Consider It Fixed

Running Google Apps on An Amazon Fire

I got my Amazon Fire on day one.  I immediately was impressed by it.  But as I began to dig deeper, I became disappointed.  I setup email, but couldn’t get to my contacts.  I didn’t like the email client and I could find no way to get to my Google contacts on the device without a manual import.  I could not find a calendar without paying money.  I tried using the Silk browser to access Google Apps.  It was OK until I turned to landscape mode and watched the editing box slide up the screen where I couldn’t see what I was writing.  At the end of day one, I thought that I would probably return my Fire. 

 

On day two, I came across some posts discussing how some users had rooted their Fire and been successful installing 3rd party applications not available in the Amazon Appstore.  I began to explore and discovered that I could get all of the functionality that I wanted without rooting my Fire.  I now love my Kindle Fire as it’s an awesome media device and also a great tool.  In this article I will share my path to liberating my Fire.

These are the steps that I took:

1. The first thing that you need to do is go into settings by tapping on the gear icon in the upper right corner, select More, select Device, and turn on Allow Installation of Applications From Unknown Sources.
2. Next, you need to establish an easy way to install Android application files onto the Fire.  Go to the Amazon Store on the Apps tab and install ES File Explorer.  Using ES File Explorer, you can connect your Fire to a PC via a mini USB to USB cable or you can connect your Fire to a PC via shared folders over a wireless network.  Either way works.  Once you are connected, you can transfer files between your desktop and Fire. 
3. I took a slightly different approach as the first file that I transferred was Dropbox_1.1.1.apk.  I created a directory on my Fire called Fire Apps and copied Dropbox into it.  I then clicked on the file, agreed to the security prompts and I was looking at Dropbox running on my Fire.  For the rest of my file transfers, I created a folder in Dropbox on my PC, put the files that I wanted to install on my fire in it, and opened up Dropbox on my Fire.
4. Now, I have to tell you, that finding the necessary installation files is not easy as they are typically hidden by the Android Market, Amazon Appstore, or other app sources.  If you go to Google and look for the apps, you will find them.  Just be careful about exploits and old file versions.  Don’t say that I didn’t warn you.  Also, make sure that you restart your Fire before running any newly installed apps.  I also want to state clearly that this worked for me.  But it may not work for you.  You do any or all of this at your own risk.  I also do not endorse the installation of any files that are for sale.  All of the files that I have installed are available at no cost or if they are for sale, I paid for them.

The files that I installed to get Google Apps running are:

1. GoogleServicesFramework.apk
2. GoogleContactsSyncAdapter.apk (contacts sync)
3. com.google.android.gm-2.apk (gmail)
4. com.google.android.apps.reader-1.apk (reader)
5. com.google.android.apps.googlevoice-1.apk (voice)
6. com.google.android.youtube-2.apk (youtube)

Additional applications that I have installed are Dolphin Browser, Subsonic, Xmarks for Dolphin, and Lastpass for Dolphin.  The only way that I was able to get a working calendar that syncs with Google Apps is by purchasing CalenGoo from the Amazon Appstore.  It works just fine.

I now have an Amazon Fire that is just perfect.  I hope that Amazon is listening and understands that a bridge is often necessary as users live in an integrated world.

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Contact Info: info@consideritfixed.com

 

Problem Solved: My iPhone Skips Songs When I Ride My Bike

I've been on a quest to find a product that will let me safely listen to music when I ride my bike.  The operating word here is safely.  Headphones don't cut it as they block the ear canal.  So, you can't hear what's going on around you.  Another solution I've considered is mounting speakers on the handlebars.  But they require batteries and add weight to the bike.  I've looked at a number of possible speakers, but nothing resonated with me.  As I continued to look, I became aware of a new product called the Tunebug Shake by Silicon Valley Global LLC. The Shake is a very cool product - it uses SurfaceSound speaker technology making a helmet into a speaker and bluetooth for a wireless connection between it and the music player. The Shake just started shipping in June.  So, I ordered one.

Silicon Valley Global describes the Shake as:

"Mobile music typically means listening through headphones, dangerously isolating yourself from others and your environment. The Tunebug Shake is an ultra-portable sound generator that can be connected to iPods, MP3 players or mobile phones or used wirelessly using Bluetooth®. When mounted on a bike, skate or snowboard helmet, the Shake creates a surround sound experience."

