Database Users

Ugh...makes me sick

So here is some d-bag trying to make a profit off the hard work of the people here and on other dev sites. He is asking for $250 for the Fire.
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/wsh/ele/2845733190.html
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I am selling a Kindle Fire with Android 4.0.3 on it. It works wonderfully and is in great shape. It has only been opened to be rooted and have android installed on it. The special recovery software is installed as well incase you try to change anything in the future and it messes it up, all youll have to do is restore it, and your back to the Kindle Fire operating system. It is basically a fully functional tablet like all the others without the camera or bluetooth. Youtube, gmail, bookmarks, google, the browser, android marketplace, and all the widgets work perfectly as if it came out of the box this way. That is the reason I am selling it for over $200, because it has so much more to offer rather than the standard Kindle Fire. If your interested, you can call or text me 651-500-5554. I would be willing to walk you through how to work it all and how to recover it incase you ever have a problem. I would also be willing to trade it for a HP Touchpad.
Keywords: Kindle, Kindle Fire, Android, 4.0, Asus, Transformer, Samsung, Galaxy, Motorola, Blackberry, Nook, Nook Color, Nook Tablet, Kindle Keyboard, 3G, Wi-fi, 3.2, Honeycomb, ICS, Ice Cream Sandwich, Froyo
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If you're a dev for the Fire or you support the community, feel free to give this a-hole a call and let him know what you think!

What's so wrong about this...? Is there something I'm not getting here?

Zombiepiratez said:
What's so wrong about this...? Is there something I'm not getting here?
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He is:
1. Selling the kindle more than you buy it for.
2. Illegally distributing the work of our developers.
Basically, it's just wrong. I would understand selling your services, but a kindle fire running ics is NOT worth 250...

jmcoffey said:
He is:
1. Selling the kindle more than you buy it for.
2. Illegally distributing the work of our developers.
Basically, it's just wrong. I would understand selling your services, but a kindle fire running ics is NOT worth 250...
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I guess. I didn't know distributing software on a device you're selling was illegal. But I can definitely understand the not worth $250 thing.

If I were to ever sell mine I would ask more than you could buy a new one for because I put a lot of time into making it work as smooth as it does.
Nothing illegal about that it is just finding someone who is too lazy to do it themselves and making a few bucks.

There is NOTHING wrong with asking for more for a custom ROM'd device. Many people understand the shortcomings of the stock ROM, but are too hesitant to ever try a custom flash for fear of bricking it or whatever. An extra $50 for the competent efforts (which is the value added feature here) is probably a reasonable price to charge.
I wouldn't pay it because I'm comfortable with the process, but I've also invested considerable time just learning about the process myself before ever attempting a ROM flash.
He is selling his service of having put it onto the device.

Honestly, a person is allowed to ask what they want for the item they're selling. If I don't agree with the price being asked, I negotiate a price I'm comfortable with or move on. Doesn't make that person a con. As for making a buck off developers work, that's the drawback of an open source software - akin to someone selling a PC with Linux on it. Just my 2 cents. But I agree - I wouldn't pay that for the kindle fire personally when you can get one for $199 and do the work yourself.
Sent from my Amazon Kindle Fire using Tapatalk

jmcoffey said:
He is:
1. Selling the kindle more than you buy it for.
2. Illegally distributing the work of our developers.
Basically, it's just wrong. I would understand selling your services, but a kindle fire running ics is NOT worth 250...
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Click to collapse
1. How is that wrong? If the person buying it is willing to pay $250 where is the harm?
2. Illegal????? Android is open source people can freely distribute it.

Then don't buy it......
Sent from my PG86100 using xda premium

Zombiepiratez said:
What's so wrong about this...? Is there something I'm not getting here?
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Click to collapse
Exactly what I was gonna say. I charge people 40-60 bucks on Craigslist to root, and place a custom ROM on their device. There is absolutely nothing wrong with what he is doing and I would venture to say that the OP is just jealous. Lol.

IRIE4IPIER said:
Exactly what I was gonna say. I charge people 40-60 bucks on Craigslist to root, and place a custom ROM on their device. There is absolutely nothing wrong with what he is doing and I would venture to say that the OP is just jealous. Lol.
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Nah, not jealous as I could easily do what he is doing. So your ventured guess is completely wrong.
I guess perhaps I'm the only one then who has a problem with someone abusing that hard work devs put into doing these hacks and custom roms for us by charging money and misrepresenting what they are selling...like this a-hole doesn't say that video doesn't work very well, that it is an alpha build of ICS, etc.
I'm stunned how many on here "support" this type of behavior. My faith in humanity just continues to go downhill...morals...ethics...decency...who needs that ****? Oh well...

So because we don't agree with you, we are automatically siding with the person selling the tablet????
Hes not selling the software, hes selling the tablet that hes rooted, flashed, etc.. hence the higher price. Hes not doing anything illegal.
If i didnt know anything about rooting, flashing, etc.. I would look for one that was pre-flashed to save me the hassle of possibly bricking the tablet in the process, its not so black and white as you think it is.
If he was just selling the firmware and the tools to do it then he would be 100% in the wrong.

ArcticFox said:
So because we don't agree with you, we are automatically siding with the person selling the tablet????
Hes not selling the software, hes selling the tablet that hes rooted, flashed, etc.. hence the higher price. Hes not doing anything illegal.
If i didnt know anything about rooting, flashing, etc.. I would look for one that was pre-flashed to save me the hassle of possibly bricking the tablet in the process, its not so black and white as you think it is.
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Click to collapse
Actually you are making it black and white with only an understanding that if it is not illegal then it is perfectly okay and if it is illegal then there is a problem. If anything, I'm viewing it in the shades of gray by saying that, while not illegal, it is reprehensible.
Anyway, like I said...forget I posted this. It appears I am "in the wrong" with the majority and I should never have even considered that others might also have a problem with it. Silly me...I will proceed to clean the egg off my face.

