Anyway to make superuser auto allow on fire tv 2nd gen? - Fire TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I have a rooted box and on certain programs that require root access it removes the allow screen too fast for me to click allow and therefore cannot use the addon. Is there a way to make it simply auto allow everything? On the 1st get I was able to do this but not on the second gen. And when clicking on supersu you cannot launch it to edit any options so basically I am stuck.

Have you tried editing /data/data/eu.chainfire.su/files/supersu.cfg? In particular, change "access=2" to "access=1" as the default.

retyre said:
Have you tried editing /data/data/eu.chainfire.su/files/supersu.cfg? In particular, change "access=2" to "access=1" as the default.
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No I have not. Not exactly sure what that means. Is that an adb command?

danknasty said:
No I have not. Not exactly sure what that means. Is that an adb command?
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Open the file in any text editor (e.g., ES File Explorer has a Note Editor) and make the change to the default. If you can't, do an adb pull of the file, edit on another device, and put it back to its original location. Make sure you set permissions back to 600.

retyre said:
Open the file in any text editor (e.g., ES File Explorer has a Note Editor) and make the change to the default. If you can't, do an adb pull of the file, edit on another device, and put it back to its original location. Make sure you set permissions back to 600.
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Click to collapse
I was going to try this but remembered that rooting on fire tv uses the a to a usb cable method and all the files are transferred automatically. I do not have a super user file... would I install another one and overwrite it on the box?

sure you do. How would you have root without su? Just look for the file mentioned above and edit it as per retyre's post above.

danknasty said:
I was going to try this but remembered that rooting on fire tv uses the a to a usb cable method and all the files are transferred automatically. I do not have a super user file... would I install another one and overwrite it on the box?
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Regardless of the method used to root, rooting involves the install of su and something like SuperSU to make it easier to work with. The fact that you're being prompted to allow su access is proof enough.
Install a root file explorer (I use ES File Explorer), allow it su access, go to the root of the device ("/") and look for the file in the location mentioned above.

retyre said:
Regardless of the method used to root, rooting involves the install of su and something like SuperSU to make it easier to work with. The fact that you're being prompted to allow su access is proof enough.
Install a root file explorer (I use ES File Explorer), allow it su access, go to the root of the device ("/") and look for the file in the location mentioned above.
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I wasn't saying I didn't have supersu just that the method I use doesn't allow me access before I transfer but I see what you mean I can do this from the box itself. Was hoping I could do it to the supersu file on the computer so that when I root another box I wouldn't have to change the text file again. But I'll try this out later and see how it goes.

retyre said:
Regardless of the method used to root, rooting involves the install of su and something like SuperSU to make it easier to work with. The fact that you're being prompted to allow su access is proof enough.
Install a root file explorer (I use ES File Explorer), allow it su access, go to the root of the device ("/") and look for the file in the location mentioned above.
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Click to collapse
I tried accessing supersu in two root browsers and it gives me a bunch of greyed out permissions... I am not sure how to even open it with notepad on es file explorer. This is a little different than the first gen as everything must be installed through tw recovery. Before Supersu would just ask me if i wanted to approve everything I clicked ok and never had to check it again. Is there any way I can edit any of the text that is being injected into the box when installing the firetv recovery via the usb cable method.. I believe this is where supersu is being transfered.
update: ok I found supersu inside the prerooted rom... I opened it as a text file and its pages and pages of random symbols etc.

harlekinade said:
Comedy gold.
I suggest you swipe left.
Or start reading what other people actually posted in here before. Or this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compiler or what a filepath is, or why you shouldnt try to resell Fire TVs - just in case...
Here is why - I havent encountered any case where the allow root access prompt would be on screen for less than 15 seconds during which you have to press down/right/enter to grant it permissions - and it only pops on when you are actively launching anything that tries to pull root rights - so you already have the remote in your hands.
Automating root prompt behavior to grant root by default is a really bad idea in general and you asking not only how to automate it, but also automate further installations of such a setup, suggests that maybe you are battling with user behavior of folks that don't know what a superuser prompt is and that go with default settings in most cases. Ethically it is hard to support any of this.
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Wow that was really presumptuous and didn't at all relate to anything or help me.... excellent work. I suggest before attempting to troll a post you read the entire post so you can at least have a firm grasp on your ridiculous comments. 9 posts in you're doing great. Lol "ethically it is hard to support any of this." At least you made me laugh. I guess it's unethical in your opinion for me to paint my car red also since it comes from the dealership blue. Btw it never occurred to me to push down right then enter with the remote thanks problem solved.....

danknasty said:
I tried accessing supersu in two root browsers and it gives me a bunch of greyed out permissions... I am not sure how to even open it with notepad on es file explorer. This is a little different than the first gen as everything must be installed through tw recovery. Before Supersu would just ask me if i wanted to approve everything I clicked ok and never had to check it again. Is there any way I can edit any of the text that is being injected into the box when installing the firetv recovery via the usb cable method.. I believe this is where supersu is being transfered.
update: ok I found supersu inside the prerooted rom... I opened it as a text file and its pages and pages of random symbols etc.
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Why are you trying to edit SuperSU (the app)? You should edit supersu.cfg, which is the text config file for SuperSU. Look for supersu.cfg in the location mentioned earlier.

retyre said:
Why are you trying to edit SuperSU (the app)? You should edit supersu.cfg, which is the text config file for SuperSU. Look for supersu.cfg in the location mentioned earlier.
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Click to collapse
The only supersu I was able to find using es explorer was the supersu file in the system folder... data showed up as black. I was finally able to find it using a different root browser I changed the setting for the app it self to 1 and it works. The only program that this gives me this issue with is teamviewer and I am wondering if it has to do with using a launcher version of kodi as it always kicks me out of the allow root selection screen, automatically disallows root and jumps to the kodi screen. But doing what you recommended worked. Thanks

harlekinade said:
Thank you for explaining your issue a little bit further. Changing the default of a superuser prompt to "yes" is something that shouldnt be considered an "easy fix" you could integrate into an image an then roll out on several devices.
Even if you LOL at the ethics of this, as you so eloquently put it - its still not something you should consider doing, generally speaking.
Just like you - trying to edit the Superuser binary in a texteditor - people can ruin their devices beyond repair, the default on "no" is a behavioral crutch to make it less likely that they find themselves in that situation.
Not sure if it would work for you - but I posted a teamviewer alternative in the general section (Exposed modules and root apps thread), that you might want to take a look at, as it doesnt require the app to be launched every time you want to access the Fire TV via VNC - as it runs as a service in the background.
I'm not exactly sure what you try to accomplish with teamviewer and why you want to roll out this configuration on multiple devices - so I'm not sure if it fits your purpose, but it might.
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My issue was explained in the first post but i think you're really thanking me for telling you that I don't intend to sell rooted fire tv's with super user permissions on yes by default for malicious purposes... as you so eloquently put it.. I was actually laughing at the fact that you are on a forum that is primarily devoted to rooting and customizing devices but you draw the line at me wanting to default the supersu permissions on my devices because of ethical reasons. Anyways I'll check out that alternative to teamviewer you spoke of. I intend to use teamviewer for the purpose it was created which is to remotely access devices from my computer.
I actually did confirm that it was the launcher version of kodi that was kicking me out of the supersu prompt for anyone that was interested.. I turned off the xposed module to confirm.

