Amazon recently updated the Kindle Fire's software to provide fixes for some common user complaints, which is great. That update also happened to completely bork root access on the device, which is less than great. There seems to be another benefit to the newest software update, Amazon has allowed third party eReader apps to be installed on the device.
It's unclear if Kindle Fire software version 6.2.1 is to thank for other eReader apps being available on the Fire or if it's just Amazon changing their policy. Previously, third party eReader apps like Kobo, Wattpad, and Bluefire were not available on the Amazon app store. Since Amazon blocks standard Android marketplace apps from being installed on the Kindle Fire, anything not available on Amazon's app store isn't available on the Fire.
Wattpad was curious about the reason their app was effectively hidden on the Amazon app store for Kindle Fire users and opened up a discussion with Amazon on the matter. Users are reporting that as of Wednesday afternoon apps like Wattpad and Kobo were once again accessible to Kindle Fire owners. It's unclear if this change is associated with the software update for the device that hit early this week or if it is some back-end change Amazon has made.
Even more interesting is the apparent removal of the browser redirect that was in place when users tried to access the website for the Android Marketplace on their Kindle Fire. Previously when you tried to access Google's Android Marketplace website, the browser on the Fire would automatically redirect to Amazon's app store. Now, that is no longer the case.
This doesn't mean there's an easy way to install Google Marketplace apps on the Fire, because there is still no easy way to associate the device with a Google account, as it is required to install Android Marketplace apps. What this, combined with allowing third party eReader apps, could indicate, is that Amazon is loosening their stance on how locked down the Kindle Fire should be.
