KHDF7 - Root for my kids device? - 7" Kindle Fire HD Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

So he just got it but I would like to give him access to other apps (mainly GVoice for SMS but there are probably others his friends play too he would want) and wondering if its possible to keep it with Amazon. Primarily, it'll be media and book for him, I just want to make it fun too.
Also, are the default parental controls suitable for you parents or you using alternative means?
Thanks in advance and Merry Christmas.
Sent from my ADR6400L using xda premium

Kind of what I'm thinking. I read the rooting method, seems just as easy as my Galaxy S III. I want my daughter to be able to use Google apps and get rid of the lock screen ads. Still searching...
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

NeoGauge said:
Kind of what I'm thinking. I read the rooting method, seems just as easy as my Galaxy S III. I want my daughter to be able to use Google apps and get rid of the lock screen ads. Still searching...
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
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Click to collapse
Doesn't seem like rooting is 100% safe, nor even near a 1-click just yet.. Kind of thinking I will hold off. Yeah, the ads and Amazon bloat is somewhat frustrating but he doesn't really NEED root at this point. Might be easier to manage his 11 year old activities without it..
Kind of thinking I will hold off. Also seeing TONS of people having issues rooting with either delayed or completely without any type of helpful response. I know the devs work hard on these things, I guess I'm just in the pool of waiting until the fog gets lifted a bit more. Definitely not trying to break this thing.

DNak206 said:
So he just got it but I would like to give him access to other apps (mainly GVoice for SMS but there are probably others his friends play too he would want) and wondering if its possible to keep it with Amazon. Primarily, it'll be media and book for him, I just want to make it fun too.
Also, are the default parental controls suitable for you parents or you using alternative means?
Thanks in advance and Merry Christmas.
Sent from my ADR6400L using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am confused as to the question? Yes you can root. It's a bit odd though since the devices are new. If you're worried about it breaking I would say that greatly depends on how tech savvy your kid is. As long as he doesn't mess with root tools I think it should be fine. If you mean keep the amazon launcher and app, you will lose those. I assume some dev magic can do a nice workaround, but I wouldn't count on it.
You can still get all the play store apps like the kindle reader from there. The only thing I've missed is the x-ray feature it had for books and movies. The other thing you lose is prime.
What you gain though, is a usable tablet.
Like the other user said though, I don't see much dev support yet, especially for my KF2. So if you feel confident you should be fine. If you're just following steps though, I would proceed at your own risk, just in case.

if you wanna use prime get g play and get ota rootkeeper
Sent from my KFTT using xda premium

