yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] loughrey101:
You should use ADB to block the update until the issues with the new update can be panned out.

---------- Post added at 01:24 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:17 AM ----------

That's really unfortunate, but it does indeed make sense as to why Amazon would do this as the reason they didn't take the Apple TV/Roku route with the app friendly interface is because it's only 99 dollars compared to 170 dollars because it's a subsidized streaming box they hope to recuperate the loss for through their Prime content. Just when they seemed to be getting more lenient with their permission for sideloaded apps they do this. They have also happened to block the King Root method in that update apparently, so there's certainly evidence of a clamp down on customization.

I don't have the update as I blocked it but you say they have removed ADB entirely from the device or only at the native level to prevent apps from exploiting it?
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] jkchr1s:
adbd (the adb server on the device) is still present. You can connect via adb as you always could from a computer, but the shell user is more restricted than in the past.

The adb executable on the device (which was being used to workaround the home button activity launch throttling) no longer exists in the /system/bin directory.
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] loughrey101:
Probably proof right there that they did directly attempt to break Firestarter. It must all be tied around adb as other popular launchers like FiredTV have been out for 2 years now without any attempts to break them, it's what led me to assume it was more coincidence than deliberate.

Personally i have found the best way to detect home button was through using Rbox's mods after root to completely disable Fire Launcher's attempts to communicate with the home button., allowing Firestarter full control over the home button.
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] zander21510:
Well I attempted to disable the update...but my wife inadvertently got it downloaded today, so no more firestarter. Hoping for a fix soon, thanks for all the hard work!

In her words:

Me: "Just double tap the home button for now and all the apps are there [amazon's native interface]."

Wife: "I want the squares!"

Me: "I know, they're working on it."

Wife: "They need to go faster! This [amazon's app list] is stupid!"
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] loughrey101:
Did you not disable via ADB after rooting? Disabling via root access seems to be the only foolproof way to avoid OTA now.
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] Y314K:
[MENTION=6289000]jkchr1s[/MENTION]

Got to fully test it now. Did multiple reboots with it too.

Everything looks & feels the same. (FireStarter v3.2.3)

After a restart/reboot FireStarter "Startup Application" option works just fine every time.

If you check for a FireStarter Update. It says you already got the latest version.

Both Kodi/SPMC check for updates, install & updates work just like before. (My favorite feature)

Like mentioned before. "Home Button Double Click App" is dead. No matter what settings one tries. Amazon "My Apps List" is what shows up.

FireStarter icon is now @ Home/Recent.

None of the two Non-ADB "Home Button Single Click Application" monitoring are working. It just stays @ Home. But the FireStarter Home/Recent icon/shortcut is right there.

Hate seeing the Full "My Apps List" load when you double click Home. It should only load installed apps or let FireStarter have it's double home button option back.

Great work [MENTION=6289000]jkchr1s[/MENTION] :good: .
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] jkchr1s:
Thanks. Yeah, I couldn't get the non-adb detection to work either. The adb detection method worked great for me though. Were you able to successfully use the adb detection with my patch? I had to disconnect adb from my laptop, turn adb off in developer options, wait a few seconds, turn it back on, then in FireStarter re-enable ADB detection. After that, it seemed to work 100% of the time via adb home detection.
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] Y314K:
Since selling Prime or VOD is what they want. They will eventually come after Kodi/SPMC like they have with FireStarter. There are no problems with the double click option on the Amazon side with FireStarter running. So they did not have to disable FireStarter.

Your wife is brilliant. Having to load the Full Apps list is completely stupid. Maybe if they made that list a favorites list it would make sense. I have close to 500 FTVS compatible apps. And that list keeps refreshing the list. And I really don't like horizontal scrolling to get to what one wants. :rolleyes:

[MENTION=6289000]jkchr1s[/MENTION]

Before I was afraid of this project forking or splintering if multiple revisions would get release by multiple folks. But since everything looks & feels the same as the official FireStarter v3.2.3. And if you check for a FireStarter Update. It says you already got the latest version. Which means that if [MENTION=3172973]sphinx02[/MENTION] releases an update. As long as he changes the file version on his update server. He will still have full control of his App. I think it should be fine if you re-post this quick FireStarter patch APK. That way folks don't have to wait for a official fix. And [MENTION=3172973]sphinx02[/MENTION] will still be in full control of it. What do you think. If you agree, please repost the link below. Thanks again for your quick fix option. And Thanks to [MENTION=3172973]sphinx02[/MENTION] for this indispensable app. :highfive:
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] jkchr1s:
Well, there are a couple of issues I'm not sure of:

- The package name is different. Not sure what this will do when an update would come out.

