Develop Bugs

Questions from new owner regarding Fire HD 8.9

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

[Q] Does Family Guy: Quest for Stuff Work?

I just installed the game and it gets stuck at the loading screen. It eventually gives me some null frame error that I've never seen before
Is it an issue with this model tablet or maybe my tablet is just messed up some how? I did go through and turn off/disable some things, but none should have affected this game
Resolved
cpete47 said:
A workaround is to install the kindle version from the Amazon app store.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you @cpete47

Works just fine on my 10.5

dcaplinger76 said:
Works just fine on my 10.5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hrmm, thanks for the information. I just did a factory reset and am still getting stuck around the 85% part of the loading bar

That's weird... did you install it from the Galaxy Apps ? That's what I did because it says you get $15 in app purchases.

dcaplinger76 said:
That's weird... did you install it from the Galaxy Apps ? That's what I did because it says you get $15 in app purchases.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ahha, that fixed it. I had originally downloaded it from the Google Play Store
I'm at the intro cartoon scene now. Let's hope it continues to work. Thanks again

Hrmm, so now that I have attached my Google Play account to the game, when it loads up it tells me that I need to upgrade to the latest version. When I press the upgrade button it takes me to the Galaxy Apps page via Chrome
This is disappointing

Yeah I never tried doing that, that's no good
Edit: Just went into the settings and signed in using Google+ and it signed me into Google Games and worked like it should....can't find the $15 though

Mine did the same thing, but I'll give it a shot from Samsung Apps

rorytmeadows said:
Mine did the same thing, but I'll give it a shot from Samsung Apps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That definitely worked for me. When I started to research the original error message, I saw a forum for Blackberry users talking about getting this erorr because they didn't have Google Play Services on their device. Sideloading a Google play services app helped them.
I can only imagine that is what's going on with the Tab S. Something stupid that Samsung has done with TouchWiz. Purely speculation though

Same here with install from Play store: Stuck at loading between 80 and 95% on my Tab S 8.4.
I'm not willing to go through Samsung store, so my testing stops here.
I'm actually growing upset at Samsung with this device. Their bloatware is even more intrusive than Google's and more often impossible to remove/disable. They automatically start and run in the background leeching personal data, memory and battery life without doing much to improve user experience in return.
And no matter if it's a Firmware, TW or Exynos issue, something seems to be messing up with how apps and transition effects perform... and all of the suspects are branded Samsung. I see way too many issues here for a supposedly top notch device positioned in such a high pricing. I see all the elements for a winning product ruined by greed: Poor optimization, integration of a company shipset to save some cash, poor Quality Control (considering the amount of defect units reported), integration of a large amount of bloatware to generate side income at the detriment of user experience.
I hope all of this gets fixed with custom firmwares or future official firmwares, but I'm still upset that Samsung goes for cheap tactics on a wannabe high end product.

ukael said:
Same here with install from Play store: Stuck at loading between 80 and 95% on my Tab S 8.4.
I'm not willing to go through Samsung store, so my testing stops here.
I'm actually growing upset at Samsung with this device. Their bloatware is even more intrusive than Google's and more often impossible to remove/disable. They automatically start and run in the background leeching personal data, memory and battery life without doing much to improve user experience in return.
And no matter if it's a Firmware, TW or Exynos issue, something seems to be messing up with how apps and transition effects perform... and all of the suspects are branded Samsung. I see way too many issues here for a supposedly top notch device positioned in such a high pricing. I see all the elements for a winning product ruined by greed: Poor optimization, integration of a company shipset to save some cash, poor Quality Control (considering the amount of defect units reported), integration of a large amount of bloatware to generate side income at the detriment of user experience.
I hope all of this gets fixed with custom firmwares or future official firmwares, but I'm still upset that Samsung goes for cheap tactics on a wannabe high end product.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have to agree.
In the back of my head I'm kind of hoping that it's a faulty device and the rest run better. There's some progress going on a CyanogenMod port. I am hoping this works out nicely so I can enjoy the Tab S as much as I enjoy my two year old nexus 7. And I'm not even a fan of CyanogenMod, lol. But it's the lesser of two evils right now. It could end up being my savior lol. I thought this Exynos chip was comparable to the Snapdragon 800. I knew the Snapdragon performed better GPU wise, but not by this much.