Related

Childproof Nexus 7

Our kids are using the N7 and I wondered how I could go about making it a good tool for them to learn on (games, letters, numbers etc.) but at the same time hide/restrict the more grown-up stuff, like email, maps and all the other stuff they won't have need of at this time.
I figured I can make a folder for all their games and learning apps, but has anyone got any ideas of how I can tweak the unit so when they use it, it will be "barebones" for them but still allow me access to the full features if the need arises. The unit is predominately for the kids so I won't need access that much. It would be great that once they switch it on, all they see is "their" stuff. Ideas...?
Thanks
As far as the "child proofing" goes, definitely get a good case and screen protector, maybe even something that they can put around their wrist when they hold it so they don't drop it as much.
To hide apps, download something like Apex Launcher and go to the drawer settings, it has a way to hide any installed app.
You could also install Avast! Anti virus. I think that has a way to block certain websites from being accessed and and also includes features to find the device when lost and lock certain apps.
There is also a new launcher coming out called Chameleon that looks a lot more straight forward for a kid to use. The launcher also includes pages of apps that change the feel of the device.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
If you press the All Apps icon then touch and hold an icon for a built-in app, you can drag it up onto an Info icon. As well as showing you info about the app, it allows you to disable it. So you can install only 'safe' apps and disable 'non-safe' apps', including the Play Store.
Then all you have to do is make sure they don't have access to the Tapatalk app in case they read this post...
--
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
I have the same problem my grandson is coming over for the weekend so I'm going to test this out https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sp.protector.free
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
The Play Store definitely has some child-proofing available.
If you're on the more nerdy side, you could actually root the device, set it up how you like it, then either make the Market and other offending apps invisible, or lock access to them.
Just depends on how far you want to go. Something tells me that the Play Store child-proofing may be enough.
There is an app called Switch Me. Basically it lets you configure multiple profiles by setting up a new /data partition for each one allowing you to restrict access to certain apps and so on and even have multiple Google accounts setup for each user. You should check out out.
Sent from my Nexus 7
I would also look at Switchme to set up different user profiles.
EDIT: damn, evonc beat me to it by a few minutes. LOL
IconBoy said:
Our kids are using the N7 and I wondered how I could go about making it a good tool for them to learn on (games, letters, numbers etc.) but at the same time hide/restrict the more grown-up stuff, like email, maps and all the other stuff they won't have need of at this time.
I figured I can make a folder for all their games and learning apps, but has anyone got any ideas of how I can tweak the unit so when they use it, it will be "barebones" for them but still allow me access to the full features if the need arises. The unit is predominately for the kids so I won't need access that much. It would be great that once they switch it on, all they see is "their" stuff. Ideas...?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try visidon which face locks apps so you can lock settings email and web
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk 2
I use applock on my kids' tablets. N7 is daddy's.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
I bought my 5 year old an original Samsung Galaxy tab 7" and he is autistic so went through a throwing phase when he first started getting into electronics, like when he'd lose in a game. Anyway we have just a silicon case for it and it has with held the torture of all time and it is still in great shape. He even threw it off a second story balcony and it landed on a hardwood floor... bouncing afterward... but still chugging. No dents or scratches or defects. Thing is a champ.
While the Nexus 7 is a little thinner, I figured I'd reply anyway. GET A CASE.... and a screen protector. The Galaxy tab is a stout device but let's hope the Nexus 7 is AS good if not better. It feels solid.
I just got mine after lots of torturing myself that my Transformer was sufficient, but I must say the more I use it the more I like it.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
