Will Fire 1g get update to Android 4?

tomsem · 01-09-2013, 03:28 AM

About a week ago I started a thread asking if the Kindle Touch was ever going to get an update. People were skeptical, as was I to some extent. But here we are, less than a week later, and it has happened!

Then there the case of the Kindle Keyboard getting KF 8 support long after nearly everyone had given up hope.

I am hoping we can work the same magic on behalf of KF1 owners. I wish to believe that KF1, despite its slower cpu and less generous RAM, is fully capable of running the same version of Android as the new models and there would be such a conversion of interests that Amazon would be idiots not to deliver an update: much easier to support and develop for a single version of android, not to mention a cheap way to delight owners and encourage them to pick it up and start using it again (mine is mostly collecting dust). Of course this will not come before the announced accessibility update for Fire.

As JB says, they don't make any money on devices that aren't being used. So this is going to happen, isn't it?

DiapDealer · 01-09-2013, 05:58 AM

Your rationalization/optimism is quite infectious, but my gut still says no.

Musashi · 01-09-2013, 09:40 AM

I want a update like that, but the chances are zero to none. T_T

AnemicOak · 01-09-2013, 09:59 AM

Amazon reps have told various tech news outlets that the 2011 Fire wouldn't be seeing an upgrade to the new OS. As to whether that will change, you never know with Amazon.

Jessica Lares · 01-10-2013, 02:07 AM

The problem isn't that Amazon doesn't want to do it, it's just that it isn't possible without breaking things. Amazon won't even issue them as replacements anymore, they'll just automatically give you the Kindle Fire 2 instead.

tomsem · 01-10-2013, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jessica Lares

The problem isn't that Amazon doesn't want to do it, it's just that it isn't possible without breaking things. Amazon won't even issue them as replacements anymore, they'll just automatically give you the Kindle Fire 2 instead.

That's a good point, I suppose a few apps might break.

But that doesn't stop Apple and other Android vendors from pushing OS updates: users expect them to do so, and most look forward to it: new features, for 'free'! And while apps do break, most app vendors scramble to deliver fixes. In this case, the apps should already be ready for 4.x if they were updated for the newer Kindles. And OS updates are done at the discretion of the user; they update if and when they are ready to.

So what is not possible about this?

And are there any Fire 1g owners who would not want this option?

Barbara1955 · 01-10-2013, 03:19 PM

What does the Org KF 1st Gen run on now? Just wondering?

ApK · 01-10-2013, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jessica Lares

Amazon won't even issue them as replacements anymore, they'll just automatically give you the Kindle Fire 2 instead.

Are you sure? When did this start? My son's version 1 was replaced in mid-December after a week or so wait to get them back in stock, and he got a refurbed version 1.

ApK

Blossom · 01-10-2013, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katie1

What does the Org KF 1st Gen run on now? Just wondering?

Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) and it's what I prefer so if they were to allow the update it would need to be optional.

Jessica Lares · 01-10-2013, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomsem

That's a good point, I suppose a few apps might break.

But that doesn't stop Apple and other Android vendors from pushing OS updates: users expect them to do so, and most look forward to it: new features, for 'free'! And while apps do break, most app vendors scramble to deliver fixes. In this case, the apps should already be ready for 4.x if they were updated for the newer Kindles. And OS updates are done at the discretion of the user; they update if and when they are ready to.

So what is not possible about this?

And are there any Fire 1g owners who would not want this option?

It goes farther than just apps. See, the problem is that Amazon quickly rushed the first version to production hardware-wise. They used a cheap light sensor (which they just phased out completely after update number one because it just plainly didn't work because it was so cheap), they didn't bother with volume controls, and they got us with a really cheap charging port that was wobbly and hard to deal with for some of us.

The charging situation on XDA ROMs has recently been fixed, but it took a lot of work, like an entire year even - They had to rewrite the entire driver from scratch. Amazon doesn't have the time to do something like this to make it work with ICS, and obviously they made a lot of changes in coding theirs to make it work the way they want. Literally one of the first things they noticed at XDA is that the open source code they have to supply doesn't even compile.

But the real issue is the fact that our RAM spec isn't designed for ICS (the code doesn't support it). It works fine, but you have to workaround to make things work. Especially with how lagging the Amazon launchers are, you don't want to pile that on top of weak hardware. You also don't want to release something that doesn't work very well in testing stages, which I'm pretty sure Amazon is doing/did do, but it's not meeting their standards.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ApK

Are you sure? When did this start? My son's version 1 was replaced in mid-December after a week or so wait to get them back in stock, and he got a refurbed version 1.

ApK

Probably this month. I've heard of two cases where people are getting the upgrade.

Barbara1955 · 01-11-2013, 10:00 AM

I think getting the 1st gen when needing replaced is Hit or Miss. IF they have one in stock you get org If not gen 2. No they are Not making anymore Org.

Thanks Blossom!

ApK · 01-11-2013, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katie1

I think getting the 1st gen when needing replaced is Hit or Miss. IF they have one in stock you get org If not gen 2. No they are Not making anymore Org.

Thanks Blossom!

Except in our case they had us wait until they got a refurbed ver 1 in stock. Are you basing your guess on anything?

