Related
instead of trying to bypass all the bull**** of this custom OS why can't we just install a clean OS now that we have the source code of Kindle we can apply the needed drivers and also apply the BT driver that exist.
labbala said:
instead of trying to bypass all the bull**** of this custom OS why can't we just install a clean OS now that we have the source code of Kindle we can apply the needed drivers and also apply the BT driver that exist.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the issue is someone has to create the custom OS.
From what I've seen, that takes more than a couple days.
Also we need a way to get the custom rom on it. No clockwork makes it a little tricky right now.
What's the difference between the OS from source (clean OS) and the pre installed OS ?
0xdroid said:
What's the difference between the OS from source (clean OS) and the pre installed OS ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In my line of thinking (and the pros can certainly correct me if my analogy is bad)...it's like asking what's the difference if I buy a New Dell PC and simply manually uninstall all the bloatware versus reformatting it with a fresh install...the latter is just better.
Well, in the case of PC vendors, there's Windows from Microsoft and a separate install of bloatware by the vendors. Kindle Fire, (as I understand it) has a forked, custom version of Android - they are not installing Android OS and putting some apps on top of it.
0xdroid said:
What's the difference between the OS from source (clean OS) and the pre installed OS ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the suggestion is to build a "stock" Android ROM, using parts of the source of the Amazon ROM. Basically take the drivers from the Amazon source, merge with stock Android and install. Obviously it's a little more difficult than simply copying some files from one ROM's source into another and compiling. Plus there's the problem of getting a custom recovery on there to flash from and to make backups etc.
Well, Amazon is going to sell a crapload of these things - at $199 why wouldn't they? - and I'm sure enough of them will fall into the skillful hands of some of our greatest developers. Given any time at all, I'm sure we'll have CWR and CyanogenMod 9 for the Fire. My wife is getting me a Fire for Christmas, and being a HUGE fan of CyanogenMod, I can't wait for some much needed love from the development community!
Im getting one just for that reason
Sent from my MB855 using xda premium
My wife is also getting me a fire for Christmas. It will be here Tuesday! I can't wait to get some custom ROMs on it!
I have one on order should be here in a week can't wait to wrinc the crap out of it.I see good things commin the force seems strong with this one it's not like the others.
labbala said:
instead of trying to bypass all the bull**** of this custom OS why can't we just install a clean OS now that we have the source code of Kindle we can apply the needed drivers and also apply the BT driver that exist.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'd lose the whole Kindle experience... I mean, you could put the Kindle App back on it, but that's just weird. I managed to get every app I could think of that would be useful on a tablet with no camera or GPS onto it, 100% integrated with the Kindle's native interface and ecosystem.
If you just want a tablet, you'd be a lot better off with a Galaxy Tab or Xoom or something, not this small, underpowered tablet. For basic stuff, and as an E-reader, it excels.
GSMinCT said:
You'd lose the whole Kindle experience... I mean, you could put the Kindle App back on it, but that's just weird. I managed to get every app I could think of that would be useful on a tablet with no camera or GPS onto it, 100% integrated with the Kindle's native interface and ecosystem.
If you just want a tablet, you'd be a lot better off with a Galaxy Tab or Xoom or something, not this small, underpowered tablet. For basic stuff, and as an E-reader, it excels.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wrong. this tablet is not underpowered or too small. its awesome, and in time will be the best 7 inch available..
Sent from my HTC Glacier using xda premium
smirkis said:
wrong. this tablet is not underpowered or too small. its awesome, and in time will be the best 7 inch available..
Sent from my HTC Glacier using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Best available? Really? Serviceable yes. Specs-wise hardly. Let's keep the giddiness in perspective. It's a journeyman middle to low end tab.
Perhaps this thread needs to be in General?
what other 7s are worth mentioning other than the nook? sleek hardware is all we need, the rest comes in due time!
Sent from my Kindle Fire using xda premium
smirkis said:
what other 7s are worth mentioning other than the nook? sleek hardware is all we need, the rest comes in due time!
Sent from my Kindle Fire using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Make you a deal. I don't wish to hijack this thread (and it has nothing to do with Android Development) so let's move to General. I've tried as many 7" tabs as I could and am happy to share what I learned.
Mod....can you move us to General?
