Database Users

working sideloads: k9mail chrome firefox ES file/task, and more. kindle reader broken

I downloaded the fdroid apk and did adb install; fdroid runs fine. I was hoping to use it to do most of my sideloading, but the firetv has "unknown apps" disabled, and for now there's no way to change that.
so everything else below, I just went to the respective developer website and got apks and then adb install.
k9mail works great, the only issue was first launch - the screen has 2 buttons at the bottom "import settings" and "next" - the 2 buttons don't show up (i.e. the text is invisible) until you scroll down on the remote (then the button text shows up) - but after getting past that I loaded up my usual settings.k9s that I had copied from my phone, and all was well.
es file manager we all probably know pretty well. although this was the first time I noticed the "remote manager" tool, which is nothing more than an ftp server. but that's nice to remotely mess with the filesystem without having to use adb.
es task manager also works as expected.
connectbot loads, but as soon as you try a connection it dies. haven't looked at logcat yet.
jackpal android terminal works normally.
EDIT:
side loaded chrome 34.0 (.1847.114) works perfectly aside from the 1st time you run it.
(the first time, the license agreement chucks the app sideways into portrait mode. if you can manage to click the large blue button, quit, and restart, it will be back in normal/usable landscape mode. there is a checkbox above the large blue button - leave it unchecked, it's not related to the license agreement, it's about ads or agreeing to receive advertisement emails or something)
side loaded firefox beta 29.0, works perfectly.
/EDIT

ipcam viewer
still waiting on mine , can anyone verify ip cam viewer sideloads and works as written ?
thanks in advance..
have verified ip cam viewer and tiny cam pro work great.

This might seem like a crazy question, but is the Amazon App Store app on there or can you sideload it? Mine is in the mail and was trying to think of things to do with it before it gets here.

MajikUF said:
This might seem like a crazy question, but is the Amazon App Store app on there or can you sideload it? Mine is in the mail and was trying to think of things to do with it before it gets here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It already has a very fragmented amazon store built into the launcher. I tried installing the official, but the install failed because it already exists.

MajikUF said:
This might seem like a crazy question, but is the Amazon App Store app on there or can you sideload it? Mine is in the mail and was trying to think of things to do with it before it gets here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it's not a crazy question - a lot of this stuff is still unclear.
the app store is there, more or less - just go into the app section of the UI, and you have your installed apps and also the available apps.
or you can do it through amazon website, here's all firetv-"compatible" apps:
http://www.amazon.com/b?node=7031433011
the sad part is, it's only about 10% of what the app store offers for e.g. kindle hardware or generic android.
if you skim through the free apps for generic android on the website, you can add all sorts of useful things. once you add it, the app page tells you which of your devices it's compatible with. anything in the amazon app store that is not included in the above link is "not compatible" with firetv.
it's kinda sorta really stupid. trying to sideload the app store app isn't going to help, either - because it will still be able to ID the device as a firetv, and it will make the same restrictions. add something free like history channel or es file explorer, and it will show up here:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/mas/your-account/myapps
but they will still never show up on your fire tv, because "not compatible" (uh huh.)
(plus, I would worry about the chance of sideloading an amazon app such as the appstore, could mess up the underlying amazon-framework. probably unlikely, but...?
this is also why I have held off sideloading the kindle software reader app.
hopefully amazon will get with expanding available apps soon, it is still early days. BUT CMON NO KINDLE READER APP WTF SPAMAZON. jeez.)

xda app works. Also got google play music to load but couldn't log in to my account.
Sent from my AFTB using XDA HD

other random notes -
I decided to try sideloading com.amazon.kindle.apk (ganked from google play store) for the heck of it, after all.
interesting part: it does seem to have some knowledge of the underlying amazon framework - doesn't ask me for ID/pass, it already knows the device is registered to amazon.
stupid annoying useless part: none of my books show up, no matter what I do.
maybe getting the apk from amazon app store rather than from google might make a difference. I dnno.
///
the built-in es media player in es file explorer, works surprisingly well - I have been using it for medium-bitrate mp4 and mkv files (over smb/cifs, no less) as a temporary solution until xbmc is working better. and it's really not bad at all!
///
gmail and gvoice both worked fine in chrome - mobile webpage as well as desktop webpage.
except for: no audio from voicemail playback in gvoice.
///
linphone always crashes on startup, so no luck testing there.
///
generic usb cameras are correctly recognized as uvcvideo. but I was not able to get com.pas.webcam.apk or any of the generic webcam test apps to work.
///
nova launcher works about as expected.
at one point I did get super-hopeful because nova has a link to generic android settings, but all it did was send me to the firetv settings area. ah well.

