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Long time reader, first time posting.
Install requires root.
Squirrel LLC just released an android version of their app Reflector ($7). This app can be installed fairly simply on the FireTV, turning it into an airplay receiver for screen sharing and display extension, not just video or audio playing.
This requires root (instructions here) and the google play store (instructions here- they are for kindle, but work) before you can install this program.
Once you have the play store installed and you are signed in, you will be able to install apps remotely. This is much easier, as the play store is somewhat difficult to navigate on the Fire TV itself. However, Google will think the Fire TV is not compatible with Reflector.
To circumvent compatibility restrictions, download Market Helper and install on your FireTV (sideload instructions here). This will allow you to spoof your device type and install the app. I used the Nexus 7 as the device type. Make sure you've run google play services and signed into the play store before you run this, so it can read your id. The activate buttons are invisible until you are selecting them, so just press down and over until you find what you want.
After setting up your Fire TV to look like a Nexus 7, head back to the play store and set Reflector to install remotely.
From here, you can use any airplay device to broadcast to the Fire TV!
Couldn't you use snappea instead of google play?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
I wasn't able to get this to work in Extend Desktop mode with my Mac. Since there's only a 15 minute refund period, I already got the refund, so it's possible I was doing something wrong, but the Play description didn't mention Extend Desktop mode. I don't see how I was doing anything wrong though, since the only settings in the app is the Name and the Password (and I didn't set a password). I did remember to turn off AirPlay in my other AirPlay app before trying Reflector.
Prior to this, I was already using AirReceiver to handle IOS mirroring. If all you want is IOS mirroring, I believe it was less expensive. Since it was bought through the Amazon store, it shows up with an icon on main screen (in my Apps and Recent sections). I don't recall if you can buy it on the FireTV or not, but I think so. A Voice search for Air Receiver brings it up.
Thanks!
Hey Guys,
Sid from Squirrels here!
Thanks for the walkthrough and the instructions. We're glad you got everything working!
We've actually submitted Reflector to the Amazon Fire TV store. The approval process is a bit more lengthy and involved than normal Google Play submissions.
As for extended desktop from a computer. It should work alright. I'de be interested in seeing logs from this to see why it didn't work for you. You can email our support team and they'll be happy to get it working!
Thanks again for the instructions.
So why root?? Why not just side load reflector??
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
1975jamie said:
So why root?? Why not just side load reflector??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Reflector is a paid app, and I have no experience sideloading paid apps / getting a signed apk out of one. I found it to be easier to root and install the play store than to bother with that. If you are aware of an easy method to get the APK out of a paid app, I'd love to hear it- I always pay for my apps, but sometimes I need to install them in a dev environment where the play store isn't available, and I'd like to know.
If you're concerned about rooting, I'd consider the advantages. Rooting is a piece of cake now thanks to Towelroot, and it gives you uped duper more functionality than you have without it, especially if you are using this device to run XBMC primarily.
sidneykeith said:
Hey Guys,
Sid from Squirrels here!
Thanks for the walkthrough and the instructions. We're glad you got everything working!
We've actually submitted Reflector to the Amazon Fire TV store. The approval process is a bit more lengthy and involved than normal Google Play submissions.
As for extended desktop from a computer. It should work alright. I'de be interested in seeing logs from this to see why it didn't work for you. You can email our support team and they'll be happy to get it working!
Thanks again for the instructions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the good customer support. I figured it was the Amazon store's lengthy submission process that was holding things up and not an actual compatibility issue, which is why I decided to hack this together.
I own no other Amazon devices (and probably won't), so it's to my advantage to keep all my purchases within one ecosystem. You may consider adding a little walkthrough on how to use the google play store to run your app on the firetv to your page, if you guys aren't fearful of the wrath of Bezos. I'm sure there are a lot of people like me who bought the firetv for the android, not the amazon.
