The temptation to install an ICS rom on my Fire is too much! I'm going to do it this weekend. But before I do, I need to know, are all features of the Stock Kindle Fire available in the ICS Kindle app? Will I lose any functionality? My wife actually reads many books and magazines on it and will be mad if she can't anymore.
thanks!!
Hi,
When you upgrade to the ICS rom, it will become an android tablet. You won't be able to use amazon instant video. You will loose amazon books, magazines, music, docs, web, and all that.
However, you can download the amazon kindle app to download books (magazines I am not to sure about).
The Amazon app store does not want to install (at least on my KF). There are a lot of apps I need to re-install from the Play store, and delete the Amazon version.
I'd say, if it's not yours and she's happy with it, don't F**k with it.
But, if it IS yours and she's happy with it, still, don't F**k with it.
You will definitely loose amazon instant video (incl. amazon Prime) in case this is important to you. You'll retain the books via the amazon kindle app and also the music via Amazon's mp3 app including access to the cloud. Of course you can also use the Amazon Appstore for Android, but you might prefer to use Google's Play Store, since the apps are updated more frequently. If you need the video option, you could also try dual-boot which gives you both worlds. Videos themselves can of course be viewed without dual boot. The advantage of an ICS is OTG/mass storage, meaning that you can hook a hard disk to the kindle and view the films from there. With twa_privs ROM and the BSPlayer you will have flawless video decoding of highest quality. Check for respective threads to get the right hardware to do so. I am fine with all USB2 devices (USB stick, hard disk) formatted in fat32, but never got usb3 or ntfs to work.
Related
Just rooted and updated bootloader. Flashed Energy's ROM
I like it BUT....
i can't seem to get my "standard" features back...
eg. - I had to sideload Amazon VOD because that wasn't there - but it crashes whenever i try to play a video
- The Books i sideloaded aren't detected by the Kindle App (downloaded from Google Play)
I was thinking the ROM would come with a Kindle Default Launcher that would give me access to these standard features but i realize the launcher is irrelevant - it's that the apps (VOD, Book Reader) are gone or are not working right.
Any help is greatly appreciated.
tg32 said:
Just rooted and updated bootloader. Flashed Energy's ROM
I like it BUT....
i can't seem to get my "standard" features back...
eg. - I had to sideload Amazon VOD because that wasn't there - but it crashes whenever i try to play a video
- The Books i sideloaded aren't detected by the Kindle App (downloaded from Google Play)
I was thinking the ROM would come with a Kindle Default Launcher that would give me access to these standard features but i realize the launcher is irrelevant - it's that the apps (VOD, Book Reader) are gone or are not working right.
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Amazon VOD won't work in ICS.
What folder are your books in now and what format are they?
CRAP!!
....and thanks for the quick response. has anyone heard if that is likely to change in the near future?
...and the books are mobi files. Stored in the Books folder. Tried both in Books and Documents. The Fire only recognizes content that has been download from the Kindle store...not sideloaded.....hmmm.....
tg32 said:
CRAP!!
....and thanks for the quick response. has anyone heard if that is likely to change in the near future?
...and the books are mobi files. Stored in the Books folder. Tried both in Books and Documents. The Fire only recognizes content that has been download from the Kindle store...not sideloaded.....hmmm.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Kindle app reads from the "kindle" folder
SUCCESS!!
lol
thanks.
Now if amazon vod would just work on ICS. I thought the Energy ROM could do it because it utilizes hardware acceleration.
guess not....
Weird though...it asks me to sign in for video's to play but i can't even find where or how i sign in to my Prime account
I get its like Roku, but even.. what does it do? Can you stream local stuff or just things that are offered on the fire platform? Reason Im asking, is that my father is thinking about dumping FIOS. As he never watches "season style shows" He just turns it on to watch something when bored. So something like Fire Tv I think will be cool for him... He wont be playing games, just watching random broadcasts.. He said he liked the Roku and like the 99 cent movie channel.. Does the Fire TV have the same setup as the Roku?
