My Android Twins

Why Root Kindle Fire

Repurposing

Initially, the purpose of getting the Kindle Fire was to read educational books without having to clutter up my house with multitudes of hard and softcover books that I would probably never use again.  Unfortunately, this didn’t work out so well because there was push-back against e-publishing educational books.  From what I remember, the push-back was because e-publications were not friendly for visually challenged individuals.  Hopefully this will change in the future with the advent of all the Accessibility options such as Google Voice and Talkback to help low or no vision individuals.  If the schools do move forward with e-published books the Kindle app is loaded on the Jellybean ROM and we can still take advantage of the Kindle Fire without the clunky Kindle interface.

Benefits of Kindle and much, much more!

The Audible app is great for listening to books while doing other things, the Kindle app preserves the e-publishing interface, and we are now free from the imprisonment of the Amazon universe.  There’s a huge world wide web out there, and we can get it!  Apps available for Kindle were so much less than those on the Android system, and there is no real loss of use.  It’s all on the upside, especially with the Jandycane ROM.

When I buy something, I really want to OWN it.

Buying the Kindle was buying the hardware, just like any other computer type device.  Hardware is paid for, why not install a preferred operating system that functions well enough with the hardware.  Yes, why not?  I also like consistency between devices, as shown with my Android Twins

Pictures

When writing, including pictures can put topics in context and convey so much more than plain old text alone.  Jandycane added the ability to take screen captures from the device when the power button is pressed.  This added menu option made this post possible!

ROM: Jandycane (Android OS 4.1 with Goo.im Manager – the most stable version of Jellybean for Kindle Fire)
Scroll to the bottom for links to installation files and instructions.

My Favorite Apps Include:

The Visuals ~

Adobe Flash Player 11.1

Installing Adobe Flash Player allows you to visit flash sites, such as monoface.com.  While monoface is fun, the real purpose was  to access some educational websites without lugging around a laptop.

Fancy Widgets Weather And Clock Combo

Fancy Widgets makes the best clock and weather app widget, in my opinion.  The coloring and layout blends in with the Go Launcher transparency theme.  What I like best about it is that it is not cartoon-ish.

Go Launcher EX

Go Launcher EX is a great way to skin the OS and truly personalize the appearance.  For some reason, I really like the black iPhone theme, which skins both of my Android twins.

Go Task Manager Ex

Go Task Manager gives a great little status button to quickly see what’s happening on the Android device.  Tap on it and you can quickly kill apps or set up an automatic kill in the settings.

Go Widget Transparent Theme

For some reason, transparency is very visually appealing to me.  Just like my glass table tops and open floor plan, the transparency of large widgets is important in keeping the visual “space” available.

The File Managers~

ES File Explorer

ES File Explorer is great, because it allows for backing up application apks.  The only app that I haven’t been able to back up is Thumb Keyboard

File Explorer

File Explorer comes with the Jandycane ROM.  This is a fantastic little file manager because it lets me have FTP access to my device in an incredibly easy manner.

Root Explorer

The Root Explorer app allows permission settings and moving applications around, even for normally hidden files.

Super SU

We included Super SU in the file managers, because without Super SU the other file explorer application uses would not be possible.  With Super SU, the Terminal Emulator allows for in device Linux commands.

Life Enhancing~

Cloud Storage 

I use a lot of cloud storage options.  Each one has different benefits and promotions and it’s fun to try different things.  A recent addition is MegaCloud.  Just prior to MegaCloud, I started using  Cubby .  Box.com is a product that I’ve been using for quite a while, repurposing here and there as other cloud storage options are added and/or removed.  A recent addition to my cloud collection is SkyDrive, by Microsoft.  I added SkyDrive because of a class requirement and I keep it for all my schoolwork now.  I added Google drive to integrate with my Google account.  These are life enhancing because now I reinstall my operating system on my computer every 6 months and never worry about losing my data.  I can also backup applications I use to the cloud for safe keeping.  This is especially helpful with rooting the Android OS devices, because after reconnecting WiFi, one url brings me access to every backed up apk straight to my Kindle or phone.

Thumb Keyboard

Thumb Keyboard by Beansoft is a great application.  This allows for a highly customized keyboard with sound and haptic feedback options.

Wifi Analyzer

If you want to see available WiFi connections, with detailed information in a visually appealing interface, this is a great application.

WordPress

The WordPress app allows for multiple WordPress blog management on a portable Android device.  This is a handy option if making screen captures and publishing on the go.