I would think that, on top of the typical problems associated with making a new ROM from an incomplete android install like the Kindle Fire comes with, you also have additional hurdles to get past, such as implementing the same on-screen hardware controls (back, home, etc) into the new ROM, as well as making a touchscreen recovery in which things can be flashed.
Felnarion said:
I would think that, on top of the typical problems associated with making a new ROM from an incomplete android install like the Kindle Fire comes with, you also have additional hurdles to get past, such as implementing the same on-screen hardware controls (back, home, etc) into the new ROM, as well as making a touchscreen recovery in which things can be flashed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A touchscreen recovery is already in process (a port by TeamWin of their existing touchscreen recovery called TWRP). There is a thread on it in this same section. Once recovery is sorted out then the real ROM work can begin in earnest
The new ICS version of Android is already designed to have on-screen buttons. I think this new Android 4.0 version requires a newer Linux kernel version than the Android 2.3 that the Fire is currently using, so there might be some heavy work required to get the current drivers all working in a different kernel , but once that is sorted out then new ROMs can be built from the ICS source code
Even starting with a 2.3 ROM, patching things on top of the existing Kindle Fire software shouldn't be necessary since Google provided the full source code for 2.3 as well
Additionally, CM7 'Tablet Tweaks' originally for the Nook Color would be perfectly viable here as well. I anticipate that once a solid recovery / 'unbricking' path is finalized, there will be a much greater development pace.
chuffykow said:
Additionally, CM7 'Tablet Tweaks' originally for the Nook Color would be perfectly viable here as well. I anticipate that once a solid recovery / 'unbricking' path is finalized, there will be a much greater development pace.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks I forgot to include that part. If a CM7 ROM is what comes first then it should still work great
Hey guys, I just grabbed a KF HD 8.9 off ebay for my wife for $225. I tried to convince her to go with a Nexus7, but she wanted the larger screen. Our previous phones were Android, so she'd be familiar with the Fire if the answers to my questions are positive. Here's a few questions I have if someone can please help me out:
1) From what I've seen reading on here, we can root the device and add the Google Play store. Is this correct? Are there any caveats to this (i.e., you must to do X or Y to be able to download apps after adding it)?
2) If I can install a customer launcher for her (I don't know what the current options are, but there was Nova, Launcher Pro, GoLauncher, etc when we had Android devices), would this largely cause the device to actually LOOK like normal Android? I don't see why there would be any issues, but I just want to clarify.
3) It appears (again, from reading on here), that you can sideload apps (I used the "allow unknown sources" box on my phone). Is that correct?
4) Is the HDMI out reliable?
I would install CM10 and call it a day, but it sounds like there are currently audio and HDMI issues on it, and those are two things we'll use a good bit.
I apologize if this is in the wrong forum, but it was the only one I saw devoted to the 8.9" version. These questions may not really matter for the differences in model, but I wanted to be sure I targeted the right audience,
Thanks for any help provided.
I've done much of what you are asking about using the following thread:-http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2096888
It's a long read, but worth it.
I'm using GoLauncher HD, and have live wallpapers up and running too - it looks just like any other android device.
The caveats are that some apps will not install/update from Google play - but will probably work if sideloaded. Added to that, Amazon will update your tablet and remove all your hard work if they get the chance - the thread provides tools to minimise this threat as well.
PS I've got a Nexus 7 too - much better tablet in all respects except screen size - that's why I got the KF8.9 as well.
Good luck
Thanks for the quick reply. If I remember correctly, you could disable updates on previous Android devices, is this not the case with the KFHD? The software wouldn't be the newest, but data wouldn't be wiped, either.
Amazon are pushing un-notified updates through various channels - you won't know until you suddenly lose root and all your google apps.
Very friendly user facing company NOT !!!
praed0r said:
Amazon are pushing un-notified updates through various channels - you won't know until you suddenly lose root and all your google apps.
Very friendly user facing company NOT !!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting. In that case, I might just sideload a launcher. Didn't know it was all going to be this much trouble
I have the kindle fire hd 8.9 and it rooted fine and I have a launcher on it which makes it look like a normal android tablet with Google apps. Have had no issues yet with Amazon forcing updates but if it happens it can't be that hard to block it.... some apps in play store won't install due to compatibility issues....but market helper app solves that.. or you can install the apk manually
CyCaboose said:
I have the kindle fire hd 8.9 and it rooted fine and I have a launcher on it which makes it look like a normal android tablet with Google apps. Have had no issues yet with Amazon forcing updates but if it happens it can't be that hard to block it.... some apps in play store won't install due to compatibility issues....but market helper app solves that.. or you can install the apk manually
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the info. I doubt my wife would require many apps that are unavailable on Amazon anyways (if any).