Taige said:
I wasn't able to get this to work in Extend Desktop mode with my Mac. Since there's only a 15 minute refund period, I already got the refund, so it's possible I was doing something wrong, but the Play description didn't mention Extend Desktop mode. I don't see how I was doing anything wrong though, since the only settings in the app is the Name and the Password (and I didn't set a password). I did remember to turn off AirPlay in my other AirPlay app before trying Reflector.
Prior to this, I was already using AirReceiver to handle IOS mirroring. If all you want is IOS mirroring, I believe it was less expensive. Since it was bought through the Amazon store, it shows up with an icon on main screen (in my Apps and Recent sections). I don't recall if you can buy it on the FireTV or not, but I think so. A Voice search for Air Receiver brings it up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure what happened there for you. Extended display was the default for me. That being said, the other app could have interfered, or maybe your settings in OSX weren't correct. I wish I could help you more, but Airplay is finicky enough as it is, without adding third party software. Maybe get in touch with Sid about that.
If anyone else is interested in this, my brother managed to get airsquirrel to work with reflector on the firetv, but it seemed to be more laggy than with true airplay. I'm not sure if that was the fault of his laptop or the software, so that might be worth looking into if you're a diehard windows user like I used to be.
hotterpop said:
Reflector is a paid app, and I have no experience sideloading paid apps / getting a signed apk out of one. I found it to be easier to root and install the play store than to bother with that. If you are aware of an easy method to get the APK out of a paid app, I'd love to hear it- I always pay for my apps, but sometimes I need to install them in a dev environment where the play store isn't available, and I'd like to know.
If you're concerned about rooting, I'd consider the advantages. Rooting is a piece of cake now thanks to Towelroot, and it gives you uped duper more functionality than you have without it, especially if you are using this device to run XBMC primarily.
Thanks for the good customer support. I figured it was the Amazon store's lengthy submission process that was holding things up and not an actual compatibility issue, which is why I decided to hack this together.
I own no other Amazon devices (and probably won't), so it's to my advantage to keep all my purchases within one ecosystem. You may consider adding a little walkthrough on how to use the google play store to run your app on the firetv to your page, if you guys aren't fearful of the wrath of Bezos. I'm sure there are a lot of people like me who bought the firetv for the android, not the amazon.
I'm not sure what happened there for you. Extended display was the default for me. That being said, the other app could have interfered, or maybe your settings in OSX weren't correct. I wish I could help you more, but Airplay is finicky enough as it is, without adding third party software. Maybe get in touch with Sid about that.
If anyone else is interested in this, my brother managed to get airsquirrel to work with reflector on the firetv, but it seemed to be more laggy than with true airplay. I'm not sure if that was the fault of his laptop or the software, so that might be worth looking into if you're a diehard windows user like I used to be.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have an android phone that I download the google play app to and then use Es file explorer to back up the app. Then sideload it to the firetv.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
I always try on not to be a party p**per but also would like to make this debate as civilized as possible so no need to bash me if you found my doubts in a negative way.
But after spending all this time with the Nexus Player of Google, I found myself with the conclusion, why is worthy my time for any root for the device.
At least I have a goal on showing my step-dad that paying DirecTV (Nothing against DirecTV BTW, just want to save money) is not 24/7 cost-effective versus Google Play Service and popular streaming services.
Heck, I didn't even felt left out in terms that versus Apple TV, the Nexus Player is still short without service like WWE, Amazon, NFL, etc. I was happy with the service available as of the writing of this.
To tell you the truth, the exact moment when I read all the possibility for free TV and streaming needs with Kodi (XBMC), I realized that was exactly why I bought the Google Nexus Player on the first place, beside having an alternate set-top box instead of my lovely Playstation 3 and except for improvement on hardware level for Android TV (reboot capacity WILL BE so WELCOMED!) I don't see how rooting the device can be compared as rooting a Smartphone.
Also some needs that we find regularly on Android Smartphone can be requested to Google either by AOSP or direct feedback (I realize that Google might just ignore anyways) and I am pretty sure that future Android 5.0.x or 5.x version will be synonymous of improvements.
