Turning a Kindle Fire HD Into a Power Tablet

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Turning a Kindle Fire HD Into a Power Tablet

Posted by timothy on Tuesday February 12, 2013 @03:42AM from the or-at-least-giving-it-some-muscle-tone dept.

jfruh writes "The Kindle Fire HD is in theory a powerful device at a reasonable price — but its Android-based OS is so oriented towards Amazon's ecosystem that it can be tricky to unlock its full potential. Still, with a little savvy you can get underneath the covers, improving battery life, getting full access to cameras and other devices, and even listening to music you've purchased through iTunes."

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Why support proprietary systems? by tsj5j · 2013-02-12 03:45 · Score: 5, Insightful

Kindle Fire HD isn't especially cheap or well-specced for its' price. For a little more, you can support the idea that Android users DO want devices not laden with locked bootloaders, operating systems, forced UI makeovers, etc. with a Nexus 7.
1. Re:Why support proprietary systems? by ckblackm · 2013-02-12 03:50 · Score: 1
  
  It gets a little harder to find a comparably priced and specced tablet for the 8.9" version.
2. Re:Why support proprietary systems? by tsj5j · 2013-02-12 04:16 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  The Nexus 10 is larger, higher-res and better specced at $85 more (comparing ad-free).
  I'll willing spend that much to vote with my wallet for an open, customizable device; not for one which is laden with commercials, locked to a single provider and essentially wants you to consume content only. I certainly don't want it to become like a portable TV, for viewing certain sanctioned content only.
3. Re:Why support proprietary systems? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-02-12 04:19 · Score: 1, Informative
  
  Well, if you've got the coin to blow an additional 30% to make a point... certainly go for it. For everyone else, there's this.
4. Re:Why support proprietary systems? by ahabswhale · 2013-02-12 04:21 · Score: 0
  
  Nexus 7 screen is smaller and sucks ass compared to the Fire HD 8.9. But the Nexus 7 does have a better processor.
  
  --
  Are agnostics skeptical of unicorns too?
5. Re:Why support proprietary systems? by blind+biker · 2013-02-12 04:26 · Score: 1
  
  Kindle Fire HD isn't especially cheap or well-specced for its' price. For a little more, you can support the idea that Android users DO want devices not laden with locked bootloaders, operating systems, forced UI makeovers, etc. with a Nexus 7.
  Moreover, the Kindle has no GPS. It's mind-boggling that Amazon decided to save a few cents and not include a GPS-capable chip in the Kindle.
  
  --
  "The agriculture ministry is not in charge of Gundam" - Japanese ministry official.
6. Re:Why support proprietary systems? by ckblackm · 2013-02-12 04:28 · Score: 1, Informative
  
  If you've got the money, then by all means... the Nexus 10 has better specs... but if money isn't so easy to come by.. you buy what you can afford.. and then use nice articles like this to make your experience more enjoyable.
7. Re:Why support proprietary systems? by SketchOfNight · 2013-02-12 04:29 · Score: 1
  
  I compared devices thoroughly before purchasing my Nexus 7 and I have to say that I find the screen size just about perfect. It's sharp, responsive and sized at a very convenient format. Plus, as you mentioned the processor is definitely superior.
  I could understand wanting to convert an existing device if you already own a Kindle Fire, but if you're buying a new one I think the Nexus 7 is the way to go hands down. The Kindle is essentially a waste of money if you compare what you get between the two devices.
8. Re:Why support proprietary systems? by ckblackm · 2013-02-12 04:32 · Score: 5, Informative
  
  That's ridiculous. YMMV, but I set a budget, saved up my money a little bit at a time, and bought what I could afford. Just because someone can't buy the best thing out there, it doesn't mean they should go without. What it does mean, is that one should temper their expectations and not complain if their choice doesn't perform like the best thing out there.
9. Re:Why support proprietary systems? by ahabswhale · 2013-02-12 04:33 · Score: 0
  
  Nexus 7 screen does suck balls though. It's not even in the same league. If you care about reading, the Kindle is clearly the better option of the two.
  
