Hardware refresh?? - Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

How often with current trends would a hardware refresh be necessary on android streaming boxes . From a developers standpoint does this cause as many issues as it would on say a xbox or ps4? I see so many people reference that Fire TV is getting long in the tooth already? It seems to me that many of the set top boxes are outdated already at release to keep the cost down? In there current state can they really compete in the gaming arena with the likes of Microsoft or Sony? I am A laymen when it comes to development but would love to learn what a dev has to do to put a game on Fire TV or Google Play?

These days, most electronic devices are obsolete after a few months, but not to me. I use my electronics til they stop working or I get something new. I still have an original Apple TV that I use all the time. Do not ever let people tell you when you need to replace your device. If it works, use it. A good example of this is the Galaxy Note 4 on AT&T, I commented the other day that I never thought it would get root, cause it was already three months old and it had not happened yet, so everyday it does not happen is another day that someone is losing interest in hacking it, and that developers are always looking for the next big thing. Just me saying that got the thread closed, but its true. If the Fire TV 2 came out next week a lot of people would say our Fire TV was garbage even though it works just fine. If my Fire TV last five years then it will get used for five years, period. Don't let anyone ever tell you when your device is outdated, make that decision for yourself. Normal people would never be ready to buy a new car or home every six months, but when it comes to electronics, a lot of people wanna throw away their device every time the new thing comes out. Those people are lame as hell, and only want new phones, tablets etc, cause society tellls them its cool to have it. I am still using the first Galaxy Note and will continue to do so till it dies. I have replaced the screen and went through two batteries exploding, and its still works, so why upgade? These devices are for casual gaming, not hardcore gaming. Android boxes were never meant to compete with or replace gaming consoles. All the people that say that the Android boxes are taking over game consoles are unintelligent. Android boxes provide a different type of gaming experience then modern gaming consoles and til google decides to make an android gaming consoles they will never be able to compete with sony or microsoft. I also doubt google would ever turn Android into a big time gaming platform, but I do think google will release a gaming console in the future to compete with sony, microsoft and nintendo, just won't be an android console.

I'm actually with porkenheimer on this. I have good equipment but I've become sort of a hoarder of electronics. Lots of stuff is older than 8 years and whether it's an external hdd or an old laptop or even an iPod, I've had amazing luck fixing things and I DO find a purpose for it. I've used laptops from a decade ago as ubuntu servers, got xbmc running on some.
I actually benefitted from people discarding what they think is broken and/or obsolete.
As for aftv, I don't think the hardware is the reason development will slow down. It's more to do with Amazon's resistance to opening it up.
In fact, I have looked around, here & abroad and I've found some good possible replacements but not in the price range of aftv. The processor will be a tad less powerful with the same amount of ram or the processor and ram will be better but the price is over bloated. But for now, I don't think you'll find a faster experience for the price. Once it gets to the $200 range I'm thinking of building an htpc or investing the money elsewhere because I'm satisfied with what's happening on my TV.
Of course I think if cyanogenmod becomes a reality on aftv, the hardware will be put to better use. Fast is great but fire os, imho, is not a worthy os.

Thank you both I appreciate your words of wisdom. I agree its so easy to pile up old hardware. I don't know why the android media streamers have become such a point of interest. I currently own Fire TV, Ouya, Madcatz Mojo, Android TV ADT1, and in the end they all basically do the same thing So, yes maybe its time for me to stand back and say to myself "What exactly am I trying to do with these devices"? I do no I have been searching for that box that has all my streaming apps and games with extra power to spare? The closest I have come so far is a modified Madcatz Mojo which has HBO Go, Showtime, Starz, Encore, Netflix, Hulu, Etc. its far from perfect! I have been eyeing (though I need to Stop) the forthcoming Razer Forge or Snail Games Obox? I dont like how amazon has locked out root, and all the proprietor y parts of the OS. Eight gig of storage is a joke for anyone who likes games?
You developers out there when you release your code on a device does it have to be custom configured for each chipset you release it on? Say you upgraded fire TV to the Qualcomm 810 would each app require modification?