ArcticFox said:
1. How is that wrong? If the person buying it is willing to pay $250 where is the harm?
2. Illegal????? Android is open source people can freely distribute it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Perhaps illegal was the wrong choice of words. how about immoral. I understand that some people can not install custom roms on their own, but i do not believe that installing a rom is worth $50. That's just my two cents.

Well I don't think it's worth $50 because I can do it myself for free. And part of the fun is hacking into it and customizing it the way you want it.
However, if I knew nothing about this stuff (and lets face it, the average user doesn't) then I would say $50 is about right.
Look at it this way. He is not selling the ROM or software, he is selling his services. If he put up an ad offering to root and install a custom ROM on the KF for $50, would that be a problem?
I don't think so.

I don't see what's so wrong about it. He's doing a service for people and in no way harming the development of this device. It's no different from someone buying a car, fixing it up, and reselling it at a higher value.
This may be a valid issue if he's claiming the work to be his own which he is not.

If some people are too lazy to spend 30min rooting the KF, just let them spend the extra 50$ on it
Theres nothing wrong with the seller, but I cant say the same for the buyer tho lol

Nobody knows.... Maybe this guy has made a donation to the developers of the software he uses
Sent from my PG86100 using xda premium

I live in Jakarta, Indonesia, and the price for new kindle fire is almost US$300 a piece, then if you want to have it rooted, install custom ROM and others, you would surely have to pay $30-$50 more. I do my own rooting and other stuff because I am comfortable with the technical stuff, other people who are not comfortable will surely be happy to pay for the service

I work for a software company that sells and supports only GPL-ed software. Our licenses to our customers start in the low 5-figures of US$ - a year. There is nothing immoral about it, and the licenses we have from upstream developers permit this business activity provided we follow the terms of the license (including providing source code on demand to our customers).
So, in my view, the ethics of the situation are a matter of respecting the licenses under which the developers make their ROMS and other software available to us, and the sticking to the terms of those licenses regarding redistribution.
Unfortunately, it appears that most developers in this area don't state their intent for redistribution, or protect themselves and their software by stating that there's a specific license. On the other hand, one sees a fair amount of software from the Android Market that does have licenses such as the GPL. That's regardless of whether the software is "payfer" or "free beer".
Lacking that, I don't see why someone like the guy reselling the modified Kindle couldn't just drop a line to the developer in question. Even without a statement from the developer, he still retains copyright for his own work.
- Ed

Amazon To Begin Selling Ad Space On Kindle Fire’s Welcome Screen For $600,000

Amazon is going to start selling adspace on there Kindle's now that they have sold millions. If you are using the default rom, you will start to see intrusive and annoying ad's. It would also make sense they may lock the boot loader for the ad to appear for a full two months.
In a smart and most likely controversial move, Amazon has just announced the ability to purchase ad space on their popular Kindle Fire tablets. For $600,000, your ad will be displayed on the boot-up screen of every Kindle Fire for 2 full months. This business model could prove to be a great way to offer high-end tablets at a much lower price given the manufacturer is willing to make up the costs of production in ad sales. It’s surprising that Google themselves have not already put this into action, but with Google I/O 2012 just a little over a month away, it wouldn’t be too surprising to see the big “G” follow suit.
The details have yet to be fully ironed out and many questions and concerns have already made some noise on the matter. So is Amazon going to incorporate this change on all existing and new tablets or will this just be for the new adopters? I kind of feel like it’s a little late in the game for Amazon to all of a sudden make this change for current Kindle Fire owners. You have been enjoying an ad free experience this whole time and all of a sudden you are going to be bombarded with ads, something most of you I am sure did not sign up for from the start. Sadly, this is the new reality if we are to get products at low cost or even free. Take apps in the Google Play Store, for instance. We all have downloaded a free app in the past that was ad free and then updated to a new version with sneak attack ad incorporation.
The Kindle Fire aside, I would certainly like to see more options for consumers in the future and I believe that selling mobile devices at a cheaper cost in exchange for advertisements is a nice start.
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If this is true, I really don't have a problem with this.

Never mind - I didn't read the OP very well.
Now, I've read it. I'm also okay with this. Mostly cause I'll just put another rom on it
My wife, who will have one some day, currently has a Kindle eReader with ad's and doesn't have an issue with them.

ill never see this so called ad.
Sent from my HTC Glacier using xda premium

It will be for the Special Offers version. That, and maybe for those that want to opt in in exchange for a $40 Amazon gift certificate.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using XDA

Thank goodness for Non stock roms!!

Will people get to buy it at a discount like other ad supported kindles? If yes, that would be a bonus for this community.
Sent from my Fire on gedeROM using Tapatalk!

Lol ICS. Never going to see these ads.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA

I am glad my Kindle Fire only cost me $18.

kilokahn said:
I am glad my Kindle Fire only cost me $18.
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How did you manage that?
Sent from my Amazon Kindle Fire

If they do this, I hope they do it soon. I'm ready for a 2nd Fire and I don't want to spend $199 nor $150+ for a used one.

I don't think it is actually for kindle fire because they have deployed it on their regular ereaders at a discounted price. However I think amazon still reserves the right to display them. Glad I am running gederom.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

[Q] Why isn't the nook hd+ wildly popular?