- I signed the patched version with a key I generated. It would differ from [MENTION=3172973]sphinx02[/MENTION]'s build. Although I'm not sure this would matter since we aren't distributing from an app store (I'm fairly certain Android's package manager won't allow it to update, but I'm not positive as I've never tried).

I'd feel more comfortable letting [MENTION=3172973]sphinx02[/MENTION] decide how he wants to handle it. I'm just glad with the help of you guys on here, we got a working solution.

However, that being said, worst case scenario you remove the patched build and re-install the official release. I'd still like to let the original developer decide what's best. I worked with [MENTION=3172973]sphinx02[/MENTION] briefly when trying to come up with a solution for the Fire tablet 5th gen and he was a really good guy. I don't want to start willy nilly thowing around unofficial versions in his thread. I just wanted to test on a few other devices to confirm it worked. :) I'm sure he will get something out to everyone as soon as he has the time to review everything.

Thanks again for testing!
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] Y314K:
Your right about those possible problems. Since we don't know what method(s) [MENTION=3172973]sphinx02[/MENTION] will choose to cook into it. But at worst updating to his official release from your version would probably just install a second FireStarter to its own place. Although either way we will have to uninstall the old or your versions & reinstall the official updated APK.

One way to test this would be if you created a v3.2.2 with your exact fix & then to try to update from within FireStarter v3.2.2. to official v3.2.3. And see what happens. My guess is you would have two instances of FireStarter installed until you reboot. And v3.2.3 would be disabled. But version v3.2.2 would still be there. Would be an interesting exercise. :silly:

[MENTION=3172973]sphinx02[/MENTION] Please make sure the "http://fs.bpx.li" server gets updated with the next version so folks can ES Explorer update. Which is the easiest method.

Hopefully [MENTION=3172973]sphinx02[/MENTION] will release an official update soon. Thanks to you he won't have to wait for the update to know what Amazon did to break it.
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] loughrey101:
Yeah, I have always feared they would target Kodi one day and I am surprised they have not up to now considering the had pulled it from their own app store at some point. This was the main reason I have opted for rooting the device and stick to prerooted roms, and only buy the new one once i heard a root was confirmed. Never felt comfortable allowing Amazon to slap updates on automatically because we never know what surprises are lurking in these 'bug fixes' until they've come out and are tested. Fingers crossed!
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] eXOBeX:
If they start implementing a constantly-updating or online blacklist to catch name changes then the next step would be to either steal the name of something official (meaning they'd block a legitimate app if they tried) or release a step-by-step idiot's guide to building the APK from source, which would mean Amazon would suddenly have hundreds of never-published variants of FireStarter (or Kodi for that matter if the same idiot's guide applies) that they would struggle to block. Just thinking a few steps ahead here.
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] manic01:
Need to hold home button

select my apps

select kodi

add to favs

then ok

Then shows in my recent apps
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] killerz298:
I look forward to a fix for this app but I am sick and tired of this walled garden bull****. Let me use my ****ing device as I see fit! I think I have had it with the stick. I might try to sell it and pick up something less restrictive. I'm looking for something portable (like the stick) that will let me do whatever the hell I please. Any suggestions?
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] yooroo:
Maybe amazon disabled it because it conflicted with its own "new" double click home button. Maybe firestarter could use the "horizontal lines" button for the double click to launch kodi? Or another button?
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] dazza1414:
My firestarter has disappeared from my stick. I re-installed it via adb but it's still not showing on my stick???
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] Teamster671:
The last 7 pages are about the issue
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] ftateen:
firestarter is a must need. I setup a friends new fire tv and forgot to block the updates in my router, (recently new router). Now now I have to go to manage applications to launch kodi. Even after running kodi and closing it, it does not appear in the apps menu or any other menu for an easy launch. Even double taping the home button as well to bring up the Fire TV recent apps. its just a waiting game now.
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] Nobuddy0816:
Tried FiredTV as an alternative yesterday and it works, so it seems other launcher are not affected by the block.

I've also noticed, that spmc is not starting properly within the recent apps menu. It shows the splash screen then jump back to the amazon launcher.

So i've had to launch firedtv via the system settings->apps and then launch spmc. It works. After that i was able to launch spmc again from the recent apps menu.

The double click feature isn't important to me, but i also love the firestarter launcher to sort apps out and run spmc while i'm also able to jump to the

amazon stock launcher using instant video and vice versa. Hopfully the issue could be fixed!

