[tential]

This conversation initiated somewhere around this post: http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid...pid1673731

Since this is a 'more than FireTV' post, it should be relegated to it's own thread. It is likely to be ignored in the context of FireTV thread since it applies generally to android based stores and licensing. I think thwarting licensing is a taboo subject and should be generally avoided -- doubly-so in this Amazon Fire TV for XBMC thread.

Just my .02

I agree, this comes up a lot and the bottom line is no, they aren't going to stick a gimped version in the store (Google Play or Amazon) that users can then surreptitiously add features back to. One, this is dumb. Two, the major app stores aren't run by idiots and sooner or later will crack down on that (i.e. take it right back out of the store). Three, XBMC is a free, open source application created by volunteers and they could care less about it's "adoption rate". It's managed to become incredibly popular without being in an official store.

Just sideload it and be happy that works as well as it does. If you really want a button on the main FTV interface just install Plex and follow the wiki to turn it's app icon in to something that launches XBMC, even non technical family members can work that out.

1. How is this dumb this would make xbmc a more seamless application with fire tv. Because having to navigate through settings applications and then all the way down to xbmc is the smoothest way to integrate this application. BTW don't call something dumb just because you don't like the idea, this does not present a solid argument.

2. I don't honestly think the amazon app store would care if it was a stripped down version or care what you do with the application once it is on your fire tv as long as the app agrees with their policies they will put it out there.

3. I would tend to think the devs absolutely like adoption. The whole point of open source is to bring it to the masses. Make it free for EVERYONE. In this scenario not EVERYONE is going to want to side load and then have to navigate through menus to get to their main app.

I am fully appreciative of the app group. I think XBMC is great and that they are making an amazing cross-platform product. I do understand that one-off requests aren't usually a big priority for android boxes or different platforms, but I also see this post has been the top android post for going on 4 weeks now and there is a large amount of interest from the XBMC Community and there are many of us that would like a more seemless integration if that is possible. I know it is a request and that is why I threw it out there. If it is not feasible so be it, I'm sure there will be a hack that puts the app on the main menu eventually.

1. It's a great idea from a user standpoint. However, from a developer standpoint, this means creating a whole new version of XBMC that they have to troubleshoot, update, and do everything for. This is an opensource program so you have to get one of the coders to add more time to strip features out of XBMC.

2. If you make a stripped down version of XBMC then there would be nothing you could do with the application that would't bbe something Amazon wouldn't be happy about. A stripped down version would mean you couldn't add more plugins, or do anything not authorized by Amazon. That's the devs issue. They don't want to create and maintain a WHOLE new version of XBMC. That said, XBMC is an open sourced project. You're MORE than welcome to (correct me if I'm wrong guys), submit your stripped down version of XBMC to Amazon and provide updates to it.
I can understand though that devs WONT want to do this. Imagine you spent all your time at your job making something great. Then, someone told you your NEW job was to take every single thing you have done, and remove it from the project. Not many people are going to be too excited to spend their time removing features. Also, no one is forcing you to get a FireTV. This isn't an XBMC issue, this is a FireTV closed wall issue. On my S3, XBMC is in the apps list because I don't have to "sideload" the app. I just go to XBMC site and download it and allow unregistered apps and I'm good to go. If you want an Android set top box for XBMC, you can purchase one. Or just use Open Elec.
3. The point isn't to make it free to everyone. The point of the XBMC project is
http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=XBMC_manifesto
Reading this page you can find two things that a stripped down XBMC version would do that is directly against the project goals.

"One major ongoing goal of Team-XBMC has always been to make XBMC and its user interface feel even more intuitive and user-friendly for its end-users, based on the KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) principle of simplicity."

Adding different versions of XBMC would cause massive amounts of confusion. Similar to how different versions of Windows 8, 7, etc. drive me INSANE. I go to install a program only to find out that I need xyz version of Windows. Windows 8 simplified it a bit, but it's still annoying to find out I need the Pro upgrade for xyz feature.

"Apply the Law of Diminishing Return - The majority of the effort should be invested in implementing features which have the most benefit and widest general usage by the community."

A stripped down version of XBMC isn't really what the majority of the community wants. We want plugins, we want customization, we don't want to be locked in a garden. I honestly wouldn't mind an Android App that is stripped down but the devs have considered that a stripped down version wouldn't be worth it.

That said, if you can get a LARGE amount of end users to feel otherwise, be my guest. I understand how the devs feel. The effort isn't worth the reward. Getting into the appstore to appease FireTV users specifically? And to appease the users that don't want to sideload? That's a very small user base as it is.

The point is XBMC is supposed to be the same experience across all platforms, second you make new versions it's not the same anymore.

Summary: No one on the XBMC team wants to dedicate their coding time to removing features to please Amazon.