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Hi Guys, I've read a lot of stuff on here, and I'm a little confused.
I'm getting my Fire Tv to, with the intention of rooting it to use as an XBMC box.
I understand that it may come with frimware that can't be rooted (not without some soldering anyway) how could I check that?
Do I need to block the update sites in my router before switching it on?
seymour71 said:
Hi Guys, I've read a lot of stuff on here, and I'm a little confused.
I'm getting my Fire Tv to, with the intention of rooting it to use as an XBMC box.
I understand that it may come with frimware that can't be rooted (not without some soldering anyway) how could I check that?
Do I need to block the update sites in my router before switching it on?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm in the UK and just received my Fire TV.
I blocked the updates at my router using the guide from aftvnews website.
However, my Fire TV won't complete the setup without updating.
It seems there is no way around this, so I either put it back in it's box and await some way to get around it, or I let it update and use it without root.
helicon9 said:
I'm in the UK and just received my Fire TV.
I blocked the updates at my router using the guide from aftvnews website.
However, my Fire TV won't complete the setup without updating.
It seems there is no way around this, so I either put it back in it's box and await some way to get around it, or I let it update and use it without root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bugger. That's what I was afraid of.
Thanks for your reply mate.
Which firmware did your UK AFTV come installed with? Here's a list
http://www.aftvnews.com/software/
helicon9 said:
I'm in the UK and just received my Fire TV.
I blocked the updates at my router using the guide from aftvnews website.
However, my Fire TV won't complete the setup without updating.
It seems there is no way around this, so I either put it back in it's box and await some way to get around it, or I let it update and use it without root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the info. Still have my US bought one for ages ago, so will continue using that for now.
Out of curiosity, did you go through the install process anyway? If you did, just curious what firmware Uk ships with and what it attempts to download.
Cheers
eskay993 said:
Thanks for the info. Still have my US bought one for ages ago, so will continue using that for now.
Out of curiosity, did you go through the install process anyway? If you did, just curious what firmware Uk ships with and what it attempts to download.
Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I went through the install process anyway as not too fussed about root as long as XBMC works.
I don't know what firmware it shipped with because I couldn't access it with letting the update run, but it asked me to select language on setup, so I assume it was one of the 51.1.3. versions.
Anyhow, it updated and firmware is now 51.1.4.0_user_514006420.
So looks like a brand new firmware. I won't hold my breath for root on this one!!
helicon9 said:
I went through the install process anyway as not too fussed about root as long as XBMC works.
!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, you can use XBMC without root? Even play media from a local usb drive?
seymour71 said:
Oh, you can use XBMC without root? Even play media from a local usb drive?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you can install and run xbmc without root, just sideload over adb.
Root just enables you to use it as a launcher, so you can skip the fire tv interface.
helicon9 said:
Yes you can install and run xbmc without root, just sideload over adb.
Root just enables you to use it as a launcher, so you can skip the fire tv interface.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AHHHHHHHHH,RIIIIIIIIIIGGGGHHHHT.
I'll do that then, not that I have another option at the mo anyway!
Cheers.
helicon9 said:
I went through the install process anyway as not too fussed about root as long as XBMC works.
I don't know what firmware it shipped with because I couldn't access it with letting the update run, but it asked me to select language on setup, so I assume it was one of the 51.1.3. versions.
Anyhow, it updated and firmware is now 51.1.4.0_user_514006420.
So looks like a brand new firmware. I won't hold my breath for root on this one!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool thanks for the info. Wonder if new firmware is why I can't install Netflix from UK store on a US device. Time will tell!
---------- Post added at 11:32 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:27 AM ----------
seymour71 said:
AHHHHHHHHH,RIIIIIIIIIIGGGGHHHHT.
I'll do that then, not that I have another option at the mo anyway!
Cheers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just one thing to note.. You also asked about playing media off an external usb device. I believe this does need root, but worth double checking that. XBMC works fine with media from a network share or NAS though without root.
eskay993 said:
Cool thanks for the info. Wonder if new firmware is why I can't install Netflix from UK store on a US device. Time will tell!
---------- Post added at 11:32 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:27 AM ----------
Just one thing to note.. You also asked about playing media off an external usb device. I believe this does need root, but worth double checking that. XBMC works fine with media from a network share or NAS though without root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmmm, yes, i thought I'd read that. All the media is on a usb drive, so i'll check. Thanks.
