Database Develop

[Q] A Few Kindle Questions, For Someone Kind Enough to Answer

Hiya XDA,
I have done a fair bit of googling, but a lot of info is confusing, old, or from poor sources.
I'm trying to sort a few questions out, regarding whether or not the Kindle Fire HD is a good option, and would really appreciate someone familiar with them to assist me.
My Nexus 7 screen recently broke, and I'm looking for a good alternative. I don't want to spend more than $250.
1. Can the 7" Kindle fire HD use the google store still be used by way of rooting, and also use the Amazon store?
2. Can the Kindle fire HD transfer my google store apps to it? I'm not worried about the data, just the purchases.
3. Can I tether my windows 7.8 phone GPS to the kindle, either by way of wifi or cord.
4. Is there finally bluetooth for the Kindle fire HD, or a dongle that can provide that?
5. How is the durability? My Nexus 7 cracked the touch portion (LCD is fine), while in an otterbox defender, and it fell from less than 2 ft. onto a basic wooden floor. I'd like to get something more rugged.
/I'm very familiar with rooting, and Android, but aside from the wife owning a Kindle, I know nothing about them. She isn't the type to get into rooting, so I leave her tablet alone. It's also a 1st gen, so it would not be relevant to my replacement options.
Regards,
--bb

bladebarrier said:
Hiya XDA,
I have done a fair bit of googling, but a lot of info is confusing, old, or from poor sources.
I'm trying to sort a few questions out, regarding whether or not the Kindle Fire HD is a good option, and would really appreciate someone familiar with them to assist me.
My Nexus 7 screen recently broke, and I'm looking for a good alternative. I don't want to spend more than $250.
1. Can the 7" Kindle fire HD use the google store still be used by way of rooting, and also use the Amazon store?
2. Can the Kindle fire HD transfer my google store apps to it? I'm not worried about the data, just the purchases.
3. Can I tether my windows 7.8 phone GPS to the kindle, either by way of wifi or cord.
4. Is there finally bluetooth for the Kindle fire HD, or a dongle that can provide that?
5. How is the durability? My Nexus 7 cracked the touch portion (LCD is fine), while in an otterbox defender, and it fell from less than 2 ft. onto a basic wooden floor. I'd like to get something more rugged.
/I'm very familiar with rooting, and Android, but aside from the wife owning a Kindle, I know nothing about them. She isn't the type to get into rooting, so I leave her tablet alone. It's also a 1st gen, so it would not be relevant to my replacement options.
Regards,
--bb
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK lemme give a shot at what I can answer.
1. Yes after you root it you can use the Google play store and at the same time use the amazon store.
2. As far as I know this is a yes, unless the app is incompatible.
3. This is a bit of an unknown to me, I have seen a thread where people were discussing different GPS dongles they were using with their hd's.yes this in the 8” section but it should be useful if u are curious. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2251882
4. Kindle fire he's come with built in Bluetooth, but I don't know what all profiles work with it, last I checked it couldn't pair my earpiece to use with Skype.
5. I am not very sure about this, I have a fold over rotation case and I don't take my kindle out of the house too often, though I did ride my bike a few miles with it in my pocket(yes somehow I managed to get it to fit in my pocket.)
On a few personal notes, I would recommend flashing it with cm10.1 after getting it, I know it has Bluetooth working with more if not all Bluetooth profiles, and I noticed a lot better compatibility with apps I previously couldn't install from the Google play store.
Sent from my Amazon Kindle Fire HD running CM10.1 Tablet UI using xda-developers app

stunts513 said:
OK lemme give a shot at what I can answer.
1. Yes after you root it you can use the Google play store and at the same time use the amazon store.
2. As far as I know this is a yes, unless the app is incompatible.
3. This is a bit of an unknown to me, I have seen a thread where people were discussing different GPS dongles they were using with their hd's.yes this in the 8” section but it should be useful if u are curious. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2251882
4. Kindle fire he's come with built in Bluetooth, but I don't know what all profiles work with it, last I checked it couldn't pair my earpiece to use with Skype.
5. I am not very sure about this, I have a fold over rotation case and I don't take my kindle out of the house too often, though I did ride my bike a few miles with it in my pocket(yes somehow I managed to get it to fit in my pocket.)
On a few personal notes, I would recommend flashing it with cm10.1 after getting it, I know it has Bluetooth working with more if not all Bluetooth profiles, and I noticed a lot better compatibility with apps I previously couldn't install from the Google play store.
Sent from my Amazon Kindle Fire HD running CM10.1 Tablet UI using xda-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You, sir, are a great help. Thank you very much for your time responding!

