Brian Schob's Tech Blog

Install Android Market Apps on Kindle Fire Without Root

2012-04-08T08:07:00.000-04:00

If your favorite Android apps are not available in the Amazon app store don't fret, you can install most of them on your Kindle Fire.

Caution: Make sure you are installing an application from a trusted source. Not responsible for damage to your device.

Step 1 - Backup your Android App on your Android device

On your Android device Go to the Market and install Ultimate Backup by Jrummy16.
Open Ultimate Backup on your Android Device. Ultimate Backup will display a list of your installed apps.
Check the apps you want to install on you Kindle Fire.
After you have selected your apps, Click the Backup Button. This will create an .apk file on your SD card. Default location: App_Manager\App_Backups\user_apps\.

Step 2 - Attach your Android Device to your computer

Using a USB cable attach your device to your computer.
Browse the SD card and locate your .apk files App_Manager\App_Backups\user_apps.
Copy the .apk files to your computer.
Disconnect your Android device.

Step 3 - Attach your Kindle Fire to your computer

Copy your .apk files to your Kindle Fire. Place them in the Download folder.
Disconnect your Kindle Fire from your computer.

Step 4 - Installing the apps on your Kindle Fire

On your Kindle Fire, go to Settings, Device. Set Allow Installation of Applications to On. This will allow you to install applications that are not in the Amazon App Store.
You will need a file viewer on your Kindle Fire. On your Kindle Fire open the app store and install File Expert by Xi'an Geek.
Open File Expert. Click My Files. Click SD Card. Click Download. Click on the .apk file you want to install. Click Install.
Your Application is installed and will be accessible under your Kindle Apps.

Most apps will work. You will not be able to install Google Apps without rooting your Kindle Fire and installing the Google Service framework.

If you don't have an Android device to backup the applications, you can ask a friend to provide the .apk files or check the developers website.

Should I buy a Kindle Fire or an iPad?

2012-02-19T11:03:00.003-05:00

The question to ask is: How do you plan to use the device?

If you are looking to be entertained, then you should purchase the Kindle Fire. Did you know the most common use of the iPad is for entertainment and Email?

If you are looking to use this device for business or as a tablet, then purchase an iPad or Android tablet.

The media has defined the Kindle Fire as an iPad killer, it’s definitely not. Although the device has some characteristics of an iPad or tablet, its main function is to provide quick access to Amazon’s online content. The Kindle Fire provides access to millions of movies, TV shows, books and magazines. In addition, you have access to the Amazon app store with thousands of apps and games, if that’s not enough you can search the web for even more content.

Pros:

Price – At $199 this is the best priced device in its category.

Content – 19 million movies, TV shows, songs, magazines, and books. Thousands of apps and games available for download. If you are an Amazon Prime member you can enjoy unlimited streaming of popular movies and TV shows. If books are your thing you can borrow books from the Kindle Owner’s Lending Library.

Size – At just 7 inches it is the perfect size to hold and carry.

Cons:

Storage – The Fire only has 8 GB of storage. 1.17 GB available for application storage and 5.36 GB available for content. The other 1.47 GB is reserved for the operating system. The storage is not expandable and is supplemented by Amazon’s Cloud storage.

Applications– Amazon’s market lacks compared to Apple and Google. I was disappointed to find the Facebook app is a shortcut to the Facebook mobile website even though it appears to an app in all the advertising.

Carousel – The Carousel feature on the home screen is annoying. It adds an icon to the carousel every time you access something on the device. You can remove items by clicking on them but you can’t disable the feature.

No HDMI – A HDMI output would be nice to connect the Fire to a larger display say a TV when streaming movies.

No GPS or Location services – No map support. These services would come in handy when traveling.

Other Premium features – No 3G, Bluetooth, camera and microphone.

Though it doesn’t have all the technical specs as the leading tablets, the $199 price tag makes this device very attractive.

Android Market Insufficient Space

2011-11-21T09:03:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I received an error when trying to update one of my applications in the Android Market. Insufficient space error when there is plenty of space available.

