Why Root a Fire?

enrigonz · 01-21-2012, 11:51 AM

Can anyone that has done this please explain what are the major benefits of Rooting a Kindle Fire? What are the Apps that we can get with a Rooted Fire vs a stock Fire?

Please be specific, don't just tell me you gain access to the Android Market. Tell me what App is worth Rooting the Fire for. An app the Amazon doesn't offer, etc. Perhaps is not an App, is some kind of functionality, please share your experience.

TIA

Jessica Lares · 01-21-2012, 01:41 PM

Stock ROM...

Major benefit? I know you said not to just say Android Market, but truth is that the Amazon App Store is known to have very old versions of apps because developers tend to forget about it. So, having the Android Market, you have a piece of mind of being able to always get the newest version of something and not have to worry about missing out on crucial security updates like loopholes.

There is no real benefit to it, other than you don't have to side load your stuff anymore, and you can buy the apps on that market.

Most of the apps don't even need root, but a third party launcher is recommended for better eye candy.

robertc88 · 01-21-2012, 01:51 PM

Enrigonz,

I full well know that the AAS is limited but many alternative app stores have been provided to us on this forum and I haven't be unable to do anything so far on the device within my current knowledge base. I'm sure some people are alot closer to unlocking the total capability/power of a device but most of us are novices continuing to learn little by little. I myself find a sense of satisifaction in that.

It doesn't mean I wouldn't like to learn about rooting but bricking a device isn't something I'm willing to risk.

Something tells me there is lots to learn to keep me occupied with even a greater satisifaction with the device and without rooting it. Just reading through this and the xda developer's forum with what I've learned has me personally wondering why Amazon only charged $200 for this device. I haven't paid for a single thing yet beyond that except a case for the KF, nothing even their Prime membership which may be worthwhile to some. Guess their losing money on some of us even without rooting.

Jessica Lares · 01-21-2012, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robertc88

Just reading through this and the xda developer's forum has me personally wondering why Amazon only charged $200 for this device.

Because they can make about $100 from people buying apps and Kindle books.

The biggest mistake Amazon made with it was the way they designed the bar at the bottom. It made for a better experience for their stock apps, but has been a nightmare for developers and people who have to buy "Kindle Fire Edition" apps because of it.

volwrath · 01-21-2012, 02:23 PM

The biggest reason to root imo is the google ecosystem including market. With the exception of the calendar (and its readily doable as well) all the other apps work very well after a simple root

hn333 · 01-21-2012, 02:42 PM

The less Google the better. I'm glad Amazon blocks google's apps.

banjobama · 01-21-2012, 02:46 PM

If you root it, you can download different book reading apps. That might be worth it enough for some people.

wizwor · 01-21-2012, 03:20 PM

you don't have to root to download other reading apps or even to access the android store.

I don't think there's a good reason to root the Fire. If you just want an android tablet without the amazon ecosystem, there are many that offer better hardware for a comparable price.

salsaguy · 01-21-2012, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by banjobama

If you root it, you can download different book reading apps. That might be worth it enough for some people.

You can sideload plenty if eading apps without rooting:
nook, mantano, overdrive, greader, Aldilko, etc

salsaguy · 01-21-2012, 03:28 PM

I think the best option for thise that dobt want to root but still have a little tablet experience is to use go launcher and switch back and forth from amazon to tablet style as needed on the fly.
If you don't check the box to select which launcher to use as default you can switch on the fly.
The fire is great for what it is for $200.
Those that are rooters will get a different tablet with sd card and mic and camera anyways.
The fire is just another experiment for them to see what they can crack.
With the frequency of AZ updates unrooting the roots its going to be mire work for the casual User to try to root than not.

Blossom · 01-21-2012, 03:29 PM

The Fire does everything it needs to. Rooting allows Google framework and the Android market to work. You can also remove default apps you won't be using as well. That pretty much all it does.

You can sideload apps from other markets. We have a thread here with links. I really see no reason for it. I do use Go! Launcher without rooting to have widgets and a Android looking home screen. It works well just wallpaper changes to default when you take it out of sleep.

wizwor · 01-21-2012, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by salsaguy

I think the best option for thise that dobt want to root but still have a little tablet experience is to use go launcher and switch back and forth from amazon to tablet style as needed on the fly.

Could you elaborate? Is it possible to turn the fire into a tablet with gadgets then switch back to the amazon interface on demand? Which launcher?

Blossom · 01-21-2012, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wizwor

Could you elaborate? Is it possible to turn the fire into a tablet with gadgets then switch back to the amazon interface on demand? Which launcher?

It's called Go! Launcher and it's available at 1Mobile. You just put a shortcut to the Default Launcher on the home screen and on Default Interface you add a shortcut to Go! Launcher. anytime you hit Home it will ask you which launcher to choose from. It's quick and easy to switch back and forth.

Go! Launcher will give you a normal looking Android home screens and you can have Widgets!

The only thing is the wallpaper changes back and forth each time you bring it out of sleep to Amazon's lock screens papers

beej231 · 01-21-2012, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hn333

The less Google the better. I'm glad Amazon blocks google's apps.