  --
  Are agnostics skeptical of unicorns too?
10. Re:Why support proprietary systems? by coldsalmon · 2013-02-12 04:43 · Score: 2, Insightful
  
  Perhaps some of us would rather have Amazon spying on us, instead of Google.
11. Re:Why support proprietary systems? by SketchOfNight · 2013-02-12 04:47 · Score: 3, Informative
  
  I've already read through two books on my Nexus 7, so I can tell you from experience it functions just fine as an eReader. I'm not sure what you're getting at in terms of screen differences, because they have identical resolutions (and PPI).. Even the Color Gamut is identical, though the red range is superior on the Nexus 7 and the Kindle Fire HD does better with greens and yellows.
  The only real noticable difference between the two screens is factory calibration and range of brightness, and it's minor. You may subconsciously perceive the Fire HD's screen as superior because it as touted as a "media device", but try a head-to-head comparison. You've been bamboozled if you think the Kindle Fire HD is far superior as a display.
12. Re:Why support proprietary systems? by NatasRevol · 2013-02-12 04:59 · Score: 1
  
  Because there's not a maps app on it?
  
  --
  There are two types of people in the world: Those who crave closure
13. Re:Why support proprietary systems? by JazzLad · 2013-02-12 05:11 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  But the Kindle has HD right there in the name, it has to be a better screen!!!11@
  
  --
  "If you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear." - Every fascist, ever
14. Re:Why support proprietary systems? by MangoCats · 2013-02-12 05:12 · Score: 2, Insightful
  
  I have a 10" tablet (iPad) and I actually prefer the 8.9" form factor, it's easier to handle - 7" is even more convenient to carry, but around the house, 8.9" is my personal sweet spot - so, no bonus assigned for a bigger screen that makes the device unwieldy to use.
  Resolution: do I really care if my tablet has more pixels than my 42" TV? Personally, 1920x1080 is good enough for me - and well worth having as compared to the first generation iPad, it is much easier to read.
  $85 more? Well, let's just say I don't care about ads on my lock screen and compare $399 to the $249 I paid for my Kindle Fire HD on pre-Christmas sale. That's a 60% premium you're paying to get your software ecosystem of choice, and I'm willing to bet the Nexus device also has waiting list / delivery time issues that the Kindle does not.
  Choice is the key here - I'm learning to love the Amazon ecosystem model, they're much better about auto-configuring the device than Apple has been: all my previously purchased apps were installed "out of the box," MP3s of my CD purchases instantly available for free. Yes, it ticks me off that they're always trying to sell me a TV show or movie for $3, or a book for $9 (where does that pricing model come from?), but mostly I find it easier to use than the iPad/iTunes model - does what I want without me burning a lot of time configuring it all.
  Seems to me, if you want to spend a lot of your time to configure it all, you should be paying less for your device, not more, but that's just an opinion.
15. Re:Why support proprietary systems? by tsj5j · 2013-02-12 05:16 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  A few points of contention here...
  1.) You are implying I'm blowing 30% only to make a point, which is only partly true. The extra money pays for better specs and future proofing. The Nexus 10 can probably last you longer (longer support for latest apps, longer support for new Android updates from Google) than the Fire HD can. Long-term, the Nexus 10 is definitely the better value proposition.
  2.) Tablets are in itself a luxury for most. 10 inch tablets are even more so the luxury than their 7 inch counterparts, where Nexus 7 is the priced the same as the ad-ridden Kindle Fire HD 7 inch. If you're spending 300+ dollars on a "want", 80 dollars more is barely a stretch, isn't it.
16. Re:Why support proprietary systems? by tsj5j · 2013-02-12 05:17 · Score: 2
  
  The extra money pays for better specs and future proofing. The Nexus 10 can probably last you longer (longer support for latest apps, longer support for new Android updates from Google) than the Fire HD can. Long-term, the Nexus 10 is definitely the better value proposition.
17. Re:Why support proprietary systems? by Sique · 2013-02-12 05:22 · Score: 1
  
  You don't need an GPS to buy stuff from Amazon. So what's the incentive for Amazon to include a GPS capable chip into a device whose main raison d'etre is to buy from Amazon?
  
