yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Alkyrian:
Hi there,

Been there since a long time but first time posting.

Just wanted to thanks the person who is developping fire tools because you are doing an outstanding job for us.

As the owner of a fire 7 2022 if you need support for any tests on fire OS 8 do not hesitate to ask !

Have a great rest of your day !
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
"Rokify" (no "c") was an app developed for Roku streaming device. Current status undermined.

"Rockify" (with "c") may be a rebrand by Roku as Castity castify.roku. Available on GPS and APK download.

FireStick compatibility not specified, just generic "Cast Web Videos to Smart TVs".

( Who's on first base ? ... WHO! ... )
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] exlr8:
Downloaded Castify, icon says Rokify but when I try to run it says not available on this device. I don't know....3rd base.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
Amazon's Fire tablets "strikes out" ... Again ... Sigh!
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
I largely agree with your sentiments @Davy49

If you strip out "all things Amazon" down to to the bare FireOS , Fire tablets are merely budget-basement non-name Android devices. Underprvisioned with limited RAM, low level CPU, weak camera imaging, no GPS chip, no SIM card, running on old (even retired) , crippled Android OS forks. Graphics are okay but not spectacular. They are cheap for a reason.

Even worse, in Canada, Amazon disabled native Android voice engine so that "Alexa" and native voice-to-text is totally dysfunctional . Fire tablets are part of the Amazon/Echo ecosystem, stupid!

As an unbranded non-name Android tablet, I believe that it would be an unmarketable product, even at such low price points. Amazon Prime Day prices make them almost disposable. This is not an aspirationaal product.

A sow's ear is still a sow's ear , a frog is still a frog.

Going forward, I think Fire Toolbox will have diminishing capabilites, given Amazon's persistent drive to lock-down FireOS ... Look at Google Play on FireOS 8.

I deeply respect @Datastream33 as the developer and all the XDA volunteer members supporting him (like @blaacksheep). XDA devs/mods/hacks are the lifeblood for these folks. Members of the XDA community are fervent to get the most out of, or even vastly extend their hardware and software ... This is their passion! ... And they often succeed!

But the recent demands of "one-and-done" users and the relentless pursuit of Amazon to further tighten their grip on Fire tablets, has recently taken a toll on the community ... It doesn't seem to be as much "fun".

Going forward, I hope Fire Toolbox and its community grows and

thrives ... inside I'm not so sure.

Is there a new Fire tablet on my future shopping list ?? Maybe, but not likely.

End of rant.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] exlr8:
Honestly, I think my 7 yr. old fire HDX had more functionality than my current hd 10 2021 gen 11. It had gps built in as well as screen mirroring capabilities which were easily enabled. I picked up the 10 on prime day for $52 with trading in the old HDX which I did only because the sound function was unstable. Got 7 yrs. out of it so no complaints. As @Jumbo100 said "they are cheap for a reason". My next tablet purchase will probably be a dedicated true android device. Without @Datastream33's wonderful work, these tablets would be far less functional and usable. His years of work and support for this project are truly amazing and I am glad that he decided to step away for a much needed respite. His enthusiasm and expertise are very much appreciated. And I would also like to thank @blaacksheep for his tireless patience and dedication to helping the project along with his unending patience and knowledge.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
Hi there Alkyrian, Welcome to XDA!

That would be Datastream33. He is the Fire Master and the reason for us all hanging around here.

PS: thanks for the offer of help. :)
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] mydave1:
Well said.

Without @Datastream33 and @blaacksheep, I would never consider Amazon tablet. Although my Fire HD10 Plus has no problem with both Amazon & Google App Stores, I too would return and look elsewhere.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Davy49:
Jumbo100,

I surely don't consider any part of this post any kind of a 'rant' whatsoever, the amazon fire tablet products started out as a viable alternative as a lower priced tablet compared to some different tablets. But then the powers to be @ amazon decided they needed extra revenue (so they could have the funds to buy expensive yachts..etc.) so they decided to mess with the firmware on the fire tablets so it couldn't be modified so easy. Like other members have stated already, we owe a great deal of gratitude to datastream the developer of this great fire toolbox for all of the time & effort that it took to get it to the level of usability that it's reached as of today. At the moment I feel like he's really frustrated with amazon for continually trying to cripple the fire toolbox due to the amazon developers purposely adding bits of additions to their firmware to make the fire toolbox less & less usable. We need to continually encourage & be thankful for this great application.

David
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
What we're really seeing is the lingering aftermath of the the 2017-2019 corporate fued between Amazon and Google over access to content/rights to both IP and respective software/hardware. In the grand scheme of things , it was a minor business tiff and a clashof CEO prestige/egos , and was begrudgingly resolved.

