Related
[UPDATED!]
Thread for Aussies to share Kindle Fire experience. I want eventually to have an ICS rom on this, but I'm no Dev so will need to share learnings.
Goals:
1. DONE - Order Kindle Fire using US Freight Forwarding company (I used www.shipito.com ) and Australian Credit Card
2. Set up and use Amazon.com US services
HELP - my broadband modem is locked so I cannot setup VPN on it - other options being investigated:
a - get VPN & working tun.ko on Fire for VPN on the device (best option)
see How to access android.net.vpn.SETTINGS?
and Kindle Fire tun.ko
b - get adhoc networking working so can run VPN on PC/laptop and then share adhoc wireless network
see [Q] Kindle won't pickup adhoc wireless my phone will??
and [Q] Will Adhoc WIFI be possible with software patching?
c - use a special wirless router to flash VPN on it e.g. http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=1494723
3. DONE! - Root (Dev forum thread
4. Install Google Apps (Dev forum thread)
HELP - Market loads but fails when trying to download any apps.
5. Install alternate launcher
6. Ummm... clockwork recovery and cyanogenmod 9 ICS eventually...
e.g. ROMs and DEVs compilation thread
EDIT - Other goals yet to be achieved
Add your own books to the Kindle
From the Use Kindle Fire in Europe thread:
mils69 said:
Here's my experience using the various Amazon 'services' from abroad - on the road for work, vacation or whatever.
Amazon Kindle - VPN into either US or UK IP ranges and then I can purchase books. Kindle app on Android doesn't seem to care where it is once book has been purchased.
Amazon MP3s - VPN into either US or UK and then I can purchase (and upload to Amazon Cloud player).. haven't tried playing MP3s with the cloud player as I have Google Music. Once disconnected from the VPN Amazon download app doesn't seem to care where I am when I download the actual MP3s.
Amazon Prime - Free Subscription to Amazon media library. Seems to be fine (on my PC) once I use an VPN. Haven't tried it on my Sensation.
Amazon AppStore - can't get it to work outside the US for love or money.
Assuming the products on the KF would behave in a similar fashion I can't see myself buying one any time soon, which is incredibly frustrating.
Hope this helps,
mils
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do I VPN to a US IP?
I’m currently waiting for my kindle to arrive, I´m based in Spain and will be using unblock-us
I currently use this on my apple tv and ipad to view content from both the US and UK that is restricted to me here, this is a big step up from a VPN, it changes your DNS and not your ip address, it works at the same speed as your connection so streaming content via this will see no slowdown which I have always found happens using a VPN.
I’ve been using it for the last 3 months faultlessly but have not tried it on Amazon prime although I really don’t see why this won’t work.
Try it for free with the free months trial and please report back
Progress updated in first thread.
#1 - Root. This was very straightforward following the linked thread.
#2 - File explorer - had difficulties here, I ended up learning how to take an app off my phone (e.g. rootexplorer-1.apk from /data/apps) and install it on the fire using adb on my PC i.e. "adb install rootexplorer-1.apk".
I could get any number of apps off my phone using this method (e.g. homeswitcher & go launcher I really want!) but really I won't feel happy unless I can do this using the market
I tried following the link in my first post to get the market working, it opens but fails on trying to install any apps. Will give this another go later, but am concentrating on getting Amazon US services first.
On this note I have signed up to www.hidemyass.com for VPN as it seemed a good deal and I saw it before the above post about "unblock-us". So I have VPN on my PC, laptop, my android SGS phone and my wife's iPhone4, for about $70/year. Unfortunately our broadband wireless router is locked so I cannot set up VPN on it, so I am looking at options per my first post ie:
a - get VPN & working tun.ko on Fire for VPN on the device (best option)
see How to access android.net.vpn.SETTINGS?
and Kindle Fire tun.ko
b - get adhoc networking working so can run VPN on PC/laptop and then share adhoc wireless network
see [Q] Kindle won't pickup adhoc wireless my phone will??
and [Q] Will Adhoc WIFI be possible with software patching?
c - use a special wirless router to flash VPN on it e.g. http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=1494723
Kindle fire tried in Aussie land
I have got an amazon kindle from ebay and have successfully done the following
1. Rooted ...(Superoneclick)
2. Google market and youtube installed(needs market 3.3 and vendor.apk files
3. Installed go launcher
4. installed voodoo ota rootkeeper (for prime trailers to hide the su binary)
now waiting for custom ICS rom and recovery bootloader....
will try unblock-us to see if I can bypass the us restriction for amazon market store and video . Anyone tried this as I have heard we cant bypass this due to the credit card associated to amazon account. We need to have an us address associated with the card. One way to bypass this would be to get someone in US to post a Visa/matercard gift card so we can input that credit card in amazon.... anyone have any ideas ???