Hello.
First of all, Google apps don't come installed on the Kindle, obviously, as Google is the rival to Amazon business.
You need to root and install them, but there are a few tutorials about that, even an automatic program that makes easily the process(http://forum.xda-developers.com)./showthread.php?t=2096888.
Then, is a bit confusing, but your account of Google Play is like the hat of Marvin Gaye, your home is where you put your password(even you can have different homes.....). Other thing is compatibility, but all your good earned apps go with you. You only have to enter the Market and look at a symbol like a "_" and an arrow pointing over to it. That's where you can download your apps again or update them easily. On the Amazon side, the account can coexist with the Google one, but it can only be active on one Kindle, as the Amazon apps are signed and they check if you've purchased them.
About tethering GPS from a Windows phone, you need an app that transforms it into a GPS dongle. I don't know if it exist yet, but you can test with a friend's android phone. Apps like "GPS Bluetooth output"(Meowbox)(paid but they have a demo that works a minute...). Then you must pair your phone with the tablet. Yes, the Kindle has fully working bluetooth.
A tricky part of the process is to allow "Mock locations" inside the Dev Settings, the only way to cheat the Kindle system with "foreign" coordinates. It is achieved easily with an app called "Kindle Fire HD Extended Settings" that you can pick here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2124384 and install an app in the Kindle side called "Bluetooth GPS Provider"(Michael Chourdakis). This is a very basic program that refuses to connect, but the only method actually working.
For durability, see the videos......... if you dare....:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WETTX2tGxk
http://cnettv.cnet.com/torture-testing-new-kindle-fire-hd/9742-1_53-50132749.html

I've dropped my kindle fire hd 7 inch down stairs and nothing happened I've done so many drop tests
sent from Google chrome

Thank you for the responses!
It sounds like it will be an excellent fit for me!

Lots of questions buying Kindle Fire Hdx - 7"

I am currently looking to buy Kindle Fire Hdx - 7" - 64gb and have lots of questions on purchase,
Should I wait to buy a different tablet which will be used mainly as an ereader of my color pdf books and magazines running my apps but I want a tablet good for gaming and watching movies as well so how is the Kindle in that regard?
The tablet I looking at has ads and how hard would be to totally remove the ads once rooted.
I want to be able to use the upcoming Fire OS 5.0 with a Lollipop ROM.
Is that possible now and how would it work as a dual boot or would the ROM and OS run concurrently?
Any words of wisdom on getting the right root and ROM for Kindle Fire Hdx?
I dont have tablet yet but seeing there are some conflicts with newest 4.5.3 or 7.5.1 firmwares. The number maybe higher that the ones I listed I just grabbed to numbers from YouTube posters.
Why 2 different numbers I am guessing 4.5.3 is for Kindle Fire Hdx what the other number mentioned?
I want to be able to use this tablet as a converted setup using google play store so how hard is that to add to tablet and what would it break in the process?
I want to purchase this tablet soon so posting now to get some feedback started. If this thread should be placed somewhere else for better coverage feel free to do so.
TIA!

techmanc said:
I am currently looking to buy Kindle Fire Hdx - 7" - 64gb and have lots of questions on purchase,
Should I wait to buy a different tablet which will be used mainly as an ereader of my color pdf books and magazines running my apps but I want a tablet good for gaming and watching movies as well so how is the Kindle in that regard?
The tablet I looking at has ads and how hard would be to totally remove the ads once rooted.
I want to be able to use the upcoming Fire OS 5.0 with a Lollipop ROM.
Is that possible now and how would it work as a dual boot or would the ROM and OS run concurrently?
Any words of wisdom on getting the right root and ROM for Kindle Fire Hdx?
I dont have tablet yet but seeing there are some conflicts with newest 4.5.3 or 7.5.1 firmwares. The number maybe higher that the ones I listed I just grabbed to numbers from YouTube posters.
Why 2 different numbers I am guessing 4.5.3 is for Kindle Fire Hdx what the other number mentioned?
I want to be able to use this tablet as a converted setup using google play store so how hard is that to add to tablet and what would it break in the process?
I want to purchase this tablet soon so posting now to get some feedback started. If this thread should be placed somewhere else for better coverage feel free to do so.
TIA!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok I bought my Kindle Fire HDX 7 and after updating the tablet its now version 4.5.4
I now want to root tablet and use a Lollipop ROM and if needed install I guessing I need to install GAPPS to add google play store and other google apps from what I been reading here or are the google apps installed when I install the new ROM?
So what ROM and Root method should I use and where do I get GAPPS if needed?