Barbara1955 · 01-11-2013, 10:37 AM

Before I purchsed my HD I called Amazon was told they no longer making the Org Fire. IF they got any they were at present using them for replacements. After ALL the Warenties were dead then they sell the surplus. No clue when that would be.
When a friend Fire broke they didnt have any Org they sent that the upgraded 2nd gen.
I Guessing in your case apk they had some comming in or was waiting to see IF any of the ones in stock were checked out ok by the techs.

tomsem · 01-11-2013, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jessica Lares

It goes farther than just apps. See, the problem is that Amazon quickly rushed the first version to production hardware-wise. They used a cheap light sensor (which they just phased out completely after update number one because it just plainly didn't work because it was so cheap), they didn't bother with volume controls, and they got us with a really cheap charging port that was wobbly and hard to deal with for some of us.

The charging situation on XDA ROMs has recently been fixed, but it took a lot of work, like an entire year even - They had to rewrite the entire driver from scratch. Amazon doesn't have the time to do something like this to make it work with ICS, and obviously they made a lot of changes in coding theirs to make it work the way they want. Literally one of the first things they noticed at XDA is that the open source code they have to supply doesn't even compile.

But the real issue is the fact that our RAM spec isn't designed for ICS (the code doesn't support it). It works fine, but you have to workaround to make things work. Especially with how lagging the Amazon launchers are, you don't want to pile that on top of weak hardware. You also don't want to release something that doesn't work very well in testing stages, which I'm pretty sure Amazon is doing/did do, but it's not meeting their standards.

Ok, thanks for that detail. All my remaining hope has been successfully extinguished.

That said, it still wouldn't be all that compelling a device for me (the sour grapes argument). I'll probably wait for the next generation Fires, Nexus etc before getting another tablet.

ApK · 01-11-2013, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomsem

I'll probably wait for the next generation Fires, Nexus etc

Shouldn't that be "Nexi?"

01-09-2013, 03:28 AM	#1
tomsem Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,468 Karma: 25996225 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: USA Device: iPhone 15PM, Kindle Scribe, iPad mini 6, PocketBook InkPad Color 3	Will Fire 1g get update to Android 4? About a week ago I started a thread asking if the Kindle Touch was ever going to get an update. People were skeptical, as was I to some extent. But here we are, less than a week later, and it has happened! Then there the case of the Kindle Keyboard getting KF 8 support long after nearly everyone had given up hope. I am hoping we can work the same magic on behalf of KF1 owners. I wish to believe that KF1, despite its slower cpu and less generous RAM, is fully capable of running the same version of Android as the new models and there would be such a conversion of interests that Amazon would be idiots not to deliver an update: much easier to support and develop for a single version of android, not to mention a cheap way to delight owners and encourage them to pick it up and start using it again (mine is mostly collecting dust). Of course this will not come before the announced accessibility update for Fire. As JB says, they don't make any money on devices that aren't being used. So this is going to happen, isn't it?

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01-09-2013, 05:58 AM	#2
DiapDealer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 27,547 Karma: 193191846 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD	Your rationalization/optimism is quite infectious, but my gut still says no.

01-09-2013, 09:40 AM	#3
Musashi Zealot Posts: 106 Karma: 515166 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: iPad 4th Generation. Kindle Paperwhite.	I want a update like that, but the chances are zero to none. T_T

01-09-2013, 09:59 AM	#4
AnemicOak Bookaholic Posts: 14,391 Karma: 54969924 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Device: iPad Mini 4, AuraHD, iPhone XR +	Amazon reps have told various tech news outlets that the 2011 Fire wouldn't be seeing an upgrade to the new OS. As to whether that will change, you never know with Amazon.

01-10-2013, 02:07 AM	#5
Jessica Lares Wizard Posts: 2,240 Karma: 5759170 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Near Dallas, Texas, USA Device: iPad Mini, iPod Touch (5th gen)	The problem isn't that Amazon doesn't want to do it, it's just that it isn't possible without breaking things. Amazon won't even issue them as replacements anymore, they'll just automatically give you the Kindle Fire 2 instead.

01-10-2013, 03:19 PM	#7
Barbara1955 Non-Techy Posts: 4,454 Karma: 15499273 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: WV---USA Device: Samsung Cell Phone & Amazon Fires & Kobo eReaders	What does the Org KF 1st Gen run on now? Just wondering?

01-11-2013, 10:00 AM	#11
Barbara1955 Non-Techy Posts: 4,454 Karma: 15499273 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: WV---USA Device: Samsung Cell Phone & Amazon Fires & Kobo eReaders	I think getting the 1st gen when needing replaced is Hit or Miss. IF they have one in stock you get org If not gen 2. No they are Not making anymore Org. Thanks Blossom!

01-11-2013, 10:37 AM	#13
Barbara1955 Non-Techy Posts: 4,454 Karma: 15499273 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: WV---USA Device: Samsung Cell Phone & Amazon Fires & Kobo eReaders	Before I purchsed my HD I called Amazon was told they no longer making the Org Fire. IF they got any they were at present using them for replacements. After ALL the Warenties were dead then they sell the surplus. No clue when that would be. When a friend Fire broke they didnt have any Org they sent that the upgraded 2nd gen. I Guessing in your case apk they had some comming in or was waiting to see IF any of the ones in stock were checked out ok by the techs.