My Kindle arrived an hour ago here in Spain.
I have an Amazon account with my Spanish credit card and used a random us address.
I now have Amazon prime working nicely with the help of unblock-us which was straight forward, I also quickly installed ice cream sandwich launcher and will shortly root to add android market
So far everything works well with everything working just like being in the US
Kindle Fire - market app bombs
I followed all the instructions, rooted the kindle fire.
Installed the google pack, rootexplorer, go launcher, and vending apk.
Installed perfectly BUT it opens for a second, tried to display the terms of agreement then shuts down.
I tried to get around it by installing the market opener apk, same deal opens for one second then closes (as if something forces it shut).
Can someone please help.
Thanks
duquesa said:
My Kindle arrived an hour ago here in Spain.
I have an Amazon account with my Spanish credit card and used a random us address.
I now have Amazon prime working nicely with the help of unblock-us which was straight forward, I also quickly installed ice cream sandwich launcher and will shortly root to add android market
So far everything works well with everything working just like being in the US
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which address did you change and how?
Australian VPN On Kindle Fire
Hello everybody,
I have Kindle Fire and I am using Australian VPN with Superb VPN Services on it. I am very satisfied. Speed is fine and connection is reliable.
AnthonyBell said:
Hello everybody,
I have Kindle Fire and I am using Australian VPN with Superb VPN Services on it. I am very satisfied. Speed is fine and connection is reliable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did you manage to set it up? Through the router (VPN method mentioned earlier) or directly on your Kindle? In which case it would be amazing
AnthonyBell said:
Hello everybody,
I have Kindle Fire and I am using Australian VPN with Superb VPN Services on it. I am very satisfied. Speed is fine and connection is reliable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Anthony, you mention Superb VPN Services. This looks like the right site:
superbvpn.com/android-vpn-service
It is a subscription service at $3.49/m. Is that what you used?
The site has an issue at the moment and I can't get to the purchase page.
Please confirm how you set this up.
Cheers.
Edit: I just found another option that has worked for a couple of AU users on this Whirlpool thread:
forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/1819810
UnblockUs has a free trial for one week then it is $4.99/m
unblock-us.com
I will give this a try and see how it goes.
Cheers.
Hi,
Wondering if anybody has an idea on how apps will work outside US?
For example, I have Amazon Fire TV between Brasil and other Latam countries while traveling. I see different content on netflix. Lately Netflix is uninstalled even while on Brasil...sucks...but using my XPeria Z seems have no problem or while using my PC...
So would this box also be a pain in the ass if I am traveler? I can handle the limitation of some content but not the exclusion at all. Now I have a FireTV ready to go to trash can...don't wanna waste money again.
Thanks!
Limitations
Yes. House of cards is not available in Austria. Just as an example.
cavagnaro said:
Hi,
Wondering if anybody has an idea on how apps will work outside US?
For example, I have Amazon Fire TV between Brasil and other Latam countries while traveling. I see different content on netflix. Lately Netflix is uninstalled even while on Brasil...sucks...but using my XPeria Z seems have no problem or while using my PC...
So would this box also be a pain in the ass if I am traveler? I can handle the limitation of some content but not the exclusion at all. Now I have a FireTV ready to go to trash can...don't wanna waste money again.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dukekox said:
Yes. House of cards is not available in Austria. Just as an example.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, I know the limitation of content, but not whole app. I mean, the apk can't be installed on my device with current address of Brazil, if I change to US then yes it installs...
I assume it'll be no different than the Chromecast, Roku3, etc. If you subscribe to a DNS service that provides US termination (unblock US, adfreetime, etc) and put those provided DNS addresses either in the Nexus Player (if that'll be an option, we'll have to wait and see) or directly in your router, you'll be able to receive US content. The Roku3 doesn't support changing its DNS server addresses but using the router to do so works a treat. Even better, if you have a higher end router with custom firmware you can redirect only specific web services to use those US DNS services via dnsmasq, such as netflix, hulu plus, cbs, etc, while keeping the majority of your DNS traffic with your normal local ISP or public DNS anonymizing services.
