Database Develop

[Q] Keeping NC from calling home and/or updating

I'm guessing there's a utility, or utilities, running on the Nook that does things like auto updating the firmware, seeing what books are in your library, what page you're reading, other usage stats, etc.. Has there been any work to disable these spies?
Although I mainly wanted the Nook as a tablet, I'd like to buy a few books, and use it to view a few (Legally owned) PDF files. But if B&N is going to mess with my rooting, or decide something isn't legal, or otherwise decide to remove things off my Nook (Remember the Kindle and 1984?), or spam me based on what I'm reading, I'd rather wipe all B&N software from the device, and just have an Android tablet.
BTW, if the above sounds like a complaint, it's aimed at B&N, not the developers here, for which I am most thankful for all their awesome work!

Since there hasn't been an update yet, nobody is sure if the methods used by other devices will work or not. I believe there are a few threads in the development forum that talk about possible ways of preventing it from auto updating, but they haven't been tested yet to see if they work.
Do some looking in the dev forum or do a search and I"m sure you'll find what I'm talking about. It's a standard method of preventing Android from updating, but no telling if it will work.
Edit:
Here is the thread I was referring to:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=860480&highlight=update

Thanks for the response. I checked the link, and was surprised Android has the auto-update functionality built in. Do you know anything about possible spy applications? Has anyone checked it's internet activity? Any strange processes?

What do you mean it hasn't updated. The day you first powered it on and connected to the internet you got an update, at least mine did.
I imagine you could use wireshark and then turn on your radio and see where the nook goes first. It could have a schedule so maybe completely restore the device and then see the first addresses or urls it goes too on it's own. Once you get that then it's just a matter of entering those urls in the host file with an unresolvable address.

I probably will use Wireshark, when I get my nook (Christmas present). I just didn't want to reinvent the wheel, and be all prepared when I finally get it. I'm surprised there isn't more interest in privacy with the nook.

Mine didn't update when I got it. It's version 1.0.0, and until you set up wifi there is no way for it to get an update. Also, there isn't a way to check for updates. The original Nook had an option to check for updates, not with the NC.

Nook Color 1.1 Confirmed for January

Looks like 1.1 is confirmed for January and will allow you to sideload apps on the NC in development mode. Not certain when Froyo 2.2 will be available, probably when they launch the store front in Q1, maybe it's in 1.1?
connect.nookdeveloper.com/t5/General-Discussion/Nook-Color-Rooting/td-p/901
Also mention of sideloading apps.
connect.nookdeveloper.com/t5/General-Discussion/Can-you-test-your-apps-on-a-real-hardware-now/m-p/47#M18
Good news!
Josh

I guess I'm the grinch who steals the joy from this news...we can already sideload (heck we have a working Market), and based on the original post I seriously doubt Froyo is coming for the ride with the 1.1 update. I think Froyo is much bigger news, and will get it's own announcement.
Not sure what development mode adds, since rooted users already have the goodies. Tell me I missed something...
-Matt

If that is all they added in the update ill be disappointed. Sounds like all they are gonna do is enable adb. Which is easy enough to enable anyways.
Send from my NookColor

Of course it's not big news here!!! You have to consider that it is for those who haven't rooted their unit. You knew it was coming, so why all the negativity?
Cheers,
kev

No negativity here. I probably should have added a few smiles and winks to make it clear that I was (mostly) teasing (i.e,. the grinch comment). I'm a pretty happy owner, and will gobble up whatever news I can find. I think recent developments with Bluetooth and Nookie Froyo are definitely things to celebrate. Maybe 1.1 has something special that we don't see yet.
-Matt

Yeah, apart from froyo, most of the news from B&N will likely not be as exciting as anything from the developers here.
I am curious what this 1.1 update means for the integrity of my currently nootered NC. Should I be concerned when B&N pushes this update my way?
Kev

It's good news to see sideloading for those that do not wish to root..
-CC

Question regarding upcoming Froyo update (packed with v1.1, or otherwise):
If B&N officially updates to 2.2, they open up development mode for app sideloading, and they also allow for the unrestricted use of normal Froyo home screens (and launchers?), will there be any reason remaining to actually "root" the device at that point?
Or, is B&N talking about a severely restricted "development mode" when they say they're going to open it up?
I'm confused...
(I'm new to Android rooting, so please forgive me if this is a dumb question...)

