David Rothman, former owner of this site, tipped me over the weekend to the fact that the AndroidPIT App Center is being shut down as of the end of next month. Their reason involved the EU and their revised VAT guidelines. This is trouble for users of the Kindle Fire who may have been counting on the App Center as a way to purchase apps, such as Moon+ Reader Pro, which are listed in the Amazon App Store as being incompatible with the Kindle Fire.
Leaving aside how much it stinks that Amazon is forcing such incompatibilities on their users, what are your options?
1. Downgrade to a free version of the app in question
Assuming the app in question has a free version, you may be able to download it from a site such as 1Mobile. You can download the .apk, and install directly to your Fire, after enabling the option to Install from Outside Sources. Of course, you probably purchased the app because you wanted some feature that isn’t available in the free version, so this option could leave you lacking that critical feature.
2. Root your Fire to allow installation of the Google Play Store
When I contacted the developer of Moon+ Reader, this was his suggestion. Again, it’s not ideal for a number of reasons. Rooting your device will disable Fire features you might use and enjoy, like downloading Prime Streaming movies or reading Kindle Lending Library titles. It’s also not for the technically unsavvy. However, you could look at N2A, assuming your device is one of the ones they support. Unlike with the Nook version, on the Kindle Fire, your device will be completely wiped and reformatted as a generic Android device. Not everyone will want this.
There may be another option. I found an article which details how to install the Google apps on your Fire without rooting. Theoretically, it will allow you to install Google Play, which should then allow you to purchase the apps you need. Since I don’t own a Fire, I haven’t tested this and can’t speak to its efficacy.
3. Pirate the app in question
I have not done the research for this, so I can’t say for certain that pirated versions of paid Android apps exist, but I would be surprised if they did not. While it’s illegal, I can see the argument that it’s not unethical, provided you have previously purchased the app. One of the reasons DRM leads users to piracy is this exact situation. You’ve legally purchased a piece of software and now circumstances beyond your control are stopping you from continuing to use it or back it up.
However, before you attempt this, understand that one of the main ways tablet and phone malware is spreading is because of downloading apps from unsafe sources. Your pirated app might have some extra code you didn’t anticipate. I’m not recommending this approach. I think numbers 1 or 2 are the better options, but in extremis, you might consider it.
Seriously, Amazon. Can’t you just allow third-party reader apps on the Fire so users don’t have to jump through all these ridiculous hoops?
