Following up on the first in a series of webinars covering Amazon devices, game services, and mobile applications, here’s a list of questions we collected during and after our presentation on Amazon Device Compatibility and Optimization.

Is it possible to test the compatibility of my existing android app with an emulator?

Yes, you can and should use the Kindle Fire emulators to test compatibility of your Android app. The Kindle Fire emulator consists of:

• The Android emulator, which is part of the Android SDK.
• Android Virtual Devices (AVDs).
• Kindle Fire system images.

The Kindle Fire system images provide the additional code needed to emulate Kindle Fire tablets.

Note: We provide ARM and x86 system images for the Kindle Fire emulator as SDK add-ons. If your development computer can run the x86 system images, which are available for all tablets except Kindle Fire (1st Generation), you should use them for faster emulation. For more information, see Understanding the Kindle Fire Emulator.

How does DRM and license validation work in the Amazon store? Can we verify it’s working once the app is live?

When submitting your app, on the Binary Files tab, developers can choose Apply Amazon DRM? If selected, only customers who have purchased the app may use it. If not, your app may be used by anyone without restrictions. To test this once the app is live, sign in to the Amazon store with a different user account (or simply sign out of the Amazon store client) and try to open the app on the device. If DRM is active, your app is protected and an error will be reported.

What versions of Adobe AIR are available? When will new AIR versions become available?

The original Kindle Fire runs Gingerbread and therefore ships with AIR 2.7. The second generation Kindle Fire, including all Kindle Fire HD devices, run IceCreamSandwich and ship with AIR 3.1. Developers that need newer versions of AIR 3 in their apps can do so by leveraging captive runtime.

Is there a low-tech solution to creating a screen-size that will work for Kindle Fire and Kindle Fire HD, like 600x600?

Please see Screen Layout and Resolution for information on designing for the different Kindle Fire screen. The simplest option would be to test each layout on the Kindle Fire emulators to confirm and tweak them as necessary. See Running the Kindle Fire Emulator for more information.

When you say unsigned apk, is that the same as not exporting the apk in Eclipse?

Yes. That is correct. We are referring to an apk not built for release.

Is there a rule, or recommendation about package names in different App Stores? Can they be the same?

Yes, they can be the same.

Can I apply a signature to my app?

All applications must be digitally signed with a certificate. The default signature applied to your app is a certificate supplied by Amazon that is unique to your developer account. If your signing strategy requires that a different certificate be applied, you may do so by submitting a request using the Contact Us form. Please indicate the title of the app for which you are submitting the request.

Is the certificate different from .keystore?

Yes. The type of certificate used by Amazon to sign a developer's application is the same type generated by standard tools like keytool or jarsigner.

Don’t miss out next webinar event: Integrating GameCirle in Your Games on July 25^th, 2013 @ 10:00 AM.

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