[WINDOWS/LINUX][TOOL]Fire Toolbox V36.0 (2024)

What's going on guys?

I sincerely hope everyone is having a great weekend so far!

My apologies for taking so long to get this post out here.

Anyway, I'm extremely excited to announce the release of yet another epic update. So, without further ado, let's take an in depth look at the highlights of the brand new update!

Foss App Center​

This tool was recommended by our good friend @blaacksheep, who suggested that incorporating a tool focused on FOSS apps would be an awesome addition. I wholeheartedly agree! For those who may not be familiar, FOSS stands for Free and Open Source Software, which includes applications that are open-source, free to use, and often developed collaboratively by the community.

Now, let’s take a quick look at the Foss App Center's user interface.

Each app is presented in its own frame. Within this frame, you'll find the app's icon (if your app's icon is included and you prefer it not to be, please send me a private message), the app's name in bold next to the icon, and the version number. Below that, there’s a brief description of the app. On the right side, you'll see a tag indicating the app's category, along with a downward-facing triangle. Clicking this triangle expands the frame to reveal the app's full description, features, a link to the app's source code, and an Install/Download or Uninstall button.

There is no limit to the number of installs or uninstalls that can occur simultaneously; however, only one download can take place at a time.

Regarding the YouTube clients, since they are all FOSS applications, we decided it would be more appropriate to include them in the FOSS App Center. As a result, I have removed the YouTube Clients tool in favor of adding them here.

Hybrid Apps​

To start off this section, I'm ecstatic to announce that I've managed to fully automate the entire update process for the hybrid apps! So, instead of going through the whole song and dance manually, all that's required now is the simple execution of a Python script. So, updates to Netflix and Disney should come a lot more frequently and quicker then before.

I've also noticed that in previous versions of the Toolbox, the Hybrid Apps tool had troubles with detecting new versions on the server, and even required the user to delete the downloaded APK before it would download the new one. This is unacceptable. So, in V36.0 I've updated the code to improve detection and added extra checks to ensure it now works as intended. Also, the tool is now capable of uninstalling hybrid apps, and will no longer close after a hybrid app is uninstalled, installed, or updated. Pretty cool stuff, right?

Custom Sounds​

When reworking this tool, we began by overhauling the user interface, essentially starting from scratch. We removed the Browse frame, as well as the "Apply custom sounds to" section. Now, each sound event has its own dedicated frame. Each frame features an icon representing the event, the event's name is displayed in bold, and the current sound value is shown below the name. Additionally, we have added remove and edit icons to the right side of each frame:

So let's talk about the 2 new icons and what they do:

= Remove custom sound.

= Add custom sound.

When the "Add" icon is clicked, you'll be presented with a new dialog where you'll browse and select the custom sound file you'd like to use for that event. I've also added 6 custom sounds that can be selected for sampling. These 6 sounds are all licensed under the Creative Commons license and attribution for each sound can be found in the CustomSounds directory (%LOCALAPPDATA%\Datastream\FireToolbox\bin\CustomSounds\Attribution.txt).

Feel free to mix and match to find the custom sounds that fit your style.

Also, the remove and add icons can also be found at the top left of the window. The remove option up there will remove ALL custom sounds, and the add option will apply the selected sound file to ALL sound events. Pretty neat right?

What's Changed?​

Here's the full changelog for this release:

Fire Toolbox V36.0 - Changelog

[Settings Database Editor]
• Fixed a bug that would sometimes cause editing a key's value to fail.

[Startup]
• Changelog is now integrated into the Main Menu, and even has a new show and close animation.
• Fixed a crash that would occur when an internet connection isn't available.

[Main Menu]
• Added the "Foss App Center" tool.
• Removed the "YouTube Clients" tool (the clients can now be installed via the Foss App Center tool).

[General]
• Added extra checks and improved the push function to ensure Automate flos are pushed to the device properly.
• Fixed a file read issue (resulting from missing the "all files permission") on FireOS 8 that would cause automate to fail reading a pushed flow.

[Hybrid Apps]
• The window now longer closes after a successful operation.
• Improved server, local file, and installed version checks.
• Hybrid Apps can now be uninstalled directly from the tool if already installed on the tablet.
• The checksum of the downloaded file is now verified after downloading finishes.

[Modify System Settings]
• Improved the download and install process for the RethinkDNS OTA Updates method.

[Keyboard & Input]
• Added the ability to tap screen elements to the ADB Input subtool.

[Custom Sounds]
• Reworked and improved the UI.
• Added 6 custom sounds that can be selected.

[Sideload Apps]
• Resolved a bug in the function that compares the APK to the tablet's architecture.

[Push & Pull]
• Added a context menu to the files panel with the ability to rename and delete the selected file.

Click to expand...

Click to collapse

Scam Sites and Ensuring Your Download is Legit​

It has come to my attention that there are some scam sites out there claiming to be the "official" website for Fire Toolbox. Please do NOT download anything from these sites! They could distributing malware, or bundling it with the Toolbox. I do NOT run any other websites (besides the two wordpress websites - Datastream33, aftb), and I do NOT post Toolbox updates or builds anywhere else except right here on XDA. Once you've downloaded either the Installer or Portable build, I'd strongly suggest checking the SHA256 checksum and ensuring the file's checksum matches the checksum posted here before installing.

If you're comfortable with the command line you can use CertUtil (certutil -hashfile filepath SHA256) or Powershell (Get-FileHash filepath), or if you prefer a GUI you can try my new Sha256Checker tool.

Downloads & Checksum​

SHA256 Checksum​

Improving the Automate Flow Import Experience​

I think the biggest thing we need to set our sights on next is the interaction between Automate and the Toolbox.

More specifically, I want to address how to determine whether a flow is imported or not. Currently, the Toolbox sets database values and checks them to see if a flow already exists. However, this method isn't entirely reliable, as the value may still exist even if the flow has been deleted or stopped, leading to incorrect behavior. Therefore, I would like to develop a different system to enhance these interactions.

One idea I’ve come up with is to leverage the Toolbox's ability to read the tablet's screen. We could have the Toolbox launch Automate and read the on-screen text to determine if a flow exists. If it does, we can then enter the flow details and check whether it is currently running. What do you all think of this approach?

Additionally, when it comes to importing an Automate flow, I’m considering adding an option for manual import. When selected, this option would provide a text or video tutorial on how to set up the flow manually. This way, users can choose between automatic and manual import. Do you think this is a worthwhile direction to pursue?

Wrapping It All Up​

Firstly, my Linux users, please don't fret, the update is coming and will be released very soon. Thank you for your patience.

Ok, my favorite part about of these release posts... sharing appreciation for you awesome folks! I just wanted to say I'm so blessed to be a part of the wonderful community over here on XDA. You guys are incredible people and in fact... this is perhaps the one place I've been on that I don't see negativity or people bullying one another. You guys are just AMAZING and I wanted to let you know that I appreciate everyone's support! Furthermore, you guys are what keep this project going, and it wouldn't be where it is today without you guys! So please pat yourself on the back - you deserve it!

As always, HUGE thank you goes out to @blaacksheep, and @Jumbo100 for keeping things going here on the forum. You guys are the wheels that keep this machine rolling. Thank you again for everything you do!

Also I'd like to also THANK you lovely folks who've graciously provided them tasty cups of joe. It has helped immensely and I just want to thank you so much for the support! Cheers!

Well, that's all I got for now! Stay safe, and please have a wonderful rest of your night/day! Until next time guys! Peace!