tarvoke said:
nova launcher works about as expected.
at one point I did get super-hopeful because nova has a link to generic android settings, but all it did was send me to the firetv settings area. ah well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did you switch launchers? I couldn't find a way to get Open Launcher to work, since I can't clear the default stock launcher settings.

Luxferro said:
How did you switch launchers? I couldn't find a way to get Open Launcher to work, since I can't clear the default stock launcher settings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just ran it from settings->apps. it's not really a permanent switch. I haven't tried open launcher, so can't offer much help sorry.
what I got was standard nova desktop, with no notification bar (even though by default it's enabled), and with the app tray on the right.
at that point, if you press the menu/context button on the remote, you get a list of options including nova settings and android settings (which as mention, only kicks you back to the amazon settings) wallpaper and stuff.
if you go into the app list, all you see is all your sideloaded apps. no way to get to actual amazon tv/video/games/apps, without jumping back to the amazon launcher. and then you have to run settings->apps->nova again, if you want the nova desktop again. (or simply alt-tab, if you have a keyboard connected)
and you will also see an icon for the "amazon video" app, but nothing actually happens if you try to run that one. (I'm guessing it's not exactly an app as much as it is part of the framework, or some kind of helper etc.)
I don't really recall seeing any "complete action using" dialogs like I would see occasionally on OUYA, but then I didn't play around enough to see if it was possible to make the launcher more permanent or stick better. but when I ran a sideloaded app from nova desktop, and then quit (e.g. xbmc) it would exit to nova rather than to amazon.

ahhhhhhh ok I see. just now tried open launcher for myself - ok so it won't let you run the launcher without making the switch in settings. and we have no way to get to those settings. and the 'home' button the dialog box is talking about, is a very different thing from the home button on the amazon remote.
that's really too bad, it looks like a pretty nice launcher.

tarvoke said:
ahhhhhhh ok I see. just now tried open launcher for myself - ok so it won't let you run the launcher without making the switch in settings. and we have no way to get to those settings. and the 'home' button the dialog box is talking about, is a very different thing from the home button on the amazon remote.
that's really too bad, it looks like a pretty nice launcher.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah, I tried to find a way, but I don't think it's possible with the stock rom, since it lacks so many settings normally found in android. There aren't too many launchers meant for GTV type boxes, and that one seems pretty since.

bkdg100 said:
still waiting on mine , can anyone verify ip cam viewer sideloads and works as written ?
thanks in advance..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried tinycam free and it works great. When I get time I'll try ip camera viewer.

Can anyone try with Sopcast app?
If it can play without hiccups sopcast streamings of 3000kbps I will definetely get one

I have tried a bunch of games sideloaded.
Working with Ouya BT controller:
GTA Vice City and San Andreas
Shadogun HD
Bard's Tale
Sonic CD
Games that load but we need touch mapping once we get root:
Shadowrun Returns
Ravensword 2
Chronotrigger
FFIII
Dungeon Hunter 4
I am loading some emulators later and I will post the results.

titooo7 said:
Can anyone try with Sopcast app?
If it can play without hiccups sopcast streamings of 3000kbps I will definetely get one
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I could only see one 3000k channel on the default server - turbosport tv.
at first it was jerky because it kept running out of buffer. (even 1500k channels did too)
but then I paused and waited until the buffer went up to 100.
after that, I have been watching the 3000k football for about 5-10 minutes so far, and not a single hiccup.
really nice hd picture, and there is no corruption, no artifacts, no weird/unsettling motion/blur.
EDIT:
oh, it definitely made the firetv warmer than usual. but it is not hot in any sense.
with normal use (xbmc, Prime TV) mine is either room temperature, or a little bit warm in the one corner where the cpu/soc is.
with this program, the entire heatsink is moderately warm.
/EDIT

Has anyone tried any of the tv network apps like CBS, A&E, and others?