Related

question about multitouch

I'm considering of buying htc desire. can you please answer if rumors of faulty multitouch are true. thx
I don't have any issues with the multitouch on my Desire.
The multitouch issue is overblown by iPhone fanboys who don't have much else to do.
So far it's primarily affected games and games that require a specific set of things to happen in them at that. First you can only touch two points at any given time. Something that has not hindered gaming for about 20 years. Every game I ever played up until Nintendo first introduced shoulder buttons required my thumb to be in at most 2 places at any given time. Due to the iPhone being able to register 10/11 inputs at once it was suddenly deemed this niche feature was a requirement to be called a smart phone.
The next hindrance is games where you "cross the axis" in other words...Pong. People found that any attempt to port a two player Pong/Air hockey game would be futile due to this limitation. This affected, apparently, 99.9999% of the phone owning community...I mean, I don't even get out of bed if I don't challenge the missus to Pong first.
Basically, don't listen to the needless whining and rumours. The phone is fine.
Aitese said:
The multitouch issue is overblown by iPhone fanboys who don't have much else to do.
So far it's primarily affected games and games that require a specific set of things to happen in them at that. First you can only touch two points at any given time. Something that has not hindered gaming for about 20 years. Every game I ever played up until Nintendo first introduced shoulder buttons required my thumb to be in at most 2 places at any given time. Due to the iPhone being able to register 10/11 inputs at once it was suddenly deemed this niche feature was a requirement to be called a smart phone.
The next hindrance is games where you "cross the axis" in other words...Pong. People found that any attempt to port a two player Pong/Air hockey game would be futile due to this limitation. This affected, apparently, 99.9999% of the phone owning community...I mean, I don't even get out of bed if I don't challenge the missus to Pong first.
Basically, don't listen to the needless whining and rumours. The phone is fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not neccessarily only pong.
Realfootball for example suffers the same.
The analog stick starts getting weird if you push a button at the same time.
It's a fantastic phone, just go for it.
basically any game that requires two fingers on the screen at the same time messes up, for example first person shooters. But seeing as the amount of games on android is tiny compared to the iphone you'll will probably never come across a game that's affected because about the best game android offers is solitaire.
i am exaggerating a bit, but basically i am saying if this was an iphone with this screen, it would be a big problem as it would break a lot of games, but android doesn't have many games to break in the first place, so it isn't as much of an issue.
well i was between hd2 2 and this phone.il probably go for this

[Q] Buy Ouya for XMBC, Cheapcast and Emulators?