The issue that I have seen is that you can no longer get the US version of google play. It seems like they use multiple things now to determine which version of the play store you will get. Shipping address on your wallet account. Country of the credit card you use with google wallet. Your phone location, etc... It doesn't even matter if you opened your google account in the USA and then moved elsewhere (like I did) you will still get your own countries play store. I can't even get to the USA google play over VPN.
This is one thread where I found some people talking about it: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2169261
Basically, your experience outside of the USA won't be great. I have a NP living outside of the USA and I don't see many apps at all on the play store. Obviously, apps like netflix, hulu, and vevo aren't there. I have sideloaded netflix and that is working, but now I will have to rely on someone to post the apk file when there is an app update. Personally, I would like to see the apps available in any version of the play store. You still need some sort of DNS service that will give you access to things like netflix and hulu. I suppose this is what they are trying to prevent by making certain apps region based on google play.
The main reason I bought NP was because of Plex. While I do like my roku 3 I prefer the plex interface on NP.
Overall, I would say not to bother with NP. It's a VERY unfinished piece of kit. Typical of google to release a beta product as "final". I haven't even been able to connect to 5.0ghz on wi-fi even though it sees that radio on my router just fine. Wi-fi drops out occasionally on 2.4ghz even though the NP sits right next to the router. Recommendations are a mess. Voice search is pretty cool (especially nice to use in Plex!)
If I compare the NP to roku 3. I would say go with the roku. The only drawback on roku is the outdated UI. Other than that it is a much more solid device when compared to NP.
I will be keeping my NP and hoping that they can solve some of the issues it has via software updates, but I suspect that I will wind up getting some other android TV device as better ones come out.
I have NP outside US in Central Europe and here are my experience after a week
when I use my local google account, I dont see netflix/hulu etc in store so I had to create new US google account. It is easy to add/remove accounts in NP so I put there my US account, install netflix app and then switched back to my europe account. With US DNS I can use US services and I have US content there.
So there is no problem to get apps allowed only for US market, but may be a issue with their content.
cavagnaro said:
Hi,
Wondering if anybody has an idea on how apps will work outside US?
For example, I have Amazon Fire TV between Brasil and other Latam countries while traveling. I see different content on netflix. Lately Netflix is uninstalled even while on Brasil...sucks...but using my XPeria Z seems have no problem or while using my PC...
So would this box also be a pain in the ass if I am traveler? I can handle the limitation of some content but not the exclusion at all. Now I have a FireTV ready to go to trash can...don't wanna waste money again.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using it in a country where Netflix is available (France), the app does appear in the Play Store, I can install it and view content available in my country.
Bejbe01 said:
I have NP outside US in Central Europe and here are my experience after a week
when I use my local google account, I dont see netflix/hulu etc in store so I had to create new US google account. It is easy to add/remove accounts in NP so I put there my US account, install netflix app and then switched back to my europe account. With US DNS I can use US services and I have US content there.
So there is no problem to get apps allowed only for US market, but may be a issue with their content.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did you create a US google account exactly? I am asking because I am from the USA, but living in another country and even when I log into the NP with my "alternate" google account that has a US address I am still not given access to the US play store on the NP.
I just login to US vpn, open gmail and create new account...there select US country and thats all
I'm planning to buy nexus player while I'm in U.S.
Can I access it in India? Or is there any limitation on it??
Sent from my D5322 using XDA Free mobile app
Weren't we supposed to be getting support for HBO Go?
What gives? Is that something that Amazon has thrown by the wayside?
Also, I thought that universal search was supposed to include Netflix by now.
This is what I've been wondering for awhile. My sources says what they've always said which is late 2014. Running out of time.
Supposedly hbogo does work but needs to be sideloaded (or just installed if you have playstore on aftv) but it needs a mouse. An airmouse would probably be an option or yatse remote has mouse function. But I'm not really interested until we get full support.
It's the web version, not the app you would install on an AppleTV or ROKU. Low rez and not worth the hassle.