No, this is not ignorance and definitely not naive-ness, perhaps I need another point of view to better understand or see more benefits for rooting the device.
Again, please I created this thread as a informative and debatable spot for this topic, do not flame me and not flame each other if you don't agree with an specific opinion.
TheGeeZus said:
I always try on not to be a party p**per but also would like to make this debate as civilized as possible so no need to bash me if you found my doubts in a negative way.
But after spending all this time with the Nexus Player of Google, I found myself with the conclusion, why is worthy my time for any root for the device.
At least I have a goal on showing my step-dad that paying DirecTV (Nothing against DirecTV BTW, just want to save money) is not 24/7 cost-effective versus Google Play Service and popular streaming services.
Heck, I didn't even felt left out in terms that versus Apple TV, the Nexus Player is still short without service like WWE, Amazon, NFL, etc. I was happy with the service available as of the writing of this.
To tell you the truth, the exact moment when I read all the possibility for free TV and streaming needs with Kodi (XBMC), I realized that was exactly why I bought the Google Nexus Player on the first place, beside having an alternate set-top box instead of my lovely Playstation 3 and except for improvement on hardware level for Android TV (reboot capacity WILL BE so WELCOMED!) I don't see how rooting the device can be compared as rooting a Smartphone.
Also some needs that we find regularly on Android Smartphone can be requested to Google either by AOSP or direct feedback (I realize that Google might just ignore anyways) and I am pretty sure that future Android 5.0.x or 5.x version will be synonymous of improvements.
No, this is not ignorance and definitely not naive-ness, perhaps I need another point of view to better understand or see more benefits for rooting the device.
Again, please I created this thread as a informative and debatable spot for this topic, do not flame me and not flame each other if you don't agree with an specific opinion.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dunno, i rooted mine because i really needed to have expandable storage. So i rooted for chainfires stickmount. So i could have all my movies on my external hard drive run through xbmc natively.
↑This!↑
I have not rooted mine but if i do it will be for the ex-storage as well.. i am at the point of not storing a lot of movies because they are almost all online for a fee or free if you go that way.. We watch a movie once or twice and that is the end of it.. So to add to your debate i don't at this point see why you would root this device.
Would like a reboot function..
Im sure someone will come up with some nice ways to use root.. give them a week or so lol..
The main current use for rooting in my home is support for PS3 & 4 controllers wirelessly, using stick mount & folder mount to store game data and kodi data on an external drive and the ability to modify xml to re-arrange the order of programs in the NP's leanback interface (kodi gets top billing). My daughters now have immediate access to over twenty very large installed games so far thanks to folder mount. I also store all my kodi fanart, cover art, cd art, etc on the external as it takes up so much space internally for my large media collection that kodi accesses from my nas.
There will be future uses for root as well, of course (there always is), but these were my immediate needs.
Elrondolio said:
The main current use for rooting in my home is support for PS3 & 4 controllers wirelessly, using stick mount & folder mount to store game data and kodi data on an external drive and the ability to modify xml to re-arrange the order of programs in the NP's leanback interface (kodi gets top billing).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I recently rooted my NP, and I'm completely new to android and rooting. My main desire is to be able to get all of my sideloaded apps into the leanback interface, and to be able to rearrange the order and hide app icons I don't use. I've noticed by default Kodi RC2 appears in the leanback interface.
Do you have any tips for modifying the leanback interface in the way I've described?
kaess said:
I recently rooted my NP, and I'm completely new to android and rooting. My main desire is to be able to get all of my sideloaded apps into the leanback interface, and to be able to rearrange the order and hide app icons I don't use. I've noticed by default Kodi RC2 appears in the leanback interface.
Do you have any tips for modifying the leanback interface in the way I've described?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since things are so new with the leanback launcher there hasn't been much time for any semi-automated tools/apps to be coded to accomplish what you want. Manually, however, is very doable depending on your desired time investment.