As usual , the only casualty was the consumer. Previously Amazon/Google had an amicable working relationship, but during the fued both sides cut each other off from their respective ecosystems ... no Google hardware and content sold on Amazon, no Google content available to Amazon products.

Fued over, things were never the same.

Hence the genesis of Fire Toolbox in 2019 as a utility to bridge Google Play Store and Fire tablets. But Amazon is still showing its ongoing contempt for Google by continually using FireOS development as a dig against Google (and Android, a Google Product).

I can't see why Amazon could not use a full version of Android on Fire tablets and still retain a solid branding. The reason, of course , is that would require Google certification and a de facto subservience to Google's domain. Corporate ego ... Bah!

Too bad ... a closer relationship would benefit both companies, but more importantly the CONSUMER!

End of rant, part 2.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] wapebira:
I am not the same as the OP. Mine is an HD10 11th gen with 7.3.2.1. And it is the third one on which I use the toolbox, in a short time interval. The other two that I did had no issue, but I used toolbox 28.6
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] sfallon:
Thank you so much! I really appreciate the helpful tips I am getting here to help me keep up with our demand. Fire tablets are so affordable for our non profit - but the users really need Google so I am very grateful for everyone here for your tech guidance!
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
FYI @sfallon

Since you are probably buying Fire tablets "in bulk", please check out the posts over the last several days re: compatibility problems with recent FireOS 8 roll out and some Google apps (and more?) ... full extent to be determined. FireOS 8 only on new Fire 7 tablet (2022, 12th generation) released June, 2022.

Google Play suite of APKs appear to install properly but overall app compatibility is problematic.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] mydave1:
Good points. I'd add a few problems I had. At times I had to reboot a few times for the charging to start. At every reboot, there is a missing SD card alert. Kind of annoying.

I'd would suggest checking out Samsung budget A8 tablet that is going on on sale for under $200, if that fits within the budget. Perhaps the price would even be lower for bulk purchase & for non profit.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
Wow @mydave1 ... Looks like FireOS 8 isn't ready for "Prime Time" yet.

Can't imagine "first adaptor" problems for a budget Fire tablet; this isr't radical new technology. Sounds like sloppy product management, to release hardware with such basic bugs. Kind of indicative of Amazon's "dilettante" approach to their technology.

If FireOS 8 can't properly do a basic "bootstrap" of new Fire 7 (2022) , there may be deeper problems yet to resolve.

OTA updates would be only way get the f/w patches which will be inevitable.

Will be tough for Fire Toolbox to work in this environment, if at all.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] dcooterfrog:
It's august 2 2022

On my hd8 10th gen, not updated to 7.3.2.2. The amazon shop app now says "amazon shopping is no longer supported on this device" and redirects me to the browser.

Is this to force me to take the upgrade .

I cleared cache and rebooted. No joy
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
Try "Amazon for Tablets" app on GPS instead. Specially designed for tablet screen format. See app notes on GPS "About this App". Works on my Fire HD10 (2021).

Looks like "Amazon Shopping" app latest update set up for phones only now and kicked you out, uncerimoniosly. I think the warning is from GPS, NOT an alert from FireOS.

Log out of your Amazon account and uninstall "Amazon Shopping" app as a precaution.

DO NOT FORCE FireOS UPDATE or you will lose a good part of your Fire Toolbox setup.

Ref: warnings per FTB Introduction Post #1 and lots of posts by @blaacksheep et al.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] exlr8:
Anybody running an antivirus program on their tablets? If yes, which one do you recommend? Thanks
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
ESET Mobile Security is the only "name" brand AV on Amazon App Store.

Aviva Security works well, high malware detection rate. Light on resources.

AVAST, Kaspersky, Bitdefender other brand names on GPS.

All of the above have basic "free" versions with barebones AV scan detection. Probably all you need if you're careful. Full versions require annual subscriptions. All perform similarly in lab conditions.

Full version are often "overkill" with lots of AV bloatware which you may never need.

I use full version of Malwarebytes subscription since that is my primary Windows AV. Multiplatforrm including Android for 5-devices. Great but resource intensive.

Android Advisor mag has lots of Android-specfuc AV reviews.

Old venerable AV advice : Best AV is between your ears! If in doubt, don't go there !

In all my years in computing, I've never has a serious malware attack ... but then again I'm chronically paranoid !
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
Addendum : also be sure to use VPN with anything requiring on-line security eg online-banking and in public spaces ... More paranoia ! Also good password manager , 2-factor authentication ... and it never ends.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Davy49:
I'm just trying to obtain some valid feedback, if a person was in the market to buy a 'real' android tablet that came with all of the normal google services already installed on it, & without being very expensive where would be a good place to start looking for one. The reason I'm compelled to do this is the fact that my current fire 7 (9th generation) is so slow due to it's very modest specifications that at least for me it's not really worth it to keep trying to use it. When I do decide to use it it's so very frustrating to have to wait for sites to load due to the nature of my tablet specification wise. By the way, I'm typing the comment on my lenovo thinkpad that's running the latest version of the chromeos flex, the only negative thing about this o.s. is the fact that I can't install any google play store apps.