Silly question, I suppose, but why isn't the nook hd+ just wildly popular. it's such a cool tablet, and you can get them cheap on ebay... or from barnes & noble, for that matter, what with the recent sales at various stores.
EDIT: 3 weeks later and I'm liking my nook more and more. It's just a joy to hold. The perfect size for me. I hope all the predictions about its demise are wrong. I'd love to see it continue to develop, keeping the hardware up-to-date as time goes on.

As a tablet it is fine and dandy with all that it has going for it but I felt it was too big to carry around as a reader. Obviously many many others disagree since the iPad is popular as a reader as well as being used as a tablet though so I don't know

I'm mostly unplugged from mainstream media, but I don't think it got nearly the exposure of the Nexus and Kindle Fire products. It also has the B&N app store dragging it down, and the original software (which is what most people experienced in-store last year, and maybe still do) was a bit laggy. Developers and tech lovers flocked to the Nexus 7/10 and "For Dummies" types looking for a media device went to Amazon and Apple. The low end of the tablet market is a lot more crowded than it used to be.

We have to remember, the Nook is targeted as an eReader. To be frank, it actually is - nothing more. Only once rooted, or once CM10 is installed, is it's true full potential unleashed, as a competitor against the Nexus 7, iPad etc. Without the XDA community, and the developers here (sincerely thankful to those), without them, this tablet would be basic eReader.
You can imagine the amount of people who have a Nook HD/+ and have no idea how to root, or install CM10. Those who simply use it as an eReader; they're not going to consider it competing against the likes of a Nexus 7. Once the developer community steps in, that's when it's popularity is increased.
So, as a stock ROM is shipped by default, and not many people are aware of it's "full-potential", we can assume this is the reason for lack of sales.

Boy, ain't that the truth. I think B&N are doing a huge disservice to themselves and their customers by being so uncooperative with all the developers who're making their tablets into useful multipurpose devices.
HiddenG said:
We have to remember, the Nook is targeted as an eReader. To be frank, it actually is - nothing more. Only once rooted, or once CM10 is installed, is it's true full potential unleashed, as a competitor against the Nexus 7, iPad etc. Without the XDA community, and the developers here (sincerely thankful to those), without them, this tablet would be basic eReader.
You can imagine the amount of people who have a Nook HD/+ and have no idea how to root, or install CM10. Those who simply use it as an eReader; they're not going to consider it competing against the likes of a Nexus 7. Once the developer community steps in, that's when it's popularity is increased.
So, as a stock ROM is shipped by default, and not many people are aware of it's "full-potential", we can assume this is the reason for lack of sales.
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Market
We tend to forget that B & N is in the book business not the hardware business. While I wish they would let this device be fully and easily converted to an Android tablet, why would they? I use the few hacks available and find it to be good as an Android Tablet and happy to have it.
dbrickg said:
Boy, ain't that the truth. I think B&N are doing a huge disservice to themselves and their customers by being so uncooperative with all the developers who're making their tablets into useful multipurpose devices.
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Yes, of course they're in the book business. But they do sell other stuff, nice coffee cups, for instance, with cute book-related quotes printed on the outside. And they don't lock the top, making them useless for coffee, on the grounds that they're a book business and don't want to allow their customers to actually use their mechandise for anything other than reading. Or, maybe if they were selling sports cars, they'd take the wheels off, insisting that people only use them to sit in the driver's seat and read books on the heads-up video display. In short, it seems to me that, more than being in the book business, they're in the business of selling stuff, and, no matter what that stuff, it seems silly to deliberately cripple it. It's as if they started censoring their books based on some arbitrary rule....
diajohn said:
We tend to forget that B & N is in the book business not the hardware business. While I wish they would let this device be fully and easily converted to an Android tablet, why would they? I use the few hacks available and find it to be good as an Android Tablet and happy to have it.
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diajohn said:
We tend to forget that B & N is in the book business not the hardware business. While I wish they would let this device be fully and easily converted to an Android tablet, why would they?
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They just took a big step in that direction: http://liliputing.com/2013/05/bn-adds-google-play-store-to-nook-hd-nook-hd.html
If they would just let other launchers override the native button/notification bar and recent apps, I wouldn't need CM10.

dbrickg said:
Yes, of course they're in the book business. But they do sell other stuff, nice coffee cups, for instance, with cute book-related quotes printed on the outside. And they don't lock the top, making them useless for coffee, on the grounds that they're a book business and don't want to allow their customers to actually use their mechandise for anything other than reading. Or, maybe if they were selling sports cars, they'd take the wheels off, insisting that people only use them to sit in the driver's seat and read books on the heads-up video display. In short, it seems to me that, more than being in the book business, they're in the business of selling stuff, and, no matter what that stuff, it seems silly to deliberately cripple it. It's as if they started censoring their books based on some arbitrary rule....
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Comparing a tablet and a coffee mug is like me comparing a car and a tank.. Two COMPLETELY different things.. I'm pretty sure it probably cost B&N about 2 dollars to "make" that coffee mug and sell it at a 90% profit when they sell them.. Tablets are very content driven.. B&N probably isn't making any money on the Nook itself.. More off the content that people buy on it (Newspapers, books, magazine subscriptions, ect..)

