[Solved] Installing Android Build on Nook (and a quick tip on Kindle)

Solar2D Android
#1

I’ve been reading up on how to build and install APK file on Nook, but I seem to be making very little progress. I must be missing something critical. Please help.

Here’s what I’ve done so far:

* I went through my iOS version of the game, and added changes (flags) that make the code compatible with Android (i.e., if built for Android, don’t trigger Apple’s app store, and other similar things)

* I read this instruction through carefully: http://developer.anscamobile.com/content/building-devices-android
It says I don’t need to install Android SDK.

Note (added after Edit2 below) & hopefully final edit: It looks like it would be foolish of me not to install Android SDK – or at least from everything I read & tried. The thing is, the setback for me was the term Android SDK &vs Android API. If anyone wish to install Nook build on Nook, it seems almost impossible to do it without installing Android SDK (but not necessarily Android API). If we want adb tools , we need to install Android SDK. Fetch Android SDK from http://developer.android.com/sdk/installing.html, and install Android SDK Tools plus Android SDK Platform-tools (by selecting it from the Android SDK Manager.) Beyond that, follow the awesome instructions from here: http://developer.anscamobile.com/forum/2011/11/28/nook-builds (there’s instruction for Windows users as well as Mac users.) I followed thank-the-gods instruction by @pdichone for Mac: http://developer.anscamobile.com/forum/2011/11/28/nook-builds#comment-94598

Plus @Sid T’s follow up instruction: http://developer.anscamobile.com/forum/2011/11/28/nook-builds#comment-94650

I’m a Mac user, and JDK was already installed on my Mac (perhaps it was installed when I installed Xcode? Who knows – I just didn’t have to go and fetch JDK myself.) JDK comes with keytool, and with the terminal command, the keytool generates keystore (as well as Facebook Android Key Hash ). Here are a couple of helpful thread relating to this:

http://developer.anscamobile.com/forum/2011/04/16/signing-android-applications-3-easy-steps

http://developer.anscamobile.com/forum/2012/03/20/facebook-and-android-key-hash

It always helps when I have a better understanding of the tools I need – and perhaps this bit of info will help others too.

The Problem with Nook:

  1. I have registered an account with Nook Developer and received an email confirmation as the Registered Nook Developer.

  2. Tried following super detailed thank-the-gods instruction that @sondlerd posted here: http://developer.anscamobile.com/forum/2011/11/28/nook-builds#comment-74607

  3. Then… I stopped even before I could take the step #1 from @sondlerd’s post – because I don’t see any Developer Mode when I sign in to Nook Developer site. I searched Nook Developer site and found this thread: https://nookdeveloper.zendesk.com/entries/20493062-mac-user-trying-to-access-nook-in-developer-mode-via-adb-please-help

The answer by @truecary on the Nook Developer site says: “It ended up being a simple solution that I could see nowhere in the FAQ (and for Mac Users) once you’ve downloaded all the appropriate software”

But what is the appropriate software that I need to download? Could it be that I need to install Android SDK anyway for Nook, even though Ansca says I don’t have to? (Things could have changed after Nook / Kindle were introduced - who knows?) Please help. What am I missing?

Edit: I just received another email from Nook, this time from Nook Color Developer Program, and it says “Thank you for submitting your request to become a Qualified NOOK App Developer. We review all requests and will aim to reply back to you within 1 business week. Once qualified, you will receive confirmation via email from us that your account has been upgraded.”

Maybe I just have to wait for the upgrade before I can see the Developer Mode…?

Edit 2: Soon after I received the above notice from Nook, and after I filled out more forms, I received a confirmation email as an approved developer. I was able to see Developer Mode and download provision.cmd – without installing Android SDK.

Quick note on Kindle Fire:

In case if someone is having trouble with Kindle Fire, here’s what I’ve done so far:

  1. I have registered an account with Amazon Appstore Developer (for Kindle Fire)

  2. Fired up Kindle Fire, went to Settings > Device > Allow Installation of Applications From Unknown Sources turned ON.

  3. I’ve followed the very helpful instruction posted by @kennw here: http://developer.anscamobile.com/forum/2011/11/18/kindle-fire-first-tests-corona#comment-69191

  4. Downloaded & installed one of the free “File Explorer” app I found in Amazon Appstore.

  5. Waiting for Micro-B USB cable to be delivered. (Thanks, @XenonBL, for the tip here http://developer.anscamobile.com/forum/2011/11/18/kindle-fire-first-tests-corona#comment-69428)

  6. Per @kennw’s instruction, it should install on Kindle without a hitch. (Keeping my fingers crossed.)

Naomi [import]uid: 67217 topic_id: 24352 reply_id: 324352[/import]

#2

Hey Naomi.

With your Kindle Fire, you can “side-load” your apps (that’s the term for loading an app that’s not from an app store) without tethering your KF to your computer.

