Related
[UPDATED!]
Thread for Aussies to share Kindle Fire experience. I want eventually to have an ICS rom on this, but I'm no Dev so will need to share learnings.
Goals:
1. DONE - Order Kindle Fire using US Freight Forwarding company (I used www.shipito.com ) and Australian Credit Card
2. Set up and use Amazon.com US services
HELP - my broadband modem is locked so I cannot setup VPN on it - other options being investigated:
a - get VPN & working tun.ko on Fire for VPN on the device (best option)
see How to access android.net.vpn.SETTINGS?
and Kindle Fire tun.ko
b - get adhoc networking working so can run VPN on PC/laptop and then share adhoc wireless network
see [Q] Kindle won't pickup adhoc wireless my phone will??
and [Q] Will Adhoc WIFI be possible with software patching?
c - use a special wirless router to flash VPN on it e.g. http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=1494723
3. DONE! - Root (Dev forum thread
4. Install Google Apps (Dev forum thread)
HELP - Market loads but fails when trying to download any apps.
5. Install alternate launcher
6. Ummm... clockwork recovery and cyanogenmod 9 ICS eventually...
e.g. ROMs and DEVs compilation thread
EDIT - Other goals yet to be achieved
Add your own books to the Kindle
From the Use Kindle Fire in Europe thread:
mils69 said:
Here's my experience using the various Amazon 'services' from abroad - on the road for work, vacation or whatever.
Amazon Kindle - VPN into either US or UK IP ranges and then I can purchase books. Kindle app on Android doesn't seem to care where it is once book has been purchased.
Amazon MP3s - VPN into either US or UK and then I can purchase (and upload to Amazon Cloud player).. haven't tried playing MP3s with the cloud player as I have Google Music. Once disconnected from the VPN Amazon download app doesn't seem to care where I am when I download the actual MP3s.
Amazon Prime - Free Subscription to Amazon media library. Seems to be fine (on my PC) once I use an VPN. Haven't tried it on my Sensation.
Amazon AppStore - can't get it to work outside the US for love or money.
Assuming the products on the KF would behave in a similar fashion I can't see myself buying one any time soon, which is incredibly frustrating.
Hope this helps,
mils
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do I VPN to a US IP?
I’m currently waiting for my kindle to arrive, I´m based in Spain and will be using unblock-us
I currently use this on my apple tv and ipad to view content from both the US and UK that is restricted to me here, this is a big step up from a VPN, it changes your DNS and not your ip address, it works at the same speed as your connection so streaming content via this will see no slowdown which I have always found happens using a VPN.
I’ve been using it for the last 3 months faultlessly but have not tried it on Amazon prime although I really don’t see why this won’t work.
Try it for free with the free months trial and please report back
Progress updated in first thread.
#1 - Root. This was very straightforward following the linked thread.
#2 - File explorer - had difficulties here, I ended up learning how to take an app off my phone (e.g. rootexplorer-1.apk from /data/apps) and install it on the fire using adb on my PC i.e. "adb install rootexplorer-1.apk".
I could get any number of apps off my phone using this method (e.g. homeswitcher & go launcher I really want!) but really I won't feel happy unless I can do this using the market
I tried following the link in my first post to get the market working, it opens but fails on trying to install any apps. Will give this another go later, but am concentrating on getting Amazon US services first.
On this note I have signed up to www.hidemyass.com for VPN as it seemed a good deal and I saw it before the above post about "unblock-us". So I have VPN on my PC, laptop, my android SGS phone and my wife's iPhone4, for about $70/year. Unfortunately our broadband wireless router is locked so I cannot set up VPN on it, so I am looking at options per my first post ie:
a - get VPN & working tun.ko on Fire for VPN on the device (best option)
see How to access android.net.vpn.SETTINGS?
and Kindle Fire tun.ko
b - get adhoc networking working so can run VPN on PC/laptop and then share adhoc wireless network
see [Q] Kindle won't pickup adhoc wireless my phone will??
and [Q] Will Adhoc WIFI be possible with software patching?
