I was looking at getting this, but then I heard that, even though its Android based, it doesn't have the standard apps (maps, gmail, etc.) and it doesn't have Google Play allowing you to download apps...? Thanks.
Legaleye3000 said:
I was looking at getting this, but then I heard that, even though its Android based, it doesn't have the standard apps (maps, gmail, etc.) and it doesn't have Google Play allowing you to download apps...? Thanks.
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Amazon wants you to stay in their own ecosystem. You will need to root your kindle fire HD in order install the google play store and to properly install some of the other google apps. The play store however is not a 100% sure way that all apps can be downloaded because it will still tell you on some apps that "this device isn't supported" so you will still have to side load anyways.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1895040
Related
I am no stranger to rooting and installing custom ROMs on phones. But I am a new KFHD 7" tablet owner. Bought it for $129 on sale at Staples and now I'd like to customize it (for the price, it can't be beat). So, I'd like some opinions/feedback because I am not sure if I can achieve what I am after. So... my requirements:
- I'd like to keep the Amazon Instant Videos feature
- I'd like to install Play Store, Google+, Google Hangouts, GMail, Google Voice, Google Maps, Play Music, You Tube, Google Voice Search
Based on my preliminary browsing of the Kindle forums, it seems like I can root, then install some Google apps... but if I do that, will these particular Google apps be fully functional and not FC frequently?
I am trying to strike a balance between Amazon content and the Google Apps I use daily. I've had the Nexus 7 tablet for 9 months (gave it to family member) and while the pure Android experience is okay, I really would like to keep Amazon's streaming video capability on my KFHD.
Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks!
-T
EDIT: I hope that installing a custom ROM is not the only way to get the Google Apps I listed.
If you want to go the ROM route, check out Kinology. It has both amazon framework and Google. Also you can install 3rd party launchers without copying them to system.
Sent from my Nook HD+ using Tapatalk 2
To keep Amazon video and get the google apps, you will need a kindle hd based rom that has been rooted and google apps added or you will have to root and do this yourself. Off the top of my head like the previous poster said Kinology I believe has the features you are looking for...
Thanks guys, for the information.
-T
Within the last few days, Amazon updated kindle fire is to include a bunch of new features. Before the update, I had side loaded many of the Google apps, including of course the compulsory Google play services.
However, after the update, I could not start the YouTube app whatsoever. I tried many combinations of old versions of the YouTube app, and old versions of the Google play services app, but it still did not work. I then tried using the google play music app, which told me that google play services was not supported on the device. I could not even open Google settings.
The update was to kindle fire os 4.1.1, and to android 4.4.2.
Is this a problem that many people are having, or is it just me? Are there any work arounds?
I was very disappointed that I couldn't install the Google+ app from the Google Play Store on my Fire HD 8 tablet, because Google Play said that the app wasn't compatible with my device.
So, I installed Ankit Kumar's "APK Extractor Lite" app from the Google Play Store onto my Droid Turbo 2 phone, extracted Google+ to an APK, uploaded the APK to a Google Drive folder, then downloaded it onto my Fire HD 8 tablet. It installed without error, and I now have a "proper" version of Google+ on my tablet.
I also did this for WeatherBug Elite, the now abandoned and generally unavailable ad-free version of WeatherBug. It runs like a champ on my Fire HD 8, except that I do need to manually refresh the map when displaying a radar map--small consolation for having an app that I like.
Obviously I got lucky, and not all apps will extract or install correctly. And time will tell if I have any issues or if the apps update properly through Google Play. YMMV, of course!
Have you tried downloading the apps from a site like Apkmirror? It may save you a bunch of time.
Sent from my HTC6545LVW using Tapatalk
Apk mirror
http://www.apkmirror.com/
Sent from my sailfish using XDA Labs
Non-Amazon Android App. Issue...
I have been trying to download an app. that you need to get through the Google store, and tried doing some convoluted "apk" that I foynd online, but it didn't work (though it's possible that the files just didn't completely download because the device often shuts itself off :-\). If anyone might be able to tell me how to get the Blue Jeans (web conferencing) app. onto a Fire HD 8, that would be incredibly hrlpful.
helpful*
VeganStar said:
I have been trying to download an app. that you need to get through the Google store, and tried doing some convoluted "apk" that I foynd online, but it didn't work (though it's possible that the files just didn't completely download because the device often shuts itself off :-\). If anyone might be able to tell me how to get the Blue Jeans (web conferencing) app. onto a Fire HD 8, that would be incredibly hrlpful.
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Have you tried this? https://forum.xda-developers.com/hd8-hd10/development/install-google-apps-adb-pc-t3314420
or this http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...4D42D34BAB8CC8D847B04D42D34BAB8CC8D&FORM=VIRE
http://apps.goodereader.com/?s=blue+jeans
So I have one of the $49 Kindle Fires and I have successfully installed Google Play, Play Services, Account Managements, and Services Framework and gotten everything to work. One of the games my kids enjoy playing is Disney Crossy Road. I know this is in the Amazon App Store, but one of the issues with it being in Amazon is they don't save progress, plus I use my account across my kids devices. If I make each kid a Google account, they have their own cloud save for the game. I got this all working on my daughter's Fire and it syncs with her Google Play account.