harlekinade said:
You wanted support, you did get what you asked for, and then you almost ruined your device, because you din't see the file you were told to edit, and decided to open a different one. Then you blamed it on your root explorer app.
In the opening posting you stated that you wanted to change the default, but not why - and when I criticized this as being not needed in general, risky - and if you'd planned to roll it out to several installations, other people might use - as your postings intended, even unethical.
Unethical because of two concepts -
- You usually don't think about automation for mass deployment - if you don't plan an reselling devices, and we have a big problem with resellers in this community, not taking the responsibility "clause" seriously. Because of a principle you could describe as "sell and vanish". Which almost ruined the Kodi community, and arguably has impacted this one as well.
There is this distinct sense of "wasteland" after a general interest crowd was allowed to promote their interests (ad hoc, personal problem solving assistance) for a few months, by moderators that have no stake in this specific scene at all. I can only repeat that.
- It is ethically problematic to tell users like you how to change an important default and not what comes with it. The entire filesystem model and security in operating system depends on escalating user account rights. With root - you always grant access to everything.
Yes XDA (or what this community stood for in the past) is all for root (the rights to do whatever you want in an OS) - but ostensibly not for handing those permissions over to every user, or making sure that root level rights are granted by just pressing the big OK button on a TV remote, whenerver a popup comes up. The prompt is there for a reason. So is the default to no. If you want to change that because of a very specific personal problem, thats fine - you can (thats the "self empowerment" part), its the "mass rollout" of this configuration you hinted at - that rang some alarmbells - so to speak. Just from a "you might cause more problems than you solve" in the longterm - standpoint.
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Well just to clarify not at one point did I ever almost ruin my device that's just pure imagination on your part furthermore I did not blame any program for my own actions I stated my experience. Secondly I can do whatever I want with a device I purchase, are you attempting to police the entire community with our own personal "ethical" standards on what should and should not be done with their property? I can tell you're biased because people sell these and it makes you upset. I've identified as not part of that community and honestly I don't owe you any explanation on what I want to do with my devices period. The quantity is also irrelevant can one not own more than two tvs? But again the issue was solved mainly by the aid of the others contributing to this post thanks for your ethical input though. Lol.

harlekinade said:
Then a simple question.
Did you plan, at any point, to sell rooted AFTVs with Teamviewer on them and Superuser modified in a way that defaults to granting root rights to any process that asks for them?
Because thats a major issue. Not only because we saw in here over the past few months what happens if some peaple sell other people "free and easy" and then arent able to assist them if something breaks. The influx of technically illiterate users - having been sold on "free" and then not getting what they paid for in the end, looking for "support" everywhere they could think of, has scared the enthusiasts community in this sector for years to come.
And amazons moves surrounding it (explained away by product bloggers as "easier for most people" and "necessary") ended up establishing blacklists on consumer android devices for the first time in history (?), and almost killed Kodi as an afterthought (there was money to be made, if you faltered and bowed to amazons restrictions).
Resellers were and still are misusing this community by playing out entities that at no point had a self concept of becoming "product support helplines" and destroying the open source ethos by funneling a mainstream clientel through small community channels, that werent created to handle them.
If you look around you - in this forum, on reddit - even on aftvnews - this is what is left at this point, and some of us have no interest in rekindling the hype.
Part of demanding questions from an open source community is also, that you reflect, contrast, rethink and tinker with ideas in the open. XDA becoming a place for the masses to get personal support services - actually destroys communities like this. People demanding that you attend to their personal needs first, and always are respectful, charming and considerate can become problematic also.
When you had opened the Superuser binary in the texteditor, complaining that it only shows you "cryptic symbols" you were exactly one or two steps away from ruining Superuser on your device. Namely - changing ANY of those cryptic symbols and then saving the file you had already opened with the intent to edit.
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You're still on about me reselling devices I don't know what to tell you I'm not gonna respond to it anymore. I was never close to bricking my device but I love how you decided to map out a scenario where I could have. You seem to be dead set on policing this forum (this post) and I find it odd you're talking about the history of this community after just 10 posts. I never demanded anything, this is a forum as you stated. I made an inquiry you can either help or you can ignore (I thanked those who helped). Or you can force your own moral agenda down everyone's throat that would be option c, the one you chose. Anyway there's really nothing left to be said my issue was resolved with the help of those interested in the actual question. I know people sell these things so does everyone else, this is not relevant to this post however.

harlekinade said:
I have a history in here beyond those 10 postings - but thats a story for another day..
My intent may have been to rattle some notions - but not to "police" by mentioning the concept of ethics once. I'm merely a peasant at this point in time, with a handful of soil in his hand, muttering "what have you done to this place"..
If I had any real power left to wield in here, arguing over concepts would be higher rated than providing "easy solutions". It isn't.
Also, sorry that I have borrowed your thread - and thank you for the conversation. I enjoyed it.
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I figured there was more to your ten post history. Perhaps maybe you were not so ethical at one point to have lost those powers??? [emoji50] But hey like I said you made me laugh so no complaints here. Continue to enjoy the forum as will I.

Related

are permsissions too obtuse for the average user?

i think guy brings up a good point and perhaps a decent solution. why not allow/encourage the dev's to explain a bit more. I'm a fairly adept nerd but when i'm installing an app sometimes i'm just not sure why in the world this app needs that permission...how is my mom or sister or anyone that i advocate Android to going to figure it out? why does this app need my coarse or fine location or full network access or access to the contact list etc...
and please do not say 'if you don't like what's listed, don't install the app'. that is exactly the point of this thread. the line items in the Review Permissions window don't always make sense. how can the average end user make a educated guess with the current system...they don't, they just start doing the same thing they do on their Windows Desktops...just click right on thru it. then what happens? some jerk writes a piece of malware. user has an issue. now its all androids fault. and viola, proof that linux based devices are still too geeky for avg use.
http://tech.shantanugoel.com/2010/08/14/android-permissions-malware.html
Unfortunately, there's no denying the cold, hard facts - ignorance is not bliss. Everything has a learning curve. Time and effort must be spent to educate users as to why <this> is happening and what it is doing for them. It's sad but true. Besides, if everything that required higher learning could be easily figured out I'm sure humanity would be freed from the shackles of poverty, war and hunger by now. So, yes, permissions are too obtuse for the average user. Unless they want to educate themselves on more generalized computing skills they'll never get it.
That's just my two cents. Sorry I couldn't be of better assistance
ok. so i wish to educate myself. please provide a full and detailed example listing why which permissions may be needed/used so that i will be able to make an educated choice. where is that link again?
i'm bringing up an issue...not asking for others to chime in and tell me how stoopid the end user base is. i'm an admin for over 10yrs. trust me ... i know. in this case i am also confused as are a large numer of folks. i understand the huge development curve android has experienced over the last 18mths. my concern is that if this issue is not addressed, even the folks that would take the time to read the Review Permissions page will give up. i know i have on more than one occasion. that's a bad trend.
Wow. You bring up a good point. Didn't mean to offend you or anything. I still don't have a good answer for you but I will let you know that I only install apps that I can trust usually after researching them via Google searches and talking about them with people here. I too am an admin (been a long, long 15 years now) and if there's 2 things I learned about recommending custom Android setups they are:
- If you think the user is going to use you as Wikipedia it's probably best to leave them at stock
and
- Only recommend this kind of stuff to users who are willing to accept responsibility for their actions otherwise you'll be the fall guy every time something goes wrong.
Again, I'm sure you know this and I didn't mean to offend you so..... bye.
Users can be pretty obtuse, and I think you're completely correct about the current permission system. However, I don't think it could be made much clearer without multiplying the number of permissions. Malware can exist because users consider certain permissions to be common. Conversely, apps with a good reputation can include permissions that make them wonder, "why would they need that?" Look at keyboards and how many people freak out when they go to enable them.
One thing that would be nice for users is if you could tap on a permission and the phone would display a short explanation of that permission. They probably aren't self explanatory for everyone.
beatblaster said:
- If you think the user is going to use you as Wikipedia it's probably best to leave them at stock
and
- Only recommend this kind of stuff to users who are willing to accept responsibility for their actions otherwise you'll be the fall guy every time something goes wrong.
Again, I'm sure you know this and I didn't mean to offend you so..... bye.
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no offense. i do understand. there was a point in time where i used to openly provide paid tech support to home systems of my coworkers....it was a short point in time. lol. but i digress ... i may have come off too strong in my reply, i was just trying to prevent the thread from wandering off.
I've tried to post on this topic in the past but have not nothing useful. in and of itself, i find that kinda sad. I've even seen some folks suggest that people "take a trusting stance because most developers do not intend harm". i wish i could. but i'm out of college.
it would be wonderful if someone (ie: a google dev or just someone with knowledge of these things) were able to create a page that could give real world examples and general rules of thumb. currently i have only found a couple pages that cover a couple settings. not nearly enough to be of much use.
Saturn2K said:
One thing that would be nice for users is if you could tap on a permission and the phone would display a short explanation of that permission. They probably aren't self explanatory for everyone.
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I concur.....I look at the permissions that apps ask for all the time. However, if I see a battery management app is asking me for full internet access and access to my contacts, I just pass on it. A lot of times you can figure out if an app is requesting bogus permissions just by using common sense.
rugedraw said:
I concur.....I look at the permissions that apps ask for all the time. However, if I see a battery management app is asking me for full internet access and access to my contacts, I just pass on it. A lot of times you can figure out if an app is requesting bogus permissions just by using common sense.
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if your app is paid for by advertisements then it will need Internet Access so it can retrieve ads...thus paying the developer. often that's where i see 'coarse location' used as well...for regional specific ads. so in those cases, not nefarious use but a perfect example of what I'm talking about. thank you.
the problem with the current permissions system is twofold;
1) as mentioned, there is no details WHY or WHAT FOR a particular permission is required
2) its all or nothing, ie you can't give permission for network access and restrict access to contact list, etc. You have to accept all the requested permissions or deny and not install the app.
fwiw: There is an app in the market called "permissions" that tells you not only the permissions each app requires but it gets VERY specific. Within each permission category there is a whole list of specifics.
It won't help with apps you haven't installed yet but it's good info on the ones you already have.
*edit- Just revisited this app, it's not as detailed as I remember.
just a lil bump...
bumpity bump ...
nothing? at all?

