Question about the Nook HD Tablets

[guanaco]

I hope this is not a naïve question but, can one install 3rd party apps on the Nook tablets or they need to be rooted first?

[Xanthe]

You can install third party apps via Google Play. It will list the ones that will work on the Nook HD if you access GP via the device or are logged into a Google account when you access Google Play online, once you've registered your device with Google (I used one of my Gmail accounts).

While most of the offerings seem to work with the Nook HD, there are some that don't. I read somewhere (on MR perhaps?) that apps that need specific GPS access don't work because the Nook only provides location via the WiFi access point.

If you want access to every possible Android app, then you'll either have to root the Nook, or add the Clockwork Mod with the Unidentified Sources mod, or else buy one of the prepared SD cards that already have the Cyanogenmod Android version on it and which allows you boot into Android without rooting your device.

Personally, with the addition of Google Play, I haven't bothered to root my Nook HD because it basically does everything I need.

[ab78727]

Minor clarification: I believe you don't need to root to sideload 3rd party apps - you have to install ADB from the Google SDK and then get the tablet to connect to your PC. You can then "adb push <apk file>" to sideload apps. This allowed me to install apps marked incompatible by GP such as Swype and Wolfram Alpha.

[guanaco]

Thanks to both answerers (is that a word?). I think I should use the word "sideload", because by 3rd party apps I mean applications which are not on Google Play.

Anyways, if I can sideload apk files then the tablets look very desirable

Originally Posted by ab78727

Minor clarification: I believe you don't need to root to sideload 3rd party apps - you have to install ADB from the Google SDK and then get the tablet to connect to your PC. You can then "adb push <apk file>" to sideload apps. This allowed me to install apps marked incompatible by GP such as Swype and Wolfram Alpha.

[afv011]

Originally Posted by guanaco

Thanks to both answerers (is that a word?). I think I should use the word "sideload", because by 3rd party apps I mean applications which are not on Google Play.

Anyways, if I can sideload apk files then the tablets look very desirable

As noted in the post above yours, you can sideload, but only through a PC using the ADB command. To be able to sideload directly from the device you would have to root and enable "unknown sources".

[guanaco]

Originally Posted by afv011

As noted in the post above yours, you can sideload, but only through a PC using the ADB command. To be able to sideload directly from the device you would have to root and enable "unknown sources".

Thanks, I already have the SDK installed so I don't think using adb will be a problem.

[SonDan1]

Originally Posted by guanaco

Thanks, I already have the SDK installed so I don't think using adb will be a problem.

I sideloaded an apk that is not on Google Play. It is a fave from Amazon Store that I use on my Nexus 7 and want to use on my new Nook HD+. When I clicked to install I got an error that Nook does not allow apps not from Play Store. May I have the Cliff Notes or a link on how to use SDK/adb. I do not know these abbreviations.

Also sincere apologies. I got excited when I saw this post and realized I hijacked the thread. It was not meant maliciously.

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by SonDan1

May I have the Cliff Notes or a link on how to use SDK/adb.

This may help...
http://blog.the-ebook-reader.com/201...thout-rooting/

[SonDan1]

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

This may help...
http://blog.the-ebook-reader.com/201...thout-rooting/

Thank you. Off to check it out.

Ok I am back. I read it but I am still feeling stupid. I already have the apk file on my Nook. It is just that when I clicked on it to install I got the error that I could not.

The text at the link reads as if this Nook APK thing is just to put the APK file on my Nook via PC. Or am I just reading it wrong? Must I download and install this Nook APK thingy to install my sideloaded APK file?

Thanks for reading.

[ab78727]

Unfortunately, ADB is only able to push the apk from your PC (running ADB) to the tablet. So you will need to copy the apk from the tablet to some directory on your PC and then do: "adb push [Path+filename of apk]". Also, since this is an Amazon Appstore app, you will need to push the apk for it as well using the same mechanism as some apps require that running before they will run. I hope this helps you.

BTW, this would mean the following steps:
- Install ADB on your PC and ensure that your HD is in development mode. Connect the HD to the PC and type "adb devices" - it should respond with a unique serial number if it sees your device correctly.
- Find a copy of the apk that you are trying to install and copy it to your PC in some location, say "c:\temp". Also do the same for the Amazon Appstore apk.
- Type "adb push c:\temp\<app>.apk". This should install it on the HD.

[afv011]

Originally Posted by ab78727

Unfortunately, ADB is only able to push the apk from your PC (running ADB) to the tablet. So you will need to copy the apk from the tablet to some directory on your PC and then do: "adb push [Path+filename of apk]". Also, since this is an Amazon Appstore app, you will need to push the apk for it as well using the same mechanism as some apps require that running before they will run. I hope this helps you.

BTW, this would mean the following steps:
- Install ADB on your PC and ensure that your HD is in development mode. Connect the HD to the PC and type "adb devices" - it should respond with a unique serial number if it sees your device correctly.
- Find a copy of the apk that you are trying to install and copy it to your PC in some location, say "c:\temp". Also do the same for the Amazon Appstore apk.
- Type "adb push c:\temp\<app>.apk". This should install it on the HD.

You should use "adb install <apk file>" instead of "adb push".

[jpisini]

http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=2062613

You can also install the extras zip from the above post and then install any APK you want.

[ab78727]

Good catch, thanks - push will just copy to the device whereas install actually installs it.

[PatNY]

Does anyone know if I can keep the Nook HD interface and navigation just the way it is, but sideload an app? I would like to try sideloading the TV Guide Mobile app but I don't want to lose the Nook interface and navigation.

Which method of rooting/hacking would be best for this?

There seems to be a lot of methods people used to hack the HD/HD+ before B&N opened them up to Google Play and revised the firmware, and I'm not sure which method would be the easiest and safest for my purposes.

Also, for the method B&N describes for developers, does the sideloaded app appear in the list of apps just like any other normal app -- or is it somehow hidden?

I'm also wary of directions/methods that are older -- that were created on the old firmware. Would they still work on the new firmware without messing things up?

--Pat

[mystika1]

Instead of me typing I copied and pasted a reply I made to a different thread. You don't need to root to install apk's. You just need to enable unknown sources. I have the HD+ so you would have to use the appropriate download to create the sdcard.

I used this thread

http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=2062613

I downloaded sdformatter from the web to format an old sdcard that I had in the closet.
I also downloaded Win32DiskImager from the web and installed it on my computer and used it to install the following image file onto the sdcard

http://forum.xda-developers.com/atta...6&d=1368660885

after that was created I just drag and dropped the following zip onto the sdcard

http://forum.xda-developers.com/atta...4&d=1367889100

My nook was powered down and I inserted the card and let the Nook boot up and installed the zip. It is not complicated at all. Most people think that they need "root" to enjoy their Nook. I had to root my old nook tablet to get it like I wanted it but the new Nook HD and HD+ are much better(IMHO)and don't need it.

Penny