I've been using an app called Kids Place for my 20 month old twins. Works great! It's like a home replacement and you can choose the apps available.
Sent from my HTC Glacier using Tapatalk
You could look into the Fuhu Nabi 2 that I read about recently. It is basically a nexus 7 without JB (runs ICS), built in protection, and defaults to kids mode (the dad mode is a normal android). 8GB for $199
http://fineoils.blogspot.com/2012/07/fuhu-nabi-2-nexus-7-killer-for-kids.html
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk 2 Beta-6
Child proof it by buying them something else.
ReggieTee said:
Child proof it by buying them something else.
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Click to collapse
No, not child proofing the nexus 7, but instead a "Childproof Nexus 7", as the title says, which is basically what that device seems to be. Though this would not help anybody who already has a Nexus 7, it may help somebody looking for a Nexus 7 type device for their child.
sparkym3 said:
You could look into the Fuhu Nabi 2 that I read about recently. It is basically a nexus 7 without JB (runs ICS), built in protection, and defaults to kids mode (the dad mode is a normal android). 8GB for $199
http://fineoils.blogspot.com/2012/07/fuhu-nabi-2-nexus-7-killer-for-kids.html
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk 2 Beta-6
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the link to my blog. As for OP's problem of rendering the "original" Nexus 7 child proof, it's technically doable by "borrowing" ROM from rooted Fuhu Nabi 2. Naturally, presenting the kid an original Fuhu Nabi 2 and taking back an original "adult" Nexus 7 would be more practical.
Pfft! Just don't let your kids use it. Make them go outside and build tree houses, play with an abacus or read encyclopaedias. 80s *****!
I also agree on getting the nabi2 its a really nice device. My 2 year old never killed her nabi1 and the 2 seems even more solid. She has thrown both of them and took a crayon (washable) to it and wild off with no marks or scratches on th screen.
The only issue I have is no root on it, but its nice and quick. Screen is not as nice as my Nexus7, but it has microsd slot and HDMI port. I hear someone rooted one but Fuhu asked them not to release how, so if anyone hears about root please post it here on the forums. I thought about trying the root tool for nexus but she loves it too much for me to risk it.
Sent from ROOTed NEXUS7
Subscribed... I too am looking for a way to root the Nabi 2... i really would like to get the Google Play Store installed on this thing since I have a lot of apps already purchased through there...
Dropline:
...I hear someone rooted one but Fuhu asked them not to release how, so if anyone hears about root please post it here on the forums. I thought about trying the root tool for nexus but she loves it too much for me to risk it.
Sent from ROOTed NEXUS7
Them Fuhuans can ask anybody anything, XDA-Devs is a free-rooting country. I think the race is on already, to turn Nabi 2 into a chewable/droppable N7 with SD slot/HDMI. My guess the N7 and Nabi 2 are twin brothers (ASUS 370T being their dad), so a "standard" N7 rooting tool will work. If not at the first attempt, then with some minor tweak.
I'm following Nabi 2 (and Furbi 2) progress in my blog closely, so you're welcome there. Can't guarantee being exclusive bearer of the news though....
aludal said:
Dropline:
...I hear someone rooted one but Fuhu asked them not to release how, so if anyone hears about root please post it here on the forums. I thought about trying the root tool for nexus but she loves it too much for me to risk it.
Sent from ROOTed NEXUS7
Them Fuhuans can ask anybody anything, XDA-Devs is a free-rooting country. I think the race is on already, to turn Nabi 2 into a chewable/droppable N7 with SD slot/HDMI. My guess the N7 and Nabi 2 are twin brothers (ASUS 370T being their dad), so a "standard" N7 rooting tool will work. If not at the first attempt, then with some minor tweak.
I'm following Nabi 2 (and Furbi 2) progress in my blog closely, so you're welcome there. Can't guarantee being exclusive bearer of the news though....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you saw my other post about that guy and Fuhu. I tried a genetic tool. I was going to try with the nexus one, but Nabi is ICS not jellybean so did not want to risk it. Same boat, my kid loves it.
Also we got the glow in the dark bumper from fuhu with our VIP Gold upgrade, the new bumpers are bigger and thicker so should take a fall better. Just letting you know, not sure how rough you're kid is with it.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2