[XAP + Source] Advanced Explorer [Version 1.4]

Hello XDA Community,
@DEVELOPERS: I need some developers with other devices to make things (at least parts of advanced explorer) work on other devices (i have a htd hd7). !Programming & Testing!
Please PM me
To bring all together what xda achieved for WP7, i wrote a helper app for the following tasks,
- File management
- Registry management
- Copy files from desktop to phone
- Copy files from phone to desktop
- Set max unsigned apps
- Provision any given XML
If you post in this thread how any of those features could be implemented on other devices, i will maybe implement them. You can always send me a modified version and i will maybe update this post with the new version!
Usage/(Release-)Notes on the website!
If you encounter any errors, or wanna give some feedback => just leave a post here or use the idea page or write me an email (go to contact on the homepage)!
I included the source code, so that anybody can modify it at will but do not use anything here for commercial purposes (contact me first).
Homepage for this project:
http://sites.google.com/site/yaafdevelopers/projects/advanced-explorer-for-wp7
You can give feedback / bugreports:
http://advancedexplorerwp7.codeplex.com/
(Go to Discussion or Issue Tracker)
You will find the latest version and the Release-Notes there. I will continue to watch this thread!
Because some people asked how to support/donate me:
I appreciate every donation! Thank you!
reddragon
He that is great stff... i am glad you added the source i was thinking about how this could work having had a little peek at the code in the samples that Ms provided.
wings over a thanks too
Question...If you send a file, where does the device dump it into the computer? I was getting an error sending the file to my computer at first, but then I configured correctly and it sends fine, but I don't know where it is...
Edit: Nevermind, I got it. Upload/Download Root folders. Good work on this app man. Pretty nifty. Uploaded a .doc from my laptop to the phone, copy/pasted it into My Docs and it appeared and opened on MS Office Word perfectly.
nice ! but ...
Nice app !
But can't send from \windows directory ?..
Re: can't send from \windows
Hey,
like i said in my first post i brought together what was achieved...
Im using the HTC app COM dll files for file system access. Actually you can send files from \windows but not all. (in usage or no access)...
If somebody knows a better way, or something for other devices => just implement and send it, or post here!
The problem: Now it works on my device, so I can do what i wanted to do (coping .pdf and other stuff on the wp7) I have not the time to search & wait for other devices.
I tried to code it very generic and emulated the System.IO namespace, so everybody can add his results or replace it with better results.
Just contact me and I will check the code and update the first post.
reddragon93
eternalemb said:
Question...If you send a file, where does the device dump it into the computer? I was getting an error sending the file to my computer at first, but then I configured correctly and it sends fine, but I don't know where it is...
Edit: Nevermind, I got it. Upload/Download Root folders. Good work on this app man. Pretty nifty. Uploaded a .doc from my laptop to the phone, copy/pasted it into My Docs and it appeared and opened on MS Office Word perfectly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
actually you can double tab any file and it should open from any folder.
To get PDF working I copy the file to the PDF reader (most likely the app will crash if Adobe reader is not installed), but you will not see anything as PDF reader just pops up with the file
Just like always contact me if there are file types missing!
cool app, ty
how long did it take?
hi reddragon93, thank you for your work, i've an lg optimus 7, is there an eta for explorer for other device?
i need it!!!
thank you so much!
gianlucarugby said:
hi reddragon93, thank you for your work, i've an lg optimus 7, is there an eta for explorer for other device?
i need it!!!
thank you so much!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I really can understand you because I needed this for myself (that's why I coded it in the first place)
But the answer is NO, because we have to wait until somebody finds a way to get access on other devices and shares the info (i will observe this thread for new infos).
And by the way you should not ask for ETA in developer forum (forum rules), but it's OK for me. Hope you will be the only one after my answer
I answered this question in my first post:
"If you post in this thread how any of those features could be implemented on other devices, i will maybe implement them"
Hope I answered your question.
reddragon
thanks, you were very kind,
apologize me for the ETA, i did not know, i'm just a student not a developer!
good work!
EDIT: I can't figure out how to mark a post as useful yet, so let me just say THANK YOU!!!
Awesome app. However, there are a few things that would be nice in terms of file types:
Any chance of getting support for loading .mobi files (Kindle ebooks)? I'd love to be able to sideload books that aren't in the Amazon store.
Currently, .log files won't open. Copy/renaming them to .txt should work, or a simple text reader/editor could be built-in.
Possible bug: the "Max unsigned apps" field in Settings is showing "Not set - (can't read from registry)" Setting it from within the app seems to work, though (and be remembered).
Feature request: ability to search the registry
Small change request: pressing Back on an Exception could do the same as OK (rather than exiting).
Overally, much thanks for an awesome tool!
Thanks for feedback
GoodDayToDie said:
EDIT: I can't figure out how to mark a post as useful yet, so let me just say THANK YOU!!!
Awesome app. However, there are a few things that would be nice in terms of file types:
Any chance of getting support for loading .mobi files (Kindle ebooks)? I'd love to be able to sideload books that aren't in the Amazon store.
Currently, .log files won't open. Copy/renaming them to .txt should work, or a simple text reader/editor could be built-in.
Possible bug: the "Max unsigned apps" field in Settings is showing "Not set - (can't read from registry)" Setting it from within the app seems to work, though (and be remembered).
Feature request: ability to search the registry
Small change request: pressing Back on an Exception could do the same as OK (rather than exiting).
Overally, much thanks for an awesome tool!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your feedback!
(1) I really needed the app for myself (real pdf support) so... The Thanks Button is only visible with 5+ Posts
(2) i will pm you maybe if i find some spare time. This is most likely pretty simple to implement. Can you edit your (or create a new) post and describe what happens if you double tab a kindle book with the current version?
(3) yeah i saw this before but didn't thought it is important enough to implement. I don't have the time for the own Editor (you have to handle really big files for example) but i can do the renaming thing behind the scenes (remember renaming = copy+delete until a better solution is found).
(4) on first app start i have really no solution in determining how the value is set (no access on this key). So my solution was to set this text ("Not set - (can't read from registry)" until you set a value => then i save this value local to the app, and set it every time the app starts (It gets reset every time i connect the device to the PC anyway)
(5) "search the registry": I thought on this one... But this will not be of much use as we have not really much read access
NOTE: The Problem with the registry is that we have FULL WRITE access trough the provxml method but not very much READ access (HTC COM .dll)
(6) really? I'm satisfied with the current behavior. Without searching I don't know if this is a small change maybe it is, maybe not. At least it looks like one but that doesn't mean anything
reddragon
Thanks for the response, reddragon. I'm at work right now, so the .mobi thing will have to wait. It's a very common request among WP7 users around here, though.
I've found that selecting the Edit context item will open any file in Word, which is typically sufficient for viewing and even editing purposes! True plain text files open fine regardless of extension, and even binary files will usually have enough ASCII in them to determine useful info. You can also send any file (via email) from Word, if you want to email an attachment rather than just transfer to a PC.
Unfortunately, I've found that XML files just... don't work. Double-clicking them opens IE, which complains that it can't handle that file type. Selecting Edit on them looks like it's opening some Office app, but the app then closes and drops back into Advanced Explorer (no error). This is the currently problematic filetype, as a *lot* of data is stored in XML.
The "Registry Editor" app already provides registry search (and despite the security restrictions on read it *mostly* works) but without system copy-paste it's tricky moving data between apps. I enjoy being able to pan between the FS and registry... hell, I want a Windows (desktop) app that does this, now.
It looks like there's FS search (an option on the command bar, and a text box that appears) but I can't get it to do anything. Pressing Enter has no effect, tapping either Refresh or Search again just reloads the page. Am I using this right? It would be great to be able to either scroll long folders (\Windows) or find a filename behind a bunch of GUIDs.
Some files show as "0 b" size, even though they almost certainly aren't. Is that just because some program has an exclusive lock on them and their size can't be read in that state?