Ok, guys... Ouya is not available in my country, but I have one opportunity to buy this console, since my friend is in the USA atm.
I am not interested in Ouya games (some are too expensive for my taste). I'm thinking of buying the console for video playback (MX Player or XMBC), Cheapcast (to stream from my Nexus) and emulating some old gaming systems (GBA, NES, Sega, etc).
I don't like the fact that it's easily brickable (I know you don't like that, too).
Should I buy it for that? What's your opinion?
Go for it.
I am more than happy using mine for XBMC and emulators along with side loaded games and a few choice Ouya games.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda app-developers app
Corvus Corax said:
Ok, guys... Ouya is not available in my country, but I have one opportunity to buy this console, since my friend is in the USA atm.
I am not interested in Ouya games (some are too expensive for my taste). I'm thinking of buying the console for video playback (MX Player or XMBC), Cheapcast (to stream from my Nexus) and emulating some old gaming systems (GBA, NES, Sega, etc).
I don't like the fact that it's easily brickable (I know you don't like that, too).
Should I buy it for that? What's your opinion?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
its why i bought mine really.........really dissapointed that it wasnt the whole open console....but pleased with it to watch stuff on
hippopig said:
its why i bought mine really.........really dissapointed that it wasnt the whole open console....but pleased with it to watch stuff on
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought it for xbmc but to be honest, I think that i would have been better off doing more research. It was an impulse buy and if you are going tobe doing emulation and side loaded stuff you may as well spend the money elsewhere.
HT123 said:
I bought it for xbmc but to be honest, I think that i would have been better off doing more research. It was an impulse buy and if you are going tobe doing emulation and side loaded stuff you may as well spend the money elsewhere.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK the xbmc part is debatable, personally i enjoy mine using xbmc but i can see others frustrated with it. However I'm curious about the emulation part, I am running the nes, genesis and a few other emulators on it without a hiccup and absolutely love it for that. It is probably only a matter of time before someone does a good port of mame to it and that will just add to it.
what the unit does and the form factor, or a better way to put it not having to have a full pc there to do these little things. and if i want to do something more powerful normally i'm at my desk for that anyway.
chewyboy said:
OK the xbmc part is debatable, personally i enjoy mine using xbmc but i can see others frustrated with it.
what the unit does and the form factor, or a better way to put it not having to have a full pc there to do these little things. and if i want to do something more powerful normally i'm at my desk for that anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think android and a small set top box are the correct OS and form factor for TV displayed emulation but i say money could be better spent elsewhere for the following reasons. For XBMC, the controller is horrible. It just is. If you want a decent remote to go with the Ouya it will run you at least $35 or $40. For most other stuff the Controller is not the best and a PS3 controller seems to be the current controller of choice for gaming. If you get an android HTPC it will still be able to pair a remote (or use flirc) as well as pair with a PS3 controller. The other selling point with a Non-ouya android device is that you are not given a version of the android OS which needs to be modded to use the Play store. My final complaint and the biggest is the wifi is just horrible, just. plain. horrible. Moving the wireless router or running a cable 35 feet to the living room are not options and it is the only device with such bad performance.
that is my rant... i just talked my self out of an Ouya... too bad i didn't write this $99 ago.
HT123 said:
I think android and a small set top box are the correct OS and form factor for TV displayed emulation but i say money could be better spent elsewhere for the following reasons. For XBMC, the controller is horrible. It just is. If you want a decent remote to go with the Ouya it will run you at least $35 or $40. For most other stuff the Controller is not the best and a PS3 controller seems to be the current controller of choice for gaming. If you get an android HTPC it will still be able to pair a remote (or use flirc) as well as pair with a PS3 controller. The other selling point with a Non-ouya android device is that you are not given a version of the android OS which needs to be modded to use the Play store. My final complaint and the biggest is the wifi is just horrible, just. plain. horrible. Moving the wireless router or running a cable 35 feet to the living room are not options and it is the only device with such bad performance.
that is my rant... i just talked my self out of an Ouya... too bad i didn't write this $99 ago.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK i have to argue about the controller part of this. if you are geeky enough to buy an ouya then you have at least 1 tablet laying around, dont say you do not because you do. the xbmc remote for android or ios devices works great for xbmc and the ouya so really that is not an excuse for complaining about the controller for controlling the ouya when in xbmc.
now setting it up sucks, but there is a way around that to, it's called plug in a usb keyboard for 10 minutes and setup your network shares and all.
chewyboy said:
OK i have to argue about the controller part of this....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am geeky enough and currently use that solution at times although honestly, I dislike the XBMC remote on the phone and tablet. I like buttons that I can push. Aside from personal preference, that solution is only valid if the box stays in XBMC and XBMC is used as a launcher for android programs and another controller is handy and paired. The other issue is that solution is only valid if I am both home and willing to let the other people in the house use my phone or tablet as a remote so they can use XBMC.
So while I agree there are other solutions for controlling XBMC I don't think they justify the purchase of the Ouya simply because they are available, especially since they are generic apps and will be available regardless of the android based set top you buy. Why pay the price for the Ouya controller so you can immediately implement a solution that is suitable for the situation.
Sad news, guys. A friend went to BestBuy in NYC yesterday to buy me an Ouya. http://stores.bestbuy.com/1448/
They had 3 of them and all were sold yesterday during the day. The nearest BestBuy was 15 blocks away and he didn't have the time to go there. Today he is flying back home, so no Ouya for me... :/
It's a piece of sh***... Don't waste your money for this console or whatever it was supposed to be. I have it and I hate it... Waste of time and money... Get a real android or Linux device and that makes you happy
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

[Q] Any News at All About Xperia Play 2?

