Polish Hammer
made of glass
Bump for the day crowd.
I think it's been possible to sideload Google Play in the past but I'm not sure about the most recent Amazon 6.3.1 update that was pushed on 5/4. Usually, Amazon updates break root unless you've blocked it somehow. I guess it could also change whether not sideloading certain apps can work.Somehow, my rooted Fire didn't get the recent update - which is good. Seems as though others using the Modaco ROM like me are reporting similar results.I'm not sure if you could sideload Play on 6.3 either. I think it may have been possible but not sure how easy it is/was.ETA: You'd have to sideload Google Frameworks in addtion to the Play apk file.A number of people have talked about the rooting/ROM/sideloading/etc on this to get more apps and functionality. At this point I'd like to be able to just access Google Play without losing any current functionality. What is the minimum I need to do to get that result?Also, the wife was trying to do GMail on the native Silk browser. Reading emails was easy, but once we hit "REPLY" we couldn't find out where to touch to open up the editor so we could actually type a response. Any help?What are your favorite free apps and what do you use them for?Is there a calendar app that will cause the unit to power up and do an audible alarm for events as a reminder?
A number of people have talked about the rooting/ROM/sideloading/etc on this to get more apps and functionality. At this point I'd like to be able to just access Google Play without losing any current functionality. What is the minimum I need to do to get that result?Also, the wife was trying to do GMail on the native Silk browser. Reading emails was easy, but once we hit "REPLY" we couldn't find out where to touch to open up the editor so we could actually type a response. Any help?What are your favorite free apps and what do you use them for?Is there a calendar app that will cause the unit to power up and do an audible alarm for events as a reminder?
For Gmail I just use the built in E-mail client to connect to my Yahoo and g-mails account and everything seems to work just fine for me. Have you tried configuring that instead of going to it through the browser?The Fire Forum is where I go to look for answers..This link will walk you through finding out what version you are usingAs for now, she seems fine to use the built in email client. However, if I'm using the Fire I'd rather have the option to use the Gmail app and see how that works. Not sure if I'm able to log her in/out of that built in client.
How do I learn what version (6.3.1, for instance) my unit is running?
What is the best place/way for me to learn how to do this stuff?
Also, any recommendations on apps?
Yes. (You may want to occasionally update the apps by getting new apk files and installing again.)New Questions:1. So I think I figured out this sideloading stuff with the apk files and all. I installed Dropbox so now I can just find an apk I want, put it in there on the laptop, then pull it up and install it on the Fire. Once I install the app, can I just delete the apk from the Dropbox and not worry about it anymore?
You can create new folders. Dropbox on your mobile device is accessible only when you have an internet connection, but you can download any files to your Kindle for offline use. Press the file and hold down and then choose "export" and then "save to SD card."2. Dropbox has a Public and a Pictures folder. Can I create new folders on the Dropbox on my laptop and they'll appear on the KF? Can I only access those Dropboxed files when I have a WiFi or are they downloaded to the KF memory? If only accessible with WiFi, how can I move files I want onto the unit's memory?
I use both methods for different types of books. With Dropbox, you can have different books in different folders — e.g., one for poker, one for recipes, etc. — if you want to keep them separate. Emailing to mail@kindle.com just puts them all in the Docs folder, I think; but if you don't mind that, that method seems to be easier (and it automatically puts the book on your device, not just in the cloud, if that's how you've got things set up at Amazon.com).3. If I find some ebooks online that I want, when I move them to the Kindle is it preferable to do it via dropbox or the mail@kindle.com delivery system? Will either way preserve the book cover picture?
1. Plug-ins (or add-ons or whatever they're called) such as LastPass.2. Bookmarks via customizable gestures.4. What are the advantages of the Dolphin HD browser over the integrated Silk one?
If I understand this right, I can store stuff in the cloud, and once I click on a book in the cloud it then copies it to the device...is that right? And that is done by emailing to the Kindle.com address, right? So once I'm done reading a book that was sent through the cloud, I can then delete it from my device but it stays on the cloud in case I want to grab it again later. Does the MOBI file type already include the book cover artwork? What about music that I have on my computer...will album artwork automatically transfer or do I need to do something to make that work?I use both methods for different types of books. With Dropbox, you can have different books in different folders — e.g., one for poker, one for recipes, etc. — if you want to keep them separate. Emailing to mail@kindle.com just puts them all in the Docs folder, I think; but if you don't mind that, that method seems to be easier (and it automatically puts the book on your device, not just in the cloud, if that's how you've got things set up at Amazon.com).3. If I find some ebooks online that I want, when I move them to the Kindle is it preferable to do it via dropbox or the mail@kindle.com delivery system? Will either way preserve the book cover picture?
If I send it by email to @kindle.com, it is stored both in the cloud and on the device (even before I click on the book in the cloud). If I upload it to Dropbox, it is only in the cloud until I open it, at which point it is on the device for at least a while. (I've never looked for it in the file structure of the device, but I've opened & closed an .epub file in a book reader app and then reopened it later with the same app even without an internet connection, and it worked.)If I understand this right, I can store stuff in the cloud, and once I click on a book in the cloud it then copies it to the device...is that right?I use both methods for different types of books. With Dropbox, you can have different books in different folders — e.g., one for poker, one for recipes, etc. — if you want to keep them separate. Emailing to mail@kindle.com just puts them all in the Docs folder, I think; but if you don't mind that, that method seems to be easier (and it automatically puts the book on your device, not just in the cloud, if that's how you've got things set up at Amazon.com).3. If I find some ebooks online that I want, when I move them to the Kindle is it preferable to do it via dropbox or the mail@kindle.com delivery system? Will either way preserve the book cover picture?