Skype for Fire 7 (2017)

Hi all,
I would like to buy a Fire 7 (no HD, 2017 model) through the current offer on Amazon, to be exclusively used by my parents for Skype videocalling. Unfortunately, the reviews on amazon.de based on its Skype ability are shared (from "works excellent" to "does not work at all") and all I found here was a thread from 2015 compalining about poor microfone reception.
So I would like to ask about your experiences with Skype in it, like how easy it is to install it, how is the camera, speakerphone and mic during a videocall etc. Please do share, it will be thoroughly appreciated.
Cheers!

billgs said:
Hi all,
I would like to buy a Fire 7 (no HD, 2017 model) through the current offer on Amazon, to be exclusively used by my parents for Skype videocalling. Unfortunately, the reviews on amazon.de based on its Skype ability are shared (from "works excellent" to "does not work at all") and all I found here was a thread from 2015 compalining about poor microfone reception.
So I would like to ask about your experiences with Skype in it, like how easy it is to install it, how is the camera, speakerphone and mic during a videocall etc. Please do share, it will be thoroughly appreciated.
Cheers!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would recommend a Kindle Fire HD 8.9, the JEM version. You can root it, which unlocks the bootloader and you can flash a custom ROM. I don't use skype, even on my Fire 7, but the phone extension with Google Hangouts works really well with good WiFi connections on all my Fires, rooted or not. However on my 8.9, I can't get Hangouts Messages to work, but the phone extension works. Weird.

DragonFire1024 said:
I would recommend a Kindle Fire HD 8.9, the JEM version. You can root it, which unlocks the bootloader and you can flash a custom ROM. I don't use skype, even on my Fire 7, but the phone extension with Google Hangouts works really well with good WiFi connections on all my Fires, rooted or not. However on my 8.9, I can't get Hangouts Messages to work, but the phone extension works. Weird.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply, however I have ATM no choice of hardware because of time restrictions, I can only have the Fire 7 2017 variant which sells for Amazon Prime members for 45 Euros. Since you mentioned that you have a Fire 7, could you please check if Skype is working? That would be really cool!

billgs said:
Thanks for the reply, however I have ATM no choice of hardware because of time restrictions, I can only have the Fire 7 2017 variant which sells for Amazon Prime members for 45 Euros. Since you mentioned that you have a Fire 7, could you please check if Skype is working? That would be really cool!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A quick look a reviews from the (badly outdated) Skype app in the Amazon store suggests a less than satisfying experience. I suspect Skype will perform poorly on FireOS reinforced by Microsoft's lack of interest in maintaining an Amazon specific variant. FireOS is loosely based on Android 5.1 (lollipop) which is getting long in the tooth. Think you are heading into choppy waters for the intended use.

I installed Skype 7.46.0.596 (from apkmirror, as usual) on my Fire 5th (LinOS 12.1), reactivated my almost-dead account, and ran a few basic tests (echo service), only to find that all my friends have moved to other services. Thus I didn't pursue this any further, but I vaguely remember the echo stuttering - may have been my uplink though. Not sure whether this helps at all...
(I've been called on Telegram by someone owning a Fire7 5th, running an older LinOS, and there were no audio issues.)

steve8x8 said:
I installed Skype 7.46.0.596 (from apkmirror, as usual) on my Fire 5th (LinOS 12.1), reactivated my almost-dead account, and ran a few basic tests (echo service), only to find that all my friends have moved to other services. Thus I didn't pursue this any further, but I vaguely remember the echo stuttering - may have been my uplink though. Not sure whether this helps at all...
(I've been called on Telegram by someone owning a Fire7 5th, running an older LinOS, and there were no audio issues.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Amazon makes some really great tablets, but a not so great OS. Blows my mind why they restrict so much on these things. I have a custom ROM on my 8.9. it went from Android 4.0 to 6.0. I tested a 5.1 ROM and there is a 7.1 to which I've not gone to get. I'm really loving this Temasek CM13 ROM.