Can't believe we were anxiously awaiting this..

Android 4.2 doesn't even seem well thought out, let alone designed. Is Google playing the Apple game, tying us into their universe and making us take whatever the deliver?
Do they even care how many apps won't work or have to have multiple purchases to support their multi-user "security"? Should have just left the multi-user thing to 3rd party devs. They fail on this, IMO.
rootbrain said:
Android 4.2 doesn't even seem well thought out, let alone designed. Is Google playing the Apple game, tying us into their universe and making us take whatever the deliver?
Do they even care how many apps won't work or have to have multiple purchases to support their multi-user "security"? Should have just left the multi-user thing to 3rd party devs. They fail on this, IMO.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google doesn't care.. Remember when 4.1.1 broke a bunch of paid apps by sticking them in the asec folder which wasn't mounted at startup? So since it wasn't mounted Android never saw the apps during boot and paid keyboards and widgets disappeared after a reboot. MONTHS went by before it was addressed. Meanwhile developers of those paid apps had angry customers and money lost because of Google
This will be the same song and dance.. Google is getting very sloppy with development and communication with developers pre-release seems to not exist.
I love it.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
Thread Cleaned​
Lets keep personal opinions about users from different nations to yourself. This is a development forum, not a place to vent personal feelings. Now keep it on topic.​
Stop stereotyping. People are always so quick to hate on Americans. Yes there are bad Americans...but every country has them. Even your country. But I'm not going to go there since I happen to like most people from the UK that I've encountered...it would be unfair to label your entire nation as arrogant, ungrateful, and judgmental because of your behavior.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
leelaa said:
I love it.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
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original_ganjaman said:
Thread Cleaned​
Lets keep personal opinions about users from different nations to yourself. This is a development forum, not a place to vent personal feelings. Now keep it on topic.​
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Click to collapse
Seriously how is the "I love it" on topic or not a personal feeling?
Anyway thanks for the clean up
But still I agree with the OP. Google is becoming arrogant, sloppy and in its quest to be more user friendly making fiends of the ppl that were with them from version 1.
So what is the problem? I am only one person using my nexus and I haven't run into any issues.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
sikagoon7 said:
4.2 works fine for me. A few bugs here and there but you can't expect everything to be perfect. Google getting arrogant? Please. Sloppy? I'd say they are spread a bit thin with all the projects they have going on.
Google is run by humans. Android developers are humans. Humans make errors. Not too complicated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well its not about the bugs, bugs can be forgiven.
System works fine...
Its about their behavior
For me personally that I can't mount my USB stick, or lost tablet mode means that I downgraded to 4.1.2 back.
Today is Thursday. The sun will still shine Friday
Humm ..
Its called growing pains. Sometimes you have to take a STEP Back to move two bigger steps foreword. I see so much talk about this is not there that is buggy. Yes we get it.. But what i am seeing mostly is app compatibility Being Broke.. This is something that will be fixed Quickly by most Developers.
Android is and always will be "A WORK IN PROGRESS". My opinion only but if you want bland and safe sell your nexus 7 to me for .50 cents and get a ipad mini.
People who are having issues Please go to the developers web site and let them know your app is not working properly .Give them exact details. You can do the same to google at groups.google.com. Just be Patient
Now my GRIPE The multi user cluster (word here im not typing) as others said was not well though through by google. My guess is they made a date promise and pushed out only part of the Feature.. Typical Google.
It will get better and it will happen quite soon.. Lets just hope...
Take a deep breath relax and say to yourself.. Its only a tablet its only a tablet its only a toy tablet... ..
Thanks for Reading... :fingers-crossed:
I suppose YMMV, but I love 4.2. Smoother than 4.1, and nice features. The only thing that really seems half-assed is the multiuser support.
What is your problem with multi-user? For me and my daughter it is working great - could not be better.
I did add my account to her user ID Play store so she could see the apps we own and install the link.
Performance is good - all our preferences and accounts are separated - and I really can't think of any other features I would want.
I did add my account to her user ID Play store so she could see the apps we own and install the link.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't played with multi-user yet, can you add the account just for the play store and not have someone access the gmail account associated with it?
That's my gripe, I want to be able to for ex, have my nephew play with my tablet and all the games etc, but don't want him to access to my gmail etc. I thought this was perfect for that but then read about the app issue. Also, I assume there is no type of limited user, in that a secondary account can still uninstall apps, but at least they can't delete files from the other users home dir.
Yes - my account is just added to my daughter's play store. Open play store and look at add account option.
Works perfectly to give her access to the apps we share.
NO shared Gmail.
Forgot something important:
When you add a second account to play store, you are given a bunch of items you can synch, like contacts.
Uncheck them all!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
i had a valid post in this thread, it seems to have been removed ........yet you left the dude saying "love it".
cheers for that :confused
and im sorry but why has this guy just been thanked by 10 people? the post has nothing to do with anything...... shenanigans shenanigans i tells ya!!:silly:
Stick mount wasn't a feature of 4.1. It was hacked in which is why you had to be rooted and use an app. You'll get USB support again. Multiuser support screwed with the storage. That's all.
New tweaks are a little rough around the edges but will be smoothed out soon enough. Give it time, damn guys. I personally think its no better or worse then 4.1.2. We just have a few new toys now.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app
4.2 = 1st time I've truly experienced "butter"...
Sure, I kinda miss the bells & whistles I had on Codename Android, and I'll definitely check out any forthcoming 4.2 updates, but scrosler's stock, rooted, deodexed ROM is far & away the smoothest, quickest ROM I've used on any Android device. Stock kernel, no tweaks, plain vanilla is for me for now. Way better Google experience. OK, I sideloaded the AOSP browser for Flash, but that's it. Chrome is much more responsive on 4.2 than 4.1.2 - Everything is noticeably quicker - I even detect better wireless response. Your results may vary, but I'm not going back!
[/COLOR]If you are unhappy just roll back to 4.1.2. This isn't iOS. You can downgrade all you want.[/QUOTE]
Please tell me how, not rooted?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
---------- Post added at 03:22 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:19 AM ----------
Am I the only one that has multiple apps that crash and all kinds of problems? Hell even the Youtube app crashes, i am so pissed i want a refund on this tablet they ruined or i want 4.1.2 back grrrrrrrrrr
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
If you are unhappy just roll back to 4.1.2. This isn't iOS. You can downgrade all you want.
Please tell me how, not rooted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wouldn't a factory image flashing work?
PAGOT said:
Wouldn't a factory image flashing work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
erica_renee said:
HMy guess is they made a date promise and pushed out only part of the Feature.. Typical Google.
It will get better and it will happen quite soon.. Lets just hope...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I do belive that you are right. I also feared (and expected, to tell the truth) that something EXACTLY like this would happen. I tried NOT to update the system, but why the hell did they keep forcing it when we obvoiusly do not want it? And probably, they must have known that it will broke a lot of things...
Just to explain: for me, there was a message with three buttons: upgrade, more info (which leads to seme text and bigger "upgrade" button and "later", but that "later" means only "ask at next screen unlock" which made the tablet realy hard to use. So, what choice have I had?