  --
  .sig: Sique *sigh*
18. Re:Why support proprietary systems? by ckblackm · 2013-02-12 05:26 · Score: 2
  
  Oh don't get me wrong... I wouldn't mind the better item... but I couldn't justify the extra cost (especially considering the Amazon gift cards and amazon points I had saved up). I'm happy with the Kindle.. it does what I need it to, and I generally buy e-books and music through Amazon, anyway. But, while the situation made sense for ME... it doesn't mean that for someone else, a different solution wouldn't be better.
19. Re:Why support proprietary systems? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-02-12 05:28 · Score: 1
  
  No you're right, those are entirely fair points. You'd definitely be getting a nicer device that has greater flexibility and freedom OOB, and you get better hardware. And yes, I'd agree that any tablet is a luxury item.
  That said, the additional $85 is more of a stretch for people that don't care as much about the software flexibility as you or I do. To them, it's $85 for a bigger screen.
  I was a little unfair about that in my original post, but I only point this out because I went through this exact argument with a family member that bought a Kindle... and it's really hard to debate this with people that don't care about the same things we do. To them, it's just an up-sell.
20. Re:Why support proprietary systems? by ckblackm · 2013-02-12 05:30 · Score: 1
  
  With new tablets coming out so frequently... I'm not so sure "future proofing" would get you very far.
21. Re:Why support proprietary systems? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-02-12 05:45 · Score: 0
  
  Nice try, Google.
22. Re:Why support proprietary systems? by bulled · 2013-02-12 05:48 · Score: 1
  
  The Nexus 10 is larger, higher-res and better specced at $85 more (comparing ad-free).
  I'll willing spend that much to vote with my wallet for an open, customizable device; not for one which is laden with commercials, locked to a single provider and essentially wants you to consume content only. I certainly don't want it to become like a portable TV, for viewing certain sanctioned content only.
  You have an interesting definition of open...
23. Re:Why support proprietary systems? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-02-12 07:05 · Score: 0
  
  You can buy a Nook and put arch on it.
  or perhaps Debian on a kindle fire HD.
  I guess I would settle for Bodhi on the Nexus 7
  But I have little to no interest in Android (rooted or not) on any of my devices.
  I don't quite understand your idealism...Amazon and B&N aren't going to open up their systems because their bottom line depends on DRM content. Samsung can afford to be open with their bootloader because they sell hardware, not content. Amazon doesn't even make any money from kindle sales.
24. Re:Why support proprietary systems? by ericcc65 · 2013-02-12 07:11 · Score: 1
  
  Everyone seems to be forgetting a couple of things, and part of the reason I bought the Kindle. The speakers are supposedly better on the Kindle and the Dual Band/Dual Antenna WiFi can also make for a faster internet experience. So I wouldn't say it's a slam dunk that the Nexus 10 is "better specced."
25. Re:Why support proprietary systems? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-02-12 07:23 · Score: 0
  
  The Nexus 10 is larger, higher-res and better specced at $85 more (comparing ad-free).
  I'll willing spend that much to vote with my wallet for an open, customizable device; not for one which is laden with commercials, locked to a single provider and essentially wants you to consume content only. I certainly don't want it to become like a portable TV, for viewing certain sanctioned content only.
  There isn't a tablet on the market that is used for content creation. You're living in denial.
  Whatever your lofty productive dreams are it is a given you will use the thing for listening to music, reading slashdot, browsing facebook and looking at youtube. Do you know why? Because the form factor doesn't lend itself to creating anything. You can't type with the onscreen keyboard and holding the device with one hand while sketching with the other just leads to poor diagrams/sketches/edits.
  Content creation devices are called laptops. Next aisle over, my friend.
26. Re:Why support proprietary systems? by prezkennedy.org · 2013-02-12 07:37 · Score: 1
  
  If you don't have the money, you shouldn't be buying a tablet in the first place. It's purely a luxury item.
  
  --
  It started back in Team Fortress Classic
27. Re:Why support proprietary systems? by ckblackm · 2013-02-12 07:46 · Score: 2
  
  Just because I can't afford a $500 tablet, doesn't mean I can't afford a $300 one.
28. Re:Why support proprietary systems? by adisakp · 2013-02-12 07:52 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  If you can't afford $85 more for a tablet with better spec's without the hassle of having to "do something to make it work better", you probably shouldn't be buying a tablet at all.
  You never considered the possibility of receiving a Kindle Fire HD as a gift and then wanting to maximize it's utility? Significant numbers of Fire HD's were given as gifts (with a huge spike in sales around XMas).
29. Re:Why support proprietary systems? by SketchOfNight · 2013-02-12 08:33 · Score: 1
  