You can modify select sideloaded apps to make them show up on the leanback interface by uncompressing its apk, editing its manifest then re-compressing and re-sideloading. See this post: How to sideload XBMC/Kodi on Nexus Player. See also this helpful post from @zlexy : [Q] Launching Netflix From Within Kodi.
You can re-arrange the order of apps listed in the leanback interface by editing leanback launcher's database. See this post by @ariful : [Q] Rearranging Apps on Android TV Nexus Player.
Again, these methods are a bit labour intensive... it'll have to be that way until more devs start/finish coding for this brand new interface/device and/or for Google to release more customizable updates. Good luck.
Elrondolio said:
Since things are so new with the leanback launcher there hasn't been much time for any semi-automated tools/apps to be coded to accomplish what you want. Manually, however, is very doable depending on your desired time investment.
You can modify select sideloaded apps to make them show up on the leanback interface by uncompressing its apk, editing its manifest then re-compressing and re-sideloading. See this post: How to sideload XBMC/Kodi on Nexus Player. See also this helpful post from @zlexy : [Q] Launching Netflix From Within Kodi.
You can re-arrange the order of apps listed in the leanback interface by editing leanback launcher's database. See this post by @ariful : [Q] Rearranging Apps on Android TV Nexus Player.
Again, these methods are a bit labour intensive... it'll have to be that way until more devs start/finish coding for this brand new interface/device and/or for Google to release more customizable updates. Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The last thing you said is exactly why I am resisting the temptation.
I am being fair with the fact that this is the first face of Android Tv and there is yet more to see and I am faithful that most feature that needs root for now, Google might have something on their sleeves, but they are waiting to see how many Nexus Player gets sold, specially after the holidays.
My mom and my step-dad were impressed with the Nexus Player so great, that my step-dad sold me the Google Chromecast as he wanted to have an experience on his own and he really didn't find the Cast environment hard but he liked the more controlled environment of the Nexus Player, so we are buying a second one for me and I will let him take the first one after the second arrives.
I think that is another example that rooting (again, my exception is that a proven restart method gets developed) for now is not needed in base of a normal usage and still haven't got the problem of storage (yet, I know the day will come).
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.
Gesendet von meinem E6653 mit Tapatalk
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".
Click to expand...
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).
Click to expand...
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)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Platform: Fire HD 8 (6th edition)
OS: 5.4.0.1
Willing to rollback?: Yes (it has broken some email functionality)
Launcher: Nova paid
I have activity launcher installed, as well as launcherhijack v3.
I have set the home screen button in accessibility, and have Nova enabled as the home. I have Nova enabled as the launcher, but have not deleted the fire launcher, as I would prefer not to.
The issue I'm having is that I can't seem to use widgets. I have read up on adb use for the fire, but Windows doesn't want to play nicely, and I don't currently have a linux machine available (yes, I could VM one, or setup a bootable USB, but I'm looking for a solution that would work with what I have currently in place).
Issue: Any time I go to place a widget on a Nova launcher screen, it brings up the list per normal, but when I go to place the widget, I get bounced back to the Kindle settings UI, and am unable to sort out a workaround.
Any suggestions would be appreciated, particularly if they don't require ADB, as so far Windows does not want to allow me to update the ADB drivers (it shows them as current stock drivers and functioning, as well as stating that the ones from google are a no-go).
Sadly, pushed the update when I did not expect it, so all of this was done after update rolled out. Play store was isntalled prior, and settings are for allowing debugging and developer settings, so at least I got the play store on prior to the update (which apparently some people are having issues with). For me, the store is working well, as is sideloading, which is why I'm thinking there must be a reliable solution to get widgets functioning in Nova without needing to ADB command it on.
Thank you,
--bb
No, you definitely need a working adb, it's your gate to all Fire HD hacks and improvements. If you can't - stay with Amazon bits and don't ask questions like this here.