Any chance of the ability to create folders in the GUI (I think I see how to do it with provxml files, but that's not exactly convenient)?
Thanks for the explanations on the registry. I was wondering how you could write to locations that you can't read from... Also, I didn't know the sideload limit resets itself. That's something I'll have to watch out for, as I'm near the nominal sideload limit already. Hmm... maybe I should look into writing an app that lets the phone install a .XAP directly, to minimize the amount of PC connecting that's needed.
Sorry, I know that's a lot of comments and questions. If it helps, I showed this to a couple of other HD7 owners today, and the immediate response of both of them was "I've got to get that!" This is a great app, super-convenient and good for making the occasional Samsung Focus owner jealous ;-D
Actually, I'm a developer myself (mostly C/C++, but I know C#). I'll crack a look at the source when I get a chance (probably this weekend) but would you be interested in a patch if there's something I can improve? One thing I might add is an optional "Did you mean that?" prompt on the Back button, as it's a little too easy to hit and knock you clear out of the app (optional of course, as I understand some people don't have such problems).
Thanks again!
does anyone know the latest ETA on compatibility for samsung devices?
Some Answers
GoodDayToDie said:
Thanks for the response, reddragon. I'm at work right now, so the .mobi thing will have to wait. It's a very common request among WP7 users around here, though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like I said: I will pm you most likely, today or this weekend.
GoodDayToDie said:
I've found that selecting the Edit context item will open any file in Word, which is typically sufficient for viewing and even editing purposes! True plain text files open fine regardless of extension, and even binary files will usually have enough ASCII in them to determine useful info. You can also send any file (via email) from Word, if you want to email an attachment rather than just transfer to a PC.
Unfortunately, I've found that XML files just... don't work. Double-clicking them opens IE, which complains that it can't handle that file type. Selecting Edit on them looks like it's opening some Office app, but the app then closes and drops back into Advanced Explorer (no error). This is the currently problematic filetype, as a *lot* of data is stored in XML.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah the best way to handle the edit mode would be an editor inside the app, but that's quite some work i guess... So if somebody is willing to write such a control just contact me!
But the current workaround is quite simple: Upload your file, edit it with the powerful editors you know and send it back to the phone...
In fact what i did was send the complete windows/applications folder and all files that where successfully send can be edited (on the others you have no access anyway).
GoodDayToDie said:
The "Registry Editor" app already provides registry search (and despite the security restrictions on read it *mostly* works) but without system copy-paste it's tricky moving data between apps. I enjoy being able to pan between the FS and registry... hell, I want a Windows (desktop) app that does this, now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I think it's not that difficult to implement a search for registry. It's funny to say that all the time but I thought on this one too and if you look on the source code you will see that i positioned the search/filter text box out of the explorer pivot to use it for registry search or other purposes. If you find it really that useful with the current read restrictions... yeah I should just implement it...
GoodDayToDie said:
It looks like there's FS search (an option on the command bar, and a text box that appears) but I can't get it to do anything. Pressing Enter has no effect, tapping either Refresh or Search again just reloads the page. Am I using this right? It would be great to be able to either scroll long folders (\Windows) or find a filename behind a bunch of GUIDs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In fact this is a filter function so that large folders can be loaded much faster. Just enter "a*" and make the keyboard disappear (tab anywhere else) and you see only the files/folders starting with "a". I don't know why "enter" on keyboard doesn't do anything, I will look into this. I should update the usage in my first post, thanks.
GoodDayToDie said:
Some files show as "0 b" size, even though they almost certainly aren't. Is that just because some program has an exclusive lock on them and their size can't be read in that state?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yep.
From the htc COM call i get 0 bytes....
GoodDayToDie said:
Any chance of the ability to create folders in the GUI (I think I see how to do it with provxml files, but that's not exactly convenient)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hehe, i thought on this one too as it is already implemented (just create a folder in UploadRoot drop a file and start downloading it to the phone => the folder gets created). I will look into this.
Can you (or anybody) provide me with an example on how to rename a folder via provxml. And in Yaaf.WP7.NativeAccess.IO.File i have in the "Move" method some code commentated. Can somebody please un-comment, debug and tell me why the hell this provision-xml is invalid / not working, thanks.
(ProvisionXml is completely new to me as this is my first smartphone)
GoodDayToDie said:
Thanks for the explanations on the registry. I was wondering how you could write to locations that you can't read from... Also, I didn't know the sideload limit resets itself. That's something I'll have to watch out for, as I'm near the nominal sideload limit already. Hmm... maybe I should look into writing an app that lets the phone install a .XAP directly, to minimize the amount of PC connecting that's needed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't look into that but i think it is not enough to simply create the guid folder and drop content there... Anyway you can use the "NativeAccess" Projekt to get all the access i used in the Explorer. But you have to create links from your main projekt to the COM-dlls so they get included into the xap file.
GoodDayToDie said:
Sorry, I know that's a lot of comments and questions. If it helps, I showed this to a couple of other HD7 owners today, and the immediate response of both of them was "I've got to get that!" This is a great app, super-convenient and good for making the occasional Samsung Focus owner jealous ;-D
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what keeping me up i guess
GoodDayToDie said:
Actually, I'm a developer myself (mostly C/C++, but I know C#). I'll crack a look at the source when I get a chance (probably this weekend) but would you be interested in a patch if there's something I can improve? One thing I might add is an optional "Did you mean that?" prompt on the Back button, as it's a little too easy to hit and knock you clear out of the app (optional of course, as I understand some people don't have such problems).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm always interested in any patch especially support for other devices (I have a htc so I can't debug stuff for other devices :/ )
Yeah there could be an option for that. It's pretty easy to implement so... But i don't have this problem so i didn't realised that one.
GoodDayToDie said:
Thanks again!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your feedback
Muzzy777 said:
does anyone know the latest ETA on compatibility for samsung devices?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I answered this on the first page of the thread already, thanks.
EDIT: I updated the program and my first post and implemented some of your feature requests
reddragon
Configuration Service Provider Reference for Windows Mobile Devices
Have you used the forum-search? You'll find a post which describes you how to get these books to your phone (it's by me). I can't give you the link because I send this from my HD7.
really great app. Also like the pc<->phone feature
I use it now very often, so I think it needs:
-2 Filebrowser Tabs
-or an option to "bookmark" certain folders
diboze said:
really great app. Also like the pc<->phone feature
I use it now very often, so I think it needs:
-2 Filebrowser Tabs
-or an option to "bookmark" certain folders
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I talked to other people, at first this feature looks awesome, but after some time you would see that you don't use 2 tabs!
The bookmarking thing is a good idea...
Elerador said:
Have you used the forum-search? You'll find a post which describes you how to get these books to your phone (it's by me). I can't give you the link because I send this from my HD7.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm looking into amazon kindle... what i can do for sure is copy the file into the kindle folder and start amazon kindle...
But i forgot how to start a program via app-guid. I remember that i saw an COM.dll which can do that.
__ow said:
Configuration Service Provider Reference for Windows Mobile Devices
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i know that link but i don't see how you can move folders (if it is possible)
reddragon
Love the update! Thanks for cluing me in on the workings of the filter; I wasn't trying wildcards and it therefore looked like it was always empty.
That said, a bug report (reproed on the older version too):
Registry manual mode can crash with a System.ArgumentException "Invalid fullpath".
Start Advanced Explorer
Pan to Registry
Tap "edit manual"
Observe exception
App crashes on hitting OK