I've read threads here with some people saying that there will be no Xperia Play 2 and then I've seen some others on XDA Dev hint that Sony might be pursuing this. So has anyone heard anything at all.....any new news.....any hints....anything on a Sony Xperia Play 2 (or whatever name they decide to use)? I've had my rooted Xperia Play r800x for almost 3 years and it works perfectly and I refuse to upgrade to another brand in hopes that Sony will put a 2nd version of this phone on the market sometime in 2014. So any news? It would be greatly appreciated. Thank You!
Nothing
And I scour the internet every few months for any tidbits or signs
Heck I would even take an alternative but so far it seems Sony holds the patent for the gaming flip phone and the closest analog I have seen is a wireless flip case for an Iphone. Which is irritating because of apples walled garden shop.
There are tones of other options but they are all awkward and would force you to carry around an extra accessory in your pocket
Its a shame that no one else has created a true gaming phone like the xperia play since. Drives me nuts.
A shame indeed!
DrROBschiz said:
Nothing
And I scour the internet every few months for any tidbits or signs
Heck I would even take an alternative but so far it seems Sony holds the patent for the gaming flip phone and the closest analog I have seen is a wireless flip case for an Iphone. Which is irritating because of apples walled garden shop.
There are tones of other options but they are all awkward and would force you to carry around an extra accessory in your pocket
Its a shame that no one else has created a true gaming phone like the xperia play since. Drives me nuts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like you I've also been scouring the web every couple weeks to see if Sony plans to pursue an XP2. All they need to do is put a product spin on the original design - supe up the hardware a bit, add more internal memory, and update the casing for it to look a bit more modern - I don't think that's too much to ask(or just tweak the Z1 or Vita to make it a gaming phone with slideout gamepad). I don't think an XP2 would interfere with their Vita sales - XP2 is an all in one device and it's brilliant - it's not a dedicated gaming device - there's a big difference. It's also driving me nuts that they won't pursue an XP2 (at least from what the majority have said) - in fact, it blows my mind that they're not considering it. Android gaming is huge & growing by leaps & bounds. After I rooted my XP1, I have all the emulators installed including the Nintendo DS one. I've got Facebook, Linked In, Netflix, Tune In Radio Pro, plus a bunch of other apps and also a big inventory of games mostly Xperia Play Optimized. The phone is very unique and a brilliant product. Some people whine about the specs, poor support, etc... but I've never had a problem with it and I enjoy using it every day. I've seen sites that have concept/prototype XP2's with pics and suggested specs...Sony has a very unique market niche here and if they create/produce/market an XP2 right it will be a huge hit! There is NO way I'm going to get another phone AND carry around a Moga or some other bluetooth gamepad controller when I know the XP1 is an all in one device. Who wants to carry a phone and a gamepad controller in their pockets? Not me - it's just not practical. When I showed my XP1 to friends they had never heard of the phone and wanted to get one. This shows the poor marketing Sony did to get these phones recognized to consumers. I really hope Sony puts an XP2 on the market in 2014. I'd be willing to pay full price for it. In the meantime, I bought 2 new XP1's (Verizon) from the web in case they never make this type of phone again - this way I can continue to enjoy this product for years. I would love to speak to someone at Sony who would be willing to listen to my pitch about why they should make an XP2. I have many valid reasons & brilliant strategies....and Sony would make a nice profit as a result. It would really be a loss/shame/disappointment if there was never an XP2. Please Sony, I beg you! :crying:
Interesting Sony Mobile email survey I received yesterday....
