Interactive Book for 7-Inch Tablets Testing

My name is Emily the Product Manager for Interactive Books & Magazines project. Last month we released our first two interactive publications to the iTunes App Store and Android Market. The first is the LDS Ensign app. This is an interactive version of the November General Conference issue. The second is the interactive storybook called "The Coat". Both of these are designed for large screen tablets such as the iPad, Motorola Xoom, and Galaxy Tab 10. We are looking to expand our interactive publications to smaller size tablets (Kindle Fire, B&N Nook Tablet, other 7'' Android tablets). We want to test how the interactive overlays perform on these smaller tablet devices. As we spin up this test project we are interesting in having a group of testers with 7'' tablets help us test the interactive overlays and help give feedback.

For more information check out our wiki page: https://tech.lds.org/wiki/Interactive_B ... _Magazines

I would be happy to test 7". Samsung Galaxy Tab WiFi 7". I downloaded the app intended for the 10" and it installed but the content will not download. I see others have had a similar issue. One I'm able to get content I'll test both apps on the 7" and post comments.
John - Raleigh NC

You guys really should post the apk for sideloading, android market wont let me download it onto my BlackBerry Playbook.

I would love to test with my 7 inch droid tablet. Please notify me how to download and I'll provide feedback.

I would also be happy to test with my 7" tablet. Just let me know when and I will provide feedback too.

I have to have the apk file as well in an email -- that is the only way I can download android apps to my kindle fire.

rooted nook color - would love to test this out.

I would like to test, I am using a 7 inch Vizio Android tablet.

I'd love to test this. I have a Kindle Fire. Can't wait to see The Friend interactive too!

I'm in the same boat. I have a rooted Nook Color running CM7.1 (android 2.3.7) but the Ensign apk won't install from the market.

I have the app on iPad, but would be willing to load the APK for the Samsung Galaxy 10.1 Tablet.

I have been trying to use the Ensign app; however, it will not download any content on my Kindle Fire. The Coat on the other hand has absolutely no problem running or downloading content. Anyone, have access to the .library directory of the Ensign app and would be willing to big file transfer an archive of this folder my way? Send my a PM.

Thanks!

I would like to test with my 8" (eight inch) Vizio Tablet.

I have a rooted Nook Tablet and would be happy to test any apps. I have some app testing experience with uTest as well (gold rating).

bradyrusson wrote:I have a rooted Nook Tablet and would be happy to test any apps. I have some app testing experience with uTest as well (gold rating).

To volunteer for community projects you must follow the procedures found in the wiki article Getting started on a community project.

Thank you again for everyone's responses to this thread. I wanted to address a few of the questions and learning processes we have discovered so far.

The LDS Ensign and The Coat app are designed for larger screen tablets (iPad, Xoom, Galaxy Tab 10). It is possible to side load these apps to a different tablet device, however, the experience will be less than optimal.

We are using Adobe Digital Publishing Suite to create these interactive books/magazines. I spoke with Adobe and they have told me there isn't a strong support for Android users for now. They are working to change that soon. Hopefully we can have a better Android tablet experience in the near future.

In the meantime, we are close to having the 7'' Tablet test app available. This is an app that will need to be side loaded to 7'' tablets such as the Nook Tablet, Kindle Fire, Galaxy Tab 7. We will be testing out the functionality of the different overlays on different devices. Already we have had many participants volunteer, which has been very helpful to us. We are always looking for testers, feel free to write me if you would like to participate: emily@ldschurch.org

I sent an email, but thought I better say something here too. I've got a stock Kindle Fire that is just begging to test that 7 inch table version!!!!

Thanks...

I down loaded the Ensign from the Church web site onto my Nook Color and it worked just fine. I am very interested in testing for the Nook Color and can't wait to get more for the Nook Color. thanks

kc_caboose1 wrote:I down loaded the Ensign from the Church web site onto my Nook Color and it worked just fine. I am very interested in testing for the Nook Color and can't wait to get more for the Nook Color. thanks

Any chance of getting more details so I can do the same?

I wanted to give everyone an update on the 7'' Tablet Test project. The APK file will most likely be available tomorrow (Tuesday, February 6th) along with a link where you can submit feedback to. We ask that those who are testing the app on their 7’’ tablet devices respond within 7-10 days. I’m working to post the APK and survey URL on the Interactive Books & Magazines wiki. Otherwise you can email me and I can email you the APK and survey URL directly. Thank you everyone for your enthusiasm in helping us test out our digital publishing platform.

I have tried using dropbox app on the nook tablet and box.net (although there is not an app in the nook app store, you can access through the web and download it). Neither of these worked. I know that nook blocks sideloading, but wanted to see if this would work since success was had on the kindle fire. I am running 1.4.1 and no, I have not rooted. Yet! I was wanting to see if it could be done without the root, just for trial and error. Anyone using a Nook Tablet or Nook Color please feel free to share your patterns of success or what didn't work.