Hi
I got mine today too, unrootable
I have sideloaded Kodi, seems to work fine, though the Helix alpha did not work, so am using gotham 13.2.
Would be nice to have xbmc on the home screen... very lame having to tool through several menus to get to xbmc every time... hopefully some clever sod will hack this so it will work with android free from amazon's suffocation.
Mark.
fredphoesh said:
Hi
I got mine today too, unrootable
I have sideloaded Kodi, seems to work fine, though the Helix alpha did not work, so am using gotham 13.2.
Would be nice to have xbmc on the home screen... very lame having to tool through several menus to get to xbmc every time... hopefully some clever sod will hack this so it will work with android free from amazon's suffocation.
Mark.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you able to play media from the usb at all?
fredphoesh said:
Hi
I got mine today too, unrootable
I have sideloaded Kodi, seems to work fine, though the Helix alpha did not work, so am using gotham 13.2.
Would be nice to have xbmc on the home screen... very lame having to tool through several menus to get to xbmc every time... hopefully some clever sod will hack this so it will work with android free from amazon's suffocation.
Mark.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A half decent workaround is to use Llama and a "dummy" app to make xbmc/kodi launch when you click the dummy app on the home screen. There's a guide below (look at the "Semi Bypass" Section). Been using it for a while and works fine, as long as you don't mind clicking a random icon to launch kodi.
http://kodi.wiki/view/Amazon_Fire_TV#Llama_.28automation.29_Events
I'm using mine with a NAS. I think attaching USB hard drives does require root.
I use SPMC (non launcher version) and it shows up in recently used apps at the top of Fire TV main menu, so no having to dig through the settings sub menus.
This may be because it's also in Amazon App Store (though shows as not compatible with Fire TV).
fredphoesh said:
Hi
I got mine today too, unrootable
I have sideloaded Kodi, seems to work fine, though the Helix alpha did not work, so am using gotham 13.2.
Would be nice to have xbmc on the home screen... very lame having to tool through several menus to get to xbmc every time... hopefully some clever sod will hack this so it will work with android free from amazon's suffocation.
Mark.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried a few versions of xbmc, they all start up with the initial startup/config screen then instantly just boot back to the fire launcher, then when I click on xbmc to launch it looks like it's about to boot but then just comes straight back to the fire launcher.
Ive also installed plex with side load and that works ok?
Do you have any suggestions? thanks.
eskay993 said:
A half decent workaround is to use Llama and a "dummy" app to make xbmc/kodi launch when you click the dummy app on the home screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice, thanks... alas too late, I have boxed my FireTV and put it on Ebay... too few apps that I like & want will work properly on this box, so I'm going to wait for a proper Lollipop Android TV !
chowynatt said:
I've tried a few versions of xbmc, they all start up with the initial startup/config screen then instantly just boot back to the fire launche
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also had that with the first two versions I tried. I also tried to clean the data/cache on the app, see if that works?
seymour71 said:
Are you able to play media from the usb at all?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sorry, I didn't try it and now my FireTV is in a box ready to be sold on ebay... I don't believe it will though, but don't know.
Mark
Hi guys
So I got to thinking. Why does an installed app from Amazon get on the home screen but a sideloaded app doesn't.
I took a look at the manifests of tvplayer from Amazon and google. The tvplayer downloaded from Amazon has lots of references to Amazon.com. Which one would allow a sideloaded apk with a modified manifest to appear on the aftv home screen?
dbaseii said:
Hi guys
So I got to thinking. Why does an installed app from Amazon get on the home screen but a sideloaded app doesn't.
I took a look at the manifests of tvplayer from Amazon and google. The tvplayer downloaded from Amazon has lots of references to Amazon.com. Which one would allow a sideloaded apk with a modified manifest to appear on the aftv home screen?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it has to do with the app being in your Amazon cloud. It's quite complicated as it doesn't really show a list of apps installed on your device.
rbox said:
I think it has to do with the app being in your Amazon cloud. It's quite complicated as it doesn't really show a list of apps installed on your device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your reply rbox. Thought I was onto something.
dbaseii said:
Thanks for your reply rbox. Thought I was onto something.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On one of my lists of things to do is finish my AllApps mod to my xposed mod. It gives you a standard grid list of the installed apps.