Tools For Kindle Rooting and ROM:

• Java SE Development Kit for i586 and /or x64  (For 64 bit systems, install i586 version first, then x64)
• Android SDK (for Kindle Jandycane, make sure you’re installing for the 4.1 version as well as the 4.2 version)
• Follow instructions for installing Android ADB on Windows 7 and 8 32 and 64 Bit systems here.
• Kindle Fire Utility (for installation instructions, check NGU.  Windows 8 issues, check xda-developers)
• Jandycane Otter ROM
• gapps (be careful.  The wrong version can wreak havoc on your rooting experience and loose Google Framework and applications)

The post Rooted Kindle Fire 1st Generation, Best ROM And Favorite Apps appeared first on Analytically Speaking.

I would say that what we’ve gotten for a half billion dollars is an unpronounceable acronym [DIMHRS]

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates

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Get the habit of analysis – analysis will in time enable synthesis to become your habit of mind. 

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The facts are always friendly, every bit of evidence one can acquire, in any area, leads one that much closer to what is true

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I know people that need to save money somewhere and eliminating a cell phone bill can be a great way to cut expenses.  Following the recent rooting of a Droid X phone and bypassing the activation, we gained the ability to get the WiFi access without having a phone service.  How did this happen?  For the simple broad strokes of the process, it goes something like this:

1. You need a smart phone

I don’t know all the ins and outs of all smart phones, so there is some research involved.  With a smart phone you get WiFi access, which can help you bypass phone service completely or just bypass being charged for minutes on the phone if you have a data package and/or WiFi access.

2. Research how to bypass the phone service

When I researched how to get past Verizon on my old Droid X after upgrading to a Galaxy Nexus, I couldn’t believe how easy it was.  All that had to be done was run a finger in a pattern across the touch screen and viola!  Bypassed activation! Search your phone model and “bypass activation” to see if you can do this too.  You don’t have to root or jailbreak your phone to move forward.  But it can make for some very cool options.

3.  Get a Google Voice account

If you have a Gmail account, sign in.  If not, create one.  Then search for Google Voice, you will be presented with a request to sign up.  You have a choice of getting a new number or using a current number.  If you need phone service, select the new number.  If you have several email accounts related to a business, you may want to create their own number(s).  The one caveat is that you need a phone number to set up Google Voice initially.  If you don’t have a land line or a work number to borrow, then perhaps a friend can help you out.  Just make sure you change the Google Voice options not to forward calls once it is verified.  By the way, Google Voice is pretty cool.

4. Get an android market, itunes or amazon market account

This is easy with the WiFi access.  Just search for the service you need and then create an account.  It is best to associate the accounts with the email address set up on the Google Voice account (gmail account).

5. Search for and install Groove IP application

When the application is installed, all you have to do is enter your gmail account for your user name and the email password.  Then you make your calls when you have a WiFi connection to get free cell phone service or to reduce the minutes on your current plan.  If you have a data package, you could use that instead of the WiFi connection.

That’s it.  I was able to do this for the Galaxy Nexus and also the Droid X that has no phone service…  But which now has phone service… for free!

The post Do You Want To Save Money On Your Phone Bill? appeared first on Analytically Speaking.

In the final analysis there is no other solution to man’s progress but the day’s honest work, the day’s honest decision, the day’s generous utterances, and the day’s good deed.

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When planning for a year, plant corn. When planning for a decade, plant trees. When planning for life, train and educate people

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A Phranken Phone is a smart phone that has bypassed activation and can be used as a test phone without regard or worry about damaging the phone.

What is a good Phranken Phone candidate?

For me, the best candidate is a phone that I’ve had that I no longer need because I have a new one to use with my service plan. Currently, that’s a Droid X.

When would I use my Phranken Phone?

Since the phone isn’t my communication connection, it would be completely at my leisure. Play with the files, modify, change, maybe do some damage and fix it when I have time, not in a frenzied reaction to losing my service.

Where can you use a Phranken Phone?

I can use my Phranken Phone where I have a WiFi connection and download apps and all sorts of things that don’t include phone service.

Why a Phranken Phone?

Because I want to experiment with a phone and see what happens if I do something here or there or install a ROM and not lose my phone service due to bricking my one and only.

The post Phranken Phones – DroidX appeared first on Analytically Speaking.

Don’t count out other amazing programming like Frontline. You will still find more hours of in-depth news programming, investigative journalism and analysis on PBS than on any other outlet. 

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