I confirm that the HDMI works very well on my TV
I just got the 8.9 and I am wondering if I should bother to install CM or just keep it stock and install the play store? What advantages / disadvantages would I have for both? Also if I am rooted can I still use Amazon services if I stay on stock? I really wanna watch prime movies / rent from the kindle library. I know I will lose this if I go on CM
DanielAlbert said:
I just got the 8.9 and I am wondering if I should bother to install CM or just keep it stock and install the play store? What advantages / disadvantages would I have for both? Also if I am rooted can I still use Amazon services if I stay on stock? I really wanna watch prime movies / rent from the kindle library. I know I will lose this if I go on CM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you root, you will lose no functions of the stock KFHD. Rooting just gives you access to the roots of the system allowing you to add/remove what you please. Adding Google Play (Gapps) just adds those APK's to the system so you can use them. Again, this effects nothing as far as the stock KFHD goes.
Installing any custom ROM will remove the ability to watch prime movies, loose the lending library and any audio books that are not backed up to an audible account.
This was no big to me because I can watch the prime movies on the ROKU, I don't borrow books and had my audible books backed up. A custom ROM is so much better and faster. Sky's the limit for customizing. That choice is yours.
Because I use some of the stock functionality, I went with rooting.
Then installed Go Launcher and set it up as my default launcher.
Installed LMT Launcher to replace the default softkeys.
Changed a config file to remove the softkey bar
Installed Thumbkeyboard from the Google Play (purchased for a previous device), a much better keyboard than stock.
All this took quite of bit of searching around for different tweaks, but I have an experience thats closer to Android, while retaining access to
the Kindle Carousel as an app, so I can access Prime and the lending library.
My point is, if you can define how you're going to use your Kindle, you have a lot of options.
LinearEquation said:
If you root, you will lose no functions of the stock KFHD. Rooting just gives you access to the roots of the system allowing you to add/remove what you please. Adding Google Play (Gapps) just adds those APK's to the system so you can use them. Again, this effects nothing as far as the stock KFHD goes.
Installing any custom ROM will remove the ability to watch prime movies, loose the lending library and any audio books that are not backed up to an audible account.
This was no big to me because I can watch the prime movies on the ROKU, I don't borrow books and had my audible books backed up. A custom ROM is so much better and faster. Sky's the limit for customizing. That choice is yours.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can also check out Kinology.
Sent from my Amazon Kindle Fire HD running Paranoid Android using xda app-developers
i thought Kinology was only for the 7 inch tablet? http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2373292&highlight=kinology
Opps, good catch. This was an 8.9 question. Yes, KFHD7 only.
Sent from my Amazon Kindle Fire HD running Paranoid Android using xda app-developers
its a shame too. b/c that would be awesome on the 8.9
x000x said:
its a shame too. b/c that would be awesome on the 8.9
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agree.
Sent from my Amazon Kindle Fire HD running Paranoid Android using xda app-developers
LinearEquation said:
...A custom ROM is so much better and faster...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Noob Alert!
I've just bought a Kindle Fire HD 8.9" 4G on eBay.
Is there a noob's guide to installing non-Amazon ROMs? I just want it to be a standard Android tablet. I've looked through dozens of posts, but I seem to be going round in ever-decreasing circles and will soon disappear up my own USB port
nigelmercier said:
Noob Alert!
I've just bought a Kindle Fire HD 8.9" 4G on eBay.
Is there a noob's guide to installing non-Amazon ROMs? I just want it to be a standard Android tablet. I've looked through dozens of posts, but I seem to be going round in ever-decreasing circles and will soon disappear up my own USB port
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you know how many updates I got from you posting all over the forum this same question? http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2391776
It's still a work in progress.
LinearEquation said:
Do you know how many updates I got from you posting all over the forum this same question? http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2391776
It's still a work in progress.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apologies, still trying to find my way around. If that is the only ROM for the HD 8.9" LTE then I guess I'll have to wait until there is progress.