Thanks to @DragonFire1024, we have a pretty nice hack to enable widgets on any launcher; it's very easy to apply and use. But PLEASE don't complain about prerequisites, if you can't get adb working on Windows, it's better to stay off all hacks and actually this site. Just enjoy your Amazon Fire HD (it's pretty cool even with OEM software installed).
Agreed! There is no need to be rude to those who are just learning. I appreciate those like Dragon who gives help to others without making them feel like idiots. With the help of this forum, I have gotten everything but gmail working! And that weird go to black screen and back to lock screen when I swipe application off the screen. An sure it will get fixed.
The widget script might work in a terminal emulator. Jack Pals on the play store is by far the best. Just search for terminal emulator for Android, place the script in the internal storage and try running it in the emulator. I honestly don't know if that will work though as all the hacks I do are usually with ADB.
DragonFire1024 said:
The widget script might work in a terminal emulator. Jack Pals on the play store is by far the best. Just search for terminal emulator for Android, place the script in the internal storage and try running it in the emulator. I honestly don't know if that will work though as all the hacks I do are usually with ADB.
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Thank you! I will give that a try.
Let's try to keep the comments directly related to Q&A for this device.
Getting snarky with other users and starting a back and forth argument is off-topic, and usually rude (both violations of the rules).
So, please; keep the Off-topic back and forth off the thread. If you are offended by, or feel another user's comment violates the rules, simply REPORT the comment and do not engage the other user further. No need to add MORE clutter.
Thanks for your cooperation.
sensboston said:
No, you definitely need a working adb, it's your gate to all Fire HD hacks and improvements. If you can't - stay with Amazon bits and don't ask questions like this here.
Thanks to @DragonFire1024, we have a pretty nice hack to enable widgets on any launcher; it's very easy to apply and use. But PLEASE don't complain about prerequisites, if you can't get adb working on Windows, it's better to stay off all hacks and actually this site. Just enjoy your Amazon Fire HD (it's pretty cool even with OEM software installed).
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Can you please explain to me how I can update the ADB? I'm not familiar with how to do this at all.
https://www.xda-developers.com/install-adb-windows-macos-linux/
Yeah, but...
bladebarrier said:
https://www.xda-developers.com/install-adb-windows-macos-linux/
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This is where I started, but I have been unable to find a way to find anything mentioning ADB (much less enable it) on our Fire HD 8 (7th Generation).
I have been looking through multiple guides for the past 20 minutes, but the newest firmware seems to have hidden or disabled the ability on the actual device. I am logged into the tablet on the main account, but even under "Device Administrators" it says "No available device administrators".
Did Amazon manage to lock these down to be nothing but a pimp for Amazon (as was their intended goal)?
Edit: Fire OS 5.6.1.0
Did Amazon manage to lock these down to be nothing but a pimp for Amazon (as was their intended goal)?
Yes, they did. It's the razor and blades business model. Such as one item is sold at a low price (or given away for free) in order to increase sales of a complementary goods.
When you go into the Setting then into Device Options, is Developer Options at the bottom of the list? If it isn't I think you need to tap the Serial Number 7 times, then it should appear and that is where you can enable ADB.
The dedication of the members of the xda forums are the only reason why a lot of devices such as these manage to reach their potential. I'm pretty new here (joined in February) but I never seen any member give up on a device. What most see as frustration, including myself, a lot of the members here not only see a challenge but an opportunity.
caldersm44 said:
Agreed! There is no need to be rude to those who are just learning. I appreciate those like Dragon who gives help to others without making them feel like idiots. With the help of this forum, I have gotten everything but gmail working! And that weird go to black screen and back to lock screen when I swipe application off the screen. An sure it will get fixed.