Spotify?
Anyone tried to sideload Spotify?

Anyone tried to side load a settings.apk?
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app

scottsdca said:
Anyone tried to side load a settings.apk?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
FRIGGIN CHAMPION IDEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.glassxe.com/2013/05/23/s...-from-the-hacking-glass-session-at-google-io/
I loaded Settings.apk and Launcher2.apk
the launcher only crashes, so don't bother.
the settings, a lot of them crash as mentioned in the article.
but so far I have a bluetooth speaker paired, connected, and WORKING - sound is coming out the BT speaker and not my TV.
even fired up PrimeTV and sound was as normal, only it was the BT speaker.
xbmc? darn right the sound is coming perfectly out of the BT speaker.
now I turned off the BT speaker, and sound is coming out the TV again. seamless as it should be.
turned the speaker back on, and it autoconnected, all fireTV audio is back on the BT speaker again.

Apps going outside the screen
I am able to load many of the apps mentioned, but most of them go beyond the screen. Is there any way to calibrate the video?

Compatible Apps

So far these apps are working for me:
-XBMC on Ouya
-Firefox
-ES File explorer
-BSPlayer
-BubbleIPNP
-Nova Launcher
Working but need a a different input device to manipulate:
-CNN
-IPlayer BBC
-HBO GO
-Puffin Browser (good if works since has flash embedded)
-Pushbullet (need google play services)
I will continue testing other apps until a root is published.

There are like 5 of these post now. We need a central post because people (myself included) keep testing apps that have already been tested by someone else.

DeVSS said:
There are like 5 of these post now. We need a central post because people (myself included) keep testing apps that have already been tested by someone else.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good point. There is a "Fire TV Themes and Apps" forum, but no one has posted there yet.

sideload
Sideloaded hsdroid to access hockey streams. Works but needs alternative form of input. Used USB mouse and it works.

josetron said:
So far these apps are working for me:
-XBMC on Ouya
-Firefox
-ES File explorer
-BSPlayer
-BubbleIPNP
-Nova Launcher
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did it actually let you user Nova Launcher as the default Home launcher (when you click the Home button)?

elmerohueso said:
Did it actually let you user Nova Launcher as the default Home launcher (when you click the Home button)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, just shows as another program to run... the good thing is that you can see all the programs in one screen... but dont see any real usage, just testing.

josetron said:
No, just shows as another program to run... the good thing is that you can see all the programs in one screen... but dont see any real usage, just testing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe this was suggested in another thread, and it definitely works for me: I simply open Nova Launcher once then with a wireless mini keyboard/trackpad unit I do ALT-TAB to move between apps which includes Nova Launcher. This is a good way to get back to Spotify too, though on the wireless unit I have the play/pause button will let me keep music running or pause it in the background.
I go back to Nova for the apps that I would have had to open via the Fire TV settings/apps page which I find to be a chore compared to ALT-TAB to Nova to a page where I have my key sideloaded apps on-screen and ready to open. It also works out of the box with the Settings.apk if you sideload that so you can just keep the Settings shortcut that is on one of the Nova screens by default. There are noted issues with some settings not working (and most obviously just aren't applicable to this unit which is why they won't work) via Settings.apk but that's covered in another thread too.

buscemi said:
I believe this was suggested in another thread, and it definitely works for me: I simply open Nova Launcher once then with a wireless mini keyboard/trackpad unit I do ALT-TAB to move between apps which includes Nova Launcher. This is a good way to get back to Spotify too, though on the wireless unit I have the play/pause button will let me keep music running or pause it in the background.
I go back to Nova for the apps that I would have had to open via the Fire TV settings/apps page which I find to be a chore compared to ALT-TAB to Nova to a page where I have my key sideloaded apps on-screen and ready to open. It also works out of the box with the Settings.apk if you sideload that so you can just keep the Settings shortcut that is on one of the Nova screens by default. There are noted issues with some settings not working (and most obviously just aren't applicable to this unit which is why they won't work) via Settings.apk but that's covered in another thread too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hopefully we can find a way to do it with the remote control or joystick... having a keyboard in frond of the box is useful but inconvenient...