A workaround is to install the kindle version from the Amazon app store.

cpete47 said:
A workaround is to install the kindle version from the Amazon app store.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
imma go try that right now

cpete47 said:
A workaround is to install the kindle version from the Amazon app store.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Amazon Appstore version is giving me some strange graphical glitches, and it also still at 1.1.2 when the version on the Google Play Store has been updated to 1.1.3.
The gaphical glitches are that sometimes when I start the gamne, almost everthing is black. If I force close it and reopen it, it looks normal. Also, a few of the items from the Comicon event are showing in a different location than where I place them. The actual image if the item is above nd to the left of where I actually place it. To click the item, I have to click where I placed the outline, not on the actual image, so it appears to be a display issue.
Does anyone know if a custom ROM will run the Play Store version correctly?

The version on the Galaxy store works now.

jfleegle said:
The gaphical glitches are that sometimes when I start the gamne, almost everthing is black. If I force close it and reopen it, it looks normal. Also, a few of the items from the Comicon event are showing in a different location than where I place them. The actual image if the item is above nd to the left of where I actually place it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same thing happens sometimes with the version provided on the Samsung App Store. It's outdated (one version behind the Google Play store version), but at least, it runs...
I tried the version on the Amazon App Store, but was not able to login with Google+.

If anyone is interested there was an update for this on the play store which i think has fixed the problem

New update to enclude great new features!

Not sure if we can link sites but this site shows new update coming to fire phone.
http://pocketnow.com/2014/12/17/amazon-fire-phone-update
VPN support
translation abilities
New message settings
the ability to block numbers
custom ringtones
improved camera ui
updates to improve battery life
Lock screen info which adds music controls and new notification options
I can't wait!
Hopefully with this new update we can still use google play.

Might have to take mine out of the box and upgrade.

rbeavers said:
Might have to take mine out of the box and upgrade.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Everything I can find that gives a version number says that the "new" upgrade is 3.6.8. If you recently purchased a new fire phone, you already HAVE 3.6.8. So, for those of us who got in on the $199 deal, we already have the update and we're getting nothing new at this time. I got all excited, but I already have 3.6.8.
You CAN sideload google apps (I can't get google photos, but I think that is a function of the underlying android os being 4.2.2). If anyone has an apk for google photos, I'd appreciate it. I couldn't find it on the play store.

ractar28 said:
Everything I can find that gives a version number says that the "new" upgrade is 3.6.8. If you recently purchased a new fire phone, you already HAVE 3.6.8. So, for those of us who got in on the $199 deal, we already have the update and we're getting nothing new at this time. I got all excited, but I already have 3.6.8.
You CAN sideload google apps (I can't get google photos, but I think that is a function of the underlying android os being 4.2.2). If anyone has an apk for google photos, I'd appreciate it. I couldn't find it on the play store.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In my experience, Photos comes along for the ride when you install Google+. If you haven't done that yet, try installing it; if you have, then chances are the Fire Phone isn't going to display it as a separate app (unless you use a custom launcher).

[Q] Un-Root My aftv?

I bought two rootable FireTVs the day after xmas at Staples, and promptly rooted one. The other is safely tucked away in my *doomsday bunker* still sealed, waiting for armageddon.
During the rooting process I determined that I lack the attention span / ambition to install the necessary boot menu / rom manager and manually update the firmware in order to have an up-to-date stb. So, my question is twofold:
1) If I re-enable updates and remove the dns blocking, will my aftv gracefully update itself? I've already uninstalled SuperSU as I don't believe I need it.
2) Assuming the box is running the latest official rom, will the following (sideloaded) apps still work?
MXPlayer
FiredTv
DirecTV App
Android Terminal Emulator
I have also built my own simple smb folder navigation app, so obviously the ability to run apps from unknown sources is needed also. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that's available on all FireOS versions.
I guess I have low standards, but this is really all I need for the box to be useful to me. I absolutely love the thing, save for the fact that the DirecTV App doesn't like the android version presumably because I never applied any updates.

spfautsch said:
I bought two rootable FireTVs the day after xmas at Staples, and promptly rooted one. The other is safely tucked away in my *doomsday bunker* still sealed, waiting for armageddon.
During the rooting process I determined that I lack the attention span / ambition to install the necessary boot menu / rom manager and manually update the firmware in order to have an up-to-date stb. So, my question is twofold:
1) If I re-enable updates and remove the dns blocking, will my aftv gracefully update itself? I've already uninstalled SuperSU as I don't believe I need it.
2) Assuming the box is running the latest official rom, will the following (sideloaded) apps still work?
MXPlayer
FiredTv
DirecTV App
Android Terminal Emulator
I have also built my own simple smb folder navigation app, so obviously the ability to run apps from unknown sources is needed also. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that's available on all FireOS versions.
I guess I have low standards, but this is really all I need for the box to be useful to me. I absolutely love the thing, save for the fact that the DirecTV App doesn't like the android version presumably because I never applied any updates.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Be careful with the doomsday bunker firetv. If that is Series 2 in serial, you may not be able to root it. If its series 3. Ex (70900305 or 303) then you can do the Ethernet trick and root it. I'd say remove that out, root it as soon as possible and put it back in the safe. I've done just that.
Now to answer your question. I doubt you need root for what you are doing but someone else may clarify. I highly recommend keep and follow up with root. Android Rom is around the corner and features like quick support for remote desktop etc have immense benefits.