I was able to solve this problem by clearing the cache for the Market app. To do this go to Settings > Applications, locate the Market app, click Clear cache.

Android 2.2 Motorola Droid - Manual Update

2010-08-03T20:20:00.000-04:00

Droid Life has instructions to manually update your Motorola Droid to Android 2.2.

Manual Install Android 2.2

Android Key Ring™ Application

2010-03-13T07:05:00.002-05:00

Tired of carrying all those rewards club key chain tags. Now you don't need to clutter up your key ring with cards you may only use on occasion. Froogloid has created Key Ring™ an application that will store all of your cards on your Android phone. The application currently supports 650+ retailers with the ability to add your own retailers or cards without barcodes.

The application is easy to setup. Launch the application and click add card. The application will ask you if the card has a barcode. If the card has a barcode you simply scan the barcode and associate with the retailer. Your card is now stored on your phone.

When checking out at the retailer, simple open the application and select the retailer. The retailer can scan the barcode or manually enter the code into the register.

For more information on the application visit: http://www.froogloid.com/key-ring

Target is now offering mobile coupons

2010-03-12T07:11:00.001-05:00

Target is now offering barcode mobile coupons. You need to opt-in at target.com and have a mobile phone with an internet browser. Once you have opted-in, you will receive a text alert with a link to the available coupons. The coupon will display a barcode the cashier will use when you check out.

Sign up here: Target : Mobile Coupons

Google adds biking directions to Google Maps

2010-03-11T06:40:00.001-05:00

Now you can get biking directions to your next destination using Google Maps. Google has designated routes that are bike friendly and has added bike trails thanks to the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.

For more information visit: Official Google Blog: Biking directions added to Google Maps

Use Gmail To Read Other POP Accounts

2010-01-10T08:55:00.042-05:00

I have noticed on my Android phone my POP accounts will sometimes error on the connection or will not download messages automatically.

To solve this problem and help save battery life, you can have your Gmail account check the POP account for you. Gmail will check your POP account for new messages and download them into your Gmail account automatically. Now you can read and reply to all your emails using your Gmail app on your Android device. Don't worry you can set the reply address to use the POP account.

Setup:

Click Settings at the top of any Gmail screen.
Open the Accounts and Import Tab.
In the Check mail using POP3 section, click Add POP3 email account.
Enter your full email address, click Next Step.
Gmail will provide server suggestions and settings for your account. Verify the information by checking with your service provider.
- Verify Username
- Enter your Password
- Verify your POP Server
- Decide if you want Leave a copy of retrieved message on the server
- Decide if you want to Always use a secure connection (SSL) when retrieving mail
- Set Label incoming messages
- Decide if you want to Archive incoming messages (Skip The Inbox)
Click Add Account
Once your account has been added successfully, you'll have the option of setting it as a custom From address. This allows you to compose messages in Gmail, but have them appear to be sent from your other email account. Click Yes to set up a custom From address.

Here is the link if you need additional help with this setup:
http://mail.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=21288

Bing Maps Beta

2009-12-03T22:16:00.000-05:00

Bing is adding new features to compete with Google Maps. Bing now has Streetside which is very similar to Google Streetview. Bing's Streetside presents buildings in a 3D view when you move down the street. Moving and zooming the maps are very fast and smooth during the transitions. There is a set of Map Apps (What's Nearby, Twitter, Hotels, Restaurants...) which can be added to the map you are viewing. The new maps do require the Microsoft Silverlight plug-in to view.

Check out the new maps here: www.bing.com/maps/explore

Google Search Tips

2009-12-02T06:44:00.008-05:00

Most users will search Google entering a few keywords in the search box and receive the information they are searching for. What if you need to be more specific in your search.

Here are a few advanced search options:

Exact phrase - So you are looking for information in regards to developing websites. Instead of typing developing websites into the search box surround the phrase with quotation marks. Using quotation marks will return search results where developing websites appear together in the indexed website.

Example: "developing websites"

Exclude a word - If you want to exclude a word from your search results, add a minus sign before the word.