  Yes, but the HD Fire 8.9 is not the Kindle Fire HD - you're comparing apples and oranges. The price points also have a $100 difference, so I'd expect a higher quality screen in the model that costs a third more than the baseline we were using for comparison. Furthermore, despite the increased cost the innards still manage to be inferior to those of the Nexus 7 when it comes to power and there is no GPS.
  TL;DR: Your argument "sucks balls" and logically "rapes" itself with faulty comparisons. Good day to you, sir.
30. Re:Why support proprietary systems? by Sepodati · 2013-02-12 09:47 · Score: 1
  
  not for one which is laden with commercials
  There's an add on the lock screen. You see it for a second or two, if you even notice it, while you unlock the device. That's it. Hardly "laden", but buy what you want.
31. Re:Why support proprietary systems? by cusco · 2013-02-12 10:00 · Score: 1
  
  Maybe not important to most people, but the Nexus 7 fits into the inside pocket of most jackets very nicely, and even into the front pockets of some of my slacks. I have a bag already for my laptop, the Nexus lets me walk around without carrying something over my shoulder.
  
  --
  "Think about how stupid the average person is. Now, realise that half of them are dumber than that." - George Carlin
32. Re:Why support proprietary systems? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-02-12 10:18 · Score: 0
  
  But you can "even listening to music you've purchased"!
  That's now a 'feature'!
33. Re:Why support proprietary systems? by harperska · 2013-02-12 10:52 · Score: 1
  
  Don't most tablets these days work with bluetooth keyboards? My wife purchased an iPad + BT keyboard to replace a dead laptop for the primary purpose of writing papers and taking notes in class. It works just fine for that purpose, and the dozens of others in her classes with iPads would tend to agree.
34. Re:Why support proprietary systems? by harperska · 2013-02-12 10:57 · Score: 1
  
  That's rationalization. The whole "it's my device, I should be able to do what I want with it" concept should extend to having the choice of not seeing ads if I don't want to. Whether a second or two is an acceptable annoyance is purely subjective, and for some the threshold is zero as the whole concept of being unable to escape being shown ads everywhere is unacceptable to many.
35. Re:Why support proprietary systems? by ahabswhale · 2013-02-12 11:48 · Score: 1
  
  My argument is fine. If you had followed the tree from my first post in this thread, I was explicitly comparing the Fire HD 8.9. Looks like your argument is sucking balls now.
  
  --
  Are agnostics skeptical of unicorns too?
36. Re:Why support proprietary systems? by narcc · 2013-02-12 12:36 · Score: 1
  
  For the price, I'd have gone with a cheap laptop. (I grabbed an aspire one 722 with 4gb of RAM and Windows 7 for a about $225 on Amazon a couple months ago as a quick replacement for my wife's work computer. She really seems to like it, so I haven't bothered to pick up anything better.)
  A laptop gives you much more utility and it's likely easier to type on than the generally really poor BT keyboards. For schoolwork, a tablet just isn't going to cut it. Most of my wife's work related computer use involves writing documents. She was hoping to use her tablet exclusively, so we tried a few BT keyboards, and a few office suites, but couldn't find anything that wasn't frustrating for her to use.
  Remember: Just because you can do something with a tool doesn't mean it's a good tool for the job. I can create documents and spreadsheets on my cell-phone, but it's a poor substitute for a real computer.
  
  --
  Required reading for internet skeptics
37. Re:Why support proprietary systems? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-02-12 12:37 · Score: 0
  
  So zero threshold for ads... must have access to the all those free apps in the Android ecosystem... free apps that are supported by ads...
38. Re:Why support proprietary systems? by SketchOfNight · 2013-02-12 13:55 · Score: 1
  
  Then the point still stands that you're making a comparison that's not equivalent. I could say that the Nexus 10 has a far superior screen at 300 DPI and higher resolution to the 264 DPI of the Fire 8.9, but this is an irrelevant match-up.
  I'll take your posts seriously when you can offer a reasonable match-up, cite data to support it and use adult language to argue your points.
I tried by Chrisq · 2013-02-12 03:48 · Score: 4, Funny

Turning a Kindle Fire HD Into a Power Tablet
I tried but I couldn't swallow the damn thing
1. Re:I tried by virgnarus · 2013-02-12 04:02 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  It's not an oral medication.
2. Re:I tried by DougOtto · 2013-02-12 04:13 · Score: 1
  
  Is it rectal?
  
