Streaming Freebies

CyanogenMod 7 (Gingerbread) on the Kindle Fire

MaxRabbit — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 13:56:34 +0000

My New Kindle Fire (click for bigger image)

I was thrilled when I got a Kindle Fire for Christmas! Of course, after modding the heck out of my Samsung Captivate with custom ROMs and, when it was finally available, CyanogenMod 7 (CM7), I knew that I wasn't going to be happy with the Kindle Fire's stock firmware from Amazon. I had been watching the XDA-Developer's forum eagerly for any word on the Kindle Fire development. Fortunately, unlike the Nook Tablet's locked down bootloaders, the Kindle Fire was fairly easy for developers to mod, and CM7 is available in an almost fully functional state! Here's a review.

What is CM7?

CyanogenMod 7 is, quite simply, Google's own source for the Android operating system. Version 7 is the Gingerbread 2.3.x version of firmware. Brilliant developers take this blank slate, and work together to fix issues and release improvements while keeping as close to the stock Android experience as possible. (Almost) every single night, a new version is released with that day's fixes.

The advantages are obvious: a clean, refined stock Android experience without the bloatware from the carriers, free for you to truly customize your phone or tablet the way that you want to.

So how well does it run on the Kindle Fire?

It runs great! I am running the version whistestop compiled here at XDA-Developers. Everything is smooth, fast, and just as expected. I've installed all my favorite apps, from my GoLauncher (which looks great!) to MailDroid to Flickie Wallpapers with rotation. Even the scary proof of concept Droidsheep that hijacks Facebook sessions at wifi hotspots (only to show my friends, I promise!) works beautifully.

GoLauncher and apps on my CM7 Kindle Fire (Click for bigger image)

I find CM7 is best paired with intersectRaven's Kindle Fire kernel which includes optimizations to the wifi driver for better wireless, and the ability to overclock the CPU to 1.2Ghz! I've done this, and my Kindle Fire absolutely flies, multitasking with ease. The battery life with the overclock is still superb as well.

Any bugs?

First off, the Amazon Cloud Player does not work. Any music or movies bought from Amazon on your cloud drive will not be accessible. If this is a deal breaker, I highly suggest uploading all of your music with the Google Music Manager to Google's cloud. I have an iTunes library, and the Music Manager imported all of my music flawlessly, playlists and all, with truly no effort on my part. Then the music can easily be accessed through the Music app from the Market.

Kindle books, of course, can still be read through the Kindle app.

The screen with CM7 installed could definitely use a software-based color overhaul. The screen looks great on the stock Kindle Fire, but the lack of tuning is clear on the very grey screen after CM7 is installed. Others don't seem bothered by it, though, and it's truly not that bad; I'm just spoiled after coming from the Samsung Captivate with the godsend Voodoo Color that allows configuring the screen to exactly what you think looks best.

Some apps do not like the fact that the Kindle Fire does not have an IMEI (notably the XDA app). This can potentially be fixed with DizzyDen's IMEI generator, but currently the application does not work well with the Kindle Fire. I've been talking with him to get a fix.

Finally, the CM7 reports the Kindle Fire as discharging when it is plugged into a low-power USB power source such as a phone charger or into the computer. The Kindle Fire still charges slowly, though, so it's not a serious issue.

The future of Cyanogenmod on the Kindle Fire

CM9 (Ice Cream Sandwhich 4.0.x) is already ported in early stages to the Kindle Fire. It's got some serious bugs with audio and video, touch screen, CPU clocks, and wifi. In time, however, it will be very stable and bring the benefits of more tablet optimization and a faster, smoother experience.

My future? I'm waiting for CM9 to be stable. That, and asking for this nice looking case.

Helpful collection of links

Cyanogenmod 7 Development on XDA

intersectRaven's kernel on XDA

CM9 (ICS) Development on XDA

Kindle Fire Utility to easily root and install recovery

Dropquest Thanks!

MaxRabbit — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 23:57:46 +0000

Thanks everyone for helping with the Dropquest! It was fun!