[XAP][ZIP] Access OEM Marketplaces easily, no dev unlock! (Update 16 Aug 2013)

Hi hackers!
Found something pretty cool while I was digging around looking for new interop-unlock hacks. The bad news is that it looks like it's not usable for interop unlock, the good news is that it's still pretty cool.
This previously required a dev-unlock, but no longer does. It does not require interop-unlock. It works on all phones (as far as I know).
UPDATE 3: ZIP file usable on non-unlocked phones EDIT: I think this will not work on most phones. Sorry! The XAPs still work, if you can sideload them
I've added a ZIP file that can be used to switch the OEM Marketplace without needing to sideload a XAP at all. Instructions are inside, but basically you tap the XML file for the OEM you want, then reboot the phone.
UPDATE 2: Dell Apps.xap, Nokia Apps.xap (v2)
The Dell apps collection is hidden, like the Nokia one was (see Update 1 below). The only app I was able to find was "Newsroom" (another app kind of like HTC Hub). If there are others, please let me know and I'll try to find them.
Nokia has collected their apps into a single marketplace section, like HTC/Samsung/LG. The new Nokia Apps.xap reflects this, so disregard the Update 1 note below for Nokia, and download the new XAP!
UPDATE 1: Nokia Apps.xap (See the Update 2 note - Nokia Apps.xap has been changed)
Be aware that this app works a little differently. Rather than actually adding a "Nokia" store to your Marketplace list, it just enables your phone to access Nokia's apps though the normal marketplace. Not sure why some OEMs did their own store and others didn't, but that's why it wasn't working before (it isn't a stand-alone store section).
An easy way to find the Nokia apps is to do a seach for a well-known app, like Nokia Maps. Then, open it and tap the "More from Nokia Corporation" link. This will take you to a list of all of Nokia's apps.
WHAT IS IT?
Install a XAP or tap an XML file in the ZIP, and restart your phone. Then, open the marketplace, and you'll discover that, instead of "HTC Apps" or "Samsung Zone" or whatever your default is, you can install OEM apps from a different OEM.
WHAT CAN I DO?
If you want to install Nokia, HTC, Samsung, LG, or Dell apps, open the ZIP file on your phone, look for the OEM name you want, and tap the XML file immediately under that OEM name. You'll need to restart your phone before the Marketplace changes.
If you want to help out, give me as much info as you can about the other OEM marketplaces (Toshiba/Fujitsu, perhaps?)
IS IT DANGEROUS?
Well, it's a hack. There's always *some* danger. However, you don't need to worry very much. The phone will automatically revert the Marketplace after a day or so. You can also get your proper marketplace back by installing the corresponding app/tapping the desired ZIP.
However, you *really* should keep an up-to-date restore point any time you're messing with stuff like that, especially with new hacks. If something screws up and doesn't straighten out, restore a backup or hard-reset and it will fix itself.
EDIT: The ZIP does not appear to work on most phones. The XAP files should still work on 7.8, though.
WHO CAN I THANK?
Well, aside from myself thanks go to:
Heathcliff74, for the XAP deployer hack and the Samsung marketplace configuration file.
Schaps, for TouchXplorer (let me find the relevant file).
Voluptuary, for info about both OEM and MO marketplaces (working on those).
wpxbox, for the info about "Nokia collection".
CAN I ASK A QUESTION?
You just did, or at least, I did for you. Please see the next post after this one for FAQ. Otherwise, feel free to post a reply with your question. Please, if it's at all relevant, include the make, model, and version of your phone and OS/firmware.
OK, I know you all will have some questions. I'll try to collect them, and their answers, here so people don't have to read every post.
If you ask a question that is already answered here, I may facepalm and/or use sarcasm.
DO I NEED TO RUN THIS APP?
No, you don't. It doesn't do anything at all after installing. In fact, I re-used another app that I had handy, so the message you see isn't even accurate!
WHY DOES THE MESSAGE IN THE APP TALK ABOUT INTEROP UNLOCK? CAN I USE THIS APP FOR INTEROP UNLOCK?
It talks about it because I reused in interop-unlock app (which works exactly the same way, but with a different file). This app will not interop-unlock your phone, or even allow you to do so. However, it doesn't need interop-unlock, either. Furthermore, why are you running the app? You don't need to; none of the instructions say to run it.
CAN I DELETE THE APP?
Yes. Once it's installed, you can delete it immediately if you want to.
HOW DO I GET MY OWN OEM'S MARKETPLACE BACK?
You can either install the corresponding XAP and reboot, or you can wait a day or so for the phone to recover on its own.
HOW CAN I GET BACK TO AN OEM MARKETPLACE THAT I ACCESSED BEFORE?
Remove the app (and any variant of it), if it's currently installed. Then, install it again. Then, reboot as before, and you should see the marketplace corresponding to whatever XAP you used.
WHY DON'T ALL APPS WORK?
Many apps will use native drivers to do their work. These drivers are specific to each OEM's firmware, and are baked into the ROM. Apps that don't need special permissions, like the Samsung Now app or LG's Look n Type, should work. Apps that have high permissions or do device-specific things, like a Network Profile app or HTC Sound Enhancer (if it ever appears again) won't work on other phones.
SOME OF THESE APPS HAVE ID_CAP_INTEROPSERVICES, CAN WE USE THEM FOR INTEROP UNLOCK?
No. The apps may appear to work (even on interop-locked phones) because they were installed from the Marketplace and have valid signatures. However, they won't actually be able to do anything useful, because the wrong drivers will be installed (see the previous question).
CAN YOU ADD A XAP FOR ANOTHER MARKETPLACE?
Sure, once the required configuration data is available. This can be tricky - for example, the values for HTC and Samsung are "HTC" and "Samsung", respectively, but the one for LG is actually "LGE" (LG Electronics). I don't know what they are for Toshiba/Fujitsu, and I'm not sure I have everything from Dell, and I don't have any others. Any help here would be appreciated!
CAN I ACCESS MORE THAN ONE OEM MARKETPLACE AT ONCE?
No, sorry. I tried to build support for multiple OEM markets, but it didn't work. The last one overwrites the previous.
WILL APPS KEEP WORKING AFTER THE MARKETPLACE REVERTS?
So far, yes. I don't know whether they'll get updates, although I suspect they will.
CAN SOMETHING BE DONE ABOUT APPS COMPLAINING THEY DON'T WORK ON MY PHONE?
Sadly, no (nothing safe). Most of the LG and Samsung apps that I've tried work just fine (interop aside) on my HTC phone. It helps that in Mango, a lot of formerly interop capabilities (like compass for LG ScanSearch) are now in the official APIs. Some apps will still check though, and there's nothing I can do about that.
CAN WE ACCESS MARKETPLACES FOR OTHER OPERATORS?
It's probably possible, but I haven't bothered to try yet. If there are interesting apps for carriers that work outside of that carrier's network, I'll give it a shot. It's a different file but the structure is very similar.
IS THERE A LIST OF APPS KNOWN TO WORK?
Courtesy of user JusThinK, as of 1 Feb 2012:
JusThinK said:
Converter
FunShot
HTC Hub
Look n Type
MiniDiary
Notes
Now
Photo Enhancer
Photo Studio
Photo Stylist
Photogram
ScanSearch
SmartShare(previously know as Play To - Working fine on with my Samsung HDTV)
ToolBox
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
can you just deploy all three and have access to all 3 sources in marketplace?
once you install apps from the other oem sources, and the market reverts back, do you lose the apps you have installed?
No. I tried to build it so you could access multiple OEM marketplaces at once, but it didn't work - only ever used the last one in the config file.
Apps stay installed and runnable even after the marketplace reverts. However, I can't promise they'll receive updates. I think they will, but I haven't been testing this long enough to find out.