Yes, that's what there is for the 8.9 lte. I'm sure there will be more updates.
Sent from my Amazon Kindle Fire HD running CM 10.2 using xda app-developers
Pure android Kindle
May I suggest you check out a company called N2Aos. They have developed a
version of CyanogenMod 10.1 especially for the Kindle. They will even perform the upgrade for you remotely. The cost is 20 dollars US. I had this done about a month ago and I now have a fully functioning, pure android tablet. I, sir, am a very happy camper.
And no, this is not a paid endorsement!
dond624
He is looking for the 8.9lte which they can't have because Hashcode is still developing it. For free people can do it themselves. Damn paying someone else.
Sent from my Amazon Kindle Fire HD running CM 10.2 using xda app-developers
dond624 said:
May I suggest you check out a company called N2Aos...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been considering them for some time, it looks like an easy way to get started. My KHD arrived yesterday, and has a scratch on the base. I complained, and the seller has agreed to a £20 refund, so I've now got some spare cash ...
dond624 said:
May I suggest you check out a company called N2Aos. They have developed a
version of CyanogenMod 10.1 especially for the Kindle...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I decided to give it a go, rather than keep asking questions here. Very pleased, but no GPS of course.
LinearEquation said:
He is looking for the 8.9lte which they can't have because Hashcode is still developing it. For free people can do it themselves. Damn paying someone else.
Sent from my Amazon Kindle Fire HD running CM 10.2 using xda app-developers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LinearEquation
I believe N2AOS works on LTE models as well. I don‘t know what Hashcode has to do with it. As a senior member, you must remember that many of us may not be as experienced or as talented as you are. Or, as in my case, although I‘ve been involved with computers for over 50 years, my brain no longer functions as well as it once did. For example, I've been working on this message for almost 30 minutes. Old age kills. Have a nice day.
dond624
dond624 said:
LinearEquation
I believe N2AOS works on LTE models as well. I don‘t know what Hashcode has to do with it. As a senior member, you must remember that many of us may not be as experienced or as talented as you are. Or, as in my case, although I‘ve been involved with computers for over 50 years, my brain no longer functions as well as it once did. For example, I've been working on this message for almost 30 minutes. Old age kills. Have a nice day.
dond624
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hascode matters because his code is the original and only kernel for the Kindle Fire HD series tablet because there was only one exploit for the Kindle Fire HD models. All other ROM's use his kernel as a starting point and fork from it. Hashcode is still trying to get the 8.9lte ROM done right and has not got to the point to where everything works proper. If he has not, it's probable N2AOS can not be there yet either. That is why my statement about the 8.9lte.
Hello,
So, let me start by saying that I am by no means a developer but a tinkerer by trade. I got the Fire Phone the day after Release. My initial reaction was disgust at the interface and usability of it all. I found the carrousel interface to hinder my use of the phone. The Apps I needed always rotated away and I would spend more time scrolling over to find something than it would ever take me to find and launch from the traditional Android launcher screens. So I set about finding a way to "restore" functionality.
Previously I've had a Motorola Milestone, Motorola Atrix and Samsung GS3. My SGS3 had abysmal battery life, which is why I switched to a new phone. Comparatively, the Fire Phone so far has had brilliant battery life. I've been unplugged overnight and still been at 40%+ in the morning when it was around 80% the night before.
I had used towel root recently on my SGS3 and I tried it on the Fire Phone. It worked. I just downloaded the most recent version from the towel root site, allowed apps from other sources in settings, and first try it worked. I installed Root Explorer from the Amazon Store. Using the instructions from another Thread about getting G-Apps onto a Kindle Fire I was able to load Chrome, Play Music, Google Maps, Gmail, and the play store. There are some small quirks though. The Play Store does not work. It says no connection when opened. And the Google play services is constantly crashing and slightly annoying. I also found on AppAPK a download for the galaxy launcher. I installed that and at first I could not set it as the default launcher but There appeared to be some sort of update or something that rebooted my phone at this point the launcher asks which to use when it needed the launcher at boot and the galaxy launcher is not set to default. It still crashes if I try to set a background or widget but I at least have a functional home screen.