rbox said:
On one of my lists of things to do is finish my AllApps mod to my xposed mod. It gives you a standard grid list of the installed apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes but you need root for that. All the aftv's sold in the UK are not rootable at the moment.
dbaseii said:
Yes but you need root for that. All the aftv's sold in the UK are not rootable at the moment.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah. The closest you'll get with an unrootable unit is the FiredTV launcher over in the apps section.
rbox said:
Yeah. The closest you'll get with an unrootable unit is the FiredTV launcher over in the apps section.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tried that. Not exactly eye candy. Went back to original launched with the llama mod to show SPMC.
Is there a possibility that Amazon might remove the ability to side load apps with future firmware auto update, if you are not rooted?
Thank you
Sure there is. There's a possibility they could do all sorts of bone-headed things to it.
wellersl said:
Sure there is. There's a possibility they could do all sorts of bone-headed things to it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But of course they never would. Because then people wouldn't be able to test their apps on it. No people testing apps == no one releasing apps.
the probably couldn;t remove the Install from Unknown Sources since it;s part of the OS. But they could try to hide it. They could try to hide file managers like ES File manager from their app store as well. It;s more truble than it;s worth. But as long as you can use ADB to push and install apps to your device we will be fine.
I think the biggest thing we need is to unlock the bootloader because that will allow you to install a custom recovery like TWRP or CWM if you want full command and control of the unit.
rbox said:
But of course they never would.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But of course!
In your esteemed opinion, did they deliberately cause the eFuse/locked bootloader fiasco? IOW - Was that a conscious move on Amazon's part?
---------- Post added at 10:49 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:45 AM ----------
tekweezle said:
They could try to hide file managers like ES File manager from their app store as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They don't need to hide it. They've determined that it's not compatible.
Strange to me how the Amazon app store is so void of apps that *are* compatible with my Fire TV. :silly:
tekweezle said:
the probably couldn;t remove the Install from Unknown Sources since it;s part of the OS. But they could try to hide it. They could try to hide file managers like ES File manager from their app store as well. It;s more truble than it;s worth. But as long as you can use ADB to push and install apps to your device we will be fine.
I think the biggest thing we need is to unlock the bootloader because that will allow you to install a custom recovery like TWRP or CWM if you want full command and control of the unit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They can do whatever they want. They have all of the source code.
wellersl said:
But of course!
In your esteemed opinion, did they deliberately cause the eFuse/locked bootloader fiasco? IOW - Was that a conscious move on Amazon's part?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very much so. They went out of their way to write a program that blew the fuse.
rbox said:
Very much so. They went out of their way to write a program that blew the fuse.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now see, IMO, if I fell victim to that, I'd have them in small claims court in a heartbeat. That's just plain bone-headed consumer product management. That is... if I could prove it.
Note to Amazon: How about a *special* Fire TV with *Special Offers"?
wellersl said:
Now see, IMO, if I fell victim to that, I'd have them in small claims court in a heartbeat. That's just plain bone-headed consumer product management. That is... if I could prove it.
Note to Amazon: How about a *special* Fire TV with *Special Offers"?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's common practice. All the manufacturers do it. What would you sue them for? Protecting their product? They are patching vulnerabilities.
rbox said:
It's common practice. All the manufacturers do it. What would you sue them for? Protecting their product? They are patching vulnerabilities.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well... it just occurred to me. They aren't actually disabling the device, are they? I keep seeing the term "brick." If, in fact, they're bricking these devices, wrong. There's absolutely nothing that came with or on my Fire TV that says I can't root it.
Else, in terms of vulnerability, I could see them locking me out of AVOD. But they should have any say over my access to Netflix.
wellersl said:
Well... it just occurred to me. They aren't actually disabling the device, are they? I keep seeing the term "brick." If, in fact, they're bricking these devices, wrong. There's absolutely nothing that came with or on my Fire TV that says I can't root it.
Else, in terms of vulnerability, I could see them locking me out of AVOD. But they should have any say over my access to Netflix.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All the efuse does is prevent you from booting an old bootloader. As long as you aren't doing the things we are doing, it's harmless. But if you try to go out of your way to screw around with the software and use an old bootloader, then it will be bricked because the old bootloader will not work with the fuse blown, and it doesn't boot. It has nothing to do with rooting, nor anything to do with avod or netflix...
rbox said:
... use an old bootloader, then it will be bricked because the old bootloader will not work with the fuse blown, and it doesn't boot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Still trying to grasp this...
