[Q] Sideloaded FirePhone Google Maps (or other apps) not working correctly thread - Amazon Fire Phone

Hi,
I was able to get Google Play on the unlocked $199 Amazon firephone without rooting. Also was able to get All google apps from play store and change the Launcher.
Only question is that Google maps labels are being overlapped (they are not refreshing) - Is this a known google map side load problem, or I just have a crappy version of the app with the wrong resolution?
Thanks,
( I have the steps to easily get Google play on the fire sale forum topic)
- As an employee of the maker, I will try to get the guys at Lab126 release some dev version that allows users to easily switch between Google experience and Amazon experience on this phone seamlessly - that would make it truly a good phone.

What happens when Google pushes an update to the store? Does this stop working?

The overlapping text appears to be caused by Google Maps not detecting the phone's resolution correctly. Can you try an older version of Google Maps?
Sorry if I'm not being helpful--I won't have my Fire Sale Phone yet until Tuesday.
Aztecwarrior25 said:
Hi,
I was able to get Google Play on the unlocked $199 Amazon firephone without rooting. Also was able to get All google apps from play store and change the Launcher.
Only question is that Google maps labels are being overlapped (they are not refreshing) - Is this a known google map side load problem, or I just have a crappy version of the app with the wrong resolution?
Thanks,
( I have the steps to easily get Google play on the fire sale forum topic)
- As an employee of the maker, I will try to get the guys at Lab126 release some dev version that allows users to easily switch between Google experience and Amazon experience on this phone seamlessly - that would make it truly a good phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

jaywong said:
The overlapping text appears to be caused by Google Maps not detecting the phone's resolution correctly. Can you try an older version of Google Maps?
Sorry if I'm not being helpful--I won't have my Fire Sale Phone yet until Tuesday.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Extremely old version worked fine (4.4) - Tried all the ICS and up version 8.0 through to current - all have the label problem. Could be Some GPU rendering issue with text (I worked for something similar at my last job) - the website maps look ok from chrome/etc. so it must be in the app - dunno if I should reverse engineer the APK to get the setting corrected - I filed a bug with google to see if it is a known problem with certain devices.
I am using google maps for search and then using nokia maps for navigation currently - so should not be a big problem for now.

If you can get devs to release a version that can toggle ON/OFF the AVD launcher that'd be awesome. It shouldn't take too much time to do.
Meanwhile I guess we'll just have to sideload apps

Overlapping text
Aztecwarrior25 said:
Hi,
I was able to get Google Play on the unlocked $199 Amazon firephone without rooting. Also was able to get All google apps from play store and change the Launcher.
Only question is that Google maps labels are being overlapped (they are not refreshing) - Is this a known google map side load problem, or I just have a crappy version of the app with the wrong resolution?
Thanks,
( I have the steps to easily get Google play on the fire sale forum topic)
- As an employee of the maker, I will try to get the guys at Lab126 release some dev version that allows users to easily switch between Google experience and Amazon experience on this phone seamlessly - that would make it truly a good phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't know if this is relevant because I am not a developer but if you go into settings/applications and parental control/manage applications, then click on google maps and then on clear data, when you go back into google maps there is no overlapping of text initially. After you start zooming out or moving around the map, the overlapping starts back up.

I've noticed that the maps, on first launch, looked fine.
My Gmail will sporadically sync emails. Sometimes, it's instant; other times, it won't try to sync at all.

Found simple workaround for Google Maps If you don't use the voice Navigation feature (needed for California in driving)-
(uninstall Google Maps - optional)
1) Install Chrome and allow it to use location
2) from google app search for address by your voice and get direction card (google now style)
3) tap card (will prompt you to open first time with native Nokia/Here or Chrome or Gmaps)
4) Use Chrome to see the map and you can set chrome as default
Chrome Google map application/page is mostly same functionality as the Jelly bean version of Google maps (Left menu has traffic, transit, bicycle & satellite) only terrain is missing. - You can also bookmark Google map in Chrome and get almost everything you need for directions in regular usage.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I think I have narrowed down the app problem to the system fonts/antialiased fonts used by the stupid fire OS - without rooting I doubt you can change the system font of the phone. If somebody has developer mode -try enabling GPU rendering and see if anything stands out v/s other android devices - I will check on my wife's HTC One M8 later.

snapplefish said:
I've noticed that the maps, on first launch, looked fine.
My Gmail will sporadically sync emails. Sometimes, it's instant; other times, it won't try to sync at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah. The Gmail app has problems. It crahes periodically and doesn't want to auto sync. Also, i can't add a second Google account. It says that it can't communicate with Google servers and then gives a message about no network connection which is wrong.