Example: developing websites -mobile

Search a specific site - If you are looking for information on a specific site. After your search phrase type site:anysite.com

Example: developing websites site:www.webdesign.com

OR - By default Google will search for all the terms in the search box. If you are looking at additional terms add OR (Must be in CAPS) between the terms.

Example: developing OR designing websites

Search for documents -You can search Google for specific document types. After your search terms type filetype:document extension.

Example: "developing websites" filetype:pdf

Dictionary - Type define:anyword in the search box.

Example: define:google

Stock Ticker - Type symbol in search box.

Example: GOOG

Phone Listings - Type phone number in search box.

Example: 330-555-5555

Area Code - Type area code in search box.

Example: 330

Android - "Sorry! The application Maps (process com.google.android.apps.maps) has stopped unexpectedly. Please try again"

2009-11-24T06:46:00.001-05:00

The other day I received the following error on my Droid when trying to use the Maps application. "Sorry! The application Maps (process com.google.android.apps.maps) has stopped unexpectedly. Please try again"

To resolve this error, I cleared the data associated with the Maps application.

Start by going to your application manager.
Menu > Settings > Applications > Manage Applications

You will need to adjust the filter to display all applications.
Menu > Filter - Select All

Now locate your Maps program and tap.
Locate and tap the Clear Data button.

Your Maps will now launch.

Android - Set Owner Information

2009-11-22T11:32:00.001-05:00

Add your contact information on your lock screen of your Android device. If you happen to lose or leave your phone behind, the Contact Owner application is for you. This application will add your contact information to the lock screen.

Start by creating a contact with your contact information. Download the Contact Owner application from the Android Market. After the application is installed, launch the application and select your contact information from your contacts. You can control which contact information is displayed on your lock screen. You can also control the text that is displayed before and after your contact information.

For more information on the Contact Owner application visit Paranoid Android.

Warning - At the time of this post. There seems to be an issue with HTC loads. I advise that you do not install this application on an HTC device. Visit Paranoid Android to see if this issue has been corrected.

Complete Website Address Shortcut

2009-11-21T16:11:00.005-05:00

Save time when typing a website address in the address line of your browser. You can use keyboard shortcuts to add the www. and .com to the address.

Start by typing the domain name into your browser. In this example we will use msn. After you have msn entered in to your address line, press Ctrl + Enter on your keyboard. The address in your line will now be www.msn.com.

IE & FireFox

Complete .com address - Ctrl + Enter

FireFox

Complete .net address - Shift + Enter
Complete .org address - Ctrl + Shift + Enter

Windows 7 - Calculator

2009-11-20T21:44:00.003-05:00

The new calculator program does more than basic math. You can calculate a mortgage, vehicle lease, and fuel economy. In addition to these worksheets, you can convert various units of measurement.

To access the built in worksheets:

Launch Calculator
View – Worksheets – Select your Worksheet

Screenshot Vehicle Lease

Viigo Mobile RSS Reader

2009-11-18T06:42:00.003-05:00

This free lightweight RSS reader will download your favorite feeds to your mobile device. There are hundreds of preloaded headlines, technology, business, weather, sports and entertainment news feeds. You can even listen to your favorite podcast. The app allows you to add your own sites if you favorite site is not preloaded.

Currently Viigo is available for the Blackberry and Windows Mobile platforms. You can find more information at www.viigo.com.

Blackberry Typing Tips

2009-11-16T15:30:00.000-05:00

Capitalize a letter - Hold the letter key until the capitalized letter appears
Insert a period - Press the space key twice. The next letter is capitalized
Turn NUM lock on - Press Alt key then left shift key
Turn CAP lock on - Press Alt key then right shift key
Turn NUM or CAP lock off - Press shift key
Highlight line of text - Press shift key and roll trackball

Windows 7 - Change Shut Down Button

2009-11-15T05:20:00.001-05:00

Do you sleep or hibernate your computer? You can change the default setting of your shut down button to an action you use frequently.

To change the default option:
Right click on the shut down button
Select Properties
On the Start Menu Tab locate the drop-down menu, Select the action from the menu
Click Ok to save your changes