...it took me 20 minutes to fill out. They asked what type of Sony phone I had. After I selected Xperia Play, I was asked questions about how I liked the phone, do I like the games on it, what do I do most with it, am I happy with the specs(let them know 400mb internal for a gaming phone was not enough), and a bunch of other questions.... I also told them that they needed to market the phone a lot more since most of my friends didn't even know this phone existed when it was on the market. So there's still hope for an XP2 maybe....this was a positive sign to me in the fact that they included the Xperia Play on the list of phones.....I'm still praying!
haskamr2 said:
Like you I've also been scouring the web every couple weeks to see if Sony plans to pursue an XP2. All they need to do is put a product spin on the original design - supe up the hardware a bit, add more internal memory, and update the casing for it to look a bit more modern - I don't think that's too much to ask(or just tweak the Z1 or Vita to make it a gaming phone with slideout gamepad). I don't think an XP2 would interfere with their Vita sales - XP2 is an all in one device and it's brilliant - it's not a dedicated gaming device - there's a big difference. It's also driving me nuts that they won't pursue an XP2 (at least from what the majority have said) - in fact, it blows my mind that they're not considering it. Android gaming is huge & growing by leaps & bounds. After I rooted my XP1, I have all the emulators installed including the Nintendo DS one. I've got Facebook, Linked In, Netflix, Tune In Radio Pro, plus a bunch of other apps and also a big inventory of games mostly Xperia Play Optimized. The phone is very unique and a brilliant product. Some people whine about the specs, poor support, etc... but I've never had a problem with it and I enjoy using it every day. I've seen sites that have concept/prototype XP2's with pics and suggested specs...Sony has a very unique market niche here and if they create/produce/market an XP2 right it will be a huge hit! There is NO way I'm going to get another phone AND carry around a Moga or some other bluetooth gamepad controller when I know the XP1 is an all in one device. Who wants to carry a phone and a gamepad controller in their pockets? Not me - it's just not practical. When I showed my XP1 to friends they had never heard of the phone and wanted to get one. This shows the poor marketing Sony did to get these phones recognized to consumers. I really hope Sony puts an XP2 on the market in 2014. I'd be willing to pay full price for it. In the meantime, I bought 2 new XP1's (Verizon) from the web in case they never make this type of phone again - this way I can continue to enjoy this product for years. I would love to speak to someone at Sony who would be willing to listen to my pitch about why they should make an XP2. I have many valid reasons & brilliant strategies....and Sony would make a nice profit as a result. It would really be a loss/shame/disappointment if there was never an XP2. Please Sony, I beg you! :crying:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with what's all being said here to be honest I never heard of this phone until my contract was up I seen Verizon had this phone, and free for my upgrade brand new gaming control pad built in I was sold. I was at cook out earlier this summer and I was bored so I figured I'd jump on gta VC I was instantly the focus of attention to the gamers they wanted to know what game device I had blah blah until I showed them it was actually a phone then where they could get one what carrier I had if other carriers had it so on and so forth. I think if Sony marketed it right and being that the ps4 is just releasing I think the xp 2 would be a idea again if marketed right, but as for gaming wise tho ics didn't handle many games very well and gb is almost a figment of imagination to most people who know about Android fw and almost always want the new hotness (Kit Kat) and not the old and busted (gb). Granted gb is perfect for stability but let's face it the UI sucks cm 9 and 10 its much easier to make the UI look completely different with themes and well cm7 granted was OK but bombed gaming wise
Sent from my Xperia Play using xda app-developers app

