I love Android as open source platform. Good for end users because developers can improve Android devices even the hardware manufacturer does not do so. Take Amazon Kindle Fire for example, it is still running Android 2.3 Gingerbread on Amazon latest stock software update 6.3. However, developers already created Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich ROM for Kindle Fire. And 3.0 kernel is getting better each day. It brings stuffs that are not available on stock software like USB Host OTG.
Yup, just like Samsung Galaxy S II that supports USB Host OTG (too bad that HTC One X does not support it officially). Kindle Fire with Android 4.0 ICS ROM with 3.0 kernel supports it too. Although it is not fully functional now. But rest assures that developers will continue their hard work to make it happens soon. So far, I managed to get Logitech K200 Keyboard to work. And my Kindle Fire is able to power Logitech Stereo Speakers Z110 now. It should support USB Bluetooth too, but I don’t have it to test. Want to try it too? Install gedeROM CM9 Android 4.0.4 ICS ROM with Hashcode 3.0 kernel for Kindle Fire now…
I just bought my Kindle Fire yesterday. And I am totally cluless what to do now. is it possible for you to guide a newbie like me. Thanks.
Hi Kai, take your time to study all my Kindle Fire guides here – https://www.jayceooi.com/tag/kindle-fire/
Hey,
I’m planning on rooting my kindle and installing ICS so I can hook up a USB keyboard for school (Kindle lighter than laptop, esp. with nursing books in my bag). After installing ICS, how did you get the keyboard to work?
Thanks
Install Android 4.0.4 ICS ROM with Hashcode 3.0 kernel.
Hey,
So I’m finally rooted, got Hashcode’s latest kernel, everything is working great but the keyboard. It works fine when plugged into my computer, I downloaded USB Host Controller from Android Market which says “S3C USB NOT found! ROot hub present, USB host mode is active!”
What do I do now to get the keyboard going?
Thanks!
I did not use USB Host Controller. And my Logitech K200 Keyboard is working. Maybe your keyboard is not supported.
Hi Jayce
I have a Kindle Fire that is rooted and has ICS, with Android 4.0.3, Kernel v 2.6.35.7+. How can I get a USB webcam to be recognized (I have an OTG adapter)
Thanks
Todd
Hi Todd, I don’t think that webcam is supported. Anyway, you can consult kernel developer for more info if you want.
The Good News, Bad News and Solution Attempts…
The Good News.
I installed the GedeROM CM9 ICS 4 to my 1st generation Kindle Fire and it runs great. It is much smoother running Air for Android with an App that I have been working on creating. The USB Host works great with my Logitech Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo with the OTG USB Dongle. All of which is great!! I am also working on trying to get a USB Bluetooth device to recognize and work so that I can use BT devices. I want to keep using this ROM as it is very functional for my needs.
The Bad News.
Now, let’s get to the not so great frustrating part. After the install, my PC no longer recognizes the it as a Kindle Fire. It recognizes it as a GT-P1000 (Galaxy Tab P1000). Because of this mis-reporting to the PC device manager the KF and sdcard are no longer visible as a drive on the PC for me to browse, drag and drop items.
Attempted Solutions.
1. Driver Reinsall(s)
I tried reinstalling the drivers for the KF and this changed it from Android Composite ABD Interface to Android ADB Interface. I also tried a few different versions of drivers up and down the spectrum trying to get this installed. Including trying to install a GT-P1000 driver. Still no luck.
2. Different ROM
I tried a different ROM for Jelly Bean 4.2 and it was successful and recognized as a KF and I could browse to the folders on the sdcard. However this ROM was so striped down that it was not really functional for me as there was no file explorer, market app, or any way to browse to the sdcard to install any app that I could drag and drop into the sdcard in the hopes of installing a file explorer and market app.
The Question?
Is there a way to change any of the inf files to have the KF reported as a KF and not a GT-P1000 in the system to the PC?? And would this change the way the drivers work for the reported device??
PS: The PC I am using is running Windows 7 Professsional.
Yes. No idea about this but GedeROM should have USB Mass Storage mode, right?
NO! If it is there it is well hidden as I cannot locate it ANYWHERE in the settings. I have been through every directory and sub directory inside Settings and cannot find it. I am certain that it is not in the ROM.
Try this ROM then.
https://www.jayceooi.com/2012/07/20/download-install-android-4-1-jelly-bean-cm10-rom-for-kindle-fire/
I have tried several different ROMS today.
I have found that they just dont have the functionality that I like with the version that I am running. SO…. that being said, I found a work around. I can keep the existing ROM in place and if I need to copy something to the SD Card, I can just boot into TWRP and mount the USB drive, make the file copies and then reboot. It’s a little annoying, but none so much as not being able to do it at all.
Thanks for the input.
is there ANY way to get an external webcam to be recognized via the USB slot after I have rooted the device?
How about installing something more complex like Ubuntu desktop?
TIA
No idea on webcam.
Ubuntu should be okay. But I don’t have installation guide here. Try Google around…