Dell's marketplace string is "Dell"
Nokia's marketplace string is "Nokia"
I still haven't figured out Fujistu's.
thanx dude,
The 3 xap files are working on the HTC Trophy.
But the LG apps that you can download, if you run the downloaded app from LG place. He said Only for LG devices.
So are you editing the files in the 'keepers' folder? I had found those some time ago and posted them HERE back in October. I thought they would lead to this since when they were deleted the OEM marketplaces would simply go away, same can be done to remove the carrier marketplaces, but I had trouble getting them off my device to really look at them.
Be warned though in my similar pre-mango hack with the registry we found that changing the OEM marketplace values made the DRM wig out and would prevent any apps from starting. The only way to fix it was a full reset or restore to a point before the modifications were done.
I would guess that if you edit LKG_MOStoreConfig.xml you could do the same thing with carriers.
OEM's:
Samsung
HTC
LGE
Dell
Nokia
MO's:
Att
Tmous
Tmode
I am pretty sure these are case sensitive too so keep that in mind.
Thanks GoodDayToDie
this solution it gives me solved my phone not show OEM App in market
Just wondering and perhaps some people might want to test with me if we set LKG_MOStoreConfig.xml and LKG_OEMStoreConfig.xml to read only will it stay set instead of only lasting a few days?
The reason I want this is becuase I want at&t's stupid marketplace entry to remain GONE so I edited LKG_MOStoreConfig.xml to this:
Code:
<ConfigurationFile version="1">
<MOStore>
<setting id="MOName"></setting>
<setting id="MOStoreName"></setting>
<setting id="MOStoreID"></setting>
<setting id="MOStoreEnabled">False</setting>
</MOStore>
</ConfigurationFile>
Now I'm just guessing that this is how it should look since like I said before I never could get the original files off my phone to look at them.
@voluptuary: That would probably work (in fact, the "false" alone is probably enough). Marking the file read-only may or may not be sufficient.
@cyclonemon: You're welcome! I didn't even realize people were having that issue but yes, it should help there too.
I am confused, can't I do this already with Milkman's WP7 3MktPlace? I can search/list 3MktPlace apps . I can add new info such as Nokia to the application. It finds and saves the XAP to the PC and from which I can deploy it to the phone.
ok, after reading more carefully, the program process above would require interop unlock, your route doesn't
@voluptuary (again): Thanks for the OEM names. I'm pretty sure I tried "Nokia" and it didn't work, but I'm trying it again (I did the edit on the phone during testing, and that's pretty typo-prone). For what it's worth, they are not case sensitive (a good thing, since the official casing for Samsung is actually SAMSUNG).
EDIT: Confirmation, "Nokia" does not work.
You're exactly right about which file I'm replacing (you can see that if you crack the XAP). I was looking to use the embedded provxml in MOConfig to do interop-unlock, but it looks like the process which reads that file doesn't have the required permissions. I could do something for the MO marketplaces too, but I'm really not sure there's value to it; do the MOs have apps that are useful if you're not a subscriber?
So far, no DRM wig-outs. I'm hoping it works when I don't mess with the registry. We shall see.
@derausgewanderte: This method doesn't use up unsigned app limit (aside from briefly, when the configuration app is installed). It also allows updates from the phone itself.
GoodDayToDie said:
@derausgewanderte: This method doesn't use up unsigned app limit (aside from briefly, when the configuration app is installed). It also allows updates from the phone itself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see, thanks for the clarification.
just for your info. Milkman's program works with "Nokia" if that helps.
Thanks, but... neither "Nokia" nor "Dell" are working. It's rather annoying. Samsung I had the actual file to work from, but LG[E] I figured out on my own, and it works. Not so with Nokia or Dell though.
Nokia on the marketplace has the string nokia.
As this seems a nice hack, be very carefull with changing the OEM name of your phone. Doing this a couple of times will invalid something with the DRM and will force you to do a hard reset. You will not be able to run any app installed trough the MP otherwise and you will not be able to install anything.
I dont know for sure if the same thing would happen trough this method, but I'm not going to try it out. I tried it with editing the registry and if you do that about 5 times, your phone cant do anything without a hard reset.
I'm posting this to avoid problems, not to kill this hack. Because its defenetly good work, but before any complications arise, be warned.
Marvin_S said:
Nokia on the marketplace has the string nokia.
As this seems a nice hack, be very carefull with changing the OEM name of your phone. Doing this a couple of times will invalid something with the DRM and will force you to do a hard reset. You will not be able to run any app installed trough the MP otherwise and you will not be able to install anything.
I dont know for sure if the same thing would happen trough this method, but I'm not going to try it out. I tried it with editing the registry and if you do that about 5 times, your phone cant do anything without a hard reset.
I'm posting this to avoid problems, not to kill this hack. Because its defenetly good work, but before any complications arise, be warned.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes yes please heed this warning. It happened to me.
I'm aware of the problem with the registry editing method. I can't guarantee it won't happen here (make sure you have a recent backup!) but I'm hopeful. I've made far more than 5 changes, and while I haven't had it in this state for weeks yet, I have for days, and so far no problems at all.
EDIT: @VoodooKing: Just to confirm, your problem was with the registry tweak method, right? If you hit that problem with these XAPs, please let me know.
GoodDayToDie said:
@voluptuary (again): Thanks for the OEM names. I'm pretty sure I tried "Nokia" and it didn't work, but I'm trying it again (I did the edit on the phone during testing, and that's pretty typo-prone). For what it's worth, they are not case sensitive (a good thing, since the official casing for Samsung is actually SAMSUNG).
EDIT: Confirmation, "Nokia" does not work.
You're exactly right about which file I'm replacing (you can see that if you crack the XAP). I was looking to use the embedded provxml in MOConfig to do interop-unlock, but it looks like the process which reads that file doesn't have the required permissions. I could do something for the MO marketplaces too, but I'm really not sure there's value to it; do the MOs have apps that are useful if you're not a subscriber?
So far, no DRM wig-outs. I'm hoping it works when I don't mess with the registry. We shall see.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I can't get Nokia to work either, however my Lumia 800 never had a "Nokia Marketplace" to begin with on the phone so that may have something to do with it. I think the other programs that have been mentioned are pulling apps in a slightly different way than what acctually happens on the phone. I would guess pehaps there is some handset ID matching or something on the phone marketplace whereas with the PC/Web based methods there isn't. (just guessing)
On a side note I tried setting the MOConfig to read only (like I said before) and while att's marketplace still sadly came back, it came back different. It used to be "AT&T AppCenter(tm)" now it reads "AT&T Featured" so that is odd. As for carrier app usefullness IMHO the at&t ones are garbage but I can't speak to any other carriers.
You have to search for Nokia apps in the marketplace for them to show up. There is no Nokia store.
Yes changing registry a few times caused my phone to not launch apps and install from marketplace. I think I changed the name more than 5 times.

