Philips HUE control? - 6.0 - Shield Android TV Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

With version 6 of the Shield Android TV, there is the updated Google Assistant.
It should allow (voice)control for smart devices like my Philips HUE lamps, but I fail setting it up
It seems that there is/was a menu-option in the Google Home App (for phone/tablet), named 'home automation' where one could link to smart devices (like HUE lights).
After setting it up on your phone or tablet it would become available (linked/detected) on the Shield also.
Alas, I do not get such menu on my phone/tablet and I am unsure why. Is it regio locked somehow or is it Google pushing their own Speaker hardware?
Some help please!

I just tried again and still nothing!

I may be wrong but I don't think the Shield will interface with the Hue on its own...I think you need Google Home in between.
The Google Home interfaces with the Hue Bridge, and the Assistant on the Shield (or any other devices) will route commands through GH to get to Hue.
There might be some changes in Android TV Oreo (right now 6.0 only really added the Assistant, but is still Marshmallow).

MrBungle67 said:
I may be wrong but I don't think the Shield will interface with the Hue on its own...I think you need Google Home in between.
The Google Home interfaces with the Hue Bridge, and the Assistant on the Shield (or any other devices) will route commands through GH to get to Hue.
There might be some changes in Android TV Oreo (right now 6.0 only really added the Assistant, but is still Marshmallow).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what I learned searching the internet it is indeed like that. Not so long ago it was just a step to link the Hue through Google Home, but the option to go to those settings in the Home app (on phone or tablet) seems to have been removed, or at least for me.
I tried multiple devices. This is why I fear it is due to not owning those new Google Speaker thingies..
I asked on reddit also but somehow others have (had?) access to those settings.
Be need I can screenshot the lack-off

Mother_Teresa said:
From what I learned searching the internet it is indeed like that. Not so long ago it was just a step to link the Hue through Google Home, but the option to go to those settings in the Home app (on phone or tablet) seems to have been removed, or at least for me.
I tried multiple devices. This is why I fear it is due to not owning those new Google Speaker thingies..
I asked on reddit also but somehow others have (had?) access to those settings.
Be need I can screenshot the lack-off
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I speak about google home, I am talking about the device, not the app (I guess it can be confusing!).
But I just read Google's page, and I seem to be wrong, no Google Home (speaker) needed for home control.
I have the google home app on an iPhone (unfortunately), and have access to the "Home control" menu from the hamburger at the top left. Selecting this will open the google assistant app, where I can see my GH, Shield, chromecast etc...Here I can tap + which gives me a long list of compatible devices, including Philips Hue.
What kind of phone are you using?

Excuse the late reply.
I tried multiple devices. Multiple android phones and my pixelc tablet.
The only thing I can think of is a region block (The Netherlands) that hides the menu for home control in the 'google home' software.
I want my startrek voice control for my Hue lamps, boo..

Related

Test Uber and Lyft apps on your Android Head Unit?

Can someone do me favor and test the Uber Partner app and Lyft app (both in the Google Play Store, links below) on their Android head unit? I'm just curious to see if they display decently in these type of units and if there's any weird behavior when tapping around. No need to signup (if you already have an account reporting on the map display and behavior would be appreciated), any kind of information is useful even from the landing/login/sign up screen.
Uber Partner - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ubercab.driver
Lyft - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=me.lyft.android
Thanks in advance
DiGiTY said:
Can someone do me favor and test the Uber Partner app and Lyft app (both in the Google Play Store, links below) on their Android head unit? I'm just curious to see if they display decently in these type of units and if there's any weird behavior when tapping around. No need to signup (if you already have an account reporting on the map display and behavior would be appreciated), any kind of information is useful even from the landing/login/sign up screen.
Uber Partner - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ubercab.driver
Lyft - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=me.lyft.android
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So both Lyft and UberPartner technically work, but I observed some issues so far (I've only tested things a few times):
in both apps, their UI elements take up so much screen real estate you can't see much of the map. This makes it hard to clearly determine where an incoming request's pick up location is (i.e., some drivers don't accept requests longer than X ETA or distance). for both apps I forget whether the ETA and distance is shown (I've only tested things a few times)
in UberPartner, only half of the full circle countdown fits on the screen/is visible (i.e., during an incoming request)
in Lyft when you try to call passenger the Android system obviously throws an error saying mobile network not found. I've bought Tablet Talk app to get around this, but haven't had time to set it up
in UberPartner, there is no call passenger option (I guess the app detects the device isn't on a mobile network and doesn't display it)
in UberPartner, at the end of the ride at the submit button is cut off at the bottom (you can see the fare amount, the star rating slider and that's it). essentially you can't submit the rating and can't end the ride. if you force close the app, re-open the app and go back online you're hit with the end of ride screen again and basically stuck. the workaround is to force close it, maybe wait 5 to 10 minutes and open it on your phone to successfully end the ride
Essentially in Lyft you can scroll/swipe up and down to get the rest of the screen, but in UberPartner you can't. To fix the UberPartner's submit button issue I've tried changing the app's resolution, DPI and orientation using the App Settings module for Xposed Frameworks, but I've been unsuccessful - I can never get the submit button to be visible. That's where things are at the moment.
I'd love to get the UberPartner app to fit on screen so I can see the submit button and finally use my head unit to fully replace my phone while ride sharing. If anyone has any insight, it would be greatly appreciated.
P.S. - I'm running a Joying 2818H 7" 1024x600 RK3188 based head unit. The Lyft and UberPartner versions tested are whatever were released within the last two weeks. Xposed Framework 2.7 experimental 1 and App Settings 1.10 were tested.
Just an update... the new/current Uber Partner app with the new sliding buttons works fine from start to finish now (without the need of Xposed and App Settings). The new submit button is visible at the end of a ride and a ride can be completed.
Sent from my Nexus 9 using Tapatalk
Nevermind
I know this is a old post but dose any one still use this if so how did u get around the picture requirements now.
Yeh Uber app is working fine now in Late 2022 the only problem I am facing is the need to take a photo of myself a lot. I login using my phone to take a photo then go offline and open it on my Head Unit again