[Q] What can't I do with this device in various states?

I recently was gifted a Kindle fire hd 7". I have a little experience in rooting and flashing OS's from an HTC tilt from maybe 5 or 6 years ago. I'm wondering what I can't do with my device in it's previous states, as in, what am I missing out on? So for Stock, Rooted, and I'm not familiar with what the choices are from their but I assume a small(or large?) variety of both homebrew and corporate OS's(like running windows on it) that people have tailored for this device. There is a wealth of knowledge on this site for how to do these things but I want to be more familiar with what I can do with all of the different states. Also, what are the limitations of Amazon's(or is it amazon's?) OS? It seems that even though it was open source this is a protected OS lacking a lot of customization not much different from an Apple OS.
Thanks in advance.
Locked kfhd is like a bigwheel. Rooted kfhd is like a Harley. I got mine as a gift too and when I first turned it on, I was disgusted by the ugly presentation of the launcher. Then I didn't like how much crap was funneling through Amazon for a price. I knew within 5 minutes of owning it that I would be looking to root it. Now, I have go launcher on here and it works great. Waiting for cm10.
Krsmqn said:
...I knew within 5 minutes of owning it that I would be looking to root it. Now, I have go launcher on here and it works great. Waiting for cm10.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Literally rooted mine right out of the box. Never knew what true "stock" felt like, but I don't think I missed much.
Poor launcher, but most importantly google play store...
If you dont mind acquiring the apks and side loading them all and the carousel wheel, really all you lose out on is root ability thus far ive only needed that for google apps, launchers and the moga app...root gives you the ability to disable updates and ads...
Sent from my KFTT using xda app-developers app

eReader ROM...