  --
  Solving Unix problems since 1989...
3. Re:I tried by hochl · 2013-02-12 04:46 · Score: 1
  
  More important: Does it blend?
4. Re:I tried by Anonymous Coward · 2013-02-12 12:42 · Score: 0
  
  Nope, those are from Ainol
5. Re:I tried by Anonymous Coward · 2013-02-12 14:28 · Score: 0
  
  ZZZZzzzzap!
6. Re:I tried by Anonymous Coward · 2013-02-13 02:30 · Score: 0
  
  Turning a Kindle Fire HD Into a Power Tablet
  I tried but I couldn't swallow the damn thing
  Yea tried that too. Had more success with Apple.
Eh... by fuzzyfuzzyfungus · 2013-02-12 03:50 · Score: 2

Given the quite modest price delta between the Kindle Fire and the Nexus 7(especially given the latter's slightly punchier specs), how much is your time not worth if you buy the former and do a bunch of messing around to get a only-somewhat-crippled Android 4.0-oddball device when you could get a 'clean' 4.2 device?
I can see doing it once the cyanogenmod, or similar, matures(assuming the bootloader crack holds out), since that should be a fairly swift nuke-and-pave operation that will bring you up to a version of Android that isn't Amazon's listlessly maintained Amazon Consumption Platform edition; but just incremental poking at the stock OS?
1. Re:Eh... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-02-12 04:09 · Score: 0
  
  There appear to be a lot of unwanted Kindles selling cheap now... maybe it could be an option for someone like me with some time and very little money. But I think I will wait for the second generation of the Nexus 7 to hit the streets and get a deal on the first generation for a song.
2. Re:Eh... by fuzzyfuzzyfungus · 2013-02-12 04:33 · Score: 1
  
  There appear to be a lot of unwanted Kindles selling cheap now... maybe it could be an option for someone like me with some time and very little money. But I think I will wait for the second generation of the Nexus 7 to hit the streets and get a deal on the first generation for a song.
  If there are a lot of buyer's remorse/'gifting fail' models floating around, that could seriously change the equation... The delta between sticker prices isn't worth it; but the fleabay/craigslist price hit could easily knock the Kindle right down into impulse territory...
3. Re:Eh... by MangoCats · 2013-02-12 05:19 · Score: 1
  
  I thought I was going to hate the OS and want to cyanogen my KFHD, but I'm actually learning to accept and enjoy it - depends on what you use it for. For me, it's an alarm clock and web browser, with special focus on Gmail usage, sometimes to view security camera feeds, and occasionally play Angry Birds Rio.... I suppose if I were trying to make my tablet be all it can be, I'd be upset about the Amazon stranglehold on the OS, but it's not an issue for my use cases.
4. Re:Eh... by Sepodati · 2013-02-12 09:54 · Score: 1
  
  Maybe I "don't know what I'm missing", but I have no issues with the KFHD, either. Ads on the lock screen sometimes recommend something useful, but are mostly ignored. It appears to have plenty of apps, games, etc. for my taste. Web browsing and email are good. I guess I "put up" with the carousel, but that's about it.
Whoa there by Antipater · 2013-02-12 03:54 · Score: 3, Funny

Hold on a second. If you want full access to cameras and other devices after getting under the covers, that's your business. "Unlock [your] full potential" all you want, but I don't want to hear about it!

--
Everything is better with chainsaws.
Superb Power Tips by swanzilla · 2013-02-12 04:01 · Score: 2

Act I: Menus, a How-To
Act II: Rooting and Google Play

--
0 = 1 + e^(Alt something)
Nook HD+ make more sense? by guidryp · 2013-02-12 04:02 · Score: 4, Interesting

Less money, higher screen resolution, Micro-SD memory slot, no adware.
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/p/nook-hd-plus-barnes-noble/1110060512
Workarounds for side-loading apps:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/p/nook-hd-plus-barnes-noble/1110060512
Root:
http://www.xda-developers.com/android/permanent-root-for-the-nook-hd-and-hd-unofficial-cm10-for-the-hd/
1. Re:Nook HD+ make more sense? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-02-12 04:31 · Score: 2, Informative
  
  Or just install this in your micro-sd slot and reboot.....http://www.n2acards.com/
2. Re:Nook HD+ make more sense? by seebs · 2013-02-12 05:36 · Score: 1
  
  I don't know that I'd call the sideloading exactly a "workaround". That's just turning on the normal developer features and using them; only real nuisance value there is the thing where sideloaded apps are harder to get to.
  (Disclaimer: I'm planning to ship something for Nook, which is why I happened to find out how to load stuff on it.)
  
