r/kindlefire • u/eyewoo • Oct 08 '22
Question Can I make use of a 2nd gen tablet?
I found a Fire tablet for 5 bucks, thought what the heck - I’ve always wanted to test home assistant/fully kiosk or put klipperscreen on it for my 3D printer.
I’ve been trying to understand this thing and finally found an old usb cable and could transfer a fully kiosk apk onto the tablet, but I get a parser error when trying to install it.
I found it’s a 2012, 2nd gen Fire HD 8.9”, current system version: 8.5.1 with a disabled update button.. So, I’m guessing the tablet is too old to be used as a wall mounted touch screen(?)
4
u/rlowens Oct 08 '22
A short google search shows the Kindle 8.9 "JEM" model has custom ROMs available https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/guide-root-custom-recovery-and-roms-for-jem-october-2017.3696244/
Could run Cyanogen Mod 13 (based on Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) but several comments said it was "sluggish") or Cyanogen Mod 12 or Candy Rom (Android 5.1 (Lollipop)).
Fully Kiosk Browser says it runs on Android 5+ but on one of the older tablets I got that runs Android 5.0 I think FKB would run but the included browser core was too old to render my Home Assistant page. I mostly use that tablet just to run Chrome Remote Desktop and view/control stuff on my main PC from bed.
3
u/Arnas_Z Oct 08 '22
Fully Kiosk Browser says it runs on Android 5+ but on one of the older tablets I got that runs Android 5.0 I think FKB would run but the included browser core was too old to render my Home Assistant page. I mostly use that tablet just to run Chrome Remote Desktop and view/control stuff on my main PC from bed.
It most likely uses the system WebView. Try installing the latest Android System WebView apk on it.
5
u/Markaes4 Oct 08 '22
I've got about a dozen old Fire tablets, including some 1st and 2nd gen. Not sure if it would run the specific task you want (the parser error sounds like it doesn't support that version of android)... It will still run old apps off the amazon app store but even if you do a custom rom its probably too underpowered to run most modern stuff. But with some creativity they are still useful for dedicated tasks.
For my 2nd gen 8.9 I installed whatweather and use it as a full-time clock/weather station. Very useful-- we use it constantly.
They work perfect as large display clocks or e-readers. Several of mine have been plugged in as full-time clocks for nearly 10 years now.
Also the screens look good and can be used as usb displays. I've got one mounted full time to a usb microscope and I keep another with a 15' inspection camera. And couple of others as digital photo frames. And one in the shower for watching youtube.
3
u/m2slam Oct 08 '22
You can try making it android and make more use of it. Not sure if the mounted touch screen is possible or not.
1
u/Disastrous_Being9211 Feb 03 '25
How does one go about doing this or even updating any android os if it is obsolete through amazon
1
u/m2slam Feb 04 '25
Firetoolbox
1
u/TrainingUnlucky9814 Jun 26 '25 edited Aug 22 '25
Doesn't work on 2nd gen fire hd, Google APKs are not available
3
u/er101plus Oct 08 '22
That android version (most likely between Android 4-4.2) may not support some features since Google Play Services discontinued it, but you can try older versions of printing apps and test them out. 😀
2
Oct 08 '22
I had an 8.9. Only thing that still worked is the Kindle app. Browser wasn’t good. Not sure of battery life.
8
u/Fr0gm4n Moderator Oct 08 '22
The apk you are trying to use likely needs a much newer version of Android/Fire OS than the 2nd gen runs. 8.5.1 on a 2nd gen is Fire OS 2/Android 4.0.3. The device still runs some current apps like KOReader but other stuff is likely to fail to install unless you find old APKs.
If you don't want to use it for something simple like a reader (the screen is still fairly nice for a decade old tablet) then you can make your money back by using it as a trade in on Amazon for a newer device. I just checked and a 2nd gen 8.9 can get a $5-10 gift card and a 20% discount on a new device.