Thanks guys!
Of course, Id be rooting it and downloading that XBMC that I seen. Again I dont know much about it, but it seems like most recommend to do that and root the unit. I seen an OTA blocker too... thanks agian.
mroneeyedboh said:
I get its like Roku, but even.. what does it do? Can you stream local stuff or just things that are offered on the fire platform? Reason Im asking, is that my father is thinking about dumping FIOS. As he never watches "season style shows" He just turns it on to watch something when bored. So something like Fire Tv I think will be cool for him... He wont be playing games, just watching random broadcasts.. He said he liked the Roku and like the 99 cent movie channel.. Does the Fire TV have the same setup as the Roku?
Thanks guys!
Of course, Id be rooting it and downloading that XBMC that I seen. Again I dont know much about it, but it seems like most recommend to do that and root the unit. I seen an OTA blocker too... thanks agian.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Fire TV is primarily a video streaming device. Meaning, it plays videos from the internet. The videos it streams can come from several different sources. Some are free, some cost money per video, and some require a paid monthly subscription which lets you play any videos in the library at no additional cost.
Here are some of the most popular video sources used on the FIre TV:
Amazon Prime Instant Video: This costs $99 a year and allows you to view any number of movies and TV shows in their library. This also comes with other perks from Amazon, like free 2 day shipping on most orders.
Amazon Instant Video: This is Amazon's movie and TV show purchase and rental service. You can buy movies or TV shows individually. Once purchased, you can play them as many times as you want. This it the digital equivalent to buying a DVD/Bluray and putting it on your shelf. This service also allows you to rent movies and TV shows. Renting gives you limited access to a movie or TV show; essentially enough access to watch the video once.
Netflix: For a monthly subscription, you get to watch any and all of the movies and TV shows in their library. The selection is better than Amazon Prime Instant Videos, but it's also more expensive considering there are no additional perks. It's strictly a video streaming service.
Hulu Plus: For a monthly subscription, you get access to their library of TV shows. Generally, TV shows will be available on Hulu Plus before they become available on other services.
Netflix and Hulu require that you install a free app on the Fire TV in order to access their videos. Where as, for Amazon Videos, you have direct access to them form the Fire TV's home screen.
You also have several free video options. These all require individual apps. These are services like YouTube, Pluto.tv, iFood.tv, Smithsonian Channel, Tubi, etc...
Lastly, you can play local videos stored on a PC in the house. This is what XBMC and Plex iare primarily used for.
Thanks. I already have Amazon Prime, so I can tag my dad on to that..
And thanks for the description.
mroneeyedboh said:
Thanks. I already have Amazon Prime, so I can tag my dad on to that..
And thanks for the description.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're welcome. If you already have Amazon Prime, then it seems like the Fire TV is a good option for your dad.
If your dad is not technologically savvy, or you're worried he may be confused with which videos are free (via Prime) and which ones have to be purchased, I would suggest installing rbox's mod which allows you to hide certain menu options. I have a guide here. This will allow you to hide the "Movies" and "TV" sections (where most of the content is not included free with Amazon Prime) and keep the "Prime Video" section (where all of the content is included free with Amazon Prime). You can also hide all the other sections (like, apps, games, photos, etc..) which it sounds like he will never use.
To install rbox's menu hidding mod, you have to be rooted, so be sure not to accidentaly block rooting during the inital setup process of the Fire TV.
Thanks again. If you dont mind, what all would you suggest to do to it when I receive it? Should I install Llama and that XBMC?
Also seems that Roku has more "misc" movie channels for free versus the Amazon Fire.. no?
Awesome summary from AFTVNews....
Want to add a few things:
-- Amazon prime videos (movies/tv shows) load way faster on FTV than on any other platform. I have PS3, Samsung Smart TV and Wii. It is a no contest when it comes to speed. So, if you are going to watch prime content, FTV is a much better option, just for this reason and even if you don't root it or load anything else like XBMC.