If you aren't trying to root, why else would you use an old bootloader?
rbox said:
They are patching vulnerabilities.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was only using Netflix as an example. I don't see Amazon bricking their devices to patch a competitor's vulnerabilities. Though that is a strange relationship...
wellersl said:
Still trying to grasp this...
If you aren't trying to root, why else would you use an old bootloader?
I was only using Netflix as an example. I don't see Amazon bricking their devices to patch a competitor's vulnerabilities. Though that is a strange relationship...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You use the old bootloader so you can take advantage of the bug in the bootloader and load unsigned code. Custom kernels, custom roms, recovery, etc.
That makes no sense... they patched a vulnerability in the bootloader and then prevent you from using said vulnerable bootloader... It has nothing to do with apps.
rbox said:
You use the old bootloader so you can take advantage of the bug in the bootloader and load unsigned code. Custom kernels, custom roms, recovery, etc.
That makes no sense... they patched a vulnerability in the bootloader and then prevent you from using said vulnerable bootloader... It has nothing to do with apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got the first point (I think).
On the second point, Amazon can obviously patch what they perceive as vulnerabilities -unrestricted-. But as soon as they've patched me out of an otherwise legitimate use of the box, they've gone too far. IMHO.
Some years back, I filed a claim against UPS and won. I'm sure they got the paperwork and had no clue what to do with it.
More recently, I filed a claim with the BBB against Roku for the crappy firmware they pushed out on the 2XS. Roku sent me a new 2XS and a new Roku 3. Just to shut me up.
wellersl said:
Got the first point (I think).
On the second point, Amazon can obviously patch what they perceive as vulnerabilities -unrestricted-. But as soon as they've patched me out of an otherwise legitimate use of the box, they've gone too far. IMHO.
Some years back, I filed a claim against UPS and won. I'm sure they got the paperwork and had no clue what to do with it.
More recently, I filed a claim with the BBB against Roku for the crappy firmware they pushed out on the 2XS. Roku sent me a new 2XS and a new Roku 3. Just to shut me up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bypassing their secure bootchain is not a legitimate use. Exploiting a vulnerability in the kernel to gain root is also not a legitimate use.
rbox said:
Bypassing their secure bootchain is not a legitimate use. Exploiting a vulnerability in the kernel to gain root is also not a legitimate use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Obviously, I'm not getting my point across. But that's ok.
Peace.
rbox said:
But of course they never would. Because then people wouldn't be able to test their apps on it. No people testing apps == no one releasing apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Rbox,
This make sense thank you for responding but can the developer just be released the app in amazon app store as free and then user would just download from amazon app, unless of course it is really painful process to get an app approved by amazon for a developer than i can understand or why go thru the process again with amazon if the app is already on google play store.
It seems there are quite a few folks out there who chose not to root there device as long as they can side load any apps they want, which is fine but if Amazon goal is to lock down user on there echosystem than allowing folks to side load any apps user wants this would seriously undermine there goal (Amazon app store, AFTV device, the whole amazon echosystem), this is Just my opinion.
Thank you
ashsha7877 said:
Hi Rbox,
This make sense thank you for responding but can the developer just be released the app in amazon app store as free and then user would just download from amazon app, unless of course it is really painful process to get an app approved by amazon for a developer than i can understand or why go thru the process again with amazon if the app is already on google play store.
It seems there are quite a few folks out there who chose not to root there device as long as they can side load any apps they want, which is fine but if Amazon goal is to lock down user on there echosystem than allowing folks to side load any apps user wants this would seriously undermine there goal (Amazon app store, AFTV device, the whole amazon echosystem), this is Just my opinion.
Thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It has nothing to do with releasing apps. If I make an app for the Fire TV. I'm going to test it on the Fire TV. And the way I do that is using adb install. They can't block that, or else no one would be able to test their apps.
rbox said:
It has nothing to do with releasing apps. If I make an app for the Fire TV. I'm going to test it on the Fire TV. And the way I do that is using adb install. They can't block that, or else no one would be able to test their apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahh, since you put it that way it make more sense. Thank you Sir!