Dropquest Guide Step 29 – The Final Step

MaxRabbit — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 23:54:22 +0000

The answer to step 29: "Dr0pbox heaRts U", which is the ending letter from each step's URL! Thanks for reading everyone

Dropquest Step 29 (Click for bigger image.)

Dropquest All Done! (Click for bigger image.)

Dropquest Guide Step 28

MaxRabbit — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 23:50:25 +0000

The answer to step 28 is "1133471056". Anyone know the reference?
Update: Thanks you guys! "You print it out, cut it out, and then fold it into a crane. Across the wings of the crane it says “11696 x 96911″. Take the two and multiply them together for 1133471056" http://yfrog.com/h8sd3atj

Dropquest Step 28 (Click for bigger image.)

Dropquest Guide Step 27

MaxRabbit — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 23:48:12 +0000

The answer to the step 27 link from step 25 is "badcabbage". Anyone know the reference?
Update: Thanks Aaron, "It’s the notes the piano is playing." (From the file you download in step 25.)

Dropquest Step 27 (Click for bigger image.)

Dropquest Guide Step 25

MaxRabbit — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 23:43:02 +0000

The reference on step 25 is http://dl.dropbox.com/u/211024/rainbowshell.zip. Anyone know how you are supposed to get that reference?
Update: Thanks commenters, "this is a reference to Chrono Trigger".
Inside the zip is a link to step 27!

Dropquest Step 25 landing page (Click for bigger image.)

Dropquest Guide Step 22

MaxRabbit — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 23:31:48 +0000

The step 22 file you get after completing step 21 is a reference to a votebox for Frozen Yogurt, which says, "The Dropbox Team is anxiously watching your progress! Though, in a quest like this, it can still make sense for the Hunter to become the Hunted."

Dropquest Step 22 Frozen Yogurt (Click for bigger image.)

This is a reference to the "about dropbox" page featuring engineer Rian Hunter. Click on his name to reach step 25! Almost there!

Dropquest Step 22 Rian Hunter (Click for bigger image.)

Dropquest Guide Step 21

MaxRabbit — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 23:23:33 +0000

So you've downloaded the zip from step 19? Extract it and look inside for a clue. You have a color, and a file asking for help, "To anyone reading this, I'm in need of some help. Meet me some place where we can collaborate and sync up."
The solution is to create a new folder inside your Dropbox and name it anything you like. Some people claim it must be "1F75CC" but a folder called "test" worked for me. Then, right click and share the folder with another dropbox user. Enter "dropquest@dropbox.com" as the user you want to share with, and share it. You'll now have step 22 inside your folder.

Dropquest Step 21 (Click for bigger image.)

Dropquest Guide Step 19

MaxRabbit — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 23:09:08 +0000

After completing step 18, you have some braille. Some people say it says "Help BJF", and others say it says "Help BJ". Either way, the solution is to go to: https://www.dropbox.com/help/206. But again, I don't know the reason behind this madness. Someone leave a hint?
Update: Thanks to comments in step 18, the braille reads "help 206," hence the link!

Dropquest Step 19 braille.

Dropquest Step 19 (Click for bigger image.)

Dropquest Guide Step 18

MaxRabbit — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 22:59:11 +0000

Completing step 17 moves you to step 18. The answer is "Drew Houston", the CEO of Dropbox. Thanks to the commenters for the solution, but again I am not sure of how one arrives at that solution. Help?
Update: Thanks to Shawn in the comments, "Unscramble the names, take the first letter from each = drew houston"

Dropquest Step 18 (Click for bigger image.)

Dropquest Guide Step 17

MaxRabbit — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 22:52:09 +0000

After going to the link from step 16, you have to "Spell your answer." I don't know why, but the answer is "baff1e" (found it on the forums). Can anyone provide the reference? I'd like to include a full guide rather than a cheat sheet.
Update: Ahh, George says on the step 16 comments that "We use hex colour of clue png!!!" Thanks, George!

Dropquest Step 17 (Click for bigger image.)

Dropquest Guide Step 16

MaxRabbit — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 22:42:49 +0000

After downloading the file from step 13, unzip it for a text file containing the link to step 17 and a clue.

Dropquest Step 16 (Click for bigger image.)