Hi,
First post, so first of all- great community here. I like the welcome video, and attitude of figuring it out yourself (forcing you to learn a lot very fast).
I rooted my Nexus 7 very easily, thanks to the info here. I've got MultiRom running and I tired installing Ubuntu 13.04. I installed the KerneeI, and Ubuntu, but then the OS itself wouldn't load. I'm not ready to post for help with it yet- but searching hasn't given me any solutions yet.
Anyway, I'm wondering if anyone else would be interested in an eReader ROM. I haven't thought it through a lot- but for me, I think it would encourage me to read more instead of getting notifications and being distracted, or being tempted to do other things. It could be optimized to lengthen the battery, such as through under-clocking the CPU or other hardware...
Anyone else think it could be a good idea? Does something similar exist?
Cheers
Hmm. If I wanted an ereader, I would buy a kindle or something else.
I can read ebooks with my nexus and do a lot of other things with it. Why should I limit it artificially?
They already make eReaders. Why would you want to cripple such a power full device into a eReader?
If you are distracted and want to read more GET A BOOK
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
ycon said:
Anyway, I'm wondering if anyone else would be interested in an eReader ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
just install the nook or kindle app onto your device and load it up with whatever ebooks you want. bam, instant ereader rom with no rom development needed.
ycon said:
I haven't thought it through a lot- but for me, I think it would encourage me to read more instead of getting notifications and being distracted, or being tempted to do other things.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
install titanium backup or some other app manager and start uninstalling apps. bam, instant distraction-free rom with no rom development needed.
ycon said:
It could be optimized to lengthen the battery, such as through under-clocking the CPU or other hardware...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
flash a custom kernel. bam, instant optimization with no rom development needed.
ycon said:
Anyone else think it could be a good idea? Does something similar exist?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
waste of time honestly since there's only you that's ever requested a rom like this here on these forums and because every rom available for the n7 already has the capabilities you're requesting. i suggest Slim Bean being's it's only 80mb and super lightweight, and it comes with Slim Sizer (i believe that's the name) which allows you to remove any system application that came pre-installed on the rom.
Tbh it doesn't sound like a bad idea. Suppose you gave it to a kid or teen or whatever that mostly reads and doesn't know crap about technology. Kinda like porting the kindles software over. Doubt anyone really cares too much to work on it though.
Sent from my Motorola XPRT
BlackFire27 said:
Tbh it doesn't sound like a bad idea. Suppose you gave it to a kid or teen or whatever that mostly reads and doesn't know crap about technology. Kinda like porting the kindles software over. Doubt anyone really cares too much to work on it though.
Sent from my Motorola XPRT
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if i wanted to give a kid who knows nothing about technology an ereader, i certainly wouldn't give them a developer's device, let alone one that costs over $200. that's what a nabi2 tablet is for. hell, a nook simple touch is only $100. half the price of a nexus 7, easy to use, and does everything OP is asking for. an ereader rom for a developer device is honestly quite wasteful.
If you're being distracted by notifications couldn't you just turn Airplane mode on?
Or, as others have said, you could just install Slimbean and add nothing but a couple reading apps. And then remove EVERY other app on that ROM. Then you pretty much have what you want.
cnstarz said:
if i wanted to give a kid who knows nothing about technology an ereader, i certainly wouldn't give them a developer's device, let alone one that costs over $200. that's what a nabi2 tablet is for. hell, a nook simple touch is only $100. half the price of a nexus 7, easy to use, and does everything OP is asking for. an ereader rom for a developer device is honestly quite wasteful.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"Give" not "buy". Like a hand me down. And its not entirely a developer device. Of all the people I know who have a N7 don't even know what rooting is besides fellow xda members.
Sent from my Motorola XPRT
Sent from my Motorola XPRT
The only reason why an ereader is a stand alone device is its screen and therefore battery consumption. Yes, you can read books on n7 too, bit there's no point having a separate ROM for it, all you need is an app, or maybe a dedicated launcher. I can't picture a ROM that makes the battery last for a week and transform a LCD screen into eink one. It may be worth a shot with led displays, but not on LCD.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
BlackFire27 said:
"Give" not "buy". Like a hand me down. And its not entirely a developer device. Of all the people I know who have a N7 don't even know what rooting is besides fellow xda members.
Sent from my Motorola XPRT
Sent from my Motorola XPRT
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
just because there are people that own the device and dont know what rooting is doesn't mean the device wasn't intended for developers. it was. all nexus devices are intended to be developed on.