Also it would be a pretty stupid move for Amazon to add "Install from unknown sources" in their latest firmware's if they did not wan't people to install 3'rd party android app's on it. As you do not have to "sideload" with adb anymore, you can just install a webbrowser and browse to a web site (kodi.tv for example) click on a installer .apk and it will immediately install. You can also copy the apk to the sdcard and click on it in a filebrowser and it will install.
Amazon put that option in 1 version ago. So beginning to remove sideloading via. adb and hiding apps seems pretty silly to me.
But ofcause in theory they still have the source and the rights to do what they like..
On the one hand, Amazon doesn't have to provide support for side loaded apps, which saves them money. On the other hand, some side loaded apps allow users to access premium content for free, so Amazon might claim they lose revenue, but those users probably would never have purchased premium content from Amazon in the first place and at least they made some money off the hardware. So I would say that they won't revoke side loading functionality.
So, I recently picked up a 64GB Fire phone in the latest fire sale on amazon.co.uk.
As such, I thought it might be useful to provide a very short "quick start" guide on the steps I took to get the phone unlocked and "Google'd up".
So, as soon as I got the phone, I contacted Amazon through the online chat system and asked for help to unlock the phone.
I was transfered straight away to someone else who took the serial number (found in Settings > Device >Get info about your Fire) or search and type in serial number and use that shortcut.
I was then able to put in a Three SIM and get the phone working with that straight away.
Next I ran the updates through the phone Settings > Device > Install System Updates, this found the 4.6.1 3320 update (not sure if you could skip this step). I ran this and then the updates to the various apps.
I then downloaded the 3820 download from http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201607550, Fire phone (Unlocked GSM) link. I found I had to download this on PC as it kept timing out on the device itself.
I copied this from the PC to the downloads folder on the device and went to install system updates again in settings. It picked up the file as a system update and installed straight from the device (no need to ADB or whatever).
Now I was on 3820, I downloaded ES File explorer from the Amazon App store.
I then downloaded the files from this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/fire-phone/general/fire-phone-how-to-install-google-play-t2977237 and followed the instructions there for installing the Google Apps.
As I personally like and use Google's apps I was a lot more comfortable replacing the stock launcher with the Google Now launcher, replacing the keyboard with Google's version and Chrome for Silk etc.
And that was me, running the latest version, device unlocked, Google Apps working nicely Play Store and even connecting to my G-Watch R.
Got to say once I done the above, I am more than happy and at under £100 for a 64GB phone, I am even more over the moon. Once you replace the bulk of the Amazon "guff", I think the phone is more than useable and I think if it shipped in this state and at a decent price, it would have been a much bigger hit, but hey-ho, bargain for us now!
Hope the above is of some help to someone. Cheers.
While I welcome enthusiasm and sharing of knowledge, I can't help feel if your going all out Google there are better phones for the money or at least phones that will prove less problematic for you in the long run. I'm using this as my second phone because as a prime member I get free books etc.
Hi, can't agree more. I fully accept that getting the Play services on here is something of a fudge and something which no doubt could break at any time.
I probably like you bought this as a back-up device and something which failing all else I could use as a sort of media player for Amazon's services. I have managed to accumulate a lot of games for free through the regular free games/credits, so that helps.
Not in any way trying to knock Amazon, however the app store situation is pretty poor. As it is, without the Play store, I don't think I could really recommend this phone, but I do think it is a great bargain, nothing else for me comes close to the specs or build quality for similar money to what we paid.
As I say, just wanted to help anyone out who might have been in a similar situation and picked one of these up "on a punt".
Hi dampchimp,
I planning to order a fire phone but I can't use the O² network. Was the unlocking process so simple. I read earlier that many have problems with both amazon and O² to unlock their phones.
I can't see a 64GB but only 32 on amazon.co.uk
Thank you!
You can get an unlock code very easily via email these days.
ratbags said:
You can get an unlock code very easily via email these days.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed, for me anyway, I just done a web chat and got one in 2 minutes, obviously no guarantee, but seems like they just don't care any more.
Strangely, I put the code in and got a message along the lines of "unlock failed" but it worked anyway.
Hey I am planning to buy Fire phone
dampchimp said:
So, I recently picked up a 64GB Fire phone in the latest fire sale on amazon.co.uk.