-- As mentioned before, you can buy/rent content from Amazon. Do keep in mind that even if you buy, you will only able to watch it as long as your Amazon account is in good standing, as in forever. If Amazon bars your account for any reason, all your buys will go poof.
-- FTV has a voice enabled search and works reasonably well.
-- If you have your cable subscription through a vendor that allows you to stream WatchESPN, you can download the app and watch all content on it through FTV (along with any other ESPN channels you subscribe to). This was the main and only reason I bought FTV (but now I know better to be happy with just ESPN, LOL)
---------- Post added at 11:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:01 PM ----------
mroneeyedboh said:
Thanks again. If you dont mind, what all would you suggest to do to it when I receive it? Should I install Llama and that XBMC?
Also seems that Roku has more "misc" movie channels for free versus the Amazon Fire.. no?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can get all the "free" movie content if you install and use XBMC. Roku might have way higher number of gross apps/feed, but if you are not going to use it, why buy it? And FTV has so much more superior hardware.
---------- Post added at 11:07 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:03 PM ----------
mroneeyedboh said:
Thanks again. If you dont mind, what all would you suggest to do to it when I receive it? Should I install Llama and that XBMC?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As a personal preference, the least modifications you do on FTV, the less the chances of wrecking your FTV. I have accepted the trade off of a few more clicks to run XBMC over changing the launching behavior of my FTV. Just an opinion.
mroneeyedboh said:
Thanks again. If you dont mind, what all would you suggest to do to it when I receive it? Should I install Llama and that XBMC?
Also seems that Roku has more "misc" movie channels for free versus the Amazon Fire.. no?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@dbdoshi added some great points. If you, or a family member has a cable subscription, your content selection increases because of apps like WatchESPN that let you watch for free if you already have a cable subscription with one of their participating providers.
Llama is primarily only used to reduce the number of clicks needed to get to sideloaded apps. I agree with dbdoshi and feel it's not worth the extra complexity just to save a few clicks.
XBMC is primarily useful for local videos on a hard drive or PC. There are some extensions for XBMC which let you stream more content for free, but most people install it to play their own collection of videos.
Lastly, yes, I agree that Roku has a wider selection of content sources than the Fire TV. I don't have much experience with Roku's, so I can't comment about the quality of their selection but it does seem larger.
Let me add a couple points here. First, you can't share Amazon Prime videos, the family share thing only covers the free 2-day shipping. This doesn't mean you can't give out your Amazon login/password, but if that person starts buying movies and such.... Roku has a boatload more apps, something like 1,700, but unless you are looking for some odd niche there really isn't much on Roku that you can't get on FTV. HBOGo being the biggie if you subscribe to HBO. Side-loading XBMC works great, plus gives you access to all the legal and questionable plug-ins. Between the XBMC plugins and the native FTV apps, I doubt there is anything available online you can't get.
I didn't bother rooting my FTV, and for a casual user I wouldn't recommend it. Sure, you can do nice things like change the launcher, customize the menus, or enable USB storage (something I hope Amazon does in a future update), and other things, but you don't need root to side load apps such as XBMC. I'd rather stay current with Amazon's updates and improvements than worry about blocking them or getting caught up in a cat & mouse game of root exploits.
Hi all,
I've had my Fire TV for about a week now. I really like the idea of running Android on my TV, as I can run all the games I want plus the emulators, which is super awesome. I put XBMC on it and with some addons, it's really the "ultimate" TV experience.
However, as soon as I plugged in my Fire TV, it upgraded itself to the latest firmware. Reading other threads, it seems that it is impossible to root or to even downgrade to a previous firmware.
Now the only 2 reasons I'd like to have root is to:
1. Install Google Play so that I don't have to repurchase all the games from Amazon AppStore (technically I could sideload the APKs of the games that I own, but I'd rather not do that)
2. Expand the storage, so that I can plug in a USB flash drive and put whatever the hell I want on it (mostly emulator ROMs).