Yes, of course you're right: they're very different things. Just like books and cups and nooks are all very different things. All I'm saying it *whatever* they sell, whatever *anybody* sells, they should probably sell the best stuff they can. I still buy ebooks from the B&N store, but I would never have bought a nook in the first place if it couldn't be uncrippled. As it is, I've bought 4 of them. But no thanks to B&N. A big thanks to xda developers.
bkosh84 said:
Comparing a tablet and a coffee mug is like me comparing a car and a tank.. Two COMPLETELY different things.. I'm pretty sure it probably cost B&N about 2 dollars to "make" that coffee mug and sell it at a 90% profit when they sell them.. Tablets are very content driven.. B&N probably isn't making any money on the Nook itself.. More off the content that people buy on it (Newspapers, books, magazine subscriptions, ect..)
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I don't think the Kindle Fire HD 8.9 is selling well, either. It has had several $50-off sales, and has been marked down to $269 (16GB) from $299. Likewise, from the latest IDC report, the whole KFHD line hasn't had the same success as the orig KF had. A reasonable conclusion can be drawn that, as tablet users become more savvy and demanding of their tablets, walled-garden-style tablets with limited ecosystem are losing out to more "open" tablets. Perhaps that's the same conclusion drawn by B&N in adopting Goog Play.
http://www.geekwire.com/2013/amazons-kindle-fire-dips-4-market-share/
It'll be interesting to see how Amazon adjusts to the slowdown in adoption rate. It can't rely on low pricing to push KFs any more, not with low-end tabs dropping down to $170 for 7" and $250 for 10". From the B&N CEO's allusions, we can surmise that B&N is ditching the hardware route and concentrating on packaging its core IPs for existing ecos. There's no good business reason for B&N to do its own hardware, now that the walled-eco strategy has failed.
I just got the Nook HD+ a couple of days ago, about a day before the new 2.1.0 update, so have had experience with both the old and new software. The improvement is night and day. I'm hoping that this will kickstart the Nook line and get more users into the Nook fold, if for nothing else than to get more bodies into these forums. The hardware is great, and now the (stock) software is good enough. But for the long term, I do expect the HD line to be the last of the Nooks.

Yahoo! Sounds like they're starting to get the message.
Taosaur said:
They just took a big step in that direction: http://liliputing.com/2013/05/bn-adds-google-play-store-to-nook-hd-nook-hd.html
If they would just let other launchers override the native button/notification bar and recent apps, I wouldn't need CM10.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Nicely said. Yes, yes, and yes. And I imagine you're right, too, about the HD being the end of the line for nooks. But I hope not. I really like my HD+ and would love to see them continue to upgrade it!
e.mote said:
I don't think the Kindle Fire HD 8.9 is selling well, either. It has had several $50-off sales, and has been marked down to $269 (16GB) from $299. Likewise, from the latest IDC report, the whole KFHD line hasn't had the same success as the orig KF had. A reasonable conclusion can be drawn that, as tablet users become more savvy and demanding of their tablets, walled-garden-style tablets with limited ecosystem are losing out to more "open" tablets. Perhaps that's the same conclusion drawn by B&N in adopting Goog Play.
http://www.geekwire.com/2013/amazons-kindle-fire-dips-4-market-share/
It'll be interesting to see how Amazon adjusts to the slowdown in adoption rate. It can't rely on low pricing to push KFs any more, not with low-end tabs dropping down to $170 for 7" and $250 for 10". From the B&N CEO's allusions, we can surmise that B&N is ditching the hardware route and concentrating on packaging its core IPs for existing ecos. There's no good business reason for B&N to do its own hardware, now that the walled-eco strategy has failed.
I just got the Nook HD+ a couple of days ago, about a day before the new 2.1.0 update, so have had experience with both the old and new software. The improvement is night and day. I'm hoping that this will kickstart the Nook line and get more users into the Nook fold, if for nothing else than to get more bodies into these forums. The hardware is great, and now the (stock) software is good enough. But for the long term, I do expect the HD line to be the last of the Nooks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

dbrickg said:
Nicely said. Yes, yes, and yes. And I imagine you're right, too, about the HD being the end of the line for nooks. But I hope not. I really like my HD+ and would love to see them continue to upgrade it!
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Click to collapse
I'm doubtful whether there will even be another generation of eink Nooks, though I'd love to see a reader with the screen and lighting of the new Kobo Aura, but running Android.
Sent from my LT28at using xda premium

You just need a bigger carry bag
Seriously, though, one of the reasons I like the HD+ is that it fits in my small Eagle Creek side bag... just barely. Whereas all the 10" tablets are too big. And I love that it's big enough to display a usable full hacker's keyboard in portrait mode. On my 7" tablets, the keys are too small for my big fingers. The keyboard works well on the 7"s in reduced mode, but it's kind of nice to have working Ctrl and Tab keys accessible all the time.
koreanschoolkid said:
As a tablet it is fine and dandy with all that it has going for it but I felt it was too big to carry around as a reader. Obviously many many others disagree since the iPad is popular as a reader as well as being used as a tablet though so I don't know
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Had it released with Google Market, it would have been. That of course would defeat the business model purpose of the device in the first place.

rushless said:
Had it released with Google Market, it would have been. That of course would defeat the business model purpose of the device in the first place.
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Click to collapse
You are absolutely right. I was in the market for a tablet in last November and checked out Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD 7, and Nook HD. I ruled out Nook quickly after checking what's available in the B&N App store. I have Amazon Prime but still refused to pay for a KFHD due to the locked environment. In the end, I bought Nexus 7 and later received KFHD as a free gift. Now I just bought a new Nook HD+ as I prefer a larger tablet for reading books and technical manuals. I would not have bought one if they didn't add Google Play support.