David
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] RiCkLaR:
Samsung makes the best Android tablets, but they are generally pricey. Lenovo is a close second, and the keep the OS close to being stock Android with not too many modifications in the Android OS, plus are sold at fair price points to undercut Samsung pricing. Samsung and Lenovo at least attempt to update the OS for a short time, while all other brands generally don't get any after-sales support. If you don't care about security updates or OTA updates, then a cheap generic Chinese tablet might suit your needs, like Chuwi or Teclast. Check out YouTube for reviews, one channel to check out is "My Next Tablet."
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] dcooterfrog:
That's the one I am using according to playstore. The error is "in app" and redirects me to the amazon website.

using toolbox 28 i enabled disabled and enabled shop amazon (which is the tablet version) and it still redirects after working a moment.

by hd10+ does not fail, (also older verion of fire OS", 7.3.1.9) even weirder my fire hd8 on 7.3.2.2 does not have this problem. it works like my hd10
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Davy49:
Hi,

Thanks so much for your feedback, in my case I've already got two lenovo products that I'm very happy with I'd have to say at least to start off with I'd probably start off by looking at their tablets. I could probably buy one on ebay.com at a decent price because over the years I've always been able to buy what I was looking for at the time at a fair price. And now with them selling ebay refurbished products that normally come with a one year warranty that makes it even better.

David
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] dcooterfrog:
A factory reset and retoolbox allows it to work again everything google seems to work but contacts.

Gmail and calendar work fine as does play store and drive.

contacts take forever to sync.

i think both are ME problems
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
So glad that you got your Fire Tablet "back to "normal" " .

Looks like native Amazon Shop corrupted access to Amazon for Tablet during an update, and wouldn't let you correct the update through GPS reinstall. Another case of "duelling" updates.

The ultimate source is probably an Amazon Shop problem, but as a native "system" app you have no access to repair/reinstall it independently. Not sure how Fire Toolbox would handle this. Trying to reinstall Amazon Shop through GPS would have compounded the problem.

A shame you had use "brute force" factory refresh get get Amazon Shop working again, but that is often the Amazon Customer Service response to problems with native Fire apps. Thanks , Amazon.

Ref various posts on thread for Gmail/contacts sync fixes.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
Ughhh. I just checked both of my tablets, and one of them (the oldest one with v7.3.1.2 on it) has the same problem with Shop Amazon. The other one is fine. I tried everything a quick Google search would turn up and a couple of ADB tools to try and downgrade the app, but Amazon was kind enough to NOT include the 3 dot menu in their version of the App Info page where the option to revert to the factory version would be included. THANK YOU AMAZON!!!

Well, considering I have a 512 GB memory card in this tablet and it's half-full, I won't be shopping Amazon on this tablet anymore. I'm not about to factory reset it, re-Toolbox it, restore all my apps, AND copy over 250 GB back to an SD card over a USB 2.0 interface!

Ya probably lost a few impulse buys, Amazon.(n)
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
Good grief, Amazon!

@blaacksheep do you think this will eventually ripple down to all Amazon Shop installs on Fire Tablets with FTB or is this a fixable glitch at the Amazon server end ?

How would you get a Amazon Shop app update without OTA ? or is it deeper at FireOS level ?
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
I must've let an app update for an Amazon app slip by me in the Play Store. The advice to not let Google Play update any of your pre-installed Amazon apps still stands! I let one through without paying attention and it's my loss along with Amazon's for not providing REMOVING the built-in tool to remove the offending app. Lesson driven home: Always disable automatic updating in the Play Store and only manually update non-Amazon apps.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] exlr8:
I have also gotten the notification about shop amazon on my fire 10 2021 gen 11. Got it a few days ago, happened right after I used the toolbox to disable the lockscreen. I can live with having to make purchases directly from the website because after all the time invested in getting the tablet set up, I really don't want to do a reset and start all over just to be able to make in app purchases.

I wonder if Amazon intentionally would do something like this in order to force the user to update. Kind of reminds me how Apple got caught intentionally slowing down older i-phones to force people to upgrade.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
I don't think the feud is quite over between Amazon and Google. It's like a little brother and sister having a fight and both of them being sent to different corners. They still throw things at each other when no one is looking.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
Appears not be a corrupt Amazon Shop app but an forced Amazon "upgrade" ??!!

See @blaacksheep post.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
It's just the version that comes with the tablet is not compatible with the version from the Play Store, but the Play Store doesn't know or care and will update it anyway unless you disable Play Store automatic updating.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
Incideous ... but it figures !!