What have your problems been with Google? Just curious as so many seem to like the Google stuff. I don't use it so I have no bias one way or the other. Just wondering what makes you dislike it.

wizwor · 01-21-2012, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blossom

It's called Go! Launcher and it's available at 1Mobile. You just put a shortcut to the Default Launcher on the home screen and on Default Interface you add a shortcut to Go! Launcher. anytime you hit Home it will ask you which launcher to choose from. It's quick and easy to switch back and forth.

Go! Launcher will give you a normal looking Android home screens and you can have Widgets!

The only thing is the wallpaper changes back and forth each time you bring it out of sleep to Amazon's lock screens papers

That was easy. Thank you. Just reinforces the idea that it isn't necessary to root a Fire.

01-21-2012, 11:51 AM	#1
enrigonz Member Posts: 11 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Fl Device: Kindle Fire \|iPad 2	Why Root a Fire? Can anyone that has done this please explain what are the major benefits of Rooting a Kindle Fire? What are the Apps that we can get with a Rooted Fire vs a stock Fire? Please be specific, don't just tell me you gain access to the Android Market. Tell me what App is worth Rooting the Fire for. An app the Amazon doesn't offer, etc. Perhaps is not an App, is some kind of functionality, please share your experience. TIA

01-21-2012, 01:51 PM	#3
robertc88 Fanatic Posts: 555 Karma: 1579999 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: none	Enrigonz, I full well know that the AAS is limited but many alternative app stores have been provided to us on this forum and I haven't be unable to do anything so far on the device within my current knowledge base. I'm sure some people are alot closer to unlocking the total capability/power of a device but most of us are novices continuing to learn little by little. I myself find a sense of satisifaction in that. It doesn't mean I wouldn't like to learn about rooting but bricking a device isn't something I'm willing to risk. Something tells me there is lots to learn to keep me occupied with even a greater satisifaction with the device and without rooting it. Just reading through this and the xda developer's forum with what I've learned has me personally wondering why Amazon only charged $200 for this device. I haven't paid for a single thing yet beyond that except a case for the KF, nothing even their Prime membership which may be worthwhile to some. Guess their losing money on some of us even without rooting. Last edited by robertc88; 01-21-2012 at 02:01 PM.

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01-21-2012, 01:41 PM	#2
Jessica Lares Wizard Posts: 2,240 Karma: 5759170 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Near Dallas, Texas, USA Device: iPad Mini, iPod Touch (5th gen)	Stock ROM... Major benefit? I know you said not to just say Android Market, but truth is that the Amazon App Store is known to have very old versions of apps because developers tend to forget about it. So, having the Android Market, you have a piece of mind of being able to always get the newest version of something and not have to worry about missing out on crucial security updates like loopholes. There is no real benefit to it, other than you don't have to side load your stuff anymore, and you can buy the apps on that market. Most of the apps don't even need root, but a third party launcher is recommended for better eye candy.

01-21-2012, 02:23 PM	#5
volwrath Guru Posts: 713 Karma: 1001739 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Nashville, TN Device: SGS3/PW2/Nexus72	The biggest reason to root imo is the google ecosystem including market. With the exception of the calendar (and its readily doable as well) all the other apps work very well after a simple root

01-21-2012, 02:42 PM	#6
hn333 Addict Posts: 255 Karma: 316188 Join Date: Jul 2011 Device: Kindle, Kindle Fire	The less Google the better. I'm glad Amazon blocks google's apps.

01-21-2012, 02:46 PM	#7
banjobama Busy Read'n Posts: 980 Karma: 5039283 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Auburn, WA Device: Pocketbook Touch Lux 5	If you root it, you can download different book reading apps. That might be worth it enough for some people.

01-21-2012, 03:20 PM	#8
wizwor Wizard Posts: 1,068 Karma: 23867385 Join Date: Nov 2011 Device: kindle, fire	you don't have to root to download other reading apps or even to access the android store. I don't think there's a good reason to root the Fire. If you just want an android tablet without the amazon ecosystem, there are many that offer better hardware for a comparable price.

01-21-2012, 03:28 PM	#10
salsaguy Addict Posts: 381 Karma: 30500 Join Date: Dec 2011 Device: Kindle Fire (1st Gen), Kindle Touch, KFHD 8.9 No Ads	I think the best option for thise that dobt want to root but still have a little tablet experience is to use go launcher and switch back and forth from amazon to tablet style as needed on the fly. If you don't check the box to select which launcher to use as default you can switch on the fly. The fire is great for what it is for $200. Those that are rooters will get a different tablet with sd card and mic and camera anyways. The fire is just another experiment for them to see what they can crack. With the frequency of AZ updates unrooting the roots its going to be mire work for the casual User to try to root than not.

01-21-2012, 03:29 PM	#11
Blossom Treasure Seeker Posts: 18,708 Karma: 26026435 Join Date: Mar 2010 Device: Kobo HD Glo, Kindles, Kindle Fires, Andriod Devices	The Fire does everything it needs to. Rooting allows Google framework and the Android market to work. You can also remove default apps you won't be using as well. That pretty much all it does. You can sideload apps from other markets. We have a thread here with links. I really see no reason for it. I do use Go! Launcher without rooting to have widgets and a Android looking home screen. It works well just wallpaper changes to default when you take it out of sleep.