I am on Thor Gapps Rom ( 13.3.2.4 ) rom and got the same issue too!

Google Earth works just fine - So there are 2 workarounds - Google Maps from Chrome and Google Earth

The Waze app also seems OK.

Upload to Fire OS 4.6.1 . the issue gets solved. You week receive an OTA update.
Sent from my SD4930UR using XDA Free mobile app

Related

Google Maps not there

Ok so I got my phone for a few weeks now and I really enjoy it but I found something a little weird.
First thing I noticed is that i had Maps v4.0.0 installed and I thought all Desire's come with the latest 4.1.1.
I said no problem, I'll just go to the market and get it from there, but I realized that searching for Google Maps didn't find it, I found Sky Map, Map Editor and other stuff from Google and other but no Maps, nowhere.
Why is that? Is the android market localized by where you are? And if so, isn't Maps supposed to be available everywhere?
Because of the older version I don't even have the Maps Live Wallpaper that I saw in so many reviews.
Then I went online and download it manually and installed it (and I even got the Live Wallpaper), but because of this it doesn't show in my "Downloads" tab in Market and there's no way for it to notify me if there is an update.
Even on Goole Maps for mobile homepage it says "Tap Maps on the home screen. Search for "Google Maps" in Android Market to update."
1. Why don't I have it in Market?
2. How can I get it to notify for an update?
Looks like a localisation issue, when I updated Google maps I just did it from the downloads tab in Market.
If it is a localization issue, is there a way to change it?

Weird temporary method to unfreeze Google Earth application

Hi Guys, Happy New Year . I think i found a weird way google earth can be unfrozen without Titanium Backup. Maybe this was known by most of you, but i didnt know it, so I am sharing it. you can go to http://www.google.com/mobile/android/ on your nexus and click on google earth application icon. It opens a link in google play store application where an option for enabling the application can seen. Once it is enabled the Google application appears in the app drawer. It works until the phone is restarted, Then the application gets frozen again. There are other applications on that web page like google play books, etc but i have had mixed results with them. Earth has been working properly. I think this works only on takju. Check the screen shots or my video on youtube to see what i am talking about.
Small video about this.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stoHWpLl1mI

Working Google Maps Kindle HDX

So, I was browsing the BB10 forums. They can install converted apk's, but not Google Framework (similar to Kindle). Cobalt232 posted a few instructions on getting the latest version of Google Maps working for BB10.
Overall, the app works with directions, but the text is a little messed up. Give it a try, perhaps BB10 and Kindle users could cooperate on apps.
I have Google Account Manager, Services Framework, and Play Services installed. Not sure if the app will work otherwise
https://www.dropbox.com/s/13jcbdzcy26jrxc/com.google.android.apps.maps-707001313.apk
Link to forum and credit: http://forums.crackberry.com/androi...play-services-914930/index5.html#post10175045
as an alternative the recently released Here-Maps_beta (by Nokia for Samsung Galaxy devices) works a treat!! only in portrait view for now though. tested on my HDX8.9
I just installed the google maps APK below and it worked!
http://www.apkmirror.com/apk/google-inc/maps/maps-9-0-0-apk/
(Note: I do also have the 3 google framework/services you listed above installed)
NullP said:
I just installed the google maps APK below and it worked!
http://www.apkmirror.com/apk/google-inc/maps/maps-9-0-0-apk/
(Note: I do also have the 3 google framework/services you listed above installed)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just installed 9.3 works but no navigation.....