The only thing that really stops me from having a great experience with it now is an issue with Google Maps. Road names overlap and after driving for a short about of time words just become giant gray blobs of unreadable garbage. Navigation works fine and the maps themselves look okay, the words just become completely useless.
I do have to say that it has a really nice Camera, pictures look great.
I also wish there was a back button......this has been really hard to get used to as well. Having to swipe up from the bottom or hit the Home
I hope that there will be a custom Firmware someday, until then I feel like unless you really like Amazon kindle and Amazon services, or can tolerate a hundred workarounds to try and gain more functionality, stay away from this phone.
My overall Rating would be as follows:
Performance - 4.5 - I run into some hiccups every now and then and it gets hot even if you are just web browsing for a little bit.
Battery Life - 5.0 - Sooo much better than my old SGS3
Ease of Use - 1.0 - Out of the box, coming from several other Android solutions, it was the worst thing I have ever used. After all the tweaking and hacking ~4.0
Features - 3.5 - There are a lot of nice features but overall there are a lot of Gimmicks...also why no SD slot? No Google Play yet also hurts...
Overall - 3.5/5.0 - At least I got another free year of Prime out of it...
I have an Important Question: please help me
1.Can this phone show 3D side bye side movies without glasses ( like LG optimus 3D and HTC Evo 3D) ?
2. Can this Phone Capture 3D images or videos?
danteoz said:
Hello,
So, let me start by saying that I am by no means a developer but a tinkerer by trade. I got the Fire Phone the day after Release. My initial reaction was disgust at the interface and usability of it all. I found the carrousel interface to hinder my use of the phone. The Apps I needed always rotated away and I would spend more time scrolling over to find something than it would ever take me to find and launch from the traditional Android launcher screens. So I set about finding a way to "restore" functionality.
Previously I've had a Motorola Milestone, Motorola Atrix and Samsung GS3. My SGS3 had abysmal battery life, which is why I switched to a new phone. Comparatively, the Fire Phone so far has had brilliant battery life. I've been unplugged overnight and still been at 40%+ in the morning when it was around 80% the night before.
I had used towel root recently on my SGS3 and I tried it on the Fire Phone. It worked. I just downloaded the most recent version from the towel root site, allowed apps from other sources in settings, and first try it worked. I installed Root Explorer from the Amazon Store. Using the instructions from another Thread about getting G-Apps onto a Kindle Fire I was able to load Chrome, Play Music, Google Maps, Gmail, and the play store. There are some small quirks though. The Play Store does not work. It says no connection when opened. And the Google play services is constantly crashing and slightly annoying. I also found on AppAPK a download for the galaxy launcher. I installed that and at first I could not set it as the default launcher but There appeared to be some sort of update or something that rebooted my phone at this point the launcher asks which to use when it needed the launcher at boot and the galaxy launcher is not set to default. It still crashes if I try to set a background or widget but I at least have a functional home screen.
The only thing that really stops me from having a great experience with it now is an issue with Google Maps. Road names overlap and after driving for a short about of time words just become giant gray blobs of unreadable garbage. Navigation works fine and the maps themselves look okay, the words just become completely useless.
I do have to say that it has a really nice Camera, pictures look great.
I also wish there was a back button......this has been really hard to get used to as well. Having to swipe up from the bottom or hit the Home
I hope that there will be a custom Firmware someday, until then I feel like unless you really like Amazon kindle and Amazon services, or can tolerate a hundred workarounds to try and gain more functionality, stay away from this phone.
My overall Rating would be as follows:
Performance - 4.5 - I run into some hiccups every now and then and it gets hot even if you are just web browsing for a little bit.
Battery Life - 5.0 - Sooo much better than my old SGS3
Ease of Use - 1.0 - Out of the box, coming from several other Android solutions, it was the worst thing I have ever used. After all the tweaking and hacking ~4.0
Features - 3.5 - There are a lot of nice features but overall there are a lot of Gimmicks...also why no SD slot? No Google Play yet also hurts...
Overall - 3.5/5.0 - At least I got another free year of Prime out of it...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Towel root works?? We can make a thread in the development forums to guide people to root it. PM me.
bagher said:
I have an Important Question: please help me
1.Can this phone show 3D side bye side movies without glasses ( like LG optimus 3D and HTC Evo 3D) ?