I was able to take advantage of the Mother's Day sale on barnes&noble.com, got me a Nook HD+ for $228 with taxes and shipping—still a great steal at that. I wish B&N would turn the walled ecosystem biz model on its head and compete head-on with the other tablet giants. Heck, ship them all rooted, and watch the buyers drop the Kindle and iPad mini lines en masse once they realize what Nook HD+ can do. (the hope of course being that B&N can sell more books despite having that open platform)
I do hope they don't discontinue the Nooks; with their specs, they can price it up to $300 and it'd still be an attractive alternative to the other better-marketed options from Samsung, Apple and Amazon.

Taosaur said:
They just took a big step in that direction: http://liliputing.com/2013/05/bn-adds-google-play-store-to-nook-hd-nook-hd.html
If they would just let other launchers override the native button/notification bar and recent apps, I wouldn't need CM10.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
? I installed apex launcher from Google Play and everything worked fine sorry for bumping an old post
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

CubeCloudOS said:
? I installed apex launcher from Google Play and everything worked fine sorry for bumping an old post
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
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Ya I ran go launcher HD pad version and it works fine on stock nook HD+
I am running cm 10.1 now rooted.
I would have been ok with running stock rom, but got too many "you can't do that" messages lol.
So I'm running CM 10.1 and love it. This is a fantastic tablet for the value. I got the HD+ 32gb for $ 179
then added a 64GB sandisk class 6 (one of the very few 64gb sdcards that actually works without problems on nook)
so I have a 96gb tablet that still cheaper than a Nexus or Asus.
Very happy with it and recommended to all my friends.
I think if more people were fully aware how awesome it was for the low cost, they would quickly be bought up!

Should I Buy an 8.9?

Do you guys believe this device will get much love from ROM developers? I love to tinker with my devices and don't want to be stuck with something that has no development?
Opinions?

No one can answer this only you. It could be tomorrow or next year.. sorry

Right now I wouldn't, I've got it and it's just sitting there collecting dust till there is a rom. No Google on an Android tablet is absurd.

here's my take as a lay person
Most of the people who want hardcore development will opt for the slightly underpowered, but very capable, Nexus 7. While the Kindle fire HDX 8.9 offers marvelous hardware, with a top of the line display, it has a locked, and guarded bootloader, which will be tough to crack. While it has already been rooted, and their is safestrap, roms will be limited until the bootloader is cracked. Kernel flashing will obviously be impossible without this. The root capability opens the window, but the door is still closed. I have the 7", and I do enjoy flashing roms, customizing, and tinkering simply for the sake of learning, but I don't have lofty expectations of the devs. While they are wonderful, and make an uncalled for effort to make every device perform at it's peak, I cannot see a locked device getting an abundant amount of attention, when a similarly capable, same-gen piece of hardware came out offering exactly what you already want. You may need to look at other similarly priced 10" tablets, that offer the same hardware, or close, that can be unlocked with a simple click, rather than 100s of man hours, and a bit of hope.

I was going to purchase the Kindle Fire HDX 8.9 but Office Depot had a great deal on the 7" Kindle Fire HDX. $179.99 plus you get a $20.00 gift card.
Kindle Fire HDX

aaronuser said:
Do you guys believe this device will get much love from ROM developers? I love to tinker with my devices and don't want to be stuck with something that has no development?
Opinions?
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Click to collapse
I've been side-loading my Google Apps, and I'm quite happy with mine so far. I say go ahead and get one. You can always return it within a month.

My advise is for you to buy it.
I already rooted it and, thanks to @andoidcowboy tutorial, i got all my google apps working.
I live outside US and I am able to stream all PRIME content (movies, series, etc) using some DNS...
Hardware is really awesome, tab is really comfortable... i just love the darn thing! only thing i regret is not buying the 64gb one...

If you want real custom ROM's like CyanogenMOD or SlimRom's, then keep looking elsewhere. Because Kindle isn't getting them ANYTIME soon.
If nobody can flash one of these ROM's on a current release of the Galaxy S4 AT&T phone then you can believe the HDX isn't going to be any better.
Only the first two releases of S4 can flash AOSP. Any S4 released in the last 2-4 months is screwed.

All I'm hoping for its maybe a stock rom debloated . Google play . And can still access my prime features
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app

At this point no. Most Dev's want to go after the easier targets that do not have locked bootloaders. Amazon has no one to blame but themselves if they fail (again) with this device.

I was this close to buying one, but after using the Nexus 5 and seeing how life is so much easier with unlocked bootloader, I'm never going back to a device that is not a Nexus or GPE. If I'm going be someone's b****, it better come with more benefits than Amazon Prime.

darksoul21 said:
Amazon has no one to blame but themselves if they fail (again) with this device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure Amazon failed in the past with their Kindle Fires. Failed in the eyes of Devs maybe but not to normal consumers.

Which apps are compatible with rooted Kindle fire HDX 8.9
Hi there!
I'm thinking about getting the kindle 8.9 for its awesome hardware, but I'm concerned about what apps are available? Assuming I root the device, can I side load ANY android app? Or only the handful that I see threads about on this forum? (e.g., google apps).
If I'm limited to a handful of apps that's probably a deal breaker.
Thanks in advance!