Was iplayer with HD video? Which version did you use? Also what version of the APK did you use for CNN?
josetron said:
So far these apps are working for me:
-XBMC on Ouya
-Firefox
-ES File explorer
-BSPlayer
-BubbleIPNP
-Nova Launcher
Working but need a a different input device to manipulate:
-CNN
-IPlayer BBC
-HBO GO
-Puffin Browser (good if works since has flash embedded)
-Pushbullet (need google play services)
I will continue testing other apps until a root is published.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

skanker said:
Was iplayer with HD video? Which version did you use? Also what version of the APK did you use for CNN?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Iplayer 3.1.0.748 CNN 1.4.2 Keep in mind both work ok but you can't navigate thru the menus given the lack of support from the input device. I don't think Iplayer was in full HD...keep in mind you need to be in UK to use it (or use any workaround)...

josetron said:
Hopefully we can find a way to do it with the remote control or joystick... having a keyboard in frond of the box is useful but inconvenient...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use a very small handheld keyboard with touchpad that is convenient for me. It was recommended in another thread, and is this one: (oops I cannot post links yet to so it is Hausbell ® Mini H7 2.4GHz Wireless Entertainment Keyboard with Touchpad for PC, Pad, Andriod TV Box, Google TV Box, Xbox360, PS3 & HTPC/IPTV (Black))

buscemi said:
I use a very small handheld keyboard with touchpad that is convenient for me. It was recommended in another thread, and is this one: (oops I cannot post links yet to so it is Hausbell ® Mini H7 2.4GHz Wireless Entertainment Keyboard with Touchpad for PC, Pad, Andriod TV Box, Google TV Box, Xbox360, PS3 & HTPC/IPTV (Black))
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the tip, yes that looks very small and cheap too!

Apps in LeanBack mode on custom rom

Hey everybody!
Just modded my NP and installed LolliRock, but some of the apps look a bit strange on the big screen TV. I remember seeing somewhere - can't remember where - that it is possible to launch some of the apps in LeanBack mode. Does any of you know how, or at least point me in the right direction?
Thanks!

Actually found it in the end:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMqz8e33oq8
It uses the QuickShortcutMaker app to make a shortcut that will open the specific app in LeanBack mode, which on a big screen TV looks way better than the normal app.

georgecarstoiu said:
Actually found it in the end:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMqz8e33oq8
It uses the QuickShortcutMaker app to make a shortcut that will open the specific app in LeanBack mode, which on a big screen TV looks way better than the normal app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where do you find the leanback launcher app to run in Lollirock? Never mind found it on mirrorapk
Thanks

How can i simply force close open/running aps?

Is there a solution to this yet? Either from the system itself or from downloading or sideloading a specific app to close them?
This is still Android so there should be something to force close apps like our phones.

I agree, I force closed each app individually, helped speed things up a bit.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

I wish there was as well. Only thing you can do currently is go into Apps and manually Force Stop the apps, which is too much of a pain. Really stupid.

wouldn't greenify achieve that? I haven't tried to install it on the shield, but I assume it would sideload fine. just add all the apps that you commonly find yourself force closing to your greenify list, then you should be able to just open greenify and hibernate them all at once.

awp69 said:
I wish there was as well. Only thing you can do currently is go into Apps and manually Force Stop the apps, which is too much of a pain. Really stupid.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not possible to limit the number of apps running in background in the developper menu?

You can download a task manager and killer.
You just need to side load it.