  --
  My blog: http://www.seebs.net/log/ --- My iPhone/iPad app: http://www.seebs.net/seebsfrac/
3. Re:Nook HD+ make more sense? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-02-12 06:40 · Score: 0
  
  "Less money, higher screen resolution, Micro-SD memory slot, no adware.
  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/p/nook-hd-plus-barnes-noble/1110060512 [barnesandnoble.com]
  Workarounds for side-loading apps:
  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/p/nook-hd-plus-barnes-noble/1110060512 [barnesandnoble.com]"
  How does the second link give any workaround for side-loading apps? It's just the very same BN HD Tablet home page advert.
  Maybe best to go someplace like: http://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/BN_Nook_Tablet
4. Re:Nook HD+ make more sense? by stikves · 2013-02-12 08:18 · Score: 1
  
  I had tried both devices (nook hd, and kindle hd) in succession, and even with an extra $50 off promotion from staples, I returned the nook hd the next day.
  While it is a much greater hardware, they botched up on software setup. It could not keep connection to my brand new 300Mbit wifi router, and I had no intention to go back to 50mbit (or whatever the older one was). On the other hand kindle was connecting fine, even at 5GHz band. Without connectivity neither of these devices are useful.
  And while searching for a solution to my problem, I ran into many other complaints from nook hd users. Apparently they pushed updates without checking, and the latest update - at that time - was causing data corruption on sd card. the solution they suggested (since downgrade was not an available option thanks to lockin), was taking off the sd card.
  And while the resolution was much much higher, it was obvious that the cpu/gpu was not able to keep up. Both devices were sluggish, but nook much more so.
  And finally there was no front facing camera. I could care less about a back camera on a tablet, but if I'm getting a nice screen and a wireless device, I expect to call my folks on it. No camera = no go.
  So after one and a half day of struggle, I returned the nook, and kept the kindle. (I had a very tight budget, and could not purchase nexus at that time).
Good grief by wonkey_monkey · 2013-02-12 04:06 · Score: 2

To save you some trouble, this is basically "how I like my Kindle Fire HD set up." I particularly enjoyed this gem:

Caps lock: Just double-tap on the SHIFT key and it'll turn into the caps lock key!
Oh, and the "little savvy" for improving battery life? Turn off GPS, wireless and Bluetooth when you're not using them. Duh.

--
systemd is Roko's Basilisk.
1. Re:Good grief by wonkey_monkey · 2013-02-12 04:07 · Score: 1
  
  Although to be fair, you do finally get instructions on how to root it at the end, so...
  
  --
  systemd is Roko's Basilisk.
2. Re:Good grief by rwise2112 · 2013-02-12 04:42 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  To save you some trouble, this is basically "how I like my Kindle Fire HD set up." I particularly enjoyed this gem:
  
  Caps lock: Just double-tap on the SHIFT key and it'll turn into the caps lock key!
  I TRIED THIS, BUT HOW DO YOU TURN IT OFF?
  
  --
  
  "For every expert, there is an equal and opposite expert"
3. Re:Good grief by tippe · 2013-02-12 06:04 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  With that kind of attitude, I'm not telling you! Why are you mad at me anyway?
4. Re:Good grief by sootman · 2013-02-12 09:12 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO?
  
  --
  Dear Slashdot: next time you want to mess with the site, add a rich-text editor for comments.
But instead of doing this... by davmoo · 2013-02-12 04:11 · Score: 3, Interesting

Why not buy a device that does what you want, and there by support the manufacturer of a more open device so maybe they'll keep doing it, like a Nexus? Instead you'd rather give money to the maker of a closed system, which encourages them to keep it closed since everyone buys their crap anyway, and then you spend your time making it sort of do what you wanted in the first place.

--
I want a new quote. One that won't spill. One that don't cost too much. Or come in a pill.
1. Re:But instead of doing this... by MightyYar · 2013-02-12 04:15 · Score: 1
  
  In my case, I had a gift card, and the Kindle was what they had at Best Buy.
  