What can i do with a fire tv box?

I am looking for a replacement to the mad catz m.o.j.o console i had a refund on it but i want open android with superb graphics really,but the thing is i don't want anything too expensive or too cheap either,the problem is i don't know what models are best,or more importantly for this section of the forum what i can do in relation to getting a fire tv gaming and web browsing etc?Can i play games can more importantly can i sideload and also can i sideload downloaded stuff? Or possibly flash a rom on it?
PHYSC-1 said:
I am looking for a replacement to the mad catz m.o.j.o console i had a refund on it but i want open android with superb graphics really,but the thing is i don't want anything too expensive or too cheap either,the problem is i don't know what models are best,or more importantly for this section of the forum what i can do in relation to getting a fire tv gaming and web browsing etc?Can i play games can more importantly can i sideload and also can i sideload downloaded stuff? Or possibly flash a rom on it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dont take this the wrong way, but to get everythihg you want you will need to custom build a HTPC with a computer. These android boxes are good and most are cheap, but they do have limitations and will not meeet all your expectations.
IMO, the FTV is the best box on the market in the under $150 category. If you are willing to comprimise, it should meet most of you expectations. All you questions are answered in this forum, so read up or use search.
byrdcfmma said:
Dont take this the wrong way, but to get everythihg you want you will need to custom build a HTPC with a computer. These android boxes are good and most are cheap, but they do have limitations and will not meeet all your expectations.
IMO, the FTV is the best box on the market in the under $150 category. If you are willing to comprimise, it should meet most of you expectations. All you questions are answered in this forum, so read up or use search.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Had enough of pc's i am a computer repair technician,i want it for the lower power consumption but with nearing or par with console level graphics.Pc's are too expensive to run they are rubbish in small form factors they tend to burn out on the bridge on the board, or they come with cheap [email protected] psu's that cost a bomb for good one's in small form factor.If there's one thing i learned quickly it was never buy small form factor pc's if you want it to last or not to overheat.
But on the other hand android tv box's don't push the same high level temps because they are only passively cooled quite often as apposed to actively cooled,besides if i really want i'll cooling mod it like my k-r42 with 80mm fan and shimmed.
But basically i want an android unit that has gaming power beyond a mali400 and closing in on if not better than a snapdragon 8xx chip.I've looked at the huwaei tron but it's yet again a 4.2x android system with no guarentee my tv will be supported over hdmi properly i learned that from my mad catz m.o.j.o not outputting 1080p on my 1080p tv.So i may just hang on until k1 touches down in shops but it looks like they are not in a hurry although there is the mipad rumor,i think i'll be waiting until 2015 at this rate before a god unit comes out that has kitkat on it,i was wondering if any rockchip 8 core cpu's are out in tv box form yet,and if they have a heightened gpu to the mali 400? And was also wondering where they fit in terms of graphical power?
Firetv is anything but open. IMO android boxes are all underpowered and frustratingly issue laden. Pity as I too am wanting to buy something good... I bought a s89 tronsmart and it's not as good as I'd hoped. I was interested in the MOJO... Why did you return it, it's a lot more open than Amazon firetv surely?
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk
I've bought it as replacement for raspberry pi and was disappointed. Yes Fire TV build perfectly and has a good hardware. But software is a crap and no way for root by now, only hopes and blocking of update server. It's not clear for now what improvements OTA brings and if root will be issued. If you looking for a good device that works and not for fun reverse engineering hours. Try to find alternative.
May be once it will be a good choice but not now, unfortunately.
Sent from my LG-G2 using XDA Free mobile app
Rumored Android TV BOX... http://pulse.me/s/1jrW6M
God I hope that one IS true and GREAT!
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
I was 100% happy with my ouya, with stock OS, and then even better with CM11. performance was never a problem.
really the only reason I went for firetv was that I watch prime video A LOT. and between flash-plugin + pick-your-favorite-browser being way-EOL and a bit buggy, and the fact that it took literally 6-8 clicks/actions to go to the next episode of a show, vs 1 (or at most 2) clicks/actions on firetv (yeah first-world problems...)
ouya sales on amazon for $60 would still be worth it (esp they want like 50 bucks for just an extra controller) but at the 100 point might as well firetv or something else.
but honestly it all comes down to what do you want to do with it. oh wait I don't have to re-ramble all this...
http://www.xbmchub.com/forums/threads/21722-Fire-TV-vs-Ouya?p=185275&viewfull=1#post185275
Anyone who bought Amazon-anything devices and expect openness is definitely going the wrong path. Amazon has some great devices but it has a pretty strict walled garden environment (which, granted, is kind of pretty) where they are expected to stay. Amazon is somewhat similar if not worse than Apple in this regard.
Amazon's latest devices such as the Fire HDX and the Fire TV are amazing devices on their own right, but if you are not getting them because of what they can do out of the box but instead of what they 'should be able to do' and expect to hack/mod them, you are in for a disappointment. This is what differentiate them to Google's devices, where it can be a gamble whether a product can be 10x better or 10x worse in the few months following its release (see: Google TV vs. Chromecast).
With Amazon devices it's extremely simple. You go to the product page and look at what it's offering. If you're wowed by those, then get it, if you think that 'it has potential', then don't get it.
Newcron said:
Anyone who bought Amazon-anything devices and expect openness is definitely going the wrong path. Amazon has some great devices but it has a pretty strict walled garden environment (which, granted, is kind of pretty) where they are expected to stay. Amazon is somewhat similar if not worse than Apple in this regard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes and no - I bought this box because I wanted one device that did both amazon video and Netflix. Met expectations there.
But I also wanted to be able to use it as a front-end for music stored on my NAS. This is why I was never interested in Roku, might've been interested in the Apple product but don't remember it having Prime support, and kept using my Western Digital Live Plus for as long as I did - the access to files inside the walls is important to me.
By day 2, I had enabled ADB and sideloaded XBMC. Yes, I don't have root, but I have Amazon, Netflix and local files all in one place, which I like a lot.
From what I've seen, on the Fire tablets amazon doesn't block sideloaded apps, or I wouldn't have bought this device. It makes a decent HTPC device for my purposes, though, and is open enough for me. Of course I'd prefer root, but in this instance, not if having root broke the Amazon Video stuff.
My biggest complaint so far is that amazon doesn't give us a preference setting for how much bandwidth the box should allocate to itself. So I needed to do that with my firewall instead.
I'll be interested to see if Amazon makes Prime available for the rumored Google TV box. My guess is they will not. But if they do, and I'm within my return window when the device is fully announced...