navigates said:
Be careful with the the doomsday bunker firetv. If that is Series 2 in serial, you may not be able to root it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure how much more careful I can be with it than setting on a shelf above my bourbon collection.
But seriously, its serial starts w/ 70900201XXXXX, are you saying its too old of firmware? If so, it sounds to me like I should let it update and put the rooted one on the shelf.
navigates said:
I highly recommend keep and follow up with root. Android Rom is around the corner and features like quick support for remote desktop etc have immense benefits.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure we're on the same page w/ this. I'm very much wanting to "set it and forget it". Periodically flashing roms seems to me like the polar opposite. Reminds me of the good old days of the h-card. Life is too short to run in that exercise wheel again.

spfautsch said:
Not sure how much more careful I can be with it than setting on a shelf above my bourbon collection.
But seriously, its serial starts w/ 70900201XXXXX, are you saying its too old of firmware? If so, it sounds to me like I should let it update and put the rooted one on the shelf.
I'm not sure we're on the same page w/ this. I'm very much wanting to "set it and forget it". Periodically flashing roms seems to me like the polar opposite. Reminds me of the good old days of the h-card. Life is too short to run in that exercise wheel again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed with your point of view, but for my needs, I primarily need root as I use Kodi all the time. I also use quick support for remote support for my family and friends so that wouldn't work without root. Once you've got it setup with root, it stays there unless you mess it up or forgot the block or disable step. I've made a total of 22 firetv's and not one has gotten updated after I've disabled the com update.
As for the Series 2, If you try to update, it will take you to the latest version of the firmware. In old days, it would increment one. Secondly, you cannot do the removal of the Ethernet trick to make it think there is no update. If you block the updates, it will give you an error but will enforce the update. Last week, I had to make 3 firetv's for family. I had a combination of series 2 and 3. I couldn't do any of the 2's. All 3's so far were good.
The good news is that bestbuy versions are mostly series 3. The downside to series 3 is that you have to downgrade first and then go up.

Sounds like I was on base w/ the notion of letting my untouched box update and benching the rooted one until I know how my needs are served w/o superuser.
I've toyed with xbmc since well, the days when my I had to fight my kids to use their original xboxes. While I can't scoff at the quality and sheer amount of work that's been put into it, for my tastes it's always come across as an application consisting of a ton of fluff, a pound of functionality, and a half ounce of useability. I just want to watch movies. It shouldnt take 7 button presses to get to them. :-/

(Guide) Mate 20 X Chinese version for use outside of China

Hey friends,
This is for those of us who are importing the Chinese model.
I thought I'd start this thread, so that we can help each other getting this phone working here in the West. I've never had trouble getting Chinese phones working in the past. I'm hoping that we can discuss some major issues, such as: getting the Google Playstore working & Getting Google Services working....Getting our favorite apps working... :fingers-crossed:

jeradjohnso said:
Hey friends,
This is for those of us who are importing the Chinese model.
I thought I'd start this thread, so that we can help each other getting this phone working here in the West. I've never had trouble getting Chinese phones working in the past. I'm hoping that we can discuss some major issues, such as: getting the Google Playstore working & Getting Google Services working....Getting our favorite apps working... :fingers-crossed:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is my first China phone.. is it usually very hard to get things working? I thought it was basically just grab the apks and install them.

Jerky_san said:
This is my first China phone.. is it usually very hard to get things working? I thought it was basically just grab the apks and install them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're correct. It's a few you have to install, not just the play store apk.

antiochasylum said:
You're correct. It's a few you have to install, not just the play store apk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
#_# Thank god.. for a little there I was scared lol. Never bought a china phone before but this phone looks absolutely amazing.. Have a friend coming back from China tmrw so asked them to pick it up for me before they left and they got me the last one in the store that was 8/256gb. Honestly I'm really hoping for a bootloader unlock and linage OS.. I've come to really love their flavor.

Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. Yes there may be a few things you will need to do, because in China they have banned Google and Google Play. These things will need to be installed manually. Hopefully with Android 9 they've made it easier, not harder than previous years.

