Database Users

[Q] Extending the Android Displaylink driver.

I've been working with the Kernel's Displaylink (udlfb) driver for a few days now. After some trouble I was able to get initial support for the legacy 2.0 USB devices working. Lucky, this early work was possible due to a few earlier projects. I had to work out a few power issues as our chosen device does not have enough power to run the display with out being chained to a powered hub.
So, currently I have an active framebuffer /dev/graphics/fb13 which I can push static frames to, but the display stack for the OS is not aware of the devices existence and so it can not be used with any of the API calls. I am looking for documentation or help on where to start. From reading the source pages on android.com I believe the extensions to the framebuffer need to be done in the Display HAL, but I'm not even sure where in the source tree those files exist. Its also possible that the display driver itself needs to be extended to report itself as an available display. If anyone has any insight I would be very grateful.
Link up and running.
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
References:
https://sites.google.com/site/voyageofbeagleboard/Home/displaylink-for-android
http://antweb.me/index.php/blog-reader/items/displaylink-on-an-android-powered-beagleboard-xm.html
http://events.ccc.de/congress/2009/Fahrplan/events/3353.en.html

[Library] [API 7+] "MaterialPreferenceLibrary" - materialize your preferences

[Library] [API 7+] "MaterialPreferenceLibrary" - materialize your preferences
I liked that Google supports a lot of devices using its support-library, and offers Material-Design for API 7 and above, but sadly it lacks big time when it comes to the settings screen (PreferenceActivity and related classes).
It's weird to see so many apps have everything in material-design style, yet the settings screens are left behind. Google's own apps have this behavior too.
Even Google's own solution has its disadvantages:
1. no support for SwitchPreference for GB
2. no support for material-design dialogs for any of the preferences.
3. no action bar items for GB
So, I've made my own customized classes and put it in my app, but then I realized other people might want to use it, so I've worked on it further, and published this library:
https://github.com/AndroidDeveloperLB/MaterialPreferenceLibrary
The library, like the support library, support API 7 and above, which is practically 100% of the devices out there.
Here's a demo of how it looks like on GB vs Lollipop:
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
(go to the library's webpage to see it as a video)
The sample in the repo should be enough to try it out, but you can also see it in action on a real app, like my own "App Manager" app.

Use Your Old Android As A Secondary Monitor

Use Your Old Android As A Secondary Monitor
You know that old HP touchpad was a great tablet but it's just been sitting around for years now. You can't bring yourself to throw it away but what on Earth could you use it for?
Hi, my name Steve Shockmonster and I'm here to tell you how you can turn any old Android tablet into a secondary screen for your computer. By installing an app on both your pc and Android device, you can activate an extended display setup. This will allow you to move your open windows to your tablet by dragging it off screen.There are many practical uses for this feature and almost anyone would be able to take advantage of this.
So what app do you need to get this working? Well I've put together a list that will get you all setup.
Splashtop Wired XDisplay Free
Download
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
Splashtop Extended Display HD
Download
Air Display 2
Download
Air Duet Screen-Second Display
Download
iDisplay
Download
Is there an app that you use that I haven't listed? Let me know in the comments!

Using HP Touchpad as MAME Arcade

I have a 32GB HP Touchpad that had seen little use for a while, I got an ION iCade cab which connects via Bluetooth to the Touchpad. Although sold as (and originally designed for) iPads they work well with Android .
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
I flashed the Touchpad with Android 5.1.1 removing the WebOS first. This leaves enough space for the full Mame4droid 0.139 u1 ROMset, the smaller 16GB Touchpad will still host a huge selection of games.
I flashed 5.1.1 because the Bluetooth works well, this is critical for connecting to the iCade, or any Bluetooth controller.
TPToolbox was used to install 5.1.1
Bluez IME was necessary to force the iCade to connect the first time, after that it works every time. This is keeping my 7 year old entertained no end, and was to replace my full sized MAME Cab that had to go as it was (apparently) taking up too much space.
I'm posting this from my phone and will update it from my laptop with more detail.

Install apps of unknown sources

In my shield pro 2019 there is no switch visible to allow the installation of apps of unknown sources.
I have developer options enabled already.
How can I install apps of unknown sources?

Can you just install filelinked? I've got most my apps using it

I'm late, but it is Settings - Device Preferences - Security & restrictions - Unknow sources
Sent from my Nord using XDA Labs

I've tried to use web download on the Analiti app by accessing apkpure and bringing up an app I have on other android devices. It will not download then I found that BlueMail and Filelinked are "not compatable" from Nvidia yet watched videos on YouTube that were made up to just a couple months ago showing this being done. The only thing I can think of is firmware upgrade 8.2.1 as of 11/16 is what is causing this. I'm wondering myself if there is a workaround or how to downgrade back to the last firmware if anyone has any input on this?

Looks like the Shield TV is locked down like chastity belt, going to be returning mine back to Best Buy. What a rip, considering Fire TV cube is half the price.

At least 8.2.2 installs from unknown sources fine.
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}