.
This is sort of amazing. I've never run into a version number like that and am really curious to see what it can do. Casual reading and syncing are all I would care about.
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Click to collapse
I've solved my problem now. I've been trying to download books from Google, first to my NookST and then to my laptop. But I'm running 32-bit Linux on my laptop and Google, like Adobe, seems determined to exclude Linux from the world of ebooks. So I downloaded to my Android phone and was quite surprised when the book also appeared on my Nook. I was offered the option of syncing, but decided not to be too ambitious in case it caused problems with the rather old Nook software.
It may have helped that I did all the NTGAppsAttack process on my Nook (I didn't want to go to the laptop because of the Linux problem). After I typed in my phone number I first tried to confirm on the phone and, when that didn't work, typed in the confirm number on my Nook. So perhaps the 2 devices finally got quite firmly linked.
I'll have a go at attaching the Google Books version I'm using, gbooks_10_16.apk.
I got it from another post on this forum. The reader works well but doesn't have a search facility.
nmyshkin said:
You can attach the apk file using the options below as you compose your reply or if you're not able to do that yet you can provide a link to any safe place where you can store a copy (Dropbox, etc.) so that people can access the file.
This is sort of amazing. I've never run into a version number like that and am really curious to see what it can do. Casual reading and syncing are all I would care about.
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Click to collapse
Here's the md5 for the attached file generated by Android File Verifier:
bde6462cde86e0521d0b78270e11adb4
I think I probably got this apk when it was posted a long time ago, but I can't remember for sure. I just let Lookout scan it again and it came up "safe", for whatever that's worth.
cjpicci said:
Here's the md5 for the attached file generated by Android File Verifier:
bde6462cde86e0521d0b78270e11adb4
I think I probably got this apk when it was posted a long time ago, but I can't remember for sure. I just let Lookout scan it again and it came up "safe", for whatever that's worth.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well done!! People have been searching for a version of GBooks that would sync for years! I can confirm that this works with free books from Google as well as user-uploaded books. I don't have any books purchased from Google so could not check that.
As with other versions, it helps to have a hardware key assigned to "menu" in order to access things like font size, etc., while reading (I use a long-press of the lower right button).
This is really a great discovery. I'll have to update the various other threads with a pointer to your post.
nmyshkin said:
Well done!! People have been searching for a version of GBooks that would sync for years! I can confirm that this works with free books from Google as well as user-uploaded books. I don't have any books purchased from Google so could not check that.
As with other versions, it helps to have a hardware key assigned to "menu" in order to access things like font size, etc., while reading (I use a long-press of the lower right button).
This is really a great discovery. I'll have to update the various other threads with a pointer to your post.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad it's working for you too! I can't remember for sure, but I think this version might've been recommended by someone else before. I'll have to look through my old bookmarks...
nmyshkin said:
Well done!! People have been searching for a version of GBooks that would sync for years! I can confirm that this works with free books from Google as well as user-uploaded books. I don't have any books purchased from Google so could not check that.
As with other versions, it helps to have a hardware key assigned to "menu" in order to access things like font size, etc., while reading (I use a long-press of the lower right button).
This is really a great discovery. I'll have to update the various other threads with a pointer to your post.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for all the info, guys. Second time you've steered me in the right direction, nmyshkin. NB Attaching the apk file was difficult because the process was incredibly slow (and not even a whirligig). Lots of notices about scripts that had stalled. I'm running Linux Mint 17 (Cinnamon) 32-bit; browser is Firefox.

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