2. Can this Phone Capture 3D images or videos?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No to both.
the 3d is just a simulation, but a very convincing one. It uses perspective, and the best guess knowledge it gains from 4 cameras to guess where your head is. In theory, this could be used to watch a 3d movie, or photography, but it would need to be specially formatted for the Fire phone. As far as 3d recording goes, nope.
The 3d they call Dynamic Perspective. It is a lot like looking into a photo, but then being able to look around the inside of the photo as if it were a diorama. They use it in games and throughout the interface, though both are in the early stages.
bagher said:
I have an Important Question: please help me
1.Can this phone show 3D side bye side movies without glasses ( like LG optimus 3D and HTC Evo 3D) ?
2. Can this Phone Capture 3D images or videos?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't think of it as a 3D phone. Pretty much only the lock screen is 3D. Out of the five cameras on the phone, only one is a camera and the other four are used to track where your head is. That being said, it is a fantastic phone.
---------- Post added at 03:56 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:54 AM ----------
danteoz said:
Hello,
So, let me start by saying that I am by no means a developer but a tinkerer by trade. I got the Fire Phone the day after Release. My initial reaction was disgust at the interface and usability of it all. I found the carrousel interface to hinder my use of the phone. The Apps I needed always rotated away and I would spend more time scrolling over to find something than it would ever take me to find and launch from the traditional Android launcher screens. So I set about finding a way to "restore" functionality.
Previously I've had a Motorola Milestone, Motorola Atrix and Samsung GS3. My SGS3 had abysmal battery life, which is why I switched to a new phone. Comparatively, the Fire Phone so far has had brilliant battery life. I've been unplugged overnight and still been at 40%+ in the morning when it was around 80% the night before.
I had used towel root recently on my SGS3 and I tried it on the Fire Phone. It worked. I just downloaded the most recent version from the towel root site, allowed apps from other sources in settings, and first try it worked. I installed Root Explorer from the Amazon Store. Using the instructions from another Thread about getting G-Apps onto a Kindle Fire I was able to load Chrome, Play Music, Google Maps, Gmail, and the play store. There are some small quirks though. The Play Store does not work. It says no connection when opened. And the Google play services is constantly crashing and slightly annoying. I also found on AppAPK a download for the galaxy launcher. I installed that and at first I could not set it as the default launcher but There appeared to be some sort of update or something that rebooted my phone at this point the launcher asks which to use when it needed the launcher at boot and the galaxy launcher is not set to default. It still crashes if I try to set a background or widget but I at least have a functional home screen.
The only thing that really stops me from having a great experience with it now is an issue with Google Maps. Road names overlap and after driving for a short about of time words just become giant gray blobs of unreadable garbage. Navigation works fine and the maps themselves look okay, the words just become completely useless.
I do have to say that it has a really nice Camera, pictures look great.
I also wish there was a back button......this has been really hard to get used to as well. Having to swipe up from the bottom or hit the Home
I hope that there will be a custom Firmware someday, until then I feel like unless you really like Amazon kindle and Amazon services, or can tolerate a hundred workarounds to try and gain more functionality, stay away from this phone.
My overall Rating would be as follows:
Performance - 4.5 - I run into some hiccups every now and then and it gets hot even if you are just web browsing for a little bit.
Battery Life - 5.0 - Sooo much better than my old SGS3
Ease of Use - 1.0 - Out of the box, coming from several other Android solutions, it was the worst thing I have ever used. After all the tweaking and hacking ~4.0
Features - 3.5 - There are a lot of nice features but overall there are a lot of Gimmicks...also why no SD slot? No Google Play yet also hurts...
Overall - 3.5/5.0 - At least I got another free year of Prime out of it...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you considered that the Ease of Use is hard because you're comparing it to other Android platforms? It really shouldn't be compared to Android at all.
For the Love of Tech said:
Have you considered that the Ease of Use is hard because you're comparing it to other Android platforms? It really shouldn't be compared to Android at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why shouldn't I compare it to android? It is android under the hood with a multitude of tweaks. Even iOS and Windows phone both support having apps arranged in a manner that makes finding them easy and how you want it. So far the Fire has not shown that. I had an original kindle fire, it was quickly rooted and I loaded custom ROMs within a few weeks because the interface was really bad for running multiple apps.