  --
  W..w..W - Willy Waterloo washes Warren Wiggins who is washing Waldo Woo.
How-To (Video) by mystikkman · 2013-02-12 04:13 · Score: 1

I crush it and mix with water.
Video of how-to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MMmLQlrBws
Or just not buy a Kindle Fire HD by Anonymous Coward · 2013-02-12 04:15 · Score: 1

Or you could buy the Nexus 7 which is the exact same price but has a better CPU and GPU and is equal in every other regard hardware wise.
1. Re:Or just not buy a Kindle Fire HD by ahabswhale · 2013-02-12 04:22 · Score: 0
  
  The Kindle Fire HD 8.9 has a MUCH better screen. And I mean in every way. I own both devices. There's no comparison. Just wish the Kindle had a better CPU.
  
  --
  Are agnostics skeptical of unicorns too?
2. Re:Or just not buy a Kindle Fire HD by Caffinated · 2013-02-12 09:46 · Score: 1
  
  ...and the Kindle 8.9 is $115 more than said Nexus 7. If you were so inclined, you could spend $85 more than the 8.9 and get the Nexus 10 if the larger size is what you want. If you're happy in the amazon ecosystem, then the kindle is great. If you want a more flexible tablet, just buy the Nexus. If you're spending that much, you might as well get what you want since it's not a big difference price-wise.
3. Re:Or just not buy a Kindle Fire HD by ahabswhale · 2013-02-12 11:51 · Score: 1
  
  Just an FYI...the Kindle Fire HD 8.9 is $100 more, not $115 more. That said, it is frequently offered on sale and you can get for $250 (like I did). But I agree with your advice overall.
  
  --
  Are agnostics skeptical of unicorns too?
4. Re:Or just not buy a Kindle Fire HD by Anonymous Coward · 2013-02-12 12:40 · Score: 0
  
  I concur. I picked up the Kindle Fire HD 8.9 for $250... that's just too good a deal to pass up. Would I have rather had the Nexus 10? Sure... but the Nexus 10 is a lot more expensive.
wipe it clean by P-niiice · 2013-02-12 04:24 · Score: 1

Any guide that doesn't help wipe amazon's horrible crap off the device isn't worthy. Put some fresh CM10.1 on it and really get productive.
AHAHAHA!! by waspleg · 2013-02-12 05:08 · Score: 1

He shows one of the more popular root apps... Which uses a timing issue already "patched" in later versions but not the one the Kindle uses... I got one from work thinking the same thing.
EVERY OTA FORCED UPDATE UNROOTS IT AND REMOVES GOOGLE APPS ...
I've sent them multiple complaints and even told them I hope they get a class action suit against them for computer trespass or some equivalent since THEY DON'T OWN THE THE DEVICE I DO (and since I got it from work I never signed any contract).
It will do this even with the Kindle unregistered. These HD's have an encrypted bootloader to make custom firmware difficult/impossible compared to the original; that was done deliberately to try to stop the kind of thing this article shows.
You can, however, install all kinds of apps that don't need root and "pirated" (unapproved unsigned unpurchased on Amazon.com) content without it being rooted. A failed root can brick the device. You can find multiple Android sub forum threads on XDA-developer's site (already popular for other hacks).
I used to be a PRIME member but their policies with this and some other things made me reconsider re-upping this year; I go out of my way to avoid them now. They are the Wal-mart of online retail with all that entails and implies (no I don't shop there either).
I have a Kindle Fire by Anonymous Coward · 2013-02-12 09:04 · Score: 0

and for what it's worth, I think the stock OS is fine.
It's a tablet designed for the consumption of media, Amazon's set up is actually quite good at delivering this. Why would I mess around rooting it, and lose access to their Cloud Video services? I don't see the value. If I wanted an option Android tablet I could have bought a Nexus 7.
Ditch it and buy a real Kindle by loufoque · 2013-02-12 09:15 · Score: 1

Why would you want to read on a backlit display?
1. Re:Ditch it and buy a real Kindle by Sepodati · 2013-02-12 09:58 · Score: 1
  
  If you do a lot of reading, I agree. These are more general purpose tablets, even though they carry the "Kindle" name.
Re by newnewshop · 2013-02-17 21:37 · Score: 0

Do not let us down, when the Nexus 7 comes!