I haven't rooted... yet. Holding out to see what happens w/ 1.1. I'd prefer not to root and just get some basic apps on the device and not lose access to the B&N store. If I can side load a few key apps w/ 1.1, that will hold me off until the B&N Market place is launched Q1. Otherwise I will most likely root.

Am I missing something? I didn't see them say January anywhere in those threads. All I saw was them saying Q1 of 2011.
And this quote makes it sound like the update won't be useful to the average user.
"Within NOOKcolor 1.1 update, we have added "Developer Mode". This enabled approved 3rd party developers to use the Android SDK to test and develop applications on their NOOKcolor devices."
Approved 3rd Party Develepors. Sounds like the only people side loading apps may be those that are approved by B&N.

supersoulfly said:
"Within NOOKcolor 1.1 update, we have added "Developer Mode". This enabled approved 3rd party developers to use the Android SDK to test and develop applications on their NOOKcolor devices."
Approved 3rd Party Develepors. Sounds like the only people side loading apps may be those that are approved by B&N.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And us.
12345678

I must have missed it but where in that thread is there any mention or confirmation that 1.1 is this month?
I see nothing of the sort.

In regards to January, it looks like Ted_Patrick went back and edited his original response.
Re: Nook Color Rooting[ Edited ] 01-05-2011 10:24 AM - last edited on 01-05-2011 07:12 PM
It originally read:
"Within NOOKcolor 1.1. update(January), we have added...."
Now other responses on the subject of 1.1 by him have an "official" response of
"We cannot comment on OS update features or framework support at this time. When we have information to share, we will be very clear and set expectations clearly."
Looks like he may of spilled the beans a bit or been more forth coming w/ info than B&N liked.

jwigginton said:
I haven't rooted... yet. Holding out to see what happens w/ 1.1. I'd prefer not to root and just get some basic apps on the device and not lose access to the B&N store. If I can side load a few key apps w/ 1.1, that will hold me off until the B&N Market place is launched Q1. Otherwise I will most likely root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know who's been scaring you with witchcraft and vodoo, but here are a few facts:
(1) Rooting is very easy. If you're the kind of person who is OK with opening a command prompt and doing things like "listing directories" and "renaming/moving files" it's quick and painless. It also takes less than 5 minutes (probably about 2) to take your device back to stock.
(2) Rooting does very little to the device. The key is that it allows the user to change system files, something that B&N would prefer we didn't do. Several users root their NookColor (NC) and then scratch their heads because they see no obvious change.
(3) Package mods like autonooter only make a few system changes (aside from the several nice system apps they add), in particular, they allow you to sideload apps. Once you do that, you can reorganize the way your NC looks and performs, so that it handles like a vanilla Android device.
(4) Most importantly, ROOTING DOES VIRTUALLY NOTHING TO CHANGE THE B&N INTERFACE. All--I repeat--ALL the things your NC does out of the box, it still does after rooting. Same eReader. Same storefront. Same file browser. Same everything. And I'm all but certain the NC doesn't phone home and complain that it's been rooted. And if it did--since the bootloader isn't locked--I seriously doubt B&N would try to deny you a service. (The more likely scenario is that an OTA update would try to remove root.)
EDIT: several rooted users have lost access to 1-hour free reading in-store (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=860830). So it's not true that nothing is lost. Sorry for overgeneralizing.
I can all but guarantee you that you'll be disappointed by the B&N store. I predict it will have very few developers, and very few "good" free apps. A better way of saying it is this: within 1 or 2 weeks of the B&N app store launching, most users will look at the Android Market, and say "Forget it, I want apps from the Market, not B&N."
-Matt