We just recently purchased my son one of the $49 Kindle Fires and I tried to do the same thing for him. I used Method #2 found here: lifehacker[dot]com/how-to-get-google-play-on-a-kindle-fire-and-install-any-1790706649 to install Google Play on his Kindle. I have installed 4 games from Google Play on his Kindle including Tiny Tower, Township, and Disney Crossy Road. I have the settings to allow non-Amazon apps to run. Tiny Tower and Township sync up with his Google Play account with no problem. But his Disney Crossy Road does not sync with Google Play. Google Play says it is installed and I can click the Play button from it and it will open the app, but none of the achievements pop, and when I open it on my daughter's Kindle, in the settings, there is a button with the gamepad icon to show it's synced. I cannot get this icon to show on my son's Fire. I have reinstalled the app 4-5 times and rebooted the tablet. I even tried downloading the app from apkmirror.com to see if that would help, but I cannot get it to work.
Are there any suggestions on how I can get Disney Crossy Road to sync with Google Play? Thanks for your help!
"Google Play" is a whole suite of different apps, not all of which are installed by default when you sideload the "Google Play Store".
Open up the Google Play Store, and search for "Google Play Games". Install that, and see if your games start syncing then?
EDIT: This is what I'm talking about:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.play.games&hl=en
crazyates said:
"Google Play" is a whole suite of different apps, not all of which are installed by default when you sideload the "Google Play Store".
Open up the Google Play Store, and search for "Google Play Games". Install that, and see if your games start syncing then?
EDIT: This is what I'm talking about:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.play.games&hl=en
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If you can't install Google Play Games from the Play Store (-505 error) grab a copy from APKMirror and sideload.
http://www.apkmirror.com/apk/google-inc/google-play-games/
Davey126 said:
If you can't install Google Play Games from the Play Store (-505 error) grab a copy from APKMirror and sideload.
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Wow, I swore I responded yesterday but I also have Google Play Games installed. I am able to see his achievements for other games through this, that is how I know his other games are syncing properly. Any other ideas?
ToddAtWSU said:
Wow, I swore I responded yesterday but I also have Google Play Games installed. I am able to see his achievements for other games through this, that is how I know his other games are syncing properly. Any other ideas?
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Not at the individual app level - sorry.
So I was playing around with this a little more and went into the Google Settings app. Inside here, there is a link for the Connected Apps section and I noticed Disney Crossy Road is not here. Any ideas if there is a way through here that I can try to enable the connection?
Thanks again!
ToddAtWSU said:
So I was playing around with this a little more and went into the Google Settings app. Inside here, there is a link for the Connected Apps section and I noticed Disney Crossy Road is not here. Any ideas if there is a way through here that I can try to enable the connection?
Thanks again!
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The app must request access (typically on initial launch)...and you must grant it. There is no mechanism for auto-authorization or forcing a manual request (obvious acuity implications).
So I got it to work last night! I don't know which of the two things did it, but I reinstalled the app again but this time in game, I set his age to 18. Then from Google Play, I said I wanted to record in game footage. After playing the intro level, it synced with Google Play. For my daughter's Fire,I put her actual age and it worked. That's why I'm not sure which change fixed it, but now it works! Thanks for your help and suggestions!
I picked up a Fire 10 HD 2017 version, and followed guides here to add Google Play (and other 3 associated APK files), which works great. - I was able to installed several Google apps and other apps from the Google Play store.
However, I have hit a roadblock with YouTube TV (not regular YouTube) - Google's streaming TV service. They have a free trial if anyone wants to test this out, but I get an error screen on launch that says "We can't determine your device's location" - and I can't get it to load. All the settings for Location-Based Services are toggled on (overall and specific to the app, and all apps). I have tried with option for Google Play as a Device Administrator both checked and unchecked. Google Maps detects my location and works fine. I am not running any VPN or similar apps, so this is purely GPS based. Tried to use a fake GPS location app (and allow that in developer settings) but that didn't help.
From what I have read, others have had GPS problems - some sort of conflict between the Amazon GPS and the Google GPS expectations. Something about "AGPS" being limited in some ways on the Fire 10 HD.
Has anyone seen this issue and found a workaround or solution? Could be for a related app maybe. I was also unable to get streams to play in the Chrome browser, which would be a fine workaround, so I need something to work here. One of the main purposes of a tablet for me will be YouTube TV. Thanks - appreciate any help.
I'm having the same issue with the Hulu app and the Maps app that comes with the Fire HD 10. I installed Google Play Store and Google Maps (using the APKs like you). Google Maps didn't work at first, however after DISabling the tablet's location services and trying Google Maps again, I got a prompt for enabling current location for Google to which I clicked on yes. Now Google Maps is working!! Sadly, the generic Maps app and Hulu are still not working. Have you had any more luck?
P.S. after speaking with an Amazon tier 2 support rep, they said they are going to get in touch with a developer and get Hulu working. I'll believe it when I see it!