Otherwise i think about selling my two amazon fire tv's and buy one nvidia shield for maximum freedom...
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] immerzu:
This is a temporary solution. Thank you.
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] Oobermannn:
Amazon blacklisted Firestarted

You are probably aware that Amazon have blacklisted FireStarter so it has been deleted from peoples sticks. I was just wondering if you will be doing a fix so I can get it back?
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] Teamster671:
The last 6 or 7 pages of this thread is about the issue
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] CANOLLIS:
Amazon Fire TV

is not working on version 5.0.5.1 is uninstalling itself
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] DaPhinc:
v2.4.1 solved all my problems with the stock amazon launcher appearing instead of firestarter. Thanks a lot for this update! Now it works perfectly fine!
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] sphinx02:
Hey [MENTION=4680260]dieteric[/MENTION], yes I know this is kind of a problem. Afaik there is no way to limit adb access. In newer versions of Android there is a authentication modus for adb (dialog shows up and asks if pc/app xy is allowed to connect) perhaps this will come in future to the FireTV, for the moment I can only suggest to stay in a safe (home-)network..

In theory this is possible but I think I will not implement this. The problem is that even if you are only performing a single click I have to wait a time till I can be sure that you are not performing a double (or even a triple) click. If I also allow triple-clicks, this time (which is also customizable at the moment) have to be set up because you have to be able to click the home-button three times in this time limit. I dont think this is a good idea. I recommend to reorder the apps in the App for quick access and start apps via the App..
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] sphinx02:
v2.5

A new release is available. This time with a very helpful new app-menu (rechable via the settings-button) and german translation.

v2.5

Check out settings-button: Added menu for apps to move app (same than long-click) or to open app-specific settings

Items in the left selection bar are now also clickable with a mouse

Added german translation and manual setting of the current language

Spelling corrections

Hit THANKS button if you like it! :)

Or buy me a cup of coffee, donation-link on GitHub​
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] mscroggi:
Ah! Somehow I missed the capability to reoeder the apps. Moving Kodi to the top makes it really easy. I just noticed in the new version there is even a menu item to do it. Awesome!
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] dk1keith:
This is a really great app! Been using it since you first posted it and I thought it was already nice. Now it is just great. Best app launcher out for the fire tv by far.

thanks again for a great app.
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] eXOBeX:
Config backup/restore

Is the FireStarter configuration stored somewhere on the AFTV file system where it can be pushed/pulled with ADB? On Llama it's not but that has a backup/restore feature which puts the config in /sdcard/Llama where it can be transferred.
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] sphinx02:
Thank you very much :)

Currently there is no possibility to export, copy or move the settings of the App. I thought it is not necessary as up to now there are not so many settings. I will think about a settings import/export feature in the next release..
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] eXOBeX:
Cool. I prefer double-press-for-FireStarter which is why I asked (plus being able to import/export the hidden app list would make it easier to automatically childproof FireStarter whilst leaving more powerful apps such as ES File Explorer buried in the Manage Applications menu).

Very nice app by the way, Llama and FiredTV are on my "adb uninstall" command list (com.altusapps.firedtvlauncher and com.kebab.Llama if anyone wants to know) :)

In the meantime at least I can shave a few seconds off the install time by adding this to my ADB install script:-

adb shell am start -n de.belu.firestarter/.gui.MainActivity

That'll launch FireStarter without me having to go into the Manage Applications menu, useful if installing it on a Fire TV that's 60 miles away (which I'll be doing later today).
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] ZweiZeiten:
Was drunken, testing this app, got catched by this slim interface, searching the theme setting, found no theme settings. Makin a concept for interface...

How can i customize the interface as a code noob?

greetz
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] sphinx02:
Hi,

yes I can consider to change the wording. But at the moment I am thinking also of a complete redesign and removing the left bar completely. Moving the update and info/system section into the settings (perhaps having the left bar only in the settings-view). And then add the possibility to stick some important apps + having one additional icon to go into the the App settings.. What do you think about that?

Wow, great design sample, how have you done this? Is it only Photoshop or have you already done a XML layout for Android-Studio? If it is not too much work, can you also give us a sample design without the left-bar? I really like the idea of having some important apps as "sticky"-apps...
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] mjbxx:
I'm all for this as there would be more apps displayed on the FireStarter home screen much like FiredTV. The settings idea is great for consolidating menu items and adding important apps like Es Explorer. Am I understanding this possible change correctly?
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] eXOBeX:
I've found a little "feature" of FireStarter. If you add FireStarter itself to the hidden app list (not that it matters as it's hidden anyway) it doesn't appear in the selectors for single/double Home press.
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] ZweiZeiten:
First of all, thank you. All Icons/fonts/textures are all free to use (Google Font/flaticon.com/subtlepatterns.com). I can deliver a package with the graphic material. It contains psd, icons, etc.
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] danknasty:
Hey first i just wanna say this app is great I use it on all my non rooted units it's almost like having root. The only issue I have is that when I chose the launch kodi on start option about 50% of the time it starts kodi with all these weird colors and I have to restart my fire tv to get it back to normal. If this didn't happen I would use the boot kodi feature.
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] solorzano_felipe:
Used ATV Launcher Helper until I tried this. Makes things run and switch smoothly without glitch effects that Launcher Helper had. Thanks. No need to use Llama anymore.
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] eXOBeX:
Can a double-microphone-press be captured, offering a possible third launch button option for those with voice remotes?