HoOnZ said:
I'm not sure Amazon failed in the past with their Kindle Fires. Failed in the eyes of Devs maybe but not to normal consumers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Normal? So your saying that people here are not? They are strange?
---------- Post added at 07:11 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:08 AM ----------
Engreeks1 said:
Hi there!
I'm thinking about getting the kindle 8.9 for its awesome hardware, but I'm concerned about what apps are available? Assuming I root the device, can I side load ANY android app? Or only the handful that I see threads about on this forum? (e.g., google apps).
If I'm limited to a handful of apps that's probably a deal breaker.
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can sideload. Some apps (like ones on Fdroid) need Root. The troublesome part is finding apks (Android version of installer file for app). You can use a back up tool on another device or search the net for apks (that are not Trojan/Virus modded).
---------- Post added at 07:13 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:11 AM ----------
bigbrown said:
I was this close to buying one, but after using the Nexus 5 and seeing how life is so much easier with unlocked bootloader, I'm never going back to a device that is not a Nexus or GPE. If I'm going be someone's b****, it better come with more benefits than Amazon Prime.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have Prime, so may hold it for a bit. If the Gtab 10.1 2014 drops in price (by at least $100) I'll get rid of this.

darksoul21 said:
At this point no. Most Dev's want to go after the easier targets that do not have locked bootloaders. Amazon has no one to blame but themselves if they fail (again) with this device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I kinda disagree on this.
I agree on the Devs hitting the easier targets, but going by the specs and the price I think it's fairly clear (happy to be proved wrong lol) that Amazon are selling the HDX's at minimal profit and are relying on revenue from sales of their wares through pushing it massively through the Kindle OS.
Amazon obviously know that an unlocked bootloader == user removing Amazon specific features == lost revenue for them.
If it does fail it won't be due to the locked bootloader, IMHO. Although, I do feel they blew 1 toe off by not at least giving you the option of using Google Services on it, many apps require this and they could still bombard us with Amazon goodies.
Maybe, on the logic above, they could have released an unlocked version for a premium, but I for one would not have considered the Kindle HDX, regardless of the specs, if the price was more than a Nexus 7 2013.

CZ Eddie said:
If you want real custom ROM's like CyanogenMOD or SlimRom's, then keep looking elsewhere. Because Kindle isn't getting them ANYTIME soon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why not? Literally every single kindle fire has a custom firmware or port to it. It seems like you're pulling this "kindles aren't getting custom roms" out of your ass.Hell, i've got kit-kat 4.4 running on the original kindle fire.

I think the company that makes the kindle Foxcon/Asus/LG or whoever should have released a cosemetically altered version and sell it as a GPE. I would gladly pay $50 more for a unsubsidized version that isn't locked down. From what I read, the HW meets or exceeds Apple products.

Spec-Chum said:
I kinda disagree on this.
I agree on the Devs hitting the easier targets, but going by the specs and the price I think it's fairly clear (happy to be proved wrong lol) that Amazon are selling the HDX's at minimal profit and are relying on revenue from sales of their wares through pushing it massively through the Kindle OS.
Amazon obviously know that an unlocked bootloader == user removing Amazon specific features == lost revenue for them.
If it does fail it won't be due to the locked bootloader, IMHO. Although, I do feel they blew 1 toe off by not at least giving you the option of using Google Services on it, many apps require this and they could still bombard us with Amazon goodies.
Maybe, on the logic above, they could have released an unlocked version for a premium, but I for one would not have considered the Kindle HDX, regardless of the specs, if the price was more than a Nexus 7 2013.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Little to no profit on the base models but they are getting more on the higher storage models. The real problem is that such powerful hardware is gimped by the OS locked to the device. Truly a waste. And it can fail by word of mouth as well. Folks ask the "techie" in the family what to get and this can easily be shot down as an option thanks to the lack of options. Everyone I know has a custom Rom or at least rooted on their hardware. Especially since they had me do it.

darksoul21 said:
Little to no profit on the base models but they are getting more on the higher storage models. The real problem is that such powerful hardware is gimped by the OS locked to the device. Truly a waste. And it can fail by word of mouth as well. Folks ask the "techie" in the family what to get and this can easily be shot down as an option thanks to the lack of options. Everyone I know has a custom Rom or at least rooted on their hardware. Especially since they had me do it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I couldn't decide to be fair, so I took the choice out of my hands and just gave the GF a choice of what to get me between the HDX and a Nexus 7.
She obviously chose the HDX for me and I can't say I'm disappointed.
I do have a Nexus 4 though so I can mod that to my hearts content. Her logic was why would I need 2 devices to do the same thing?
Fair call...

The new update kindle fire hdx blocking every effort root device!

- Amazon is constantly updating their device hdx kindle fire really make the user uncomfortable hdx kindle fire
- I'm using HDX kindle fire 7'' and my computer automatically updates the version 13.3.2.2
- I see that Amazon is trying to block every effort of people rooting with this updated version
- They fear that if the machine can hdx root kindle fire, they'll take one very large amount of money from the exploitation hdx ads on kindle fire, and I saw this caused much anger for kindle users hdx fire
- Do you feel like me???????????????

vdsno1 said:
- Amazon is constantly updating their device hdx kindle fire really make the user uncomfortable hdx kindle fire
- I'm using HDX kindle fire 7'' and my computer automatically updates the version 13.3.2.2
- I see that Amazon is trying to block every effort of people rooting with this updated version
- They fear that if the machine can hdx root kindle fire, they'll take one very large amount of money from the exploitation hdx ads on kindle fire, and I saw this caused much anger for kindle users hdx fire
- Do you feel like me???????????????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sold my 2 weeks old one for a -25% discount. Will wait for Nexus 8 coming out this summer to save all these hassle with this disgraceful/Chinese-like company. Playing games with advanced users is simply disgusting. They don't know how much influence these users can impose to those low end naive users they are targeting over the Internet.

hewweii said:
Sold my 2 weeks old one for a -25% discount. Will wait for Nexus 8 coming out this summer to save all these hassle with this disgraceful/Chinese-like company. Playing games with advanced users is simply disgusting. They don't know how much influence these users can impose to those low end naive users they are targeting over the Internet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why is it bad? If they let people root their devices and install other ROMs, they won't make as much money.
Sent from my One X using Tapatalk

Where's the problem? It's an Amazon device, when you buy it you know what you buy, Amazon clearly declares what you can do with it. Sure, we can always try to do something more, but we can't blame Amazon if we aren't able to root or install a custom rom. There are so many tablets on the market, maybe Kindle Fire is not the right choice for you.
However I think there aren't unrootable Android devices, it's just a matter of time...