That's my understanding, although I haven't tried it.And that is done by emailing to the Kindle.com address, right? So once I'm done reading a book that was sent through the cloud, I can then delete it from my device but it stays on the cloud in case I want to grab it again later.
Yes.Does the MOBI file type already include the book cover artwork?
I'm not sure about that. I use Google Music instead of loading music onto the Kindle Fire directly. If the artwork is embedded in the .mp3 or .flac file itself, there shouldn't be a problem with the Fire displaying it, I wouldn't think. But if it's in a separate image file, you might have to do something special to make that work.What about music that I have on my computer...will album artwork automatically transfer or do I need to do something to make that work?
If it works like the phone app - you can have music on the device as well.but to stream from your google music cloud yes you need wi-fi'Polish Hammer said:OK, I'm firing up Google Music now. That is only available when you have a WiFi connection, right? Thanks for your patience/help with my (probably) stupid questions.
Right, it will play music both from the local device and from the Google Music cloud, but you need a WiFi connection for the latter.And go to the settings and make sure it's not set to cache the songs, or else it ends up taking up a lot of storage space after you use it for a while.If it works like the phone app - you can have music on the device as well.but to stream from your google music cloud yes you need wi-fi'Polish Hammer said:OK, I'm firing up Google Music now. That is only available when you have a WiFi connection, right? Thanks for your patience/help with my (probably) stupid questions.
Can't answer the first - or the second, really.May this sale involve refurbs or new units if it does or does not happen?Any info on a newer model coming any time soon?
Rumor is the new model will be out this fall.May this sale involve refurbs or new units if it does or does not happen?Any info on a newer model coming any time soon?
This report says: "According to Reuters, Amazon would begin shipping a new version of Kindle Fire this July."Rumor is the new model will be out this fall.May this sale involve refurbs or new units if it does or does not happen?
Any info on a newer model coming any time soon?
Could be. It's all speculation at this point.This report says: "According to Reuters, Amazon would begin shipping a new version of Kindle Fire this July."Rumor is the new model will be out this fall.May this sale involve refurbs or new units if it does or does not happen?
Any info on a newer model coming any time soon?
You were right!!There may or may not be a sale on Monday
I could be wrong but netflix is a different plan for streaming and dvd no?Me personally PRIME. Their selection is getting better and their rentals are much cheaper than cable (but you only get 24 hours). Now with Xbox and PS3 (I know you don't have one) but it's worth it, imoI got my wife a Kindle Fire for Mother's Day, and her free month of Prime is running out. She and the kids have used it to stream a few movies and shows but not all that much. Then last night I started playing with it and found that I can watch every episode of ST:Voyager for free so I think I'm going to start using this daily.Question: Should I stick with Prime or go to Netflix instead? We're not Netflix members right now. Netflix can stream to the Fire, correct? We don't have a PS3 or XBox so I wouldn't be able to stream to my TV (I believe.) This would be pretty much for only for the Fire though if I went with Netflix I could see getting some DVD's queued up and sent to my house.So - Amazon Prime or Netflix? Any reason to get both?

I got it on mine after I rooted it. Make sure you have the "Allow Applications From Unknown Sources" option checked in your Application settings.Can I load Spotify on this thing? I just got it for Fathers Day and it doesn't want to load it. Screen just stays blank when I hit the load button.
Yeah - just did the "allow apps from unknown ..." and then attempt to load spotify but still got the blank white screen after hitting the load button. I know nothing about rooting.I got it on mine after I rooted it. Make sure you have the "Allow Applications From Unknown Sources" option checked in your Application settings.Can I load Spotify on this thing? I just got it for Fathers Day and it doesn't want to load it. Screen just stays blank when I hit the load button.
ETA: Hey! I kept poking around and got it to load! Unfortunately it loads as a mobile device and will require $10/mo if I want to use it past the 48 hour trial period.I've been using this one. No kids, but it has worked pretty well for me. It doesn't have a screen protector although I'm sure you can buy a film one and use it in combination if you are worried about the screen.What is a decent case to buy that won't bulk up the Fire too much but still gives it protection in case a kid that is using it (mine are 4 and 6) drops it on the floor?
I really recommend getting a color one. Its much easier to find when someone carries it off and sets it down, The black is like camouflage in my house.I've been using this one. No kids, but it has worked pretty well for me. It doesn't have a screen protector although I'm sure you can buy a film one and use it in combination if you are worried about the screen.What is a decent case to buy that won't bulk up the Fire too much but still gives it protection in case a kid that is using it (mine are 4 and 6) drops it on the floor?
Yeah I deleted, my statement. Didn't realize the new announcement. I guess I'm not going to be getting VOD any time soon thenMore updates here: https://twitter.com/AmazonKindle
New Kindle Fire HD announced in 7" and 9" form. Says 40% faster and better battery.

Boom goes the dynamite! Exactly what I was waiting for.More updates here: https://twitter.com/AmazonKindle
New Kindle Fire HD announced in 7" and 9" form. Says 40% faster and better battery.
*pre-ordering as soon as possibleKindle Fire HD 8.9” offers the same advanced technology on a large 1920x1200 HD display, plus a powerful processor and graphics engine.
From Engadget live blogCrap - price?
The large one ships November 20th, by the way.TweetBrian Heater 11:46 AMThe 8.9 inch 16Gb version is $299.Brian Heater 11:45 AMThe 7-inch 16GB is $199.
So my bday is in October. I listen to all you guys and get the Nexus 7 as an early present. I hate you all, if I just waited....From Engadget live blogCrap - price?The large one ships November 20th, by the way.TweetBrian Heater 11:46 AMThe 8.9 inch 16Gb version is $299.Brian Heater 11:45 AMThe 7-inch 16GB is $199.