As such, I thought it might be useful to provide a very short "quick start" guide on the steps I took to get the phone unlocked and "Google'd up".
So, as soon as I got the phone, I contacted Amazon through the online chat system and asked for help to unlock the phone.
I was transfered straight away to someone else who took the serial number (found in Settings > Device >Get info about your Fire) or search and type in serial number and use that shortcut.
I was then able to put in a Three SIM and get the phone working with that straight away.
Next I ran the updates through the phone Settings > Device > Install System Updates, this found the 4.6.1 3320 update (not sure if you could skip this step). I ran this and then the updates to the various apps.
I then downloaded the 3820 download from http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201607550, Fire phone (Unlocked GSM) link. I found I had to download this on PC as it kept timing out on the device itself.
I copied this from the PC to the downloads folder on the device and went to install system updates again in settings. It picked up the file as a system update and installed straight from the device (no need to ADB or whatever).
Now I was on 3820, I downloaded ES File explorer from the Amazon App store.
I then downloaded the files from this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/fire-phone/general/fire-phone-how-to-install-google-play-t2977237 and followed the instructions there for installing the Google Apps.
As I personally like and use Google's apps I was a lot more comfortable replacing the stock launcher with the Google Now launcher, replacing the keyboard with Google's version and Chrome for Silk etc.
And that was me, running the latest version, device unlocked, Google Apps working nicely Play Store and even connecting to my G-Watch R.
Got to say once I done the above, I am more than happy and at under £100 for a 64GB phone, I am even more over the moon. Once you replace the bulk of the Amazon "guff", I think the phone is more than useable and I think if it shipped in this state and at a decent price, it would have been a much bigger hit, but hey-ho, bargain for us now!
Hope the above is of some help to someone. Cheers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey I am planning to buy Fire phone, but I am skeptic about side loading Google play store... as you are actually using it.. can you shed some light ? I have some quick questions like
1) Are all Google store apps working did you face any problem while using them.
2) I heard that the phone is slow when used with Google apps.
3) As an honest reviewer and taking into account as an heavy mobile user who plays around with apps how likely is it buy this phone.
Thanks in advance...
I'm looking at the deal on this phone today in the US also - $159 for the phone with a year of Amazon Prime so $60 for this phone a backup if anything happens to my current Xperia Z1.
I think for $60 it's a great deal but not also not sure of the functionality of it with Google apps. That'd be key for me.
Suggestions?
Absolutely no problems with Google play etc and I've been using for a month or so. Follow the various guides on this forum like I did and you'll be ok. Phone isn't any slower since I deployed gapps.
And if you don't want to bother with FireOS shenanigans, you can switch to CM11 and make it a normal Android phone. Don't get me wrong, FireOS is pretty stable even after sideloading Google services and stuff, but why bothering to Google up a heavily modified OS when you can just get the real stuff
At the price Amazon is selling it, it's a steal.
sergio687 said:
And if you don't want to bother with FireOS shenanigans, you can switch to CM11 and make it a normal Android phone. Don't get me wrong, FireOS is pretty stable even after sideloading Google services and stuff, but why bothering to Google up a heavily modified OS when you can just get the real stuff
At the price Amazon is selling it, it's a steal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes but don't you need older firmware? I ordered one tonight that I expect to be running a unrootable firmware. I'm hoping to root before updating by blocking domains then registering and rooting quick. Of course if its running the latest that doesn't matter. Or can I root this?
No, the latest FireOS is rooted in less than 1 minute with KINGROOT 4.1 (⇐ download links and explanation included, READ it...)
Registering? You want to keep using FireOS? Meh, you can do it, until CM11 reaches gold status. ^^
Bingo Bronson said:
No, the latest FireOS is rooted in less than 1 minute with KINGROOT 4.1 (⇐ download links and explanation included, READ it...)
Registering? You want to keep using FireOS? Meh, you can do it, until CM11 reaches gold status. ^^
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly. Kingroot it (just to have it rooted and flash ROMs), flash CM11 and enjoy a phone with great specs and a great price, and a year of Amazon Prime. Heck, you can even download the Amazon Appstore after you have de-Amazon'ed it and continue to enjoy the free app of the day and all that stuff.
Bingo Bronson said:
No, the latest FireOS is rooted in less than 1 minute with KINGROOT 4.1 (⇐ download links and explanation included, READ it...)