Remember HDX had been exploited and rooted, then update overrides it, then all new comers lost the opportunity. When a little bit less developers (who didn't root last time or has 'spare time'/spare unrooted device starts to look at it again, they update again. When even lesser developers starts to look at the the next update, they update again. When the next exploit is finally found, the next morning, you know what? They update again.
You see, it's a human pathetic psychology patience torturing game they are playing, not a technical one. Forget rooting this device or even roms, move on people. You lost.

Sounds like a challenge to me. I'll put my money on the XDA team.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Pantywads
gbrewha said:
Sounds like a challenge to me. I'll put my money on the XDA team.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed. Sorry to be harsh, but get your panties out of a twist, fellows. Amazon is updating their devices because they're launching new services, and if they can take the opportunity to block root attempts, then they'll take it. I find it hard to believe blocking root would be a corporate priority enough to justify its own update schedule.
In this instance, Amazon just launched their Fire TV service, and the HDX has been updated accordingly:
Amazon Rolls Out Update for Kindle Fire HDX, Adds Support for Fire TV

panic
- I noticed that amazon has not really respect our customers by updating silently and quietly her.
- Any 1 phone maker or tablet when you want to update the device software that their customers buy, they must now inform and update the content of it.
- Customers using the money to buy the equipment rather than amazon amazon gift or loan equipment to customers should the amazon software updates without specify the content nor consulted all agree equipment updated or not this is one of not respecting its customers!!

vdsno1 said:
- I noticed that amazon has not really respect our customers by updating silently and quietly her.
- Any 1 phone maker or tablet when you want to update the device software that their customers buy, they must now inform and update the content of it.
- Customers using the money to buy the equipment rather than amazon amazon gift or loan equipment to customers should the amazon software updates without specify the content nor consulted all agree equipment updated or not this is one of not respecting its customers!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think what you're saying is that installing updates without user permission is disrespectful? I agree if so. Once purchased an owner is not really an owner of a Kindle fire, simply the hands that hold an amazon controlled screen. I won't be selling mine though. It is in the closet where it will stay until it is able to be rooted again as I refuse to pass it off on someone else. Since I am the tech guru of my extended family I am advising all my friends and family not to purchase the Kindle fire HDX. I knew I was taking a chance when buying the Kindle that I would not be able to root or get play store. I gambled and lost but that's what the guru does, it's in the job description. I can now steer my friends into buying a superior product from another manufacturer.

I can understand anyone's disappointment, I'm disappointed too, but maybe it would be nice to read Amazon terms of use before buying or using a Kindle device http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/ref=footer_cou?ie=UTF8&nodeId=508088
It's in the box, too...

foxstefano said:
I can understand anyone's disappointment, I'm disappointed too, but maybe it would be nice to read Amazon terms of use before buying or using a Kindle device http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/ref=footer_cou?ie=UTF8&nodeId=508088
It's in the box, too...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No one here is saying they did not know it was risk to buy a device for hardware buddy. Thank you for being so helpful though. Since when are terms needed to make an observation that Amazon is actively blocking root lol. That's all the OP did. Que the guy who comes out defending Amazon lol. We are sorry for making a posts about the device we bought.

conan1600 said:
No one here is saying they did not know it was risk to buy a device for hardware buddy. Thank you for being so helpful though. Since when are terms needed to make an observation that Amazon is actively blocking root lol. That's all the OP did. Que the guy who comes out defending Amazon lol. We are sorry for making a posts about the device we bought.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also have the same opinion as you, you have to make comments like I thought. I also recommend you to friends and relatives not to buy amazon kindle fire hdx anymore because too often regarded clients, I'm also looking forward to the upcoming Nexus 8 and I would never use production equipment amazon again!!

conan1600 said:
No one here is saying they did not know it was risk to buy a device for hardware buddy. Thank you for being so helpful though. Since when are terms needed to make an observation that Amazon is actively blocking root lol. That's all the OP did. Que the guy who comes out defending Amazon lol. We are sorry for making a posts about the device we bought.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Amazon is an interesting beast because they've so divided all their different teams that they can on the one hand be the best friend of developers (their cloud computer system) and on the other hand follow Apple right into a closed-device ecosystem. This does no seem scizophrenic to me or likely to them because their cloud services are built for developers and their devices are built for consumers.
I share in the disappointment about how difficult it is to root this device, but our community has already hashed these arguments out concerning how closed Apple's systems are and how "unfriendly" to the power user. That's why we have one of my favorite jokes: "John has enough money to buy an iPhone, but he buys an Android because he's not an asshole."
It's enough to take note that Amazon is taking Android captive in their Fire version and following in Apple's footsteps, which anyone versed in the Kindle's history and Bezo's attitude towards the device might expect. Next time, most of us will buy a real Android tablet and keep our playground, and due to the shoddy state of the Amazon Appstore and their other services, and our input, consumers may well follow. You'll know it for sure if they ever boot the Netflix app from their Appstore; that would be one straw too far for most "normal" users but might appear strategically sound to an Amazon exec as they push their Fire TV service.

hewweii said:
Remember HDX had been exploited and rooted, then update overrides it, then all new comers lost the opportunity. When a little bit less developers (who didn't root last time or has 'spare time'/spare unrooted device starts to look at it again, they update again. When even lesser developers starts to look at the the next update, they update again. When the next exploit is finally found, the next morning, you know what? They update again.
You see, it's a human pathetic psychology patience torturing game they are playing, not a technical one. Forget rooting this device or even roms, move on people. You lost.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why are you a member here again?