DragonFire1024 said:
Amazon makes some really great tablets, but a not so great OS. Blows my mind why they restrict so much on these things. I have a custom ROM on my 8.9. it went from Android 4.0 to 6.0. I tested a 5.1 ROM and there is a 7.1 to which I've not gone to get. I'm really loving this Temasek CM13 ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You already know the answer. Amazon isn't marketing a general purpose tablet. Fire branded gadgets are designed to be captive portals to Amazon's expansive ecosystem. Nothing more.

Hello and thank you for the warm welcome!

Back in the Day computers and i had an understanding and i loved working with them but, that was then, this now and i just feel stupid! So, thank you for offering your assistance (though you may regret it) as i could sure use it!
I have a new fire hd 8 tablet and have been trying to find the loophole to getting Chrome, Google play, etc. on the thing and can’t seem to understand the YouTube bits I’ve watched very well. I am looking to download the latest version of Toolbox but, can’t seem to figure out where the download button is located. I’m sorry for my ignorance but, if you could assist me I’d be very grateful…

empressMe said:
Back in the Day computers and i had an understanding and i loved working with them but, that was then, this now and i just feel stupid! So, thank you for offering your assistance (though you may regret it) as i could sure use it!
I have a new fire hd 8 tablet and have been trying to find the loophole to getting Chrome, Google play, etc. on the thing and can’t seem to understand the YouTube bits I’ve watched very well. I am looking to download the latest version of Toolbox but, can’t seem to figure out where the download button is located. I’m sorry for my ignorance but, if you could assist me I’d be very grateful…
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello and welcome aboard.
Hope this helps
Amazon Fire HD 8 and HD 10
The Amazon Fire HD 8 and HD 10 are two mid-range tablets, running on Amazon's Fire OS 5, which is based on Android Lollipop. Both have a 1.5GHz quad-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 1280 x 800 display (either 8" or 10.1"), 5MP rear camera, 720p front camera, microSD support and stereo speakers with...
forum.xda-developers.com

Needing help switching to and updating Fire HD 10 2021 and SD card

Hi! I discovered this site via a YouTube video by ETA Prime. Wow! Who knew??? So glad to find you! I am a veterinarian and love to learn new things.
I recently purchased a new Fire HD 10 2021 and wanted to transfer files, plus an SD card where I stored some apps, from my old Fire 10 (7th generation.) What a nightmare! I could not get the Fire to connect to my PC. After talking at length to 2 techs at Amazon and getting mailed a replacement Fire HD 10, 2021, which still would not connect, I reached a third support person who explained the USB options on the new Fire and how to change them. Now I can connect!
My next problem is that the apps on my SD card are in .asec files. The only option I find to "open with" when I click on one of the links is 'WPS Office for Amazon'. Obviously this is not the appropriate program. Question: Is it possible to download a program to open these files or do I need to install them all over again? I appreciate any help.
Also--wanted to let you know I had already updated to the latest Fire HD 10 software, but the Fire Toolbox still worked for me. YAY!!!!!
Thank you!

Harvupnorth said:
Hi! I discovered this site via a YouTube video by ETA Prime. Wow! Who knew??? So glad to find you! I am a veterinarian and love to learn new things.
I recently purchased a new Fire HD 10 2021 and wanted to transfer files, plus an SD card where I stored some apps, from my old Fire 10 (7th generation.) What a nightmare! I could not get the Fire to connect to my PC. After talking at length to 2 techs at Amazon and getting mailed a replacement Fire HD 10, 2021, which still would not connect, I reached a third support person who explained the USB options on the new Fire and how to change them. Now I can connect!
My next problem is that the apps on my SD card are in .asec files. The only option I find to "open with" when I click on one of the links is 'WPS Office for Amazon'. Obviously this is not the appropriate program. Question: Is it possible to download a program to open these files or do I need to install them all over again? I appreciate any help.
Also--wanted to let you know I had already updated to the latest Fire HD 10 software, but the Fire Toolbox still worked for me. YAY!!!!!
Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Welcome to XDA,
Head to your devices section to find more specific help.
Enjoy your stay

orb_selektor said:
Welcome to XDA,
Head to your devices section to find more specific help.
Enjoy your stay
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you!