After installing the Play Store are you good to go then in terms of being able to install whatever you want (Google suite, traditional apps, etc.)?

I'm sorry but there are a lot of problems with a Chinese smartphone:
1) Ok google does not work because huawei blocks this function because you have to use their service and all google's system services (assistent, feed, routine) not work fine
2) The voice command on the keyboard for dictate often does not work expecially with gboard
3) Many application not work eg : banking application and similar
4) The chinese ROM not use whatsapp, telegram the native icon

It seems to get a little bit better each version of Android. I'm hoping that some of the older problems will be fixed with Huawei's Android 9.0 release.
Right now pretty much everything I need is working on my Huawei Mate 9 and as long as they haven't broken anything in the next version, I'll be happy. All my apps work, and I am very happy with Nova Launcher.

jeradjohnso said:
It seems to get a little bit better each version of Android. I'm hoping that some of the older problems will be fixed with Huawei's Android 9.0 release.
Right now pretty much everything I need is working on my Huawei Mate 9 and as long as they haven't broken anything in the next version, I'll be happy. All my apps work, and I am very happy with Nova Launcher.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had just talk with italian store that sell the chinese version and there are these problems written above

Which Italian store sells Mate 20 x?

jeradjohnso said:
It seems to get a little bit better each version of Android. I'm hoping that some of the older problems will be fixed with Huawei's Android 9.0 release.
Right now pretty much everything I need is working on my Huawei Mate 9 and as long as they haven't broken anything in the next version, I'll be happy. All my apps work, and I am very happy with Nova Launcher.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
piskr said:
Which Italian store sells Mate 20 x?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://www.ilmultistoredelzazza.eu/index.aspx?pageid=1748191&prodid=19236868

(I could be wrong) ... but the shop does not look very reputable,
and it's only 20 euros cheaper than Cect-shop.com

Speaking from my own experience. Usually I installed the Google suite from their brands own app store
They have a specific application that installs the framework, Google contact, play services, play store and maybe a couple more services.
After that pretty much everything works. I'll update more when I got my phone.

I can tell you from my experience that when I bought the Huawei Honor Note 8 it was the china version, and had absolutely no issues with it here in the US. Everything I installed worked, the only thing I did have issues with was I couldnt get HiVoice to work in English (Couldnt find any eng version that would work), Ok Google couldnt work due to Hivoice being the default. The other thing I had to tweak was permissions to getting Google voice to work correctly with Android Auto. All the banking and credit card apps worked fine, obviously the wallet program or other things built in didnt work, but wasnt a deal breaker.

mimmog said:
I'm sorry but there are a lot of problems with a Chinese smartphone:
1) Ok google does not work because huawei blocks this function because you have to use their service and all google's system services (assistent, feed, routine) not work fine
2) The voice command on the keyboard for dictate often does not work expecially with gboard
3) Many application not work eg : banking application and similar
4) The chinese ROM not use whatsapp, telegram the native icon
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the store contact, after considering pros and cons I've just ordered the phone from this store. What drives my decision are few simple facts:
I talked to the seller and he assured me that there is no problem with Gapps and payment systems (like GPay). As I'd had a Chinese phone before I was confident in his assurance.
I'm fully aware of problems with G Assistant but I use it primarily as phone tool with Android Auto and I believe that I could manage to use voice in that restricted purpose.
I don't use voice with the keyboard, health or fitness apps at all. So any misconduct regarding those apps doesn't worry me. It's the same with whatsapp and telegram - don't use them.
Far more annoying is the integration of lousy swift keyboard and ms translate into the system and connecting those applications with primary functionality (camera, AR..). They are really far behind Gboard and G Translate and therefore not only pretty useless but rather the disturbance in the system. But they are integrated into the global rom as well and you can't get rid of them in any region. So tolerate them and suffer or don't have Huawei at all.
But what really prevail in my decision is the fact that I'm buying the phone from a European seller. This not only abolishes any additional taxes and duties on the set price but also gives me an enforceable European warranty and delivery claims.

once you install Google play you can use any app I've never had a problem with WhatsApp or any other app tbh

stestesteste said:
once you install Google play you can use any app I've never had a problem with WhatsApp or any other app tbh
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes but the problem is that not work "ok google", google assistent, gboard with vocal dictate and other (services not application)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjAFROlOKKs&feature=share
Widevine L3
Enviado desde mi iPad utilizando Tapatalk

bloodydawn01 said:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjAFROlOKKs&feature=share
Widevine L3
Enviado desde mi iPad utilizando Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is this? Mate 20 x with global rom?

mimmog said:
What is this? Mate 20 x with global rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe, the prize is from Thailand
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