---------- Post added at 09:23 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:16 AM ----------

Could that be a Kodi settings issue? You may want to backup your Kodi config, wipe it and see if it starts behaving itself.

Kodi backup: adb pull -p -a /sdcard/Android/data/org.xbmc.kodi/files/.kodi kodi

Kodi wipe: adb shell rm -r /sdcard/Android/data/org.xbmc.kodi

Kodi restore: adb push -p kodi /sdcard/Android/data/org.xbmc.kodi/files/.kodi/
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] sphinx02:
Hi, never hat problems with the launching app but I have never tried Kodi to be the boot-option, I always was using the App as boot-option. I will check that on my own FireTV ;)

Puh could be possible that there is also a special output when the voice-button is pressed. But also here I can not prevent the default-behaviour of the button.. Have to check this one, too ;)
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] patt2k:
good looks works nicely on fire stick!

Q1: Any chance to bring custom icon packs?

Q2: Any chance to somehow show apps that were last used or most used like on the top with bigger icons?

Q3: Any way to add weather based on location by putting in zipcode somewhere on the top, and a nice clock?

Q4: Any way to add like Wi-Fi Name (for example: Bob's Wifi 5G)

these 4 would make it perfect! it's already great.
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] cat2115:
Just bought FireTV stick yesterday from BestBuy. I followed guide to have kodi shortcut on home screen by using Llama and IkonoTV. I like your launcher which can show "sideload" app on home screen and replacing Amazon launcher. Great work. I will install your launcher tonight but before doing so do I need to uninstall IkonoTV and LIama?

For me, i don't really care if FireTV automatically boot straight to Kodi. I just want kodi icon on Home Screen and replace Amazon home screen with your.

Thanks
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] HeXDeMoN:
Is there plans to allow it to replace the launcher for thoose of us who have root? I know the main point is it doesnt need root but for thoose of us with root would love to use it without having to use log detection method.
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] jcarcinogen:
EDIT: Sorry, after forcing the app to close and relaunching it worked.

Mobdro also seems to be blocked.
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] Claude Koch:
How did you even find this forum?
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] Oobermannn:
Sorry, sent it from my phone. First post...newbie and all that. Anyway someone has recompiled a new version.
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] zander21510:
Pushed [MENTION=6289000]jkchr1s[/MENTION] 's build to my updated FireTV, works great, good deal! The wife is happy lol.

Let me know if I can contribute any logs or anything else!
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] jcarcinogen:
Worked for me too until I rebooted my firetv then I got this:

It no longer shows in installed applications in the setting but does show in es file explorer.

EDIT: Rebooted again and the icon no longer shows up in recents just like firestarter.
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] StaplerUk:
Mobdro still works fine for me after the Amazon update, Both Mobdro and Kodi sit in "recent" so i can access both from there.

Will firesticks and firetv boxs update even if they are not signed in to an amazon account ? If so then there will be a lot of pi**ed off people today who cant access their installed apps unless the create an amazon account.
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] ftateen:
same here. I installed firedtv and rebooted and can no longer access it. so thats blocked as well it appears. I uninstalled the app, rebooted the firetv again, and reinstalled it to get fired tv back. So it should work until I reboot my firetv.
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] TROJAN4EVR:
Did you ever download kodi from the amazon app store when it was briefly available??? If so try to delete it and sync your fire tv and it should show up in apps and recent section on home screen with the 5.0.5.1 update

Oh...man...that's gona suck.....
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] StaplerUk:
After the update today all i did was On the Amazon home screen went down to Apps and Kodi and Mobdro was in "Your Apps Library", I moved over to Your Apps Library and on each app i launched them and then went back to the amazon home screen and they appeared in Recent, So now i can select them from there.
[Fire TV Themes and Apps] loughrey101:
Yes, the Fire TV will update regardless of whether you register the Fire TV or not, this is why, if you are still on version 5.0.5, you should use one of the various methods to block Amazon from pushing the current update until the issue can be resolved. Sitting on 5.0.5 would be advisable until a viable workaround has been published.