Default/stock launcher drawbacks - Nexus Player Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I don't have an NP yet, I'm researching it for now.
I've seen a number of threads by people looking to switch the default launcher and it made me wonder why. With the Fire TV and Fire TV Stick there hasn't been a way (until recently afaik) to have the stock launcher display the sideloaded app icons, so different tricks were employed there.
But what's wrong with the Google's own launcher on NP? Is it hard to navigate? Does it suppress sideloaded apps? Why are people looking to switch away from it?
Thanks!

Related

Kindle Reader book selection when rooted

Anyone have a solution to the Kindle Reader app not bringing up a book list if you change the launcher?
Currently I have to go to the stock KF Launcher and pick books/newsstand to selection a new book/magazine to read. Anyone have a hack or setting to change this?
I have the same problem, and would be very interested in hearing an answer!
This is a known issue and there is as of yet no workaround. What I have done and what most people have done is to set a short cut on the desktop for the Kindle Launcher. Then you can select your books/newstand etc. Not the most ideal but it is what we have until Amazon releases a fix or some crafy dev comes up with a better fix in a custom ROM.
-Eric
Thanks Eric!
Just found a workaround. Searched kindle in the market and updated the app. This installed the version that would usually be used on an android device and shows your whole library.
edit: Just a warning, there seems to be no way to make this kindle app full screen. It has the navigation bar (albeit the minimized one) and I'm pretty sure it used to go full screen in the stock kindle app. Also this new kindle app wont work from the stock launcher. I'm thinking about switching back for these two reasons (mostly the full screen thing is bothering me), anyone know how to revert back?
edit2: Also the slider that allows you to quickly jump between locations in the book is covered up by the navigation bar.. Very annoying. Wouldn't recommend doing this unless you don't need that. You can still manually "go to" a section of the book but I'd rather have the slider. Just did a factory restore to get the original kindle app back.

Sideloaded apps/games on homescreen?

or even better in designated folders.. as far as I understand, this can be done after rooting right? but I'd rather not go down that route (at least atm) as I haven't a clue what I'm doing & the methods I've seen for the Shield TV are a little complicated for me (is there an automated method?)
Advice would be appreciated.
If you want to use the LeanBack (default) launcher you have to download SideLoad Launcher from the play store, otherwise you can flash Zulu99's ROM that gives you the default Android experience.
Agreed. I want to root my Android TV, but every thread I read is a little different, and since I don't have much experience doing it, I don't even know where to start. I'd rather wait until I've understood the process better before taking a chance at bricking my console.
Root is dead simple on this device. It's literally not requiring exploits and roots like a nexus device. You unlock the bootloader with very easy instructions, and can even leave the stock recovery if you are worried about things like that. I'm also pretty sure, though don't quote me, that unless you do something massively strange and unlikely, like changing partition sizes, that going back to stock, and relocking is always possible. At least it is on almost every single factory unlockable device on the market. No risk, I recommend it. That being said, you don't need root to sideload as stated abbove. Just get the launcher they recommended by chainfire, nistall it, then grab something like es file explorer, both in the play store, then install apk files from es file explorer, and launch from teh other launcher. The stock launcher launches the other one as the stock launcher can only display android TV supported apps, but the other launcher can display any android app, hence having a launcher inside a launcher.
Hope this helps.
I'd like to flash Steele01's Cyanogenmod 12.1 and use the twrp multi-rom, but from what I've seen, he's still working out a lot of kinks with the console since it's different from the Shield tablet.
If it wasn't for ES Explorer, I'd really be limited. At least I've been able to install Amazon Prime Instant Video and some other apps using their apk files. As far as the launcher inside of a launcher, are you referring to the crappy Sideload Launcher that's available through Leanback Launcher's play store? I saw the full Android mod for the Android TV, and it looks awesome. It looks exactly like you would expect any Android product to look. This whole Leanback Launcher is very disappointing. I feel like someone enabled Kid's mode on their tablet or something. I guess I'm thinking too much into this, and I should just go ahead and do it. Like you said, I could always go back to stock recovery, which from what I understand will need to be done anyway to receive any further updates.
Rolldog said:
I'd like to flash Steele01's Cyanogenmod 12.1 and use the twrp multi-rom, but from what I've seen, he's still working out a lot of kinks with the console since it's different from the Shield tablet.
If it wasn't for ES Explorer, I'd really be limited. At least I've been able to install Amazon Prime Instant Video and some other apps using their apk files. As far as the launcher inside of a launcher, are you referring to the crappy Sideload Launcher that's available through Leanback Launcher's play store? I saw the full Android mod for the Android TV, and it looks awesome. It looks exactly like you would expect any Android product to look. This whole Leanback Launcher is very disappointing. I feel like someone enabled Kid's mode on their tablet or something. I guess I'm thinking too much into this, and I should just go ahead and do it. Like you said, I could always go back to stock recovery, which from what I understand will need to be done anyway to receive any further updates.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I recommend trying it out with a cestom rom, as long as you are willing to unlock. I have since gone back to stock after trying both as I needed/wanted 2 features. The streaming button (there is a paid alternative) and the headphones on the controller. Keep in mind you also give up wireless controller, hence the headphones, by going to other roms. I use a monitor, and without a USB DAC I don't have sound if I give up wireless. I have simply settled for running 2 sidebar launchers, and it's working great for me. Also, Market Helper is good as it'll tell the play store (web version) that you are using a Nexus 7, ect, and can install most apps that way easily without having to sidelead everything. It'll also handle auto-updates ironicly ,ith stock play store app. Hopefully that'll help you decide. Please let us know what you did and why as we as a community like to know users needs. If you get stuck at any part of the process, please PM me or ask on the forums. We'd be glad to help with anything!
I don't have any problems with unlocking it, I, like you, just want to be sure I don't lose any features of the Shield. Losing game streaming and the wireless controller sound like a deal breaker. I'm sure it's just a matter of time before someone fixes these issues in a custom ROM. The wireless controller is configured using WiFi Direct. Even on Nvidia's website, they're all for people rooting their device and customizing it the way people want. One guy, who works for Nvidia was saying that they're definitely not against people rooting it because once someone buys it, they're willing to do whatever they want with it. So hopefully, we'll see Nvidia release more info to help people develop custom ROMs without losing any of the functionality of the device. Aren't there custom ROMs you can flash onto the Shield Tablet and still be able to use the wireless controller?
Is Market Helper an apk to install on the console? And what sidebar launchers are you using? There are times when I try using Shield Hub to connect to my local PC and it not work, and then I try with Moonlight, and it works everytime. I also like using the remote desktop feature. If you add the remote desktop app manually into the GeForce Experience software on your PC, then using the Shield, you can connect to your desktop using either Moonlight or Shield Hub and your TV mirrors your monitor.
kdb424 said:
Root is dead simple on this device. It's literally not requiring exploits and roots like a nexus device. You unlock the bootloader with very easy instructions, and can even leave the stock recovery if you are worried about things like that. I'm also pretty sure, though don't quote me, that unless you do something massively strange and unlikely, like changing partition sizes, that going back to stock, and relocking is always possible. At least it is on almost every single factory unlockable device on the market. No risk, I recommend it. That being said, you don't need root to sideload as stated abbove. Just get the launcher they recommended by chainfire, nistall it, then grab something like es file explorer, both in the play store, then install apk files from es file explorer, and launch from teh other launcher. The stock launcher launches the other one as the stock launcher can only display android TV supported apps, but the other launcher can display any android app, hence having a launcher inside a launcher.
Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not to forget Es file explores send by land feature which is great for sending apks from other devices to your shield