So, what do you think? Should I return Fire TV (I have about 20 more days left for return period) and get the Nexus Player instead, or stick with FTV?
Thanks!
Deusdies said:
Hi all,
I've had my Fire TV for about a week now. I really like the idea of running Android on my TV, as I can run all the games I want plus the emulators, which is super awesome. I put XBMC on it and with some addons, it's really the "ultimate" TV experience.
However, as soon as I plugged in my Fire TV, it upgraded itself to the latest firmware. Reading other threads, it seems that it is impossible to root or to even downgrade to a previous firmware.
Now the only 2 reasons I'd like to have root is to:
1. Install Google Play so that I don't have to repurchase all the games from Amazon AppStore (technically I could sideload the APKs of the games that I own, but I'd rather not do that)
2. Expand the storage, so that I can plug in a USB flash drive and put whatever the hell I want on it (mostly emulator ROMs).
So, what do you think? Should I return Fire TV (I have about 20 more days left for return period) and get the Nexus Player instead, or stick with FTV?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think its still too early to tell for sure what's going to fit your needs best, but If I remember right I think the nexus player does not have a full size USB port on it (I could be wrong on that, gonna have to look it up.) Has nexus player been rooted etc yet? I've yet to even see how google has done the UI, the stock amazon UI is really the only thing I don't like about the FTV.
Skater4599 said:
I think its still too early to tell for sure what's going to fit your needs best, but If I remember right I think the nexus player does not have a full size USB port on it (I could be wrong on that, gonna have to look it up.) Has nexus player been rooted etc yet? I've yet to even see how google has done the UI, the stock amazon UI is really the only thing I don't like about the FTV.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Configuration wise, the firetv has a hard wire and 1gb extra ram or cache, can't remember. that is needed for xbmc to play bd50's flawlessly. Then on the other hand, the nexus has the AC card which goes above 100 mbps. if you have the right setup.
My recommendation. return firetv and reget it and don't mess up the root. I forgot to block updates on my parents firetv and they have the latest version. I hope they come out with the root for fire again.
BlackFriday...
In other news... Staples & Bestbuy will have the FireTV for $74 & 74.99 on BlackFriday (online)... Probably more stores too..
http://www.aftvnews.com/staples-to-sell-amazon-fire-tv-for-74-on-1127-1128/
I apologize if this subject has been beat to death, but I need to have some questions answered before I purchase the firetv. I currently have an old zotac mag ion htpc that I have been running xbmc on for at least 3 years. Works great for all my movies/music (I have a synology server). I am contemplating 'upgrading' to a fire tv because I'm getting sick of not being able to easily use watchespn, primetv, etc apps 'through xbmc'. And the ion htpc does not like streaming through windows/browser...
The fire tv will give me a nice option to watch youtube, watchespn, primetv, etc and still have xbmc as an 'app' so I can do what I normally use it for - my local content.
I have read through some of the guides and everything seems pretty easy. However:
1. Will I need to root or use sbmc instead of kodi? I understand the newer versions of fire tv are un-rootable from the factory. I would actually prefer not to root and have to use 'cracked' firmware updates.
2. I understand you cannot load from a usb stick with the newer firmware. Is this an issue with repositories, etc that you might download on your laptop from a browser? Or can you download from a browser, extract all in the firetv? That was one advantage of using my current htpc since it is running windows 7 - also a hassle because I never learned the easy way of getting the bluecop repo and others to work without a lot of fiddling.
3. Follow on with question 2 - Occasionally, I need to download subtitles for my local movies. IIRC I would just download the .srt file and place it in the movie directory (in my synology)...and then I could just pick it up with xbmc. I assume all this works just fine because xbmc is xbmc whether it is running on an android platform (fire tv) or windows/htpc as a program.
4. Will there be any issues connecting to my synology? Both the fire tv and the synology are hard wired with ethernet to my router.
5. Google music. Is this app available and easily accessible without rooting? I very occasionally run it on my current htpc - again since it is a hassle because I'd run it through the browser/windows.