gadgetrants said:
I don't know who's been scaring you with witchcraft and vodoo, but here are a few facts:
(1) Rooting is very easy. If you're the kind of person who is OK with opening a command prompt and doing things like "listing directories" and "renaming/moving files" it's quick and painless. It also takes less than 5 minutes (probably about 2) to take your device back to stock.
(2) Rooting does very little to the device. The key is that it allows the user to change system files, something that B&N would prefer we didn't do. Several users root their NookColor (NC) and then scratch their heads because they see no obvious change.
(3) Package mods like autonooter only make a few system changes (aside from the several nice system apps they add), in particular, they allow you to sideload apps. Once you do that, you can reorganize the way your NC looks and performs, so that it handles like a vanilla Android device.
(4) Most importantly, ROOTING DOES VIRTUALLY NOTHING TO CHANGE THE B&N INTERFACE. All--I repeat--ALL the things your NC does out of the box, it still does after rooting. Same eReader. Same storefront. Same file browser. Same everything. And I'm all but certain the NC doesn't phone home and complain that it's been rooted. And if it did--since the bootloader isn't locked--I seriously doubt B&N would try to deny you a service. (The more likely scenario
is that an OTA update would try to remove root.)
I can all but guarantee you that you'll be disappointed by the B&N store. I predict it will have very few developers, and very few "good" free apps. A better way of saying it is this: within 1 or 2 weeks of the B&N app store launching, most users will look at the Android Market, and say "Forget it, I want apps from the Market, not B&N."
-Matt
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Still, if you aren't comfortable then don't root. Things can still go wrong. Things can be fixed but you have to have the patience and not freak out when your device goes into a bootloop or just freezes, which I'm not saying it will but there is always that chance.

lopezpm said:
Still, if you aren't comfortable then don't root. Things can still go wrong. Things can be fixed but you have to have the patience and not freak out when your device goes into a bootloop or just freezes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You know, I'm sorry for taking a bull-in-the-china-shop approach. Clearly I would never make it at a technical help desk. You're absolutely right and I should have noted that there's a minimum comfort level...the subtle comment about "OK with command-line editing" probably didn't get the point across.
-Matt

Not everything it does out of the box works after rooting...
gadgetrants said:
I don't know who's been scaring you with witchcraft and vodoo, but here are a few facts:
(1) Rooting is very easy. If you're the kind of person who is OK with opening a command prompt and doing things like "listing directories" and "renaming/moving files" it's quick and painless. It also takes less than 5 minutes (probably about 2) to take your device back to stock.
(2) Rooting does very little to the device. The key is that it allows the user to change system files, something that B&N would prefer we didn't do. Several users root their NookColor (NC) and then scratch their heads because they see no obvious change.
(3) Package mods like autonooter only make a few system changes (aside from the several nice system apps they add), in particular, they allow you to sideload apps. Once you do that, you can reorganize the way your NC looks and performs, so that it handles like a vanilla Android device.
(4) Most importantly, ROOTING DOES VIRTUALLY NOTHING TO CHANGE THE B&N INTERFACE. All--I repeat--ALL the things your NC does out of the box, it still does after rooting. Same eReader. Same storefront. Same file browser. Same everything. And I'm all but certain the NC doesn't phone home and complain that it's been rooted. And if it did--since the bootloader isn't locked--I seriously doubt B&N would try to deny you a service. (The more likely scenario
is that an OTA update would try to remove root.)
I can all but guarantee you that you'll be disappointed by the B&N store. I predict it will have very few developers, and very few "good" free apps. A better way of saying it is this: within 1 or 2 weeks of the B&N app store launching, most users will look at the Android Market, and say "Forget it, I want apps from the Market, not B&N."
-Matt
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The entire reason I have waited to root at this point is the loss of the 1 hour free reading in store, and the instore promotions. None of these are available after you root.
It also seems as if only a couple of people are actively trying to address this, so I continue to wait to root.