Thank you everyone for being so involved in this test project. Just to let everyone know, this is brand new territory for us. That's the reason we are testing this platform on all different devices. The APK is now available via the Interactive Books and Magazines wiki. Instructions and the URL to the survey can be found here as well. Thank you for all your help and feedback!
https://tech.lds.org/wiki/Interactive_B ... et_Testing

I'm having a problem. I can sideload this to my kindle, but I get an error : Parse error, There is a problem parsing the package. Is there something else I need to do?

Hi there,
I would love to be part of the beta program for the interactive books. I have a Kindle fire. I am very familiar with side loading apps for the kindle fire. I have been doing it for months now. The new technologies that the church is developing excite me and it would be amazing to be a small part of that. Thank You

I too am getting a parsing error when trying to install the app on my kindle fire. Any ideas?

I am getting an error when trying to install the Interactive Book for 7-inch tablets on my Kindle Fire. I am downloading the apk file directly onto the device from the wiki page. I have been able to install other applications without a problem, but with this app I am getting a parsing error.

Something is not right with the Apk. I have tried to install it with two different installer programs and neither program will even recognize the apk.

I've tried many different methods of loading the apk on the Nook Tablet running 1.4.1. It can't be done without rooting the device. Nook blocked side loading in V. 1.4.1. Side loading is possible though on 1.4.0.

1313sam wrote:I have tried using dropbox app on the nook tablet and box.net (although there is not an app in the nook app store, you can access through the web and download it). Neither of these worked. I know that nook blocks sideloading, but wanted to see if this would work since success was had on the kindle fire. I am running 1.4.1 and no, I have not rooted. Yet! I was wanting to see if it could be done without the root, just for trial and error. Anyone using a Nook Tablet or Nook Color please feel free to share your patterns of success or what didn't work.

1313sam, I've tried many methods of side loading, and I have found it can't be done on V. 1.4.1 due to that update blocking side loading. The only way to do it is to root back to V. 1.4.0.

mdeden1 wrote:Something is not right with the Apk. I have tried to install it with two different installer programs and neither program will even recognize the apk.

mdeden1, what device are you trying to load the Apk onto?

The kindle fire. I am downloading it using the dolphin browser and have been getting the parse error. This method of sideloading apps has been very successful with other apk's, including the LDS apps. Just not with this one.

For those of you with the Kindle Fire that are getting the parse error (which I was), if you email Emily directly she will send you the apk file (which gave me no problems). Then you can test the app and provide feedback.

Hello KF users,

I too tried to install the apk file from the original email and I also received the parse error as well. My work around - I used Dropbox and it worked smoothly (works smoothly to sync files from PC to KF and vice versa). There are a few ways to do it, 1) install Dropbox on your home PC (if you use my link, we both get 250 MB more storage space!). Move the apk file, from the email, into your Dropbox folder on your PC. 2) install Dropbox on your KF (here is the apk download for KF). Once you sign into the Dropbox app on your KF, navigate to the folder with the apk file you want to install and run them. Simple as that... Or if you do not want to do all of that work, Email Emily and get it from her. Good luck!

Send me a personal message (PM) for more details/questions.

matthewdlohmeyer wrote:1313sam, I've tried many methods of side loading, and I have found it can't be done on V. 1.4.1 due to that update blocking side loading. The only way to do it is to root back to V. 1.4.0.

Thanks! I ended up using a root from tabletroms that allowed me to be able to flash back to stock if I ever have a problem, with no traces of root. Then then I dropboxed it and no problems.

Try downloading the apk file from here onto your computer directly. If you don't have dropbox, install it. It's a great cloud storage system and allows for easy file transfer to and from your computer and Kindle Fire. Move they apk file into dropbox, and then install the dropbox app on your Kindle Fire, and download the apk through there. That will take care of your parse error. Hope that helps. If you need any more or other help, feel free to send me a PM.

Any updates on this project? Just purchased a Kindle Fire, but the app will not install. It gives me a parse error. I tried loading it directly, as well as using Dropbox. No dice.

mdimbler wrote:Any updates on this project? Just purchased a Kindle Fire, but the app will not install. It gives me a parse error. I tried loading it directly, as well as using Dropbox. No dice.

Dropbox workaround did not work for me either.

I get the parse error on my Kindle Fire as well. I assume this means the Apk was compiled using a newer version of the android os than is on the Kindle?

I have a Nook Color. I would be happy to test it out on that if it's possible!

I have a Nook Color, and if it's possible, I would test it out on that.

Given the success of Google's Nexus 7, Amazon and Barnes & Noble updating their respective tablets, and Apple entering the 7 inch fray, it would seem a good time for some movement on this front.