c - use a special wirless router to flash VPN on it e.g. http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=1494723
Kindle fire tried in Aussie land
I have got an amazon kindle from ebay and have successfully done the following
1. Rooted ...(Superoneclick)
2. Google market and youtube installed(needs market 3.3 and vendor.apk files
3. Installed go launcher
4. installed voodoo ota rootkeeper (for prime trailers to hide the su binary)
now waiting for custom ICS rom and recovery bootloader....
will try unblock-us to see if I can bypass the us restriction for amazon market store and video . Anyone tried this as I have heard we cant bypass this due to the credit card associated to amazon account. We need to have an us address associated with the card. One way to bypass this would be to get someone in US to post a Visa/matercard gift card so we can input that credit card in amazon.... anyone have any ideas ???
My Kindle arrived an hour ago here in Spain.
I have an Amazon account with my Spanish credit card and used a random us address.
I now have Amazon prime working nicely with the help of unblock-us which was straight forward, I also quickly installed ice cream sandwich launcher and will shortly root to add android market
So far everything works well with everything working just like being in the US
Kindle Fire - market app bombs
I followed all the instructions, rooted the kindle fire.
Installed the google pack, rootexplorer, go launcher, and vending apk.
Installed perfectly BUT it opens for a second, tried to display the terms of agreement then shuts down.
I tried to get around it by installing the market opener apk, same deal opens for one second then closes (as if something forces it shut).
Can someone please help.
Thanks
duquesa said:
My Kindle arrived an hour ago here in Spain.
I have an Amazon account with my Spanish credit card and used a random us address.
I now have Amazon prime working nicely with the help of unblock-us which was straight forward, I also quickly installed ice cream sandwich launcher and will shortly root to add android market
So far everything works well with everything working just like being in the US
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which address did you change and how?
Australian VPN On Kindle Fire
Hello everybody,
I have Kindle Fire and I am using Australian VPN with Superb VPN Services on it. I am very satisfied. Speed is fine and connection is reliable.
AnthonyBell said:
Hello everybody,
I have Kindle Fire and I am using Australian VPN with Superb VPN Services on it. I am very satisfied. Speed is fine and connection is reliable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did you manage to set it up? Through the router (VPN method mentioned earlier) or directly on your Kindle? In which case it would be amazing
AnthonyBell said:
Hello everybody,
I have Kindle Fire and I am using Australian VPN with Superb VPN Services on it. I am very satisfied. Speed is fine and connection is reliable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Anthony, you mention Superb VPN Services. This looks like the right site:
superbvpn.com/android-vpn-service
It is a subscription service at $3.49/m. Is that what you used?
The site has an issue at the moment and I can't get to the purchase page.
Please confirm how you set this up.
Cheers.
Edit: I just found another option that has worked for a couple of AU users on this Whirlpool thread:
forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/1819810
UnblockUs has a free trial for one week then it is $4.99/m
unblock-us.com
I will give this a try and see how it goes.
Cheers.
So I received my Kindle Fire for Christmas, and I'm in the UK. My uncle from the US brought it over for me, and I hope this post will clear up any speculation about what will and will not work on your Kindle Fire in the UK.
1. Apps: Apps need a US credit card, or you cannot download from the Kindle Store. This was not really an issue for me, as I rooted my Fire, installed the Market, and can download from there, not to mention sideloading APK file apps, which I was able to do without rooting
2. Silk: Works fine, uses EC2 cloud like it should
3, Book Store: Haven't tried it, but I was able to download books I had purchased previously for my old Kindle
4: Prime: You get a month's free of Amazon Prime, I wasn't able to stream videos from it, and I don't really care, I don't want to pay 70 dollars + a year for it.
Everything else works fine, and I really love it. The only other issue, was during the set up, there is no option to select the UK time zone, so you have to change it manually from the settings later. Oh, and all the temperatures in the weather app are in Fahrenheit. But it works like a charm. Got lots of working apps, Minecraft, Fruit Ninja, Angry Birds, and I'm using Calibre library to convert my PDFs into .MOBI format for reading on the Fire.
So all in all, it works pretty well in the UK actually! Hope this clears everything up for people in the UK thinking of getting it somehow. If I've missed anything please tell me!