Im personally using this which i can confirm working on full android with airmouse controller
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1330150
The app has native "force close" option, which you can use on any currently opened app, and, for those interested, has tasker support, i.e. initiate tasks anywhere
Edit
"force close" option is listed as "ka". Ka = kill app
Edit2
Im using lmt version 2.5 on full android marshmellow, although i can confirm that it worked on full lollipop too

VR mode for non-VR compatible mobiles

I was wondering if this was possible. I just need to run an app on VR mode. That is my main requirement, to use PS4 remote play by twisted89 on VR mode to enjoy PS4 games on VR. So if a specific app cannot be turned into vr mode why not the whole device screen? Is that also not possible? I already found an app called Trinus VR, but it requires a PC, so I want this to work only with the mobile itself. Any help would be greatly appreciated

Goutham_SRIRAM said:
I just need to run an app on VR mode.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what app you're reffering to?
Goutham_SRIRAM said:
So if a specific app cannot be turned into vr mode why not the whole device screen? Is that also not possible?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you lost me
Goutham_SRIRAM said:
I already found an app called Trinus VR, but it requires a PC, so I want this to work only with the mobile itself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that i think is impossible. since trinus was made for pc mirroring. sorry

I think what his trying to say is and correct me if I'm wrong but, he wants an app that turns any other app into a split-view vr style outcome even if pseudo, which in turn he then wants to run (after activating the previous app that turns stuff into vr mode) the remote play app to play his ps4 games in pseudo vr mode.
I think if an app like this was developed it would need root access to allow cross app vr displayed split-view, as i think it will make the whole display split-view which in turn will make all apps "vr". Not sure if there will be stutter problems on the default launcher but that's easily overcomeable using a vr launcher i assume or just coding it to be disabled on popular launchers.

I know for a fact that the Lenovo K5 does this with stock rom, so... it's possible. Maybe you can buy one?

thugsta1 said:
I think what his trying to say is and correct me if I'm wrong but, he wants an app that turns any other app into a split-view vr style outcome even if pseudo, which in turn he then wants to run (after activating the previous app that turns stuff into vr mode) the remote play app to play his ps4 games in pseudo vr mode.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly what I meant and you just read my mind man, I am trying to play PS4 in VR via the remote play. The best option I came up with so far was Trinus VR, but I want to do this by my phone alone with the remote play app by twisted89.
And yeah, yeah, what all this guy said was what I meant, I need an app to turn on entire mobile screen into VR mode or just the one app I need, thank-you guys :laugh:

Reply please
lesmo_sft said:
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thugsta1 said:
I think what his trying to say is and correct me if I'm wrong but, he wants an app that turns any other app into a split-view vr style outcome even if pseudo, which in turn he then wants to run (after activating the previous app that turns stuff into vr mode) the remote play app to play his ps4 games in pseudo vr mode.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
khachak said:
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Guys it's been weeks, can you please help me here, it's ok if you don't know or can't find anything, but please reply

Goutham_SRIRAM said:
Guys it's been weeks, can you please help me here, it's ok if you don't know or can't find anything, but please reply
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Search for the SBS apk

It is not possible to turn the screen into SBS mode (side by side). Only thing that exists is native SBS that works on versions 4.4.2 and bellow or some versions of Cm13 with Android 6.0.1.
It will not work on any stock Rom.
I have looked everywhere. Tried everything.
There are apps that can play vr videos and allow sbs web browsing on non vr/cardboard compatible phones.
For videos: VRTV VR is pretty good.
For web browsing: NoMone VR
For anything else, Trinus via pc would be the only option.
Install an emulator on your pc. Install Android on it. Then the apk you want. Mirror your pc to your Android phone. Use VR

A difficult issue, though. As far as I found, those are the basic requirements for playing VR stuff:
2GB + Ram
1080p to 2K Screen resolution
1.4GHz+ CPU speed
Gyroscope (in some cases - not)
At least 4.7 inch display
16M+ colors
Those are basic requirements to play some basic apps. In order to have better FPS performance you will need some more advanced hardware.
Also, if you are interested in VR software development - check my article about best VR/AR SDK which you will need to create apps.
P.S. Found this answer on Quora

Any change?
I used to have a Lenovo ph, and never realized how fortunate I was to have instant vr at the click of a button. For the whole system.! Now I am stuck trying to use cardboard crap app which does a tenth of what I want..
Even just streaming on a browser I'm finding difficult.
I want full screen split no movement. Or anything like a standard split screen on device.
Anyone had any luck?