rlkelley said:
The entire reason I have waited to root at this point is the loss of the 1 hour free reading in store, and the instore promotions. None of these are available after you root.
It also seems as if only a couple of people are actively trying to address this, so I continue to wait to root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the pointer. Didn't know that (will revise my post). My wife may kill me.
I read the first 4 pages of the thread (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=860830), then skipped to the last. My naive impression is it affecting about 6 out of 10 owners. There are definitely several who are rooted, and not having a problem. I can totally understand not wanting to take the risk.
-Matt

notinterested said:
I must have missed it but where in that thread is there any mention or confirmation that 1.1 is this month?
I see nothing of the sort.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He tweeted about January as well (@__ted__):
"A serious bug in WiFi, a memory leak in browser, and overall tune-ups. 1.1 is coming up later in Jan! "

It was my understanding that you could not buy from the B&N store via your B&N account post-rooting. I'm not sure if I would be authorized to read the books I've purchased due to DRM on them. I've purchased some expensive reference books and don't want to lose access to them, or access to buy more.
I'm also uncertain these things work post-root:
Sharing, Quotes, etc
Lending books.
I'm may root at some point, very comfortable technically. No fear of rooting, just my preference at this point. If I had a microsd and reader, I'd probably done it by now just to experiment.
From reading through the threads, in regards to loading all the "extra stuff" it seems like a lot of... this works, but you need to go an change this or that, change the pixel density to display properly, youtube working, not working, gmail contacts syncing not syncing, this works, but.... you need to use this and then edit this, etc... maybe not everyone's user experience, but defintely some.
So to me, the device is working fine and not having to fiddle with anything to get it working properly. I know myself and if I root, I'll be loading launchers, applications, troubleshooting why this or that doesn't work properly and sounds a bit time consuming and hacking around a bit. I'm not looking for a new "hobby" of figuring out how to get things to run properly and smoothly as I expect from a finished product. I'm using a e-reader and would like some extra social, productivity, and games to pass the time.
Rooting, not rooting... not wrong, just different.

BN v1.4.2

1.4.2 is out. Not sure about differences (prep for Hulu, maybe?), but it did an OTA update to my system yesterday. MN 5.02.12 worked like a charm. Just passing along the word.
--Morgan
Sent from my BNRV200 using XDA App

stormerider said:
1.4.2 is out. Not sure about differences (prep for Hulu, maybe?), but it did an OTA update to my system yesterday. MN 5.02.12 worked like a charm. Just passing along the word.
--Morgan
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There was a post at the B&N forums that suggested that:
JW63 wrote:
Just got off a chat and was told that Hulu is available with the new 1.4.2 update which was just released today.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't know anything about the credibility of the poster as an inside source (it was a first post), but if HuluPlus has been mostly targeting Gingerbread and up, then some system extensions in the NC to support HuluPlus would seem a reasonable explanation why they couldn't roll out the HuluPlus app with the 1.4.1 update.
They also fixed a white on white menu glitch that seemed to have troubled some people, and a bug introduced in the mail app in 1.4.1 that reloaded emails that had been deleted locally ... but if it really does provide support for HuluPlus, that would be the big bang part of the release.
If this is coming then they'll announce it when the Hulu Plus is added to the app market, since announcing it with the update when its not bundled into the update would cause excessive confusion among the broader user base.

I assume it's still Froyo.

votinh said:
I assume it's still Froyo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I'm assuming ~ some people have already got their OTA installs, and nothing as dramatic as a change to Gingerbread has been mentioned. I'd assume if they were going to move it to Gingerbread, they would have done it with the 1.4.1 update.
If the various Nook media tablets had about 7% market share in Q4 2012, that's getting big enough for B&N to get custom builds from Hulu. But if Hulu is porting from a Gingerbread codebase built for the Nook Tablet(s), the development team might be requesting a bit of extra system support from the FroYo Nook Color kernal to make the port easier.
If B&N is positioning the Nook Color as the "color ereader+plus" it originally imagined it to be, and leaving the "budget media tablet+ereader" market segment that independent devs discovered for them to the NT line ...
... Nook Comics and Nook Magazines are the two big checkboxes to have on the color ereader side, and Netflix and HuluPlus are the two major "+plus" checkboxes to tick. And while they got Hulu to commit in public to supporting the NC, the only real timeframe commitment I ever saw was 2012.
So the claim that 1.4.2 includes system additions in support of HuluPlus is certainly plausible ... but its from a first time poster at the B&N boards, so I dunno if its from a credible source.