For me personally and anyone else I've shown it to, it is far from user friendly. But again that is my opinion of it and that was what I gave here, my opinion and observations.
danteoz said:
Hello,
So, let me start by saying that I am by no means a developer but a tinkerer by trade. I got the Fire Phone the day after Release. My initial reaction was disgust at the interface and usability of it all. I found the carrousel interface to hinder my use of the phone. The Apps I needed always rotated away and I would spend more time scrolling over to find something than it would ever take me to find and launch from the traditional Android launcher screens. So I set about finding a way to "restore" functionality.
Previously I've had a Motorola Milestone, Motorola Atrix and Samsung GS3. My SGS3 had abysmal battery life, which is why I switched to a new phone. Comparatively, the Fire Phone so far has had brilliant battery life. I've been unplugged overnight and still been at 40%+ in the morning when it was around 80% the night before.
I had used towel root recently on my SGS3 and I tried it on the Fire Phone. It worked. I just downloaded the most recent version from the towel root site, allowed apps from other sources in settings, and first try it worked. I installed Root Explorer from the Amazon Store. Using the instructions from another Thread about getting G-Apps onto a Kindle Fire I was able to load Chrome, Play Music, Google Maps, Gmail, and the play store. There are some small quirks though. The Play Store does not work. It says no connection when opened. And the Google play services is constantly crashing and slightly annoying. I also found on AppAPK a download for the galaxy launcher. I installed that and at first I could not set it as the default launcher but There appeared to be some sort of update or something that rebooted my phone at this point the launcher asks which to use when it needed the launcher at boot and the galaxy launcher is not set to default. It still crashes if I try to set a background or widget but I at least have a functional home screen.
The only thing that really stops me from having a great experience with it now is an issue with Google Maps. Road names overlap and after driving for a short about of time words just become giant gray blobs of unreadable garbage. Navigation works fine and the maps themselves look okay, the words just become completely useless.
I do have to say that it has a really nice Camera, pictures look great.
I also wish there was a back button......this has been really hard to get used to as well. Having to swipe up from the bottom or hit the Home
I hope that there will be a custom Firmware someday, until then I feel like unless you really like Amazon kindle and Amazon services, or can tolerate a hundred workarounds to try and gain more functionality, stay away from this phone.
My overall Rating would be as follows:
Performance - 4.5 - I run into some hiccups every now and then and it gets hot even if you are just web browsing for a little bit.
Battery Life - 5.0 - Sooo much better than my old SGS3
Ease of Use - 1.0 - Out of the box, coming from several other Android solutions, it was the worst thing I have ever used. After all the tweaking and hacking ~4.0
Features - 3.5 - There are a lot of nice features but overall there are a lot of Gimmicks...also why no SD slot? No Google Play yet also hurts...
Overall - 3.5/5.0 - At least I got another free year of Prime out of it...
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Well I have it a week , I sideload the 4.6.1 update and updated in 5 minutes, I followed the tutorial to install Google services and play store and works flawlessly, I installed Google maps and youtube and chrome Along with more Google apps and other apps and they work flawlessly , I can install custom launchers and different keyboards but I like the stock launcher as its fresh from just seeing a grid off apps and the stock keyboard is fine, the only work around I did was to manually install the 4.6.1 update sand install Google apps, the phone is fast and never lags and has good speakers and hardware
The home button doubles as a recent app selector. Try installing 4.6.1 like suggested it totally makes the a better experience.
I'm using it for about a month and easy of use is OK, much better than some say it is. I'm using it with stock launcher and I can't understand this obsession of many users here to s**t all over it. Main problem with FireOS is absence of persistent notifications on top bar - system tray, and inability to choose which quick actions you want to have in system tray. Lock screen is also pretty basic but not to bad. Installing other launcher will not solve this problems. UX can be better but can be worse either. Overall its a great phone for price under $200.
Just starting out with the Fire Phone, unlocked version being used with T-Mobile.
Found the YouTube instructional video for loading the Google Play Store and got it to work fine after about 27 updates to the phone and store downloaded.
After trying a half dozen different launchers, went back to the stock version as seemed to work the smoothest and couldn't get any others to do what I wanted anyway.