Researching the Kindle Fire's 'no Amazon Video with root' lock

So it's a bit rubbish that you can't use Amazon Video on your Kindle Fire if it's rooted. I don't want to steal movies, crack DRM or anything else, I just want to have a rooted device to use with my Amazon Prime VOD feature. Bit harsh imho. Sooooo.... I thought i'd have a poke around and see what I could find out.
What I found was a very complex web of protection on a scale above anything i've seen an Android app before. Not only does the application check for root in more that one location (in the application itself and in the native library), it also performs tamper detection on the APK. Not only that but it also checks that the signature on the APK to check that no code has changed (if you change the code in classes.dex and drop it in, this is usually OK on a /system/app file, but not in this case). The code itself doesn't have a single, uniform tamper / root check function, it does it all over the place. Finally, just to make things even more difficult, key parts of the code are pretty heavily obfuscated to make the code hard to analyse / modify.
Despite this, I thought i'd see what I could achieve by patching it piece by piece with the goal of allowing video with root.
The first step was to work out how to get around the signature check. Without sorting this out, the app would immediately flag up as being tampered if I made ANY change to the code. The answer to this was to re-sign the Amazon Video APK, ATVAndroidClient.apk. Of course we don't have the Amazon certificates, so we can sign them with our own, or with SDK certificates. Since Amazon Video uses a shared user id, other APKs need to be signed too. The full list is ATVAndroidClient.apk, KindleForOtter.apk, OtterTutorial.apk, AmazonVenezia.apk, Launcher.apk, Windowshop.apk, CSApp-unsigned.apk, MyAccount-unsigned.apk, amazonmp3-unsigned.apk, Cloud9-unsigned.apk, OOBE-unsigned.apk, com.amazon.dcp.apk, Cloud9SystemBrowserProvider-unsigned.apk, OTASilentInstall.apk, Facebook.apk and OtterAppManager.apk.
After doing this, the next step is to patch out the tamper checks. This can really only be achieved by tracing where the app goes and how it works and by carefully analysing logcat to get clues as to where the errors are happening. Since i'm in the UK I also had to use a DNS proxy with a static IP... I used unblock-us which works a treat. Eventually I got to a stage where I got the application to ignore any tamper detections, thereby enabling the various 'Watch' buttons.
In the next step I could see what something was triggering another problem, and it turned out to be detection of root. This was happening in one of the more obfuscated bits of code, but again with careful tracing I managed to find this and patch it out.
At this point the application was loading, passing tamper checks, giving me the watch buttons, requesting the stream from Amazon and giving me the loading progress bar etc... BUT... the licence request to Amazon continually failed. This is the point where I came to something of a brick wall. It appears that there is some additional root checking going on in the native library, and unfortunately, reverse engineering this is beyond both my abilities and more important the time I have available, so we don't have a fully working solution.
The positive things though are that we now have a patchable Amazon Video APK, which means we can implement the functionality of the 'root keepers' within the app itself. We can effectively make the Amazon Video APK hide the su binary from itself on launch and put it back after it's run it's checks. Not ideal, but might be the best way to go. Note that the root check doesn't care about the Superuser APK, it only checks for 'su'. It checks in all the locations in the PATH variable, so moving it to, say. /system/root and adding that to the path won't help. Unfortunately.
For now, I have to put this on the back burner, but i'm posting my patched APK below so that if anyone wants to pick up the work of reversing the native binary they can do so, simply by using this APK and re-signing it and the other APKs mentioned above.
Any questions, feel free to ask them here. Obviously I have no interest in saving streams, downloading movies or any stupid stuff like that, so don't even ask.
P
DOWNLOAD - MD5: f6044dbeffa4eb3f8361c71a96683150
send to kindle - passage through amazon servers
Apologies if this seems off off topic but I believe it may tied to your explanation of the security at Amazon --
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=21366426#post21366426
As proof of concept Ive been messing around with the SendtoKindle.exe from the desktop explorer -- and have failed to get anything worthwhile past the amazon servers.... to see if I can use the Send to Kindle to get say, a rom file or binary kernel or apk or something of that sort -- and have not been able to get anything past.
The fact that everything is failing is only making me want to keep trying different things -- which Ill just keep on trying.. so i will try different things -
Ive sent 40 different documents of all kinds to see what goes through and what doesnt... and the only things that are going through are basically legitimate items.
If this is entirely irrelevant to your quest, then my apologies -- but regardless I shall enjoy observing how you shall achieve your success Paul!
Solved. Its hacky, but I've confirmed it working. http://rootzwiki.com/topic/15134-how-to-get-amazon-prime-video-working-with-rooted-stock/
infinitybiff said:
Solved. Its hacky, but I've confirmed it working. http://rootzwiki.com/topic/15134-how-to-get-amazon-prime-video-working-with-rooted-stock/
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No offense but this has been around for awhile and is known as a workaround. This thread is about finding a solution instead of having to use a workaround I suppose.
Here is an example of a thread posted in November with this information.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=19718688&postcount=6
And another thread in December.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1414235
G1ForFun said:
No offense but this has been around for awhile and is known as a workaround. This thread is about finding a solution instead of having to use a workaround I suppose.
Here is an example of a thread posted in November with this information.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=19718688&postcount=6
And another thread in December.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1414235
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Click to collapse
Late to the party i suppose
Sent from my SGH-I897 using XDA App
What ROM were you testing on? Even if you temp unroot with RootKeeper on CM7, Amazon Video will not work (in my experience). The Watch button is always greyed out.
Takenover83 said:
What ROM were you testing on? Even if you temp unroot with RootKeeper on CM7, Amazon Video will not work (in my experience). The Watch button is always greyed out.
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Click to collapse
Have you tried force closing the video app and restarting it while unrooted?
Also does video work on CM7? I have not installed it to try.
Sent from my E4GT using xda premium
mkuehn10 said:
Have you tried force closing the video app and restarting it while unrooted?
Also does video work on CM7? I have not installed it to try.
Sent from my E4GT using xda premium
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Yep, sure did. Something about CM7 that amazon does not like
Takenover83 said:
Yep, sure did. Something about CM7 that amazon does not like
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I'm sure it's more than just the Amazon video app you will need to get this working...what apps are installed and are they on the system partition. Can you keep us posted on your progress?
B3L13V3 said:
I'm sure it's more than just the Amazon video app you will need to get this working...what apps are installed and are they on the system partition. Can you keep us posted on your progress?
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There was 3 or 4 apks I had to install. Cant remember all the names off the top of my head. I know some account apk just to sign into amazon, video. I wish I could be more helpful but do not have my Pc in front of me right now (out and about). But the app its self was runing just fine. I Just was being blocked (even though I unrooted.)