Time of Death 14:45 CST 1/11/2013

I'm calling it. Google is not ever going to open Chromecast to development and it will never be more than a limited dongle to stream a few (mostly) paid services. They may finish an SDK but they will never remove the white list. Google has moved on to luxury barges and product tie ins with candy bars. Chromecast is an even bigger failure than Nexus Q. Google may have sold lots of Chromecasts but they have gone out of their way to make the device of only very limited utility and the 3rd party apps they have added have been so few and so limited.
I don't think I'm going to be buying any more Google multimedia devices. I feel like a real sucker for buying this one.
Dude it's $35. Want some cheese with that?
I think you are wrong on this, browse on phone play on TV is great.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4
I think you are very wrong here. I would rather google whitelist quality apps than have a ton of half-assed ones for it.
Granted yes I would like to see more apps available for it. But while it's still young we don't need 100 apps that all do the exact same thing. The one app I am waiting for is plex. If that ever becomes chromecast enabled. That would be awesome
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk
Woah, calm down. It's not even half a year old yet.
Google is slowly but surely allowing apps to have Chromecast support.
Hulu now has Chromecast support and just recently Pandora.
While I don't really see the whole logic behind them approving apps it's really not that big of a deal.
I can see Chromecast having a good life in the future. It's definitely not a Nexus Q failure.
inthepit said:
I think you are very wrong here. I would rather google whitelist quality apps than have a ton of half-assed ones for it.
Granted yes I would like to see more apps available for it. But while it's still young we don't need 100 apps that all do the exact same thing. The one app I am waiting for is plex. If that ever becomes chromecast enabled. That would be awesome
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want your mfg to control what apps you can use and who gets to develop for them, then go swap to apple.
It would be one thing if there was even an approval process, but there isn't, just backroom deals between big companies.
When I buy google it's because I want the freedom to do what I want with my device.
That said I'm giving them til the end of the year before I declare their "SDK" dead, but I am starting to agree with the OP.
gottahavit said:
If you want your mfg to control what apps you can use and who gets to develop for them, then go swap to apple.
It would be one thing if there was even an approval process, but there isn't, just backroom deals between big companies.
When I buy google it's because I want the freedom to do what I want with my device.
That said I'm giving them til the end of the year before I declare their "SDK" dead, but I am starting to agree with the OP.
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Click to collapse
Google never promised you any thing with the Chromecast. You just let your imagination get the better if you. Like others said. What did you expect for $35.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk
Cuzz1369 said:
Google never promised you any thing with the Chromecast. You just let your imagination get the better if you. Like others said. What did you expect for $35.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I expect that when they publish a "Beta" SDK, that states "You're CC needs to be Whitelisted while in Beta", that within a reasonable period of time, the whitelist requirement will be lifted and the SDK will come out of Beta and they will publish a "here's the process to publish your app"
When Google(or really anyone) releases a Beta SDK Developers are going begin spending their valuable time coding solutions for that platform, expecting someday they will be able to release their product.
So far they're just wasting developers time.
This has nothing to do with how much my chromecast cost, it's about misleading developers.
You buy a product for what it does. Not what you think it could/should/will do. Its called "Chromecast" and that's exactly what it does, casts chrome to my TV, beautify.
I understand your frustration, but I knew when I bought it what it was and did, and even though I wanted more, didn't expect it for the price
Sent from my One using xda app-developers app
inthepit said:
I think you are very wrong here. I would rather google whitelist quality apps than have a ton of half-assed ones for it.
Granted yes I would like to see more apps available for it. But while it's still young we don't need 100 apps that all do the exact same thing. The one app I am waiting for is plex. If that ever becomes chromecast enabled. That would be awesome