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For now without a rooted device the kick to the lock screen cannot be fixed. That is an unfortunate event which is a result of disabling fire launcher without root. Gmail is give or take. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. If I really had to take a guess I would say Google and Amazon are fighting between each other to get Gmail to work or stop working. It seems when enough users complain Gmail stops working within a few minutes it works again in a couple days later Amazon stops it. I would go back to an old version of Gmail, take your pick and keep trying different versions from there. If he older versions don't work that I'm at a loss at the moment. I do not currently use Gmail on my Amazon tablets. Only because I get too much mail lol. however with that having been said I have never had a problem with Gmail on any of my Amazon tablets with or without root.
dondraper23 said:
Did Amazon manage to lock these down to be nothing but a pimp for Amazon (as was their intended goal)?
Yes, they did. It's the razor and blades business model. Such as one item is sold at a low price (or given away for free) in order to increase sales of a complementary goods.
When you go into the Setting then into Device Options, is Developer Options at the bottom of the list? If it isn't I think you need to tap the Serial Number 7 times, then it should appear and that is where you can enable ADB.
The dedication of the members of the xda forums are the only reason why a lot of devices such as these manage to reach their potential. I'm pretty new here (joined in February) but I never seen any member give up on a device. What most see as frustration, including myself, a lot of the members here not only see a challenge but an opportunity.
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Thanks for the reminder of how to enable Developer Options - it has been a while since I had to do that. ADB is now enabled!
Thanks to everyone in the xda-developers community!
AnotherNameFFS said:
Thanks for the reminder of how to enable Developer Options - it has been a while since I had to do that. ADB is now enabled!
Thanks to everyone in the xda-developers community!
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Glad you got it enabled! It's one of those steps that is easy to forget
Why are you saying that he should get off the site. Thats rude
I really would like to have the best of both worlds! I like the almost every Amazon has implemented on the Fire HE 10, except their apps and app store. And I like everything about Google Play services and their apps. Here on CAR are many threads on topics to customize one world over the other. But not anything I would characterize as the best of both worlds.
Most Amazon topics are generally like tips. And Google topics generally involve a complete wipe of Amazon's implementation of launcher and product offering.
Is there anyone who has created an implementation that utilizes the best of both? It seems as though I've read all the posts or searched all the posts here and nothing that really says to me this is the solution. I would especially like to see a custom rom like we see for our phones.
cfedata said:
I really would like to have the best of both worlds! I like the almost every Amazon has implemented on the Fire HE 10, except their apps and app store. And I like everything about Google Play services and their apps. Here on CAR are many threads on topics to customize one world over the other. But not anything I would characterize as the best of both worlds.
Most Amazon topics are generally like tips. And Google topics generally involve a complete wipe of Amazon's implementation of launcher and product offering.
Is there anyone who has created an implementation that utilizes the best of both? It seems as though I've read all the posts or searched all the posts here and nothing that really says to me this is the solution. I would especially like to see a custom rom like we see for our phones.
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Check around here for my tips, hacks etc. I have been trying to build a ROM for a bit. It may not be possible on this device (as long as it's bootloader locked), at least not like the Fire 7. Either FlashFire won't install one on the HD 10, or Amazon did something that doesn't allow the traditional updater-scripts or FlashFire to do their job properly. I suspect they removed something from a .bin file or modified it like they did the bootanimation.bin (FireOS stock bootanimation is written into the bootanimation bin file in /system/bin. So if you don't replace the bin file, and try to change bootanimation, it would fail.) So far I have been doing it the slow way: replacing the Amazon apps one by one, with Android. My hope is to create a 'ROM' that way, and at some point distribute the system.img.
cfedata
Follow DragonFire1024's posts about the FIre HD and you have a great approximation of both worlds. I have Alexa and Google Assistant voice activated on all my Fire HD's. The Amazon Appstore is pretty useless in my opinion. Once you get the Google Play store installed, you'll probably never use it. I tend to sideload apps on all my devices anyway but the Play Store is occasionally useful for updates. Just make sure you have "Do Not auto-update apps" selected in your Play Store settings since some updates for certain apps make them unusable or unstable on the Fire HD's