Market does not work after 1.4.2/Reroot
I got the OTA update, and then re-rooted with manual nooter 5.02.12. Before the OTA, Market was working great. Now I have VERY limited visibility. Can't see most apps and games.
Is there a fix for this? Or do I need to do the unroot/reroot dance of unhappiness?

If you already re-rooted... clear data and cache for market and google framework.

MAntonio said:
I got the OTA update, and then re-rooted with manual nooter 5.02.12. Before the OTA, Market was working great. Now I have VERY limited visibility. Can't see most apps and games.
Is there a fix for this? Or do I need to do the unroot/reroot dance of unhappiness?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try updating with 5.02.19.....working great for me.

I could not install this 1.4.2 update. I tried to update my NC by putting the zip file in the memory through USB connection but nothing happened. I have been using Racks' uSD dual boot method and the CM7 & CM9 work great. I did remove the uSD when I attempt the update. I wonder if there is some changes to the Nook that blocked the update (and Nook apps installation) even I am using the uSD approach. I guess I'll have to leave it at 1.2 as I use it mostly with CM7/CM9 anyway.

Or you could follow these directions

I actually found an easier way to clean install back stock system software from another forum. I may do that if I ever need to go back to Nook (e.g. to obtain warranty service). For now, CM7 serves me well. I can even access my Nook books in CM7. So there is no urgent need to revert it back.

Chromecast crashing system ui while casting

I have an lg gpad, and I keep getting the crash of system ui. The tablet is unusable until I do a restart of the device. It happens every time I cast either YouTube or other casting apps and I pull the notification panel down. That starts the crash right away. I've factory restored my Chromecast, factory reset tablet, with fresh install of all apps. I am stumped and getting really annoyed at this issue. Any help in a resolution would be greatly appreciated.

Make sure your apps and Google Play Services are updated. They work hand-in-hand.

bhiga said:
Make sure your apps and Google Play Services are updated. They work hand-in-hand.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Updating them did not help. There is a work around, at least for YouTube. Go find the APK for an app called OG YouTube and use the OLD version (4.x)
There's no cue, but you can Chromecast without crashing the entire planet.
I bought the Note Pro with the intent to Chromecast. I feel so ripped off right now, especially since it worked for a little while when I got it. Then an update came down and broke it all. I've read elsewhere that the devs don't seem to give a crap about it, claiming there is no report of the issue even though many many many users are online complaining about it.

hellomiakoda said:
I bought the Note Pro with the intent to Chromecast. I feel so ripped off right now, especially since it worked for a little while when I got it. Then an update came down and broke it all. I've read elsewhere that the devs don't seem to give a crap about it, claiming there is no report of the issue even though many many many users are online complaining about it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's a bit unfair to the devs, IMO. Chromecast is dependent on so many moving parts that things go haywire when major updates roll out. It's much like when Facebook does back-end updates, unfortunately.
The major moving parts are:
Cast SDK
Chromecast firmware (build number)
Google Play Services
App
Not to mention the individual devices running the Chromecast-enabled app(s).
Until they're all synced up with the correct version "set" things tend to be wacky, and because the Chromecast app whitelist is essentially "live" and I don't think Chromecast has a defined way to know the service or device properties...
tl;dr - give it a few days. Likely it will magically all start working - unless there's something else at fault in the configuration.
Being that it seems the prior version of YouTube works, it may simply be a bug introduced in the update.

Say hello to this bug affecting some LG and Samsung devices:
https://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=70783

bubbleguuum said:
Say hello to this bug affecting some LG and Samsung devices:
https://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=70783
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks Bubble... Argh, I just upgraded to 4.4.2, but this may explain why the recent Netflix update disabled hardware volume control even on 4.3

Root Amazon kindle 5.4.0.0?