Registering? You want to keep using FireOS? Meh, you can do it, until CM11 reaches gold status. ^^
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only reason I didn't wait for this is fear that Amazon would patch the exploit via an update.
Sent from my Fire Phone using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Does running CM11 solve the various notification issues? For example do top taskbar notifications and icon notifications work?
JetFan said:
Does running CM11 solve the various notification issues? For example do top taskbar notifications and icon notifications work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes
Sent from my Fire Phone using the XDA premium app.
Thanks
arunhtc said:
Hey I am planning to buy Fire phone, but I am skeptic about side loading Google play store... as you are actually using it.. can you shed some light ? I have some quick questions like
1) Are all Google store apps working did you face any problem while using them.
2) I heard that the phone is slow when used with Google apps.
3) As an honest reviewer and taking into account as an heavy mobile user who plays around with apps how likely is it buy this phone.
Thanks in advance...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought the unlocked US version on Black Friday, sideloaded Google apps and activated on Net10 early December. Google Play Store tells you if an app is incompatible, I have sideloaded most of those from 1Mobile. That only works for free apps, so far I only have one paid app that I can't use (local commuter train).
Can't compare speed, didn't use it before sideloading Google but it seems pretty zippy to me.
Main problem will probably be Lollipop-only apps. I've run across a few incompatible apps, but nothing crucial yet. Looks like I have 123 apps in my grid, most from either Amazon or Google.
I'm using this as my main phone.
Okay thanks for info ...
Sent from my SD4930UR using Tapatalk
Issue started this week after HBO updated (Mar 8, 2017) the app.
It plays the 8 second HBO ad/ratings clip but it does not play the main video. I just get 3 blue dots at the bottom of screen rotating
HBOGO does work on 3 different Fire TV 1 units (rooted) and PCs
Here is what I've tried in order they were tried
Soft and hard reboot of the unit
Cleared data & cache
uninstalled and reinstalled HBOgo
Factory Reset using TWRP
Reflashed 5.2.4.0 Rom
Tried "Hide My Root" (https://goo.gl/brVjro)
having the same problem
krawhitham said:
Issue started this week after HBO updated (Mar 8, 2017) the app.
It plays the 8 second HBO ad/ratings clip but it does not play the main video. I just get 3 blue dots at the bottom of screen rotating
HBOGO does work on 3 different Fire TV 1 units (rooted) and PCs
Here is what I've tried in order they were tried
Soft and hard reboot of the unit
Cleared data & cache
uninstalled and reinstalled HBOgo
Factory Reset using TWRP
Reflashed 5.2.4.0 Rom
Tried "Hide My Root" (https://goo.gl/brVjro)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
theistus said:
having the same problem
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are your guys blocking some addresses thru OpenDNS or router ?
Some are reporting that they can not update/install some Apps with list blocking. You can try to see if that is the case after using both Method 5 & Method 1 on the update blocking guide.
http://www.aftvnews.com/how-to-block-software-updates-on-the-amazon-fire-tv-or-fire-tv-stick/
Or it could be that HBO updated their app or their servers to check for root in a different way that the old Hide my Root can't bypass. I know the ATT Uverse app was already doing that.
Not blocking anything on my end. Running the pre-rooted 5.2.4 image.
---------- Post added at 01:28 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:10 AM ----------
HBO GO works fine on my rooted phone, btw, no need to hide anything. One thing I noticed is that if i got into HBO's settings on the firetv, it seems to think I am on 5.1.1.
I think i am going to try sideloading the regular google apk and/or the older version of it that worked fine prior to this "update"
---------- Post added at 02:27 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:28 AM ----------
well neither of the current (9.2.0.4) apks (leanback or regular) I downloaded worked.
But, the 9.1.0.11 leanback apk is working like a charm.
Honestly this is the kind of **** that really pisses me off. I have legal access to a crapton of content. I have a cable sub with a couple of premium channels, hulu, netflix, and a Prime account.
But I end up using Kodi most of the time because I like having it all in ONE EASY TO NAVIGATE yet feature rich app that actually keeps track of all the shows across all the services. Plus it's far easier for the wife to use than ping ponging around across disparate applications. I swear to god, if content providers could ever get their **** together to unify and simplify services they would stop piracy. Is it even piracy if you have legal access to it, are paying for it, but you just despise the way they want to make you watch it on their broken ****?