I received my Shake, charged it up, and fitted it to my bike helmet.  I tried it with my iPhone 3G.  The bluetooth setup with straight forward and worked the first time.  I turned on iPod and listened to music.  I did the same with Pandora.  I tried connecting the Shake with a stereo cable.  The music sounded fuller and louder.  I'm a bit hard of hearing.  So, having good volume is helpful to me. 

I have an iPhone holder on my bike.  So, I mounted the iPhone, connected the Shake, and went for a ride.  Everything started off great.  I now had music that I could hear well and still be totally aware of all of the sounds around me.  Unfortunately, that didn't last long.  As I continued to ride, the iPod application started to randomly change songs on me.  I have never had this problem before with my iPhone and a number of different headphones and speakers. 

I fiddled with the wiring, the controls, the iPhone, the Shake, restarted the iPhone, read through the Shake documentation, and looked at the support area on the Tunebug website.  Unfortunately, I didn't find anything that could explain the random song changing.  Could it be a faulty Shake?  Could it be interfance from my wireless bike computer?  Could it be a bad cable?  I tested everything and found no solution.  But I did notice one thing - when my bike was stationary, the iPhone didn't skip songs. It only skipped songs when I was riding.

In growing frustration, I called Tunebug support.  My call was answered immediately.  They took my information and told me that I would be contacted in short order.  The folks at Tunebug were very responsive, but since the device is new and hasn't been exposed to all user scenarios, they didn't have a fix.  I agreed to do some more testing and they agreed to discuss the problem with engineering.  That was yesterday.

Today, I got an email from Tunebug.  They told me that they have had other reports of this problem with iPhone and iTouch.  And better, they provided a simple fix.  This is the version of the fix for an iPhone:

1. Open Settings
2. Select iPod
3. In the iPod setting, turn off "Shake to Shuffle"

This sure did make me laugh.  I had no idea that this feature was available and set to on by default.  I think that it's even funnier since the name of the feature is the same as the name of the Tunebug product.

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Boxee: Media PC Done RIght

I enjoy my media center and large high definition TV.  Since it is connected to the Internet, I have spent hours combing the web, exploring numerous sites offering movies, videos, TV shows, and other media products.  I really got hooked on Internet connected media when I discovered that I could watch all 5 seasons of Lost from beginning to end thanks to Hulu.

My explorations have forced me to learn about and/or install several different media players.  You see, there is no standard for this type of Internet-based content.  It’s another Wild, Wild, West Internet adventure.  Microsoft’s media center is OK for some things, but without significant customization is can’t play several types of media files.  Nor, can it easily play content from sites like Hulu and ABC.  The story goes on like this for nearly ever product that I tested.  They do some things well, but there focus is narrow and self-serving.

This all changed when I learned about and installed Boxee.  Boxee describes itself as: 

“Boxee is the first "social" media center, whose free, open source, downloadable software is changing the way consumers experience media.

On a computer or connected to an HDTV, Boxee gives people a truly connected digital entertainment experience to enjoy movies, TV shows, music and photos, as well as streaming content from websites like Netflix, MLB.TV, Comedy Central, Pandora, Last.fm, and flickr. Not only that, but you can share information about what you’re watching with friends so they can find it legally and enjoy it too. You can even post things you like to social networks like Twitter, Last.FM, or Tumblr. All this from within a visually driven interface that makes media come to life.”

According to its website, the idea for Boxee was born when founding friends Avner, Gidon, Idan, Tom, and Roee, came up with the idea for boxee in 2004 when they began using Xbox Media Center, open source software for the original Xbox that allowed people to play digital media on their TVs. They became members of XBMC’s open source community and in 2007 imagined a way to take the platform even further. Since 2007, Mr. Ronen and a team of 11 others have worked to extend the base code for XBMC with online sources like hulu and Netflix as well as social networking in Boxee.

Today, Boxee is available for Windows, OS X, Linux, and Apple TV.  In the near future, Boxee will be available on its own dedicated setup top box via a partnership with D-Link and others will follow.
 