Questions for current users:
1. Phone gets warmer than any phone I've used before. Is this normal?
2. Any way to dock a useful time/date widget and a weather widget on the home screen (or front of the Carousel)?
3. Any way to get rid of or minimize the mostly useless Carousel without using a different launcher? I'd rather see my wallpaper and place a few icons around the screen, then it'd be perfect.
4. If no way to remove the Carousel without using a different launcher, is there a launcher that gives a simple, clean interface and the ability to have your own wallpaper, a date/time and weather widget on home screen, and standard icon and icon folder placement ability? None of the ones I tried gave me that. I find it bizarre that custom wallpaper is not a standard option on every single launcher.
5. Battery life is pretty bad. Walking around for just about two hours yesterday playing Pokemon Go drained my 100% battery entirely. Is that normal?
6. I'm seeing people mention "turning off fancy stuff" and the like in threads here to improve battery life, but cannot find where anyone says what specifically to turn off or how to turn it off...help?
7. Any way to customize the left-hand tilt menu? It is mostly useless links...the "Music" link doesn't even go to Prime Music -- what's up with that? I'd like to customize what gets launched from the links, but it seems impossible.
8. The "swipe up" back button feature is really annoying as it is so picky and just plain doesn't work in some situations and some apps. Any way to improve it?
9. Any way to tell what apps are currently running to close some? My last phone would show the list if you held down the main button, but this phone just brings up a microphone service when I do that.
10. Is Alexa on the Fire Phone a junior version? It can't do anything I ask it and I'm used to Alexa from my Fire TV. I want to do stuff like "Alexa Play Adele" or "Alexa What Time is It?" but it just shows the "I can't do that" text. (On a related point...any way to get the "Okay Google..." talking function?)
11. Is the GPS a bit weak? Maps don't always load, rather annoying.
12. When I'm talking on the phone, I can't figure out how to get the screen to turn on again if I have to enter numbers, change speakerphone, or check something. Others phones just automatically turn on when I take it away from my ear, but the screen just stays off with this one. Is there a button to push to get it turn on again?
My primary uses for the phone are Prime Music, the Camera, and texting, so it is really a great phone for me. With more reliable mapping, better battery life, and a good back button, it'd be an excellent phone despite the other above gripes.
If you can help with any of the above questions, that'd be great. Thanks!
Stock launcher very restrictive you'll need a third party one to have custom options. That's not as easy as it sounds as not all support widgets on fire phone. I use lucid launcher which does. Mine doesn't heat up much, and battery life is the best I've had on a phone. Double click button for running app display.
try install custom rom like MIUI, I am using MIUI in my fire phone and its really fun... apart from few minor bugs like switching camera it's a great rom, boost battery time, heat up problem solved and very fast rom as compare to stock rom.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/fire-phone/general/miui-7-6-3-20-fire-phone-t3412344
ratbags said:
Stock launcher very restrictive you'll need a third party one to have custom options. That's not as easy as it sounds as not all support widgets on fire phone. I use lucid launcher which does. Mine doesn't heat up much, and battery life is the best I've had on a phone. Double click button for running app display.
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Thanks, I'll look at Lucid Launcher -- wasn't one of the ones I tried.
kingtymur said:
try install custom rom like MIUI, I am using MIUI in my fire phone and its really fun... apart from few minor bugs like switching camera it's a great rom, boost battery time, heat up problem solved and very fast rom as compare to stock rom.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/fire-phone/general/miui-7-6-3-20-fire-phone-t3412344
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Unfortunately, if I'm understanding other threads, camera function is iffy for everything except FireOS. Since the most important part of this phone is the camera for me (tied with messaging), it looks like I need to stick to stock on that.
Frustrating though as I really like the look of that MIUI 7 you linked. I wish I had time to give it a shot just to see if the camera is still good enough.
Thanks.
FeuerFon said:
Thanks, I'll look at Lucid Launcher -- wasn't one of the ones I tried.
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I'm using nova and widgets work fine as long as you move the app to /system, but you'll need root for that.
dato02 said:
I'm using nova and widgets work fine as long as you move the app to /system, but you'll need root for that.
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Which unfortunately means camera issues on the Fire, so not good for my situation. :/
FeuerFon said:
Which unfortunately means camera issues on the Fire, so not good for my situation. :/
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Root itself doesn't cause issues with the camera, it's roms other than stock.
Try Nova Launcher With Hd Packs...