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with you that it would be nice to have apps that Google has tested for quality, but that does not require a white list. The could offer a tested & certified classification. But locking out everyone else is just rude. The market is pretty good at self regulating. And I'd be glad to see 100 apps that do the same thing. Chances are better I can find one I like. The more competition, the better the quality of the standouts in the long run. Locking the device down is both lazy and greedy.
Galaxy S4, Galaxy Nexus, Nexus 7
I would have to agree. This thing is DOA! Had potential but by the time Google gets off their butts something else better will be out to take its place. Too bad. Thank goodness it was only $35.
Sent from my HTCONE using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
I'm disappointed too, and I agree that we will probably NEVER see any 3rd party independent apps for the chromecast. We'll just get the few services that Google throws to us. I imagine they'll still add things in the future from time to time though.
For $35 I am still happy with the device. I was tired of using my Blu-Ray player's clunky UI to watch Netflix or Youtube videos. Being able to initiate and perform everything via smartphone is amazing. I do think the Play Music could be better implemented...I don't expect most people to understand that you have to upload your music to Play and then download it onto your phone through the app, rather than sideloading. But I guess that's just a product of the DIAL standard.
We all expected 'freedom' but Google never actually said this thing would be open source.
They are a business, not a charity. They probably have their reasons for being so restrictive.
Still it's early to tell what will happen. Allowing plex would solve most of my problems, personally.
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
For me Chromecast has been awesome. With Pandora it just got tons better. Because I use Amazon prime as my tv source, if they release prime app I'll buy another one for my bedroom asap. If Netflix or hulu was what I use I would have already bought another.
You can use splashtop to cast browser tabs on your computer from your phone and use hulu for free.
Best $35 I've spent I'm a long time.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
jcissell said:
Best $35 I've spent I'm a long time.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
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Click to collapse
That makes 2 of us lol Matter of fact I spent more last night on margaritas and all I got out of that was a little hangover this morning.
I've found that my CC streams Hulu better than either my blu-ray player or my LG 'smart' TV. I also use Netflix, Pandora and Google Music and am happy with them all on the CC; Plex would be icing on the cake. Plus the kids like being able to select their shows from the tablet vs the remote.
I can understand the devs not being happy though.
Furik said:
Woah, calm down. It's not even half a year old yet.
Google is slowly but surely allowing apps to have Chromecast support.
Hulu now has Chromecast support and just recently Pandora.
While I don't really see the whole logic behind them approving apps it's really not that big of a deal.
I can see Chromecast having a good life in the future. It's definitely not a Nexus Q failure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I was told about Google TV. I'm still waiting.
Sent from my XT897 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
rbeavers said:
That's what I was told about Google TV. I'm still waiting.
Sent from my XT897 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah me too, but at least as a developer I can write and distribute code for GTV, as pathetic as it is.
I use my Chromecast every day, most times about 3-4hrs a day on multiple TV's
I have 4 Apple loving friends who own one and prefer it for Hulu, Netflix and YouTube over their Apple TV boxes.
People who won't touch Google or Android or are still using IE use it. Google has become a name in the living room by selling a "foot in the door" device at a bargain/loss.... and they are succeeding
Some failure........
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk 4
gottahavit said:
Yeah me too, but at least as a developer I can write and distribute code for GTV, as pathetic as it is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, I can't do a thing with out root on the GTV.
It's nice we can at least cast a chrome tab.
Sent from my XT897 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
It's only been a little over 4 months, so it's not quite dead yet, but it's beginning to look like Google's second failure in the TV market. So far the biggest news has been Google crushing attempts to make it more useful.
I think Google's problem is that they have no clue what they want to do in the TV market. They're dabbling because they think they should, but they don't want to commit to anything.
Personally I already replaced mine with a Roku, which cost only a few dollars more and is way better. I think the Chromecast will be going to somebody else for Christmas.

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