I love this Phone - Amazon should try it again

Atm i use this Phone as my Daily Driver. Just for testing for my Blog, but i love it. I wait for the Note 9 and i am really sad to use this not longer as Daily. Before that i had the S9 Plus, Pixel 2 XL, P20 Pro, OnePlus 9 asf.
I love this Phone but the Android under the Fire OS is old. But i really like it. It s the first Smartphone that i identifiy with.
With a better Camera, better Speakers, yeah. I would have it as my Daily Driver and dont buy the Note 9.
I dont understand why Amazon not try it again. The Phone was awesome.
I completely agree. I loved my Fire Phone. Amazon let us down my not continuing development. I always said, if they came out with a Fire Phone 2 tomorrow I would buy it.
BigHulkDiesel said:
I completely agree. I loved my Fire Phone. Amazon let us down my not continuing development. I always said, if they came out with a Fire Phone 2 tomorrow I would buy it.
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Click to collapse
Amazon has to release another phone in order for alexa to achieve full success. They need it to reach a wider audience. The question is when will they release?
Amazon isn't likely to try again. But I agree, the OS is more streamlined and practical than real Android. Also, much nicer than the newer Fire OS on tablets. But I got my phone a while after the initial release, when the most serious issues were fixed. The poor start played a big role in killing it. I feel very bad for the developers who created it.
I also have a Meego phone and Windows 10 Mobile. They likewise should have been continued. Very nice systems. I actually have all 3 charged and in use at the moment. Windows 10 Mobile I got only recently when it finally matured into a very nice OS. I was curious to try it before it disappears. Such a shame that we can't have this nice variety survive. App ecosystem rules the smartphone world. I have an iPad for apps and don't need everything on a phone. Maybe it will change with increased development of web apps, but I think it might be too late, if even mighty Microsoft and Amazon backed off.
Keep your Fire Phone. It is one of a kind, with its crazy set of cameras.

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