[Q] this may be more general to android but, root question

Out of curiosity why isn't root allowed out of the box on the Nexus 7?
I mean I get that no one should use superuser access/root privileges on anything more than a "need to use" basis and honestly, I'll even admit that with the way the ecosystem has evolved, root isn't really entirely "needed" but, it still boggles my mind that there is no way I can just open up a terminal, type in a code, and get root.
I've tried googling the issue but, I generally get a bunch of responses about things which aren't quite related.
Snow_fox said:
Out of curiosity why isn't root allowed out of the box on the Nexus 7?
I mean I get that no one should use superuser access/root privileges on anything more than a "need to use" basis and honestly, I'll even admit that with the way the ecosystem has evolved, root isn't really entirely "needed" but, it still boggles my mind that there is no way I can just open up a terminal, type in a code, and get root.
I've tried googling the issue but, I generally get a bunch of responses about things which aren't quite related.
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Click to collapse
I think its fine the way it is. its jailbroken out of the box so you can use your device how you wish and that is what matters. You can't expect a company to support users to change everything about it. Then people complain about bricked devices or contact them for support for some custom rom.
However I believe they made it pretty easy to root. They certainly could have made it a lot harder. Anyone who has the skills (or patience to learn how) to use root certainly can root a device based on the tutorials given. And other users who don't want to worry about it don't ever see it. The little bit of effort helps weed out the people who would mess things up for themselves.
firesoul453 said:
I think its fine the way it is. its jailbroken out of the box so you can use your device how you wish and that is what matters. You can't expect a company to support users to change everything about it. Then people complain about bricked devices or contact them for support for some custom rom.
However I believe they made it pretty easy to root. They certainly could have made it a lot harder. Anyone who has the skills (or patience to learn how) to use root certainly can root a device based on the tutorials given. And other users who don't want to worry about it don't ever see it. The little bit of effort helps weed out the people who would mess things up for themselves.
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Click to collapse
I don't expect a company to support me changing anything I want about it. If I misuse root privileges, then I don't expect to have a lifeline when I call asus/google. I don't expect say Dell or HP to cover my PC if I try to install ubuntu and I botch something up.
However, refusing to let me have root because "might" mess something up is also flawed logic. I may also for one reason or another need root access.
While I am glad they make it easy to root, the reality is there is they are being counter productive. Honestly, just leaving in root access would decrease the chances of me bricking my device at this point. As of now to get root access I'll have to flash a custom recovery compared to just giving the ability to go into a terminal and type in "oem -su enable" or something.
If the flashing issue is really that big of a deal, then why force users to flash to get what they want in the first place?
Snow_fox said:
I don't expect a company to support me changing anything I want about it. If I misuse root privileges, then I don't expect to have a lifeline when I call asus/google. I don't expect say Dell or HP to cover my PC if I try to install ubuntu and I botch something up.
However, refusing to let me have root because "might" mess something up is also flawed logic. I may also for one reason or another need root access.
While I am glad they make it easy to root, the reality is there is they are being counter productive. Honestly, just leaving in root access would decrease the chances of me bricking my device at this point. As of now to get root access I'll have to flash a custom recovery compared to just giving the ability to go into a terminal and type in "oem -su enable" or something.
If the flashing issue is really that big of a deal, then why force users to flash to get what they want in the first place?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Root can cause problems. It can cause security problems if not used right and can brick not only while rooting but while flashing custom roms and things.
while you and I don't go asking for support, a lot of people do. People try to pass things off as warrenty problems and do call and email asking for support for things not originally on that phone.
And it hurts them in other ways. Google makes pretty much all their money from ads. Rooting makes it easy to block ads and you average rom might have it built right in. The only reason google bothers with android was for the ad money. So there is no incentive for them give root out of the box. They already are more open and free than their main competitions.
You could look at samsung. THey make their money of the hardware and so have been more open with rooting with odin, thought they still don't really care for it (probably because of the support issue)
And the carriers are even worse because rooting allows for things like wireless tethering for free and data is their biggest costs. Their certnaly isn't any reason for carriers to push for root.
I honestly don't know the true answer; only Google would know.
But in my opinion, it's because Android is an open source OS, and giving users root access allows them to alter .apk's very easily. This is bad for developers, because most developers make money from advertisements or in-app currency, and allowing users to alter their .apk to easily block ads or change in-app currency would thwart developer interest.
In Windows for example, the OS is not open source, but users have "root" access because they can always get to the root of every program/file. BUT users CANNOT EASILY alter the programs installed on Windows - if they want a hacked version, they usually have to download a hacked version that someone else hacked.
Whereas in Android, it's very easy for me to download any .apk I want, run my hack app that says "Search for this value and change it to this" and BAM it's now hacked in literally seconds.
firesoul453 said:
Root can cause problems. It can cause security problems if not used right and can brick not only while rooting but while flashing custom roms and things.
while you and I don't go asking for support, a lot of people do. People try to pass things off as warrenty problems and do call and email asking for support for things not originally on that phone.
And it hurts them in other ways. Google makes pretty much all their money from ads. Rooting makes it easy to block ads and you average rom might have it built right in. The only reason google bothers with android was for the ad money. So there is no incentive for them give root out of the box. They already are more open and free than their main competitions.
You could look at samsung. THey make their money of the hardware and so have been more open with rooting with odin, thought they still don't really care for it (probably because of the support issue)
And the carriers are even worse because rooting allows for things like wireless tethering for free and data is their biggest costs. Their certnaly isn't any reason for carriers to push for root.
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Click to collapse
I'm not going to deny adblocking is one of my many vices. While many people have many views on it, all I can say is until ads no longer break my experience completely, I'll be stuck using adblockers. While this is becoming less of a problem with phones/tablets that have faster processors I've had my entire phone lock up before because of certain types of ads my phone couldn't handle. On top of that many are frustrating to deal with as there is no "x" visible for me to tap and I have to back out of whatever I was doing because the phone can't handle the discrepancy in size and find some way to navigate around the ad.
While this is only one example there have been other issues. Hell I had to use a script that required root back when I had my captivate just to get it it to work on my schools wifi. There were a number of issues and I imagine there are still a number of issues that make the lack of root almost a deal breaker.
Sure you can argue from a support issue point of view but, realistically as I already said, I wouldn't have to flash anything if I had access to root... I guess they just chalk it up to "some people are going to do whatever it takes anyway...." but, that just doesn't make much sense to not let people have it anyway.
Geodude074 said:
I honestly don't know the true answer; only Google would know.
But in my opinion, it's because Android is an open source OS, and giving users root access allows them to alter .apk's very easily. This is bad for developers, because most developers make money from advertisements or in-app currency, and allowing users to alter their .apk to easily block ads or change in-app currency would thwart developer interest.
In Windows for example, the OS is not open source, but users have "root" access because they can always get to the root of every program/file. BUT users CANNOT EASILY alter the programs installed on Windows - if they want a hacked version, they usually have to download a hacked version that someone else hacked.
Whereas in Android, it's very easy for me to download any .apk I want, run my hack app that says "Search for this value and change it to this" and BAM it's now hacked in literally seconds.
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Click to collapse
This is actually one of the best reasons I think I've ever heard and I've actually asked this question a lot in different places over the years. That's a pretty feasible answer.
Geodude074 said:
I honestly don't know the true answer; only Google would know.
But in my opinion, it's because Android is an open source OS, and giving users root access allows them to alter .apk's very easily. This is bad for developers, because most developers make money from advertisements or in-app currency, and allowing users to alter their .apk to easily block ads or change in-app currency would thwart developer interest.
In Windows for example, the OS is not open source, but users have "root" access because they can always get to the root of every program/file. BUT users CANNOT EASILY alter the programs installed on Windows - if they want a hacked version, they usually have to download a hacked version that someone else hacked.
Whereas in Android, it's very easy for me to download any .apk I want, run my hack app that says "Search for this value and change it to this" and BAM it's now hacked in literally seconds.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rooting has nothing to do with decompiling apks. apk hacking is bad but thats a whole other thing. Anyone can get a hold of pretty much every apk easliy, no need for root.
Windows doesn't really have root, its pretty different. You can give programs administrator privileges I guess, but not exactly the same. Decompiling apks is only easier because its java, it has nothing to do with the os or root privileges.
Don't expect any of these companies support to support root until they have a reason to.

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