Not really sure how to title this and apologies for the long post...
I live in Amsterdam, Netherlands and have 3 echo's + 2 fireTV sticks. My Amazon account is tied to my old address in the US and I haven't wanted to change it because for some stupid reason Amazon limits functionality to their products based on location. So I leave it to the US so that I can have most all of Alexa's capabilities at home in NL.
The motivating factor behind purchasing fire tv was for the app NFL Gamepass since I have a subscription and casting to Chromecast has been garbage since the past 2 years.
When I unpacked the first one and set everything up I noticed that there was Alexa support (cool) to open apps etc. Then I started searching and could not find the NFL Game Pass app because my Amazon account was setup for US. So I switched my address to NL so that I could download the app. This totally screwed everything up. My echo's all disowned me and my household and the fire stick took a huge dump on the account and half the stuff stopped working including content for my location in the EU. I was getting all kinds of user account errors. So I reset the stick back to default while keeping my NL address. Now everything loads up fine, can watch Prime content for NL etc. BUT - NO ALEXA SUPPORT!!!! WTF? My Alexa app sees the firestick and they are linked together (I even unlinked and re-linked), Alexa still says she doesn't see any devices blah blah blah... GRR - Still WTF
So now I switch my address back to USA - Which is fine since I already have the NFL Game Pass app. I am afraid of resetting the Fire stick to defaults as I really only bought this for NFL Game Pass and don't want to lose this app, but the addition to Alexa + Netflix and Prime support was a very nice bonus. However, I cannot use Alexa now... She says she is having trouble communicating with Fire stick. Before changing my address she was working fine, launching Netflix etc. Maybe anyone has any pointers on this without losing NFL Game Pass.
Also this whole "household" unlinking stuff is total garbage. So in the process of changing to my Dutch address, Amazon kicks my daughter off her echo in her bedroom and my wife's account out. Funny thing is that this happens around 1AM Sunday morning and all echo's in the house start speaking German and wake everyone up! HAHAHA - Sort of funny but at the same time a big FU to Jeff Bezos and his wonderful support staff who do not even know for themselves why they do this or why they limit functionality across borders. When I reverted back to the US address, I could add my daughter back but not my wife. Said I must wait 180 days, blah blah blah.. I called support and they reset my account so I could add her back but this was just a total garbage experience and none of it makes sense to me.
I am still trying to figure how I can keep NFL Game Pass + have Alexa support on my Fire stick(s) and watch my correct Prime video without getting location errors. I am getting my second Fire stick tomorrow/Wednesday and really want this to all work seamlessly.
So the TV in the living room has a mix right now of US and NL content. There are 2 prime video apps, one for US and one for NL but US one doesn’t work, just get 5505 errors. Wish I could just remove this one. Netflix works fine since they are just checking IP and not fiddling with content and device settings..
TV in bedroom I setup after I switched back to US address so right now only has US stuff. Game Pass and Netflix work but prime video not.
Alexa support - Living Room has an Echo and if I try and control Alexa on living room tv, she says that she is having trouble communicating and that I should check the fire internet and power setting. Perhaps has something to do with the fact that the fire stick is stuck in between US & NL?
Bedroom has a Dot and the Dot says I haven’t linked a FireTV when I can clearly see it linked in the Alexa app. I have un-linked and linked again 100 times but still get the same response...
So I probably could have summarized this a bit better by just saying, how can I keep my US settings so I don’t screw up my household and at the same time have NFL Game Pass + Dutch Prime Video? Also does anyone know why my (both 2nd gen) Echo and Dots are not controlling them when it was initially working? Voice works from FireTV app.. smh
Hi,
just having the Fire HD10 2021 Tablet here, debloated, google play services running, and sideloading HBOmax from apkmirror, issue as often with amazon devices as fire stick 4k too:
only some older hbomax apps are runnign, the others hbo automatically on first launch wants to be updated which isnt possible as their service isnt yet arrived to germany.
So older apk that runs fine on firestick 4k doesnt work on the tablet as there is no chance to scroll and navigate on the screen 50.0.40.224 is android tv version, with remote on stick alright, on tablet fail.
And the others fail to update after launch without any us american amazon or google account from what i guess?
Anyone here outside the states knowing a version of the hbomax app to work on the fire tablets?
thx a lot