It was cheap for what it is, and my amazon instant looks great on it. I'd never buy a device these days assuming it will get root or the boot loader cracked.
Sent from my XT1058 using Tapatalk

murso74 said:
It was cheap for what it is, and my amazon instant looks great on it. I'd never buy a device these days assuming it will get root or the boot loader cracked.
Sent from my XT1058 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Surely you jest? 99.95% of all tablets released in 2014 have either a bootloader bypass and root or no bootloader lock and root or an e fuse warranty bypass to the bootloader such as Knox and root. While I agree with your statement in part, you say it as if we shouldnt expect it because it isnt being done lol. It was even done on this tablets weeks after coming out. Most likely several months down the road someone will have broke the HDX again as well and this dry spell will be a distant memory. Of course I expect a tablet to be rooted, why wouldnt I? But I am also an adult who knows sometimes things don't come to fruition. I bought mine at release for $400.00 so that isn't really cheap imho but different strokes for different folks.

I'd assume they would allow us to root for the opportunity to turn the device into full android thereby eliminating the Nexus tablet.

foxstefano said:
I can understand anyone's disappointment, I'm disappointed too, but maybe it would be nice to read Amazon terms of use before buying or using a Kindle device http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/ref=footer_cou?ie=UTF8&nodeId=508088
It's in the box, too...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I have been able to maintain root & block each update attempt while maintaining both AMZ & Google services, but the unannounced updates definitely bug the hell out of me. You should have a choice in updates, particularly since updates often times come with bugs or other unforeseen consequences. Since I actually do use the HDX for some business, the last thing I want to find is that I lost some stock feature because they wanted to add flash cards & break root.
At any rate, the real reason I am moving on from the HDX is because I only use it as I am (was) a big consumer of Amazon services. Only now they have raised the rate of Prime membership once again. There are too many other options for shopping for physical goods, as well as media, to justify paying another increase in membership. Once my Prime member ship is expired, I will not be renewing this time & thus no longer have any need for anything Amazon.
I think eventually they will learn, just like B&N, that it doesn't earn them anything more & if anything just puts more people off. Fire TV will flop as the HDX is flopping & they will discover that they can sell more units & still retain their base by opening up to more competition. But that's not going to happen until Bezos is being advised again by the types that started the company & have moved on to their own start ups. Nope, the old guard mentality just won't work any more & while it may maintain the status quo a while longer, in the end it will cost you way more than anything you managed to cling to.

GSLEON3 said:
Yeah, I have been able to maintain root & block each update attempt while maintaining both AMZ & Google services, but the unannounced updates definitely bug the hell out of me. You should have a choice in updates, particularly since updates often times come with bugs or other unforeseen consequences. Since I actually do use the HDX for some business, the last thing I want to find is that I lost some stock feature because they wanted to add flash cards & break root.
At any rate, the real reason I am moving on from the HDX is because I only use it as I am (was) a big consumer of Amazon services. Only now they have raised the rate of Prime membership once again. There are too many other options for shopping for physical goods, as well as media, to justify paying another increase in membership. Once my Prime member ship is expired, I will not be renewing this time & thus no longer have any need for anything Amazon.
I think eventually they will learn, just like B&N, that it doesn't earn them anything more & if anything just puts more people off. Fire TV will flop as the HDX is flopping & they will discover that they can sell more units & still retain their base by opening up to more competition. But that's not going to happen until Bezos is being advised again by the types that started the company & have moved on to their own start ups. Nope, the old guard mentality just won't work any more & while it may maintain the status quo a while longer, in the end it will cost you way more than anything you managed to cling to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
GSLEON3, I appreciate your working on the HDX root and understand your moving on from the project. This is all reasonable. I have free access to the HDX and Prime because of my work, and that won't change, so I have somewhat illegitimately incentivized patience here.
Concerning Prime membership, I thought you might be interested in this article, though I did NOT confirm that as of today the instructions are still valid. They may have expired.
Still, getting to pay the old price doesn't negate our annoyance at their recent policies.

GSLEON3 said:
Yeah, I have been able to maintain root & block each update attempt while maintaining both AMZ & Google services, but the unannounced updates definitely bug the hell out of me. You should have a choice in updates, particularly since updates often times come with bugs or other unforeseen consequences. Since I actually do use the HDX for some business, the last thing I want to find is that I lost some stock feature because they wanted to add flash cards & break root.
At any rate, the real reason I am moving on from the HDX is because I only use it as I am (was) a big consumer of Amazon services. Only now they have raised the rate of Prime membership once again. There are too many other options for shopping for physical goods, as well as media, to justify paying another increase in membership. Once my Prime member ship is expired, I will not be renewing this time & thus no longer have any need for anything Amazon.
I think eventually they will learn, just like B&N, that it doesn't earn them anything more & if anything just puts more people off. Fire TV will flop as the HDX is flopping & they will discover that they can sell more units & still retain their base by opening up to more competition. But that's not going to happen until Bezos is being advised again by the types that started the company & have moved on to their own start ups. Nope, the old guard mentality just won't work any more & while it may maintain the status quo a while longer, in the end it will cost you way more than anything you managed to cling to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hope that the developers work together to root and can also unlock the bootloader!