Would also like to use the Kindle Fire in the UK but without rooting.
You mentioned being able to sideload apps ... but in order to do so, don't you need to download a file manager from the Amazon store (which a UK person cannot do)? and / or use an Android phone to backup an app?
I tried to download free apps from Amazon but even that is not possible and I don't have an Android phone .... is there any other way to sideload??
regards ....
hightime707 said:
Would also like to use the Kindle Fire in the UK but without rooting.
You mentioned being able to sideload apps ... but in order to do so, don't you need to download a file manager from the Amazon store (which a UK person cannot do)? and / or use an Android phone to backup an app?
I tried to download free apps from Amazon but even that is not possible and I don't have an Android phone .... is there any other way to sideload??
regards ....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Before rooting I was able to sideload by downloading directly using the Fire, then using the browser, going into the menu, and seeing my downloaded, from that file list you can launch APKs.
I'm using it in the Czech Republic and I can confirm that all the things mentioned by "georgeos" are valid.
If anyone is interested, here are some of my own findings:
- Books - you can purchase books from Amazon as long as you have a valid card number. You're eligible to borrow some of the books in the store with Prime subscription (limited to one book a month).
- Newsstand - same as above - you can check most of the magazines with a 14 day free trial subscription.
As far as the sideloading goes, it's pretty simple even without access to the App Store.
First you need to turn on installation of applications from unknown sources. Then use the browser to look for an .apk file of your preffered file manager (I used ES File Explorer since it was free and came highly recommended). Once the download is completed tap the status bar to show the recent notifications, then tap the downloaded .apk file to start the installation.
Shtroodle said:
As far as the sideloading goes, it's pretty simple even without access to the App Store.
First you need to turn on installation of applications from unknown sources. Then use the browser to look for an .apk file of your preffered file manager (I used ES File Explorer since it was free and came highly recommended). Once the download is completed tap the status bar to show the recent notifications, then tap the downloaded .apk file to start the installation.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah yeah, sorry, forgot to mention that. But it is best to root the device, and install the Android Market, makes getting apps easier if you don't want to pirate the APKs, or if you're looking for the latest version of a free one, and it's always difficult to find a latest version APK. Also the Market shows ONLY the apps compatible with the device, so you don't have to go through the pain of downloading the APK and then it not working and having to uninstall it and delete it.
Hi - I've been searching around for about half an hour or so but can't find an "idiot's guide" (for that is what I need) on how to make my US Kindle Fire compatible with the UK app store.
I've asked Amazon directly a number of times but they refuse to help. I'm close to selling up and buying a UK one, so would really appreciate if anyone knew if there was a way to do this.
Many thanks in advance.
Purchase kindle fire games with gift card from Asia
please some one help me. yesterday i have purchased a amazon gift card of 10$ and added to my amazon account but when i try to purchase any kindle fire game it says that its only valid for US residents. what should i do any proxy server, vpn connection or could anyone purchase for me if i give you my login id.
Any HELP Please.
During the several days it took to get rooting straight (and it's working perfectly now thanks to [-_-] ), I remember reading something about steps required to access the Kindle Store (Amazon) after you have hacked your Fire. I can no longer seem to find those notes. I'm trying to access books already purchased by my wife on her Amazon Account. I've already de-registered my Fire from my account and re-registered it on her account, but I don't seem to have access to her books. Can someone point me to the correct thread or let me know what I need to do?
The only "hack" needed is with relationship to Amazon Video Prime. where you need to use something like OTA Rootkeeper to allow the app to not see you are rooted.
As for books, you have to access them via the default launcher and use sync to use the default book reader.
don't know about purchasing books but to use amazon video you have to use ota rootkeeper to temporary unroot
hope this helps ...
Thanks for the quick responses. I didn't seem to be able to access my wife's books after I DE-registered it from my account and then re-registered it to hers. None of the books would load. Now that I've gone back to my own account, all my books are missing and I can't wirelessly load them. I WAS able to download them to my PC and then copy them via USB to my Fire. I'll have to take a look at installing the OTA Rootkeeper.