Thanks
1. No, you don't need root to install any version of XBMC/Kodi, and that includes SPMC.
2. To install add-ons/repositories that can't be added from XBMC/Kodi itself all you need to do is download it to a PC/NAS (to a shared folder) then use Install from zip in XBMC/Kodi.
3. Don't know as I don't require subtitles, but any that works on you current setup should work on XBMC/Kodi on the AFTV. With the exception of being able to use an attached USB drive or doing something like HD audio pass-through XBMC/Kodi will be no different than it is on any other system.
4. Shouldn't, you can always have issues when it comes to networked devices, but generally speaking No.
5. No, you can not install Google services without rooting. There may be some work around for that, but I couldn't say. Just switch over to Amazon music service.
Great thanks for the replies! Looks like the only hangup is the Google integration... Which is not something I truly use often now.
jeep364 said:
Great thanks for the replies! Looks like the only hangup is the Google integration... Which is not something I truly use often now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you might want to look at the All Cast receiver app on fire tv see http://www.androidpolice.com/tags/allcast-google-music/ or see here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqhWaIFcmpU
jeep364 said:
I apologize if this subject has been beat to death, but I need to have some questions answered before I purchase the firetv. I currently have an old zotac mag ion htpc that I have been running xbmc on for at least 3 years. Works great for all my movies/music (I have a synology server). I am contemplating 'upgrading' to a fire tv because I'm getting sick of not being able to easily use watchespn, primetv, etc apps 'through xbmc'. And the ion htpc does not like streaming through windows/browser...
The fire tv will give me a nice option to watch youtube, watchespn, primetv, etc and still have xbmc as an 'app' so I can do what I normally use it for - my local content.
I have read through some of the guides and everything seems pretty easy. However:
1. Will I need to root or use sbmc instead of kodi? I understand the newer versions of fire tv are un-rootable from the factory. I would actually prefer not to root and have to use 'cracked' firmware updates.
2. I understand you cannot load from a usb stick with the newer firmware. Is this an issue with repositories, etc that you might download on your laptop from a browser? Or can you download from a browser, extract all in the firetv? That was one advantage of using my current htpc since it is running windows 7 - also a hassle because I never learned the easy way of getting the bluecop repo and others to work without a lot of fiddling.
3. Follow on with question 2 - Occasionally, I need to download subtitles for my local movies. IIRC I would just download the .srt file and place it in the movie directory (in my synology)...and then I could just pick it up with xbmc. I assume all this works just fine because xbmc is xbmc whether it is running on an android platform (fire tv) or windows/htpc as a program.
4. Will there be any issues connecting to my synology? Both the fire tv and the synology are hard wired with ethernet to my router.
5. Google music. Is this app available and easily accessible without rooting? I very occasionally run it on my current htpc - again since it is a hassle because I'd run it through the browser/windows.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My answers based on using a Fire TV Stick....
1. No root needed to install SPMC or XMBC apk's. Just enable the settings for 3rd party apps and side load them. I've loaded both SPMC and XBMC Gotham
2. No Idea. I haven't tired any add-ons. And the FTVS has a micro usb port used for power, so I haven't tired connecting a drive to it.
3. SRT files work fine for me. I've got a Windows Server box with file shares, I've added that to XMBC and SPMC, the MKV of the movie and the SRT are in the same folder. The subtitles show fine.
4. If your Synology is setup to connect to standard windows file shares or SMB file shares, you're fine.
5. I have not tried. I don't use it much, even on my android phones. I use Rhapsody which isn't available on my FTVS, and I haven't tried sideloading it yet.
jeep364 said:
1. Will I need to root or use sbmc instead of kodi? I understand the newer versions of fire tv are un-rootable from the factory. I would actually prefer not to root and have to use 'cracked' firmware updates.