" A Plague 'o both your houses " ... Again !
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] exlr8:
I had auto updates turned off in GPS and Amazon Appstore but still got shopping app is no longer supported on this device, so not sure how this happened.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] blaacksheep:
I thought I did too, but due to reasons mentioned a couple posts ago I won't be redoing it. Now if I get the urge to spend money and I'm on that tablet at the time, it'll just have to be important enough to either grab the other tablet or go to the website, but probably neither. Sorry Amazon.:(
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] exlr8:
I don't blame you for not resetting your tablet. I don't want to reset mine either and I don't have anything close to what you have on yours. It's actually easy enough to just click on the yellow bar under the notification and you are taken to the website if you want to make a purchase. As you said, it's their loss.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
Not your fault!

It appears that Amazon updated Amazon Shop and Amazon for Tablets around July 14.

Tablets with OTA-on updated per normal. No harm.

Tablets with OTA-off have a problem. Goggle Play has the updates on their system (You can install both on other Android devices). Google Play checks compatibility of Amazon for Tablets, but finds it is now incompatible with old Amazon Shop/Tablet installed on un-upgraded tablet . Throws up a red flag.

It's Amazon's fault ! No backward compatibility . No specific warning.

Subtle/not so subtle message from Amazon to upgrade ... Security/usability reasons, you now.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Eiion:
Whenever starting the Disney+ app (installed via Fire Toolbox yesterday) im getting this error:

I assume this is because of course everything amazon has been turned off. But I wonder if it would be possible to emulate a successful connection? As a little quality of life update to Toolbox?
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Davy49:
So nice to see some very informative suggestions given here in this topic, as I'm much more familiar & informed with the ms windows o.s., I'm still trying to obtain knowledge pertaining to the android platform which in fact based on the linux o.s. . :)
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Davy49:
Hi,

Due to my choice for purchasing a lower end specification model of a fire tablet (fire 7 - 9th generation) I have to be very thoughtful in deciding what software applications I install on my tablet. Yesterday while doing some additional research as to how I might be able to make my tablet more efficient & enjoyable to use when I desire to do so. I found this app on the google play store & after installing it & playing around with the setting I've got my tablet performing better that it ever has since I've owned it. Here's a link to the app I'm referring to: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=imoblife.memorybooster.lite&hl=en :)

Update: I just installed the latest version of ftb (28.9) I mainly just wanted to check everything out due to the fact that I'm a techy type of guy that's always been inquisitive about things. I just wanted to report that I still have an issue with deleting four items in the 'Manage Amazon Apps' area in the manual simple disable section. They are the following: Amazon Youtube, Files, Mopria Print Service, & Washington Post. The great thing is the fact that with the play store app that I've included a link to in this reply, there's a setting within the app so as to prevent all of the app's I chose not to run at startup which has sped up my tablet. I'm still wondering as to why I'm unable to disable the apps I've indicated here in the update to my original message. :-(
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] dcooterfrog:
i think the block was server side. as i said the app worked for a moment. there is an updated version of fire os available i am downloading it on one of my tablets now. the factory resete on my "low version" corrected it but i don't know for how long
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] dcooterfrog:
OK i updated ny hd8 to 7.3.2.3 (yes i know. if i cant get ti to work i will sell teh tablet.

Play store installed and updated my apps

Chrome works

gmail works

drive works

calendar works

launcher redirect works no redirect

links that should open play store get a message ... you are trying to open a likn to a market not installed on the device. I still need to disable amazon apps so i might fix that.

but

the custom nav bat has a home button but it is not visible. pressing it does nothing. i think the automate flow is no thtere.

how can i add an icon for the custom nave bar. and manually add the flow.
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] sfallon:
Thank you @yellowfin34 and @blaacksheep! I was able to download your folder yellowfin34 and move those files into the Firetoolbox Google Services bin and I downloaded the contact sync and calendar sync apks that blaacksheep posted and added those too. Now I am back in business! I have a stack of tablets that I can set up for clients in need. Some of my clients are families from the Ukraine and Haiti that are new to our community and now they will be connected and parents and children will be ready for school with Google Classroom etc. Technology is now an essential need and I just want to let Firetool programmers and you all know the difference you are making in the lives of people with unmet needs! - Grateful to you!
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
@Datastream33 , @blaacksheep and all FTB contributors :

Fire Toolbox is so much than a Fire tablet "hack" ... For some it's used as a life changer and a Life Saver !

You're all HEROS ... Keep the FTB community alive and well !

and @sfallon you're an ANGEL on Earth!
[Fire HD 8 and HD 10 Android Development] Jumbo100:
Welcome to the brave New world of Android ... Lots to learn.

Check all the other XDA topics on the site ... amazing what the devs/"hackers" can do with their devices ... but FTB and @Datastream33 are Special!