Thanks again.
glad to help ...
please mark the subject of the topic (edit first post) to [Solved]
Do you still have the stock Kindle app installed or did it get updated during your rooting process. Mine updated at some point and screwed everything up.
If you go into your app management and uninstall the kindle reader, it should uninstall the updates and take it back to the stock reader app. Then loading up books through the stock launcher cleared up all of the issues on my end. Give it a try.
Simply clearing the data on the kindle app might fix the issue too, though without knowing how deeply Amazon login is integrated it might take more than just a data clear on the Kindle part (because the reader is still just an app).
Amazon prime video service wouldn't work but this app fixed all.
After using this app I just restarted KF and service is working again.
Hi ,
I have amazon Fire Tv2 with updated Fire Os 5.2.4. I just want to flash the custom kernel images into the fire tv 2, for that i need to root the device.
How to root the amazon fire tv2 with 5.2.4 version. I found methods for Fire OS 5.2.1 and lower versions, does those methods work for 5.2.4 version ?
Is it possible to root Fire Os 5.2.4 Version ?
Please direct me to the rooting methods links.
Thanks in advance.
rtfm
There is no known root method for 5.2.4.0, I wish there was
Sent from my KFFOWI using Tapatalk
No, it is not possible to root 5.2.4.0 on any device yet. I track all rooting methods for all Fire TV and Fire TV Stick models here: http://www.aftvnews.com/root
This is showing like this person found root...
I believe the hardware mod works. A bit of a nuisance.
JeffDC said:
I believe the hardware mod works. A bit of a nuisance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello Team,
i want to root my new firetv, using emmc connecting method. i ordered the maximus low-volt adaptor and the transcent sd adapter.
i soldered the low-volt adapter ( really...really. small parts ! a very hard job....blue led is working )
then i opened the firetv and i am was wondering about the pcb layout .. it is completely different like on the pics in the net
.does anybody have the solder points for this ( Firetv Board DV83YW )
i am too new here for posting pictures links , sorry ..
greets
mike
Hello Mike,
i was surprised too when i take a look inside the new firetv2 box
I uploaded some pictures on gdrive.
can anyone help?
hppts..//drive.google.com/folderview?id=0BylaEM6wx1JOUjVVeGN3MWU5TDA
Same here. Waiting to see if anyone know of the new layout pins (if they are still exposed).
Here is my PCB....
AFTVnews.com said:
No, it is not possible to root 5.2.4.0 on any device yet. I track all rooting methods for all Fire TV and Fire TV Stick models here: http://www.aftvnews.com/root
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Love your site bro, thanks for all the great info!
anthonykash said:
Love your site bro, thanks for all the great info!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're welcome and thanks!
@AFTVnews.com
Also love your site. I have a question you could probably quickly answer:
I need to get stock amazon app "freetime" running on my firetv (box, not stick). I confirmed with Amazon that the freetime app is disabled from running on the current Fire TV firmware version (they couldn't confirm which version actually disabled it, just that it is a feature they have sunset on fire tv). I have the app installed, but it is not visible from app searches and not launchable from the "manage applications" menu in settings. (only force stop)
My current firmware is the latest version (Oct 19th, 5.2.something) and not rootable, but I don't have the skills to experiment with a new device anyway. (I've rooted my XT897 and SM-950F, but can barely handle that).
Let me know if you think it's possible:
1. That amazon's server side would allow freetime to function on a fire TV, despite amazon sunsetting the feature, assuming I could get the app to run locally.
Assuming #1, then
2. To sideload, modify, or otherwise get freetime working on my current Fire TV.
or
3. Downgrade my current firmware to a previous version that would run freetime.
or
4. To find for purchase a fire TV with a different firmware that would allow running freetime.
Thanks in advance. The motivation is that freetime lets me allow my young kids the ability to choose from a pre-selected library of videos and otherwise locks-down our TV for their safety etc.
scuba1999 said:
@AFTVnews.com
Also love your site. I have a question you could probably quickly answer:
I need to get stock amazon app "freetime" running on my firetv (box, not stick). I confirmed with Amazon that the freetime app is disabled from running on the current Fire TV firmware version (they couldn't confirm which version actually disabled it, just that it is a feature they have sunset on fire tv). I have the app installed, but it is not visible from app searches and not launchable from the "manage applications" menu in settings. (only force stop)
My current firmware is the latest version (Oct 19th, 5.2.something) and not rootable, but I don't have the skills to experiment with a new device anyway. (I've rooted my XT897 and SM-950F, but can barely handle that).