All you need is a website that you can upload your .apk files too.

For instance I upload mine to a folder called tmp in my main webstites then I use my KF web browser to go to:

http://mywebsite.com/tmp/myapp.apk

and it gives you the option to install your app.

No additional software or cables needed. I ended up going through the process to install the Android SDK bits that I needed and jacked around with some settings to allow me to tether my KF, but I did it to take screen shots as the KF can’t take its own screen shots.

Now for the Nook. That is a different story. You have to tether. You have to get some information from the nook developer portal to enable your Nook for side loading. Then you have to install enough of the Android SDK to get the tools installed (you don’t need all the Java SDK bits, just the tools and the platform tools (Not sure what the difference is). There is some unix mojo to get Android’s adb tool to recognize your Nook as a USB device and then use some of the adb tools to move the apps to the device.

[import]uid: 19626 topic_id: 24352 reply_id: 98384[/import]

#3

Hey, Rob@robmiracle, thank you for the tip about Kindle. I tried it (uploading to my website and browsing to it using Kindle) earlier this morning, and it sort of failed – but then, the whole internet connectivities died at the same time, so it might’ve been the reason why I couldn’t get any response when I surfed to where APK file was uploaded on our website. I’ll give it another shot now.

Edit: I uploaded myapp.apk to http://www.mywebsite.com/tmp/myapp.apk and then, turned on Kindle, tapped “Web”, typed in the URL, and tapped “Go” – but it simply goes to www.mywebsite.com I tried http://mywebsite.com/tmp/myapp.apk – but it does the same thing. I even tried it on my Mac, and it does the same thing. I wonder what might I be doing wrong.

Edit 2: Doh, it was working fine. All it was doing was downloading the apk file behind the screen. I now have two of the same apk files already downloaded, and another one downloading in progress. And it installed! Yaaaay!

As for Nook, I’ll look around Nook Developer portal and install what it tells me to install (that is, Android SDK plus some add-ons.) I so hoped I don’t have to add yet another SDK. I guess I really have to get used to adding who-knows-how-many-SDKs on to my Mac. Thank you for letting me know I don’t need to bother with Java SDK. At least that’s one SDK I don’t need, it sounds like.

I also googled and searched what to do with adb logcat thingy. I’m still so not sure how to install adb tools – but perhaps, installing Android SDK process will naturally lead me to getting adb tools too.

Thanks again.

Naomi [import]uid: 67217 topic_id: 24352 reply_id: 98390[/import]

#4

for the kindle make sure you navigate to the settings and set the allow install on non signed apps or unknown sources… something like that.

Also for the nook you have to do the same. also when you side load the nook, I think there is a HIDDEN area you need to bring up to see where your app is installed.

I emailed my partner who has been testing our apps on the nook, and asked her to email me the details “when she has time”…

I’ll reply when she does.

Larry [import]uid: 11860 topic_id: 24352 reply_id: 98395[/import]

#5

http://www.pigsgourdsandwikis.com/2011/11/taking-screenshots-with-kindle-fire.html

Follow that link. It tells you want bits you need to install for taking screen shots with the kindle fire. But this installs just the tools and the platform-tools (not sure why there are two) and avoids adding in all the SDK code.

Her walk through is a bit out of date, because when you unzip the file the ./android command is actually located in ./tools/android:

cd tools
./android

I’m pretty sure the Nook walkthrough’s I’ve seen are doing basically the same thing (though the nook will have a different USB device ID)

[import]uid: 19626 topic_id: 24352 reply_id: 98398[/import]

#6

Thank you, Larry. I got the APK file loaded and installed on Kindle finally (thanks to Rob@robmiracle’s instruction above.) Finding what’s what in Kindle needed some getting used to.

As for Nook, yes, I’d so very much like to hear how to find this HIDEEN area. Any and all tips are so appreciated.

Thanks again.

Naomi [import]uid: 67217 topic_id: 24352 reply_id: 98399[/import]

#7

Thank you, Rob@robmiracle! I’ll check out the link. Thanks again!

Naomi [import]uid: 67217 topic_id: 24352 reply_id: 98401[/import]

#8

Hey, Marty, thanks! That’s definitely hidden. I would’ve never found it without the instruction.

Thanks again!

Naomi

Edit: I mean, I made it to “extras” section, and I assume that’s the hidden area. Right? [import]uid: 67217 topic_id: 24352 reply_id: 98410[/import]

#9

Thank you, Marty! Now I just have to install some Android SDK and get the provision file installed…

Thanks again!

Naomi [import]uid: 67217 topic_id: 24352 reply_id: 98412[/import]

#10

x [import]uid: 82085 topic_id: 24352 reply_id: 98408[/import]

#11

x [import]uid: 82085 topic_id: 24352 reply_id: 98411[/import]