/endrant
Same Issue
Did anyone figure out a workaround outside of installing the leanback edition?
I'm having the same issue, but the newest version of the app just crashes and gives a service error. Updating to the latest Fire TV firmware did not change anything. The info section of the app still reads 5.1.1 when it comes to firmware, which is strange.
I guess a better question is: does the app work for anyone who is rooted? If so it must be something those of us who are having problems did, in which case a factory reset might be in order.
this is interesting. I haven't used the hbogo app since game of thrones concluded. I'll check my rooted ftv2 when i get home later tonight to see.
Seph25 said:
Did anyone figure out a workaround outside of installing the leanback edition?
I'm having the same issue, but the newest version of the app just crashes and gives a service error. Updating to the latest Fire TV firmware did not change anything. The info section of the app still reads 5.1.1 when it comes to firmware, which is strange.
I guess a better question is: does the app work for anyone who is rooted? If so it must be something those of us who are having problems did, in which case a factory reset might be in order.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well, I did figure out why it says 5.1.1. It's because that's the version of Android that the current firetv os is based on.
That's right, still on goddam lollipop. This might be the problem right here.
In any case, the new april update changed nothing, and neither did the new rbox 5.2.4.1 image.
I still don't think it's root, because hbogo works just fine on my rooted nexus 7 and on my rooted vs985.
hbo go app on amazon store has a ton of people saying it broke after the march update, so it's not just us.
If I'm feeling motivated I may try to grab a logcat and see if i can work it out, but as it's working with the pre-march leanback apk I'm not in a rush.
It's been a minute since this thread was active, but thought I'd post a logcat I finally got around to grabbing.
the meat of the thing is toward the end, but i included the whole logcat in case I missed something
I'm not terribly good with logcats, but it looks like a drminfo error, starting with :
W/mediaErrorLogger( 202): MediaError:MMSW_Metrics5.2.4.2:com.HBO.DRM_CANNOT_HANDLE=-2006 from DECRYPT
E/MediaCodec(16612): queueCSDInputBuffer failed w/ error -2006
E/ExoPlayerImplInternal(16612): Internal runtime error.
E/ExoPlayerImplInternal(16612): android.media.MediaCodec$CryptoException: Unknown Error
Thought I'd post it here in case anyone wants to poke at it
I use HBO NOW which stopped working a few weeks ago. Did a lot of clearing, uninstalling, etc. The problem was that the newer versions of NOW no longer worked. My fix, thanks to one of the nice people here was:
1. Block Updates in Application > Settings
2. Download the FTV Apps in Themes section at the bottom of the forum.
3. Unzip it.
4. Sideload the HBO app you need. For me NOW. For you GO.
Anyway, that worked for me. My thinking is that HBO doesn't like my Root, Xposed, or something else.
Maybe time to move on to some sort of generic streamer that lets me live free.
Unfortunately that didn't work for me on HBO GO. I downloaded HBO_GO_v9.2.0.4.apk from the pack and although it doesn't give an error message, it simply doesn't play.
In all honesty, I have no idea why I'm keeping root anyways (other than the "fun" of rooting something).
LakersFan_73 said:
Unfortunately that didn't work for me on HBO GO. I downloaded HBO_GO_v9.2.0.4.apk from the pack and although it doesn't give an error message, it simply doesn't play.
In all honesty, I have no idea why I'm keeping root anyways (other than the "fun" of rooting something).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I too was having this problem and FINALLY found out the problem as actually my prerooted image from rbox.
He has since released a fixed prerooted image, hopefully this is also the same issue you're having?
Link to the post with updated prerooted firmware from rbox
rbox said:
July 27, 2017 - 5.2.4.2_r2 (md5sum: a96e73478cdbe8659f6758a5d27b4738
This includes updated firmware to fix Hulu and HBO.
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Click to collapse
Yes, it fixed it. Sorry I should have updated my post.
HBO GO account
Never mind
xmxmxm said:
anybody know how to access the data on fire tv? I want to retrieve my old hbo go log-in information.
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Click to collapse
Please don't post in multiple places
I already answered you
https://forum.xda-developers.com/fi...re-tv-copy-t3810493/post76947862#post76947862