Let me know if you think it's possible:
1. That amazon's server side would allow freetime to function on a fire TV, despite amazon sunsetting the feature, assuming I could get the app to run locally.
Assuming #1, then
2. To sideload, modify, or otherwise get freetime working on my current Fire TV.
or
3. Downgrade my current firmware to a previous version that would run freetime.
or
4. To find for purchase a fire TV with a different firmware that would allow running freetime.
Thanks in advance. The motivation is that freetime lets me allow my young kids the ability to choose from a pre-selected library of videos and otherwise locks-down our TV for their safety etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I knew the newer devices didn't have Freetime, but I had no idea older devices/software disabled it also. I'll need to look into this further to fully undestand what is going on.
As for your questions, I doubt Freetime will work locally without Amazon's backend support. That's because the feature is reliant on child profiles created and stored on Amazon's servers. However, just because they say they have sunset the feature on Fire TV, that doesn't necessarily mean their servers are no longer replying to the requests from the Fire TV. So if you could get the app to run, I expect it would still work, but again, I need to look into it further.
There is no way to downgrade your firmware unless you root the device. Once rooted, it's simply a matter of selecting the pre-rooted version you want to use and installing it through TWRP.
I'll try to find time to test older firmware on a rooted device to see if Freetime works on it. That will tell us if finding a Fire TV running an older version will work for you.
AFTVnews.com said:
I knew the newer devices didn't have Freetime, but I had no idea older devices/software disabled it also. I'll need to look into this further to fully undestand what is going on.
As for your questions, I doubt Freetime will work locally without Amazon's backend support. That's because the feature is reliant on child profiles created and stored on Amazon's servers. However, just because they say they have sunset the feature on Fire TV, that doesn't necessarily mean their servers are no longer replying to the requests from the Fire TV. So if you could get the app to run, I expect it would still work, but again, I need to look into it further.
There is no way to downgrade your firmware unless you root the device. Once rooted, it's simply a matter of selecting the pre-rooted version you want to use and installing it through TWRP.
I'll try to find time to test older firmware on a rooted device to see if Freetime works on it. That will tell us if finding a Fire TV running an older version will work for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot. Let me know. And yes, by 'locally' I just meant 'assuming I could get the client app running' that the amazon servers would still talk to it and feed it the content I choose for the kids profile, etc.. I am hopeful on that front because freetime seems to be popular and remain supported on the fire tablet devices, so maybe the server side will remain device agnostic. Thanks in advance for your time in testing.
I unlocked the bootloader and rooted my Shield TV using this tutorial (because I didn't see a straightforward guide on XDA).
I installed TV Launcher from the Play Store and disabled Leanback with this command: pm hide com.google.android.leanbacklauncher.
Now when I try to open Amazon Video I get a message that says "Item not found." I've searched for Amazon Video in the Play Store and can't find it. How do I get this working?
I got 'Home Switcher' off the playstore and use it to inactivate Leanback and to make HALauncher the default launcher on my rooted 2017 16gb Shield. Amazon loads and run without any issues, so I doubt that rooting your Shield is the issue. Did you try disabling and then re-enabling Amazon? I also found that moving some utilities, like ES File Explorer Pro, to adoptive storage, lose their rooted capabilities. Some ins and outs with rooted Nougat.
Are you located in a Country where APV would be available? i.e the US/Can, UK, Germany etc... The current Shield Software is very intolerant about granting you access to Geo-restricted Apps. e.g. the BBC iPlayer almost always disappears after every reboot, 24h latter. It can be simply re-enabled again, as it's a System App. But, if you don't live with-it One of the offocial APV Countries, well that's probably why you don't have it.