I just did something I didn't expect to do!

[MoodyBlues]

An update. And, *NO*, I'm not going to say I've changed my mind again! :rofl:

I now have my Kindle looking like a regular Android device--and I haven't rooted it. Gone is its carousel, replaced by multiple home screens and a normal looking launcher. (The carousel is easily accessed...if I'm so inclined.)

Still have some other things I'm tweaking and/or wanting to do to it, but it's coming along.

 

[MoodyBlues]

I've now done something ELSE I didn't expect to do--rooted the Kindle.

Last night it just kind of happened. I was looking around online to see if there were any Linux-based instructions/files for rooting it, and came across this. It says it's for the 7" or 2, while mine's the 8.9", but I gave it a whirl.

I had to search for various things and tweak others as they failed, but overall it was pretty easy. So now I have the Google Play Store as my default source for apps, and I'm glad. I just prefer it over Amazon's app store.

Now I'll have to spend some time exploring--and cleaning up bloatware!

 

[nickdalzell]

told you it was easy. rooting is no harder than logging in as root in Linux in Android, it's basically adding the su binary. that's all root does. the more complicated stuff involves flashing a custom recovery and flashing ROMs.

 

[MoodyBlues]

I'm glad I did it, but I have to disagree that it's no harder than logging in as root on Linux. I've been doing the latter for decades [blah blah blah] and the reason it's easy is because there's nothing to it. When you don't know how to root a device, PLUS you only use Linux, PLUS all the instructions and files you find online are for window$, then that's not quite so easy.

Something it's reinforced for me is that I don't want, or need, to root my phone. As far as it's concerned, it's perfectly fine the way it is. The Kindle, on the other hand, needed a little help. Now it's a full-fledged Android tablet, and I love it.

And I'm glad I FINALLY made up my [blanking] mind to keep it! :laugh:

 

[nickdalzell]

of course, for the same price, you could have avoided rooting entirely and went with the 2013 Nexus 7, which is far more capable than a Kindle Fire HD. that is all you got as a result, a lower-powered, slower version of basically the same thing.

 

[MoodyBlues]

of course, for the same price, you could have avoided rooting entirely and went with the 2013 Nexus 7, which is far more capable than a Kindle Fire HD. that is all you got as a result, a lower-powered, slower version of basically the same thing.

Nexus 7--as in 7" screen? Um, no. I like my ~9" screen a lot better!

Which reminds me of something else I've realized--I think a larger tablet, like the 10" ones I was considering, would be too big. I REALLY like the size of the KFHD; it's small enough to be very easy to hold and carry, but big enough to be easy on the eyes. I've even set my all-time high score on my favorite game, Train Conductor 2 USA, on it.

 

[nickdalzell]

honestly the difference from 7 inches to 8.9 inches isn't that noticeable. especially given the Fire HD's much lower resolution. it's not even a retina clone. only the HDX has the 300ppi screen. the normal HD has the same crappy low resolution screen of the 2012 Nexus 7

 

[Dngrsone]

honestly the difference from 7 inches to 8.9 inches isn't that noticeable. especially given the Fire HD's much lower resolution. it's not even a retina clone. only the HDX has the 300ppi screen. the normal HD has the same crappy low resolution screen of the 2012 Nexus 7

Enough, already. She's happy with what she has, period.

The horse is beyond dead: it's freakin' Alpo.

 

[MoodyBlues]

Yes, I am happy with it. And I think its display is awesome. I see detail in TC2USA I never noticed when playing it on my phone. Wow.

Anyway, I'm now thinking about the next step--putting Kubuntu on it. I understand it's quite doable, so...stay tuned. I may end up bricking it yet! :rofl: