Switching out the firmware on a registered Kindle Fire

[Harry_Y]

I like ICS, but when I just put on GO launcher it put me most of the way.
(I probably could have gotten away without Rooting the Fire).

I would like to see Amazon come out with an alternate interface on the Fire.
That would be the best of both worlds. Of course give them time and
they may just come out with a tablet that is like a Kindle Fire Plus.

I did like how Amazon had all the apps (movies, music, audible and books)
all tie in together without having to register each app. For many users that
really simplifies things, I'm an IT guy by trade but even I like to just push
the button and have it work with out fiddling with it.
That is one area where the Kindle Fire really shines.

I think Amazon must do their homework

[Jessica Lares]

Originally Posted by Anabran

On one level it is tempting
but the practical part of my brain says:
What is the current state of performing the
Root/ROM procedure for us Mac users with no reasonable access to a windows PC?

For me it is a matter of risk VS reward and I still don't see what I would gain that would be so crucial to my daily usage of the device that I am not getting now

I dont use my kindle fire for web surfing at all really
I truly dont need the googleplay store

with my alternative book/comic readers the stock carousel is becoming a distant memory.
I have every app and 3D/2D game I could want

so at the moment i am happy with my GoLauncher/RW set up .

There is KindleWater for that.

I just do everything manually using Terminal. I think you pretty much just have to add the ID into the Android info and then adb works out the box. Once you install the recovery everything's straightforward. You pretty much never have to do it again. Although pushing stuff through the terminal is a lot easier than mounting the internal SD. But that's just me being lazy.

[beej231]

[QUOTE=Harry_Y;2063628]I like ICS, but when I just put on GO launcher it put me most of the way.


**I would like to see Amazon come out with an alternate interface on the Fire.
That would be the best of both worlds.**

Me too. Something pretty.

[ApK]

Originally Posted by beej231

**I would like to see Amazon come out with an alternate interface on the Fire.
That would be the best of both worlds.**

Me too. Something pretty.

But this is exactly what Amazon already did. They came out with an alternative to the standard Android interface...and lots of people think it's pretty.

Now, you're really just saying Amazon should design it again, to your personal preferences.

[Harry_Y]

Originally Posted by ApK

But this is exactly what Amazon already did. They came out with an alternative to the standard Android interface...and lots of people think it's pretty.

Now, you're really just saying "I don't feel like customizing. Amazon, design it again, to my personal preferences."

It would be nice if they let you easily pic
between the Amazon one and the standard one.

The fire is a really nice tablet.

[WillysJeepMan]

Originally Posted by ApK

But this is exactly what Amazon already did. They came out with an alternative to the standard Android interface...and lots of people think it's pretty.

I like Amazon's attempt to be different. If it would integrate sideloaded media then I would have kept it (the KF UI).

[ApK]

Originally Posted by WillysJeepMan

I like Amazon's attempt to be different. If it would integrate sideloaded media then I would have kept it (the KF UI).

I would prefer it if sideloaded videos would play in the clean full screen Amazon viewer, but other than that, all my sideloaded content seems to fit in well. What have you found lacking and what did you change to address it?

[grvthang]

I have an HTC android smartphone. Most HTC android phones come with "Sense" installed, which is HTC's user interface for Android. HTC doesn't allow me to easily pick between sense and the standard android ui. If I don't like Sense, I can install Go Launcher or a different launcher to give me an alternative to Sense.

It's no different with the Fire - it comes with Amazon's user interface, and if you don't like the Amazon UI, you can sideload another UI and use that instead. What's the big deal?

[Anabran]

"It's no different with the Fire - it comes with Amazon's user interface, and if you don't like the Amazon UI, you can sideload another UI and use that instead. What's the big deal?

Hi although it works fine for some of us the "Big Deal" is that
many KF users reported a nearly "bricked" device after installing GoLauncherEX
some even had to return theirs to Amazon
so many feel "Stuck" with the "consumeresque" Amazon Bookshelf and that Huge Carousel at the top.

[grvthang]

Originally Posted by Anabran

Hi although it works fine for some of us the "Big Deal" is that
many KF users reported a nearly "bricked" device after installing GoLauncherEX
some even had to return theirs to Amazon
so many feel "Stuck" with the "consumeresque" Amazon Bookshelf and that Huge Carousel at the top.

Still no big deal; Go Launcher EX is not the only alternate launcher out there. I'll amend what I said: If you don't like the Amazon UI, use another launcher (check the forums to see if there are any claimed issues with a particular launcher, as you should do anyway).

[Anabran]

" Go Launcher EX is not the only alternate launcher out there. I'll amend what I said: If you don't like the Amazon UI, use another launcher (check the forums to see if there are any claimed issues with a particular launcher, as you should do anyway)."

I Agree, but many were spooked by the whole Go launcher affair and decided to play it safe and avoid any third party home screens

Hence the calls for an official alternative from Amazon themselves.
not a likely event IMHO but hey, people will still hope.

[beej231]

Originally Posted by ApK

But this is exactly what Amazon already did. They came out with an alternative to the standard Android interface...and lots of people think it's pretty.

Now, you're really just saying Amazon should design it again, to your personal preferences.

but the bookshelves are GRAY. Not pretty. At least to me. You are correct. Others will find it darn nice. I did until I used GL with a "pretty" background. It is a matter of taste and preferences. At the moment I can't get RW to work at all, so "pretty"is pretty much out the window.

[beej231]

Originally Posted by Anabran

I Agree, but many were spooked by the whole Go launcher affair and decided to play it safe and avoid any third party home screens

Hence the calls for an official alternative from Amazon themselves.
not a likely event IMHO but hey, people will still hope.

Even tho I was spooked by the whole GL affair, I have tried it repeatedly and always have a lock up. I'm going to keep trying tho. If I brick the thing, I'll have return it and I don't think Amazon will go over it with a microscope to see if I used an alternate launcher. I just pity my poor husband living with me till I get a replacement.

[WillysJeepMan]

Originally Posted by beej231

Even tho I was spooked by the whole GL affair, I have tried it repeatedly and always have a lock up. I'm going to keep trying tho. If I brick the thing, I'll have return it and I don't think Amazon will go over it with a microscope to see if I used an alternate launcher. I just pity my poor husband living with me till I get a replacement.

On launch day, I picked up a Fire and immediately install GL. Unfortunately it was an older version that entered a forced close loop resulting in a near-brick experience. Since then I had stuck with the stock Kindle UI.

Today I installed GL 2.87. It works fine. But there's still the issue of the everchanging wallpaper that requires rooting the Fire. (the rotating wallpaper app workaround is a bit of a kludge)

[beej231]

Originally Posted by WillysJeepMan

On launch day, I picked up a Fire and immediately install GL. Unfortunately it was an older version that entered a forced close loop resulting in a near-brick experience. Since then I had stuck with the stock Kindle UI.

Today I installed GL 2.87. It works fine. But there's still the issue of the everchanging wallpaper that requires rooting the Fire. (the rotating wallpaper app workaround is a bit of a kludge)

I am using GL 2.87 but can't get RW to work at all. At first all my sets were empty despite the fact that I had added pictures. Now it just freezes upon opening. There was a recent update. I'd love to get a hold of the older version.