I'm not to good with tech I'm getting better as I have started working with Linux computers including raspberry pi.
Is there any way to root the Amazon Kindle 5.4.0.0?. I don't care if it's temp root I just need a way to disable many of Amazon's features. I'm not interested in getting new ROMS or installing another OS.
Any one have ideas?
Kindle Fire KWAFARI 5th Gen
Linux, Mac

TechNash said:
I'm not to good with tech I'm getting better as I have started working with Linux computers including raspberry pi.
Is there any way to root the Amazon Kindle 5.4.0.0?. I don't care if it's temp root I just need a way to disable many of Amazon's features. I'm not interested in getting new ROMS or installing another OS.
Any one have ideas?
Kindle Fire KWAFARI 5th Gen
Linux, Mac
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
see
https://forum.xda-developers.com/amazon-fire/general/5-4-0-0-t3622336
and
https://forum.xda-developers.com/amazon-fire/general/fireos-5-4-0-1-t3663075
if someone roots, it will be posted.
Sent from my XT1254 using XDA Labs

Trying to Root Fire OS 5.4.0.1 7" 5 Gen
TechNash said:
I'm not to good with tech I'm getting better as I have started working with Linux computers including raspberry pi.
Is there any way to root the Amazon Kindle 5.4.0.0?. I don't care if it's temp root I just need a way to disable many of Amazon's features. I'm not interested in getting new ROMS or installing another OS.
Any one have ideas?
Kindle Fire KWAFARI 5th Gen
Linux, Mac
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been searching like crazy the last week to try & Root this device. Everything I've seemed to find for 5th Gen version is for earlier OS (5.0.1 - 5.1.1)(I have latest OS 5.4.0.1) . I've read in multiple places that reverting back to the earlier OS have completely bricked there 5th Gen. I don't want a brick. I want a better 5th Gen.
Also I've seen different ways to Root for 8HD & 10HD. I even tried one but it wouldn't allow me to press the recover tab at the bottom. It allowed me to cancel it & that was the most of it. All for nothing. This process which I thought would be for the most part easy has become aggravating & extremely frustrating! I don't want to be like everyone else "PLEASE HELP ME", but I understand now how they've come to that conclusion!

Mybrainsrmelting said:
I've been searching like crazy the last week to try & Root this device. Everything I've seemed to find for 5th Gen version is for earlier OS (5.0.1 - 5.1.1)(I have latest OS 5.4.0.1) . I've read in multiple places that reverting back to the earlier OS have completely bricked there 5th Gen. I don't want a brick. I want a better 5th Gen.
Also I've seen different ways to Root for 8HD & 10HD. I even tried one but it wouldn't allow me to press the recover tab at the bottom. It allowed me to cancel it & that was the most of it. All for nothing. This process which I thought would be for the most part easy has become aggravating & extremely frustrating! I don't want to be like everyone else "PLEASE HELP ME", but I understand now how they've come to that conclusion!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At present there is NO root solution (or bootloader exploit) for this device running FireOS 5.3.2.1 and above. Reread that last sentence. Good, now we're done with that.
You can roll back to FireOS 5.4.0.0 and do some modest debloating if that suites your fancy. The Google Play Store can be easily installed on any current build of FireOS v5 giving access to a broad array of apps that may not be well represented in Amazon's store. You can also install an alternate launcher (eg: Nova) with some caveats which will give a different look to the home page/app drawer plus limited gesture support. Beyond that you have an.Amazon tablet running a highly customized version of Android 5.1. Get use to it.

Davey126 said:
At present there is NO root solution (or bootloader exploit) for this device running FireOS 5.3.2.1 and above. Reread that last sentence. Good, now we're done with that.
You can roll back to FireOS 5.4.0.0 and do some modest debloating if that suites your fancy. The Google Play Store can be easily installed on any current build of FireOS v5 giving access to a broad array of apps that may not be well represented in Amazon's store. You can also install an alternate launcher (eg: Nova) with some caveats which will give a different look to the home page/app drawer plus limited gesture support. Beyond that you have an.Amazon tablet running a highly customized version of Android 5.1. Get use to it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your feedback. I tried adding playstore once. Didn't work. I'll try again. By any chance do you have the links to roll back the O.S.? Alternate launcher? Etc... I have tried searching, but seems almost everything I find is for earlier O.S. or for 8HD, 10HD. Would instructions for those work for this one?