Best alternative launcher?

What launchers are available out there which offer more than the leanback launcher? I noticed I cannot change wallpaper, live or static, display non-TV apps or change many other settings with it. Do you have any suggestions for others to try?
Unfortunately all which I have tried seem underdeveloped atm. Before Android TV there were already a bunch of mediocre 10-foot launchers for older Android-based boxes. It would be really nice to see somebody develop an improved version of the Leanback Launcher with added customization (like Nova Launcher vs AOSP's launcher), but I heard somewhere that the Leanback launcher isn't open source. It would also be nice for such a launcher to be made compatible with all Android TV and normal Android devices so that you could have the Leanback interface on things like like MiniX devices, Fire TV devices or even an old Android smartphone strapped to the back of your TV. @dhacker29 ported CyanogenMod 12.1 and later AOSP 6.0.1 to the Nexus Player where he included the Leanback Launcher with modifications to the UI and an option to change the background image, though I doubt that you can just extract the app and run it on the Shield.
Ive tried HALauncher on my shield tv (not rooted / stock firmware), that's pretty good. It allows you to choose wallpaper, change font colours, and arrange your own quick launch items. Only problem is that it wont show the Nvidia Shield hub items (game stream etc) except the store place. Its free so worth looking at.
If you like the style of Leanback but would prefer more control and ability to customise, HALauncher is the best option. It also supports mouse control too, unlike the truly awful and crippled Leanback.
If you prefer something a bit different there are numerous launchers out there. You have SquareHome.Tablet launcher. It's very good and allows a metro-like setup and can create some fantastic looking home pages if you put the effort in. Another is Launcher Lab, which has some fantastic effects. Although the downside of this is that you can't use a direction pad, which means it's mouse only. Total Launcher is worth a look too.
See the Minix Forum thread below for examples of what you can do. They're all on Minix devices of course, but there is nothing stopping identical home pages being set up on the Shield.
http://www.minixforum.com/threads/lets-see-a-shot-of-your-launcher-customizations.441/

Sideloaded apps overscan issues

Greetings all
I've been sideloading fire OS that are not available for standard Android TV. After installing the Amazon app store I've been able to use MOST with hardly any problems. Except for one thing, many apps like NBC work. On playback however they don't fill my screen. Basically it's underscaning I'm aware that Amazon's developer guidelines are slightly different and that's the reason.
I'm curious if there's a way to fix this with a overscan correction in Android Studio or with a third-party app?

Fire HD 10 - question about using Toolbox

I read if you have a certain OS version that it may not work correctly. I installed the Nova Launcher and it Runs, but then it reverts to the normal Amazon screen, and I have to run nova launcher again. When I went through the Tour to install things, all of them failed, but when I went back to the normal Toolbox menu I was able to install Google Services, custom launcher.. but when installing Nova Launcher it installs, but it does not try to disable the fire launcher like it did in the Tour guided steps. When I bring up Nova Options it say click here to make default launcher, but when I do there are 3 options
Assist & Voice input
Browser App
and
Opening links.
will this happen no matter which launcher I try to install? Am I stuck with the amazon launcher? Is there no way around this? If I disable all amazon services will it disable? Hoping someone could give me some help on this. I don't know where to look to see which OS version I have. if I go to system options, Device Options, about fire tablet it only shows...
Device model Fire had 10 (11 Gen)
Serial Number
Build number 0022247233412
How do I change the launcher on HD Fire 10 (2019) (+ a few other questions)?
I've had a Fire HD 10 (2019) knocking around since black Friday, and I've finally got around to looking at it... I realise that it's not fully rooted, but does has some sort of temporary root... (from this thread)...
forum.xda-developers.com

Categories

Resources