 

 

 

 

Here is why I like Boxee:

1. It supports all of the platforms that I use including Windows, Apple and Linux.
2. It plays nearly every media file type that ask it to.  I now longer have to comb the Internet looking for codecs, players, and converter.
3. It provides a consistent interface to media content from a number of sources. It's open and not married to it’s own content.  I think of it as a media aggregator.
4. It has the best user interface and user experience, bar none, of any media player available.  Setup is simple.  Basically, you can install it and go.  There are some simple options that can be used to customize Boxee.  But they are easy to navigate and understand.
5. It works with a number of media controllers without the need to train, installing additional software and the like.  I use it with a Logitech Harmony One remote control and a wireless keyboard.  Neither control required any special setup.
6. Boxee has a great remote control app for the iPhone.  I installed it and it worked on the first try.
7. I can use Boxee to find a wide variety of different media content from a large number of source on the Internet.  This is done through its search capabilities and connections to popular social media sites.

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Contact Info: info@consideritfixed.com

Logitech Harmony One Remote Control

I recently moved and had the opportunity to build a new home entertainment center.  I collected a number of fine components including:

•     Sony 52 inch LCD TV
  
•     Onkyo 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver
•     Onkyo Remote Interactive iPod Dock
  
•     Canton speakers
•     Velodyne 10" Powered Subwoofer
  
•     Panamax Home Theater Power
  
•     Comcast PVR

Setup was easy - unpack the components, connect the wires, and run Audyssey, Onkyo's automatic speaker calibration technology.   The system is impressive and the Sony picture is excellent.  But when I caught sight of the pile of remote controls, I got concerned.  The system would be way too complex for my family.  I counted 5 remote controls and each unique and optimized to control its components.  Some offer support to control other components, but it's limited with a painful programming interface.

So I went looking for a better solution.  I found the Logitech Harmony One Remote Control.  Setup is very cool - install software on either a PC or Mac, update, and program.  The remote works on activity-based profiles like watch TV or listen to digital music.  Once your programming is complete, connect the remote to your computer via USB, and let the computer program the remote.  If you don't get the behavior that you want, simply go back the computer to adjust the profile until you get it right.  As well, the remote's help mode lets it adapt and learn when you don't get everything right.  The remote has a small touch screen that lists the profiles and functions for the devices that it controls.  The software supports a huge number of devices.  And because it's software based, it can easily be updated to improve its capabilities as well as update its device support.

Once the Harmony One is programmed, it's simple enough for any family member to operate.  Everyone in my family loves it.  It looks cool.  It's easy to operate.  It lets us control everything from a single remote control.  It's reasonably priced at a MRSP of $249.99.  I think that it's best in its class.  Check it out here: http://www.logitech.com.

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Contact Info: info@consideritfixed.com

 

Pandora - The Music Genome Project

I like to listen to music. My tastes are eclectic – so I'm always looking for new artists. I have a couple of places that I go to help me. I read Paste, a magazine mostly about independent music and film. I subscribe to Microsoft's Zune music service. For $14.99 a month, I have unlimited access to its entire library. It's very cool and while it doesn't have the depth of iTunes, it rocks. I have full access to a growing library of music – as much as I want when I want it. My iPod devote friends actually get jealous when I tell them about it.

I recently added to my music finding tools when I found Pandora. It's is perhaps the coolest music discovering tool available! Big statement huh? Pandora deserves it.

Pandora started with the Music Genome Project.

"Since we started back in 2000, we have been hard at work on the Music Genome Project. It's the most comprehensive analysis of music ever undertaken. Together our team of fifty musician-analysts has been listening to music, one song at a time, studying and collecting literally hundreds of musical details on every song. It takes 20-30 minutes per song to capture all of the little details that give each recording its magical sound - melody, harmony, instrumentation, rhythm, vocals, lyrics ... and more - close to 400 attributes! We continue this work every day to keep up with the incredible flow of great new music coming from studios, stadiums and garages around the country."

Pandora's interface is simple and inviting – it gets you started quickly. Basically, you enter either a musician or a song and Pandora will build a radio station around it. It offers songs that are similar to the musician or song continuously. You can add additional musicians or songs to your radio station or create new radio stations. If you register on the site, it will remember your radio stations. Follow the link below and give it a try. I haven't found anyone who doesn't think its way cool. Now you can Consider It (Your music listen) Fixed!

www.pandora.com

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