2. I understand you cannot load from a usb stick with the newer firmware. Is this an issue with repositories, etc that you might download on your laptop from a browser? Or can you download from a browser, extract all in the firetv? That was one advantage of using my current htpc since it is running windows 7 - also a hassle because I never learned the easy way of getting the bluecop repo and others to work without a lot of fiddling.
3. Follow on with question 2 - Occasionally, I need to download subtitles for my local movies. IIRC I would just download the .srt file and place it in the movie directory (in my synology)...and then I could just pick it up with xbmc. I assume all this works just fine because xbmc is xbmc whether it is running on an android platform (fire tv) or windows/htpc as a program.
4. Will there be any issues connecting to my synology? Both the fire tv and the synology are hard wired with ethernet to my router.
5. Google music. Is this app available and easily accessible without rooting? I very occasionally run it on my current htpc - again since it is a hassle because I'd run it through the browser/windows.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. has been answered already
2. Has been answered aready
3. Subtitles work fine, and i own a synbology 1812+ that works great. Make sure you allow full access to the NFS shares since xbmc requires read/write to the shares. If you purchase the fire PM if you need help with the shares.
4. If this is a Must i would get the Nexus Player. Fire gives you Amazon Services, Nexus Player gets you Google services.... which honestly i use google services a ton more.
mejdam said:
1. has been answered already
2. Has been answered aready
3. Subtitles work fine, and i own a synbology 1812+ that works great. Make sure you allow full access to the NFS shares since xbmc requires read/write to the shares. If you purchase the fire PM if you need help with the shares.
4. If this is a Must i would get the Nexus Player. Fire gives you Amazon Services, Nexus Player gets you Google services.... which honestly i use google services a ton more.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I looked into the nexus player, looks too simple for my uses. No ether net port, weak app support.
With the fire TV maturing over the past few months it definitely seems the way to go. In fact I ordered one yesterday after briefly considering the roku 3. I think the ease of use of the apps, watch espn and others combined with xbmc should fit my needs nicely. I will definitely pm if I run into any sharing issues.
I assume everyone is running xbmc 12.1 Gotham or is there a newer version?
jeep364 said:
I assume everyone is running xbmc 12.1 Gotham or is there a newer version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The current stable release can be found in the Kodi Downloads, of which Gotham 13.2 is the current version with Helix on the horizon. You might want to consider using SPMC 13.3.3 as the Kodi developer @Koying maintains this Android specific version which contains fixes not to be found on Gotham 13.2. And it works great on the Fire TV.
Just received my fire tv and will be setting it up when I get a chance.
Just looking at the guide: http://kodi.wiki/view/Amazon_Fire_TV
When they talk about 'host' they just mean the computer or whatever you are using to transfer the 'packages' to the fire tv correct? My host doesn't have to be on 100% of the time, just when installing the android sdk, etc?
So I'm having extreme frustrations with the native Youtube app for my Fire TV Stick. It's often slow, randomly crashes, CONSTANTLY lags without fail, and I can't even use the Amazon Fire TV Android app to type to search. It's just not an overall well done app for the Stick at least. I can't speak about the Fire TV Box, which I might purchase due to some sluggishness with the Stick (i.e. Youtube, Kodi, etc) So, I've tried other alternatives on the Amazon Appstore. Namely OneTube. It works decently, but it doesn't look too pretty, is difficult to find things when I don't know what I want to watch, and no Cast/pair support.
The older Youtube for Google TV works well, but unfortunately, when using the remote, I can't click the search box to search anything lol.
I've used the Youtube for Android TV 1.0.5.5 app(sideloaded) and, minus the regular complaints about the app itself, runs great! No lag, videos work fine, and I can type to search with the Amazon Fire TV app on my phone. Downside is that I can't seem to find a pair device setting in the app itself :/ Now maybe I need to sideload google play services in order to get it to show up? I'm not sure, but I thought that was only necessary if you wanted to sign into your YouTube account.
So my question is are there any alternate YouTube players that work well, or is there a way to pair my device with the new Youtube for Android TV app?
The kodi YouTube app works very well and you could use yatse to cast videos to it.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app