[APP] Google Maps 8.0

get it here a little earlier
http://androidspin.com/2014/05/06/go...ting-download/ <<direct source
new features
Turn-by-turn navigation now displays distance, arrival time, and quick access to alternate routes
Save and manage offline maps in a custom list for when you’re traveling or have a slow connection
Transit results now display total walking time of your trip and the next scheduled bus or train
Sign in to see your “Places to review” list from recently saved or searched-for places
If you have the Uber app installed, open it right from Google Maps when comparing route options
Bug fixes
Curious whether people like the old Maps 6 better than this new Maps 8. I know some hated Maps 7.
Link does not work
Yes it does
I'm still on a modified 6.14.3 (and working very well) because - in their infinite wisdom - Google decided to remove the zoom buttons in v7+.
I like.
Pp.
Sent from my Touchwiz device that never forgets apps.

[Q] Play Store this app is incompatible with your device errors?

I've rooted my N1 (for how to do it see the Play Store thread) and installed Play Store.
It works fine except lots of apps are not downloadable because the store says that they are not compatible with my device. Some stuff that will not install:
LINE messaging app, Google Maps, Google Chrome, Habit browser.
But lots of others are working like:
Gmail, Firefox, Firefox beta,....
I tried to sideload Google Maps and Habit Browser they work. Well not fully, it cannot find my location. (while some others can). The strange thing is that I don't even see them in the recent location requests window. (the location was broken before I rooted)
Anyone having the same issue?
Because of the location issue I have a feeling that they are related - the APIs are buggy, thus Play Store thinks that my device does not have a way to access location, thus lots of apps are flagged as not compatible with my device.
syddd said:
I've rooted my N1 (for how to do it see the Play Store thread) and installed Play Store.
It works fine except lots of apps are not downloadable because the store says that they are not compatible with my device. Some stuff that will not install:
LINE messaging app, Google Maps, Google Chrome, Habit browser.
But lots of others are working like:
Gmail, Firefox, Firefox beta,....
I tried to sideload Google Maps and Habit Browser they work. Well not fully, it cannot find my location. (while some others can). The strange thing is that I don't even see them in the recent location requests window. (the location was broken before I rooted)
Anyone having the same issue?
Because of the location issue I have a feeling that they are related - the APIs are buggy, thus Play Store thinks that my device does not have a way to access location, thus lots of apps are flagged as not compatible with my device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Chrome was crash same like you.
But I found apk for x86, It's work okay. but I use Firefox now.
Link is what I used one.
http://www.apkmirror.com/apk/google-inc/chrome/chrome-42-0-2311-111-x86-android-apk-download/
Thanks, I have found the x86 version too.
My question is not where I can find Chrome or other software, rather *why* marks Google my device as not compatible with apps like Chrome when apparently they seem to function fine (except geolocation). Also I know that if I change the build.prop file I could fake my device to something else.
This method http://www.ghacks.net/2013/05/06/find-out-why-apps-are-incompatible-with-your-android-device/ does not work for me, I dont see those tooltips.
I think this incompatible issues from ARM, ARM64 or x86 based Android device.
One more another I guess is N1 is not cetifified from google maybe.
soondin said:
I think this incompatible issues from ARM, ARM64 or x86 based Android device.
One more another I guess is N1 is not cetifified from google maybe.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its not a x86 compatibility issue since these apps work when sideloaded. And its not a certification issue (I guess) since other apps like Gmail are available on the Play store.
My feeling is that this has to do something with geolocation not working in some apps. For example:
Firefox - Available on the play store, does not use Google Play Services, has working geolocation.
GMail - Available on the play store, uses Google Play Services, but does not need geolocation.
Chrome, Google Maps - Not available on the play store, uses Google Play Services for geolocation, geolocation is broken.
Or just search for GPS apps, you will see that the most of them are not compatible with the N1.
So I think Google Play Services/something else reports to the Play Store that the device has no geolocation, and some apps mark it as a required hardware feature, thus the Play Store will not show them.
I've tried to find some error via Catlog, but have not seen any.
But this is just a theory, we need more testing to verify it.
Yes, you right.
I don't have consider this issues from locations.
Do you have any idea fix this issue?
I like to to test.
Most of incompatible apps are available in Nokia store app. Then you can update these apps on Google Play Store.

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