WebKey & Google Play on FTV2

So, I have a PM a while back about Webkey app on FTV. Here it is
@clembo100 said:
Hi there, I have just installed webkey on my Amazon TV Firestick in order to remote access Kodi installation configs etc.
When starting the app on the browser I can connect but get a plain replica of a phone on the screen with a small android icon on it but no actual way of viewing the screen or controlling anything. The mouse pointer changes when over some of the edges of the screen as though to do something but nothing seems to be working correctly. I wondered if you had come across this or can help with a fix? Thanks for reading this
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had the same problem on my FTV2 running version 3.2.6. The new version is not as feature rich (no terminal, no file transfers, no file system navigation, no way to input text easily) as the old one. Alas, you cannot run the older version on FTV2, it will refuse to start, either manually or auto-boot.
But, I have playing around with it and found that you can navigate menus using the keyboard arrow keys. Certain menu items can be invoked using mouse clicks as well (eg, if you go to Applications and open an app., you get different choices like "Run App" or "Clear Data". You can click on them and it seems to work). Also, usually once you are within an app, you can point and click using your mouse. So, even though it is crippled, it does work, though not as seamlessly as the older version. You can get the latest one at http://webkey.cc/ and there is a link for direct apk download.
One of the best uses I have for it right now is to interact with Google Play (system app). I have frozen my GPlay app at 5.6.8. As others have indicated, the mouse does not work (using K400) in the app. But, I can point and click in the GPlay app using Webkey and it makes it easy. Tip, if you need to click on the rectangle formed by 3 horizontal lines at the top of the page to get into your settings, click on the top left corner of that rectangle (of just those 3 lines) and the menu should pop down.
An interesting thing I found, if you install GPlay (5.6.8) as a user app, the mouse works, but it stops working when GPlay (same version) is installed as a system app. Of course as a user app, you get the error (976?) that won't allow you to install apps from within GPlay.

Recommendations and Help With Apps

I've had my Essential Phone for about three days and I've got mixed feelings about it. This is my escape from the Samsung ecosystem, and I love love love the fact that it isn't bogged down with bloat. Generally, the PH-1 does everything faster than any phone I've ever owned, even the much lauded iPhone. But there's a number of functionalities I'd like to get.
1.) File Management: I thought this was part of the Android OS. Apparently not? I would like to find a file management app that gives me Windows-like control and navigation.
2.) Camera: The PH-1's native camera app might be good someday. For now it sucks. I'd heard you could "just get the Google Pixel Camera" and everyone made it sound super easy. Well ... I did go out and find the Nougat version Google Pixel Camera APK. I installed it. It crashes instantly upon opening and never works. I'd love to know what went wrong there.
3.) Keyboard: Okay, sometimes Samsung just does it better. Their keyboard app was perfect and I'd gotten used to the layout. Now I'm wishing I could have my Samsung keyboard back. The Google one sucks, truth be told. Most keyboard apps you find searching Google Play are all about being pretty or fancy or whatever. I just want the same simple functionality back: All letters and numbers on the same screen and the most common special characters as alternate long-press options on that same page. Decent intelligent autocomplete. Larger buttons. Extensions such as .com when they make sense and not when they don't.
I'd also like to get any and every recommendation for apps. Is there any point in rooting the PH-1? That sort of thing.
Thanks in advance!
BonkersTheClown said:
I've had my Essential Phone for about three days and I've got mixed feelings about it. This is my escape from the Samsung ecosystem, and I love love love the fact that it isn't bogged down with bloat. Generally, the PH-1 does everything faster than any phone I've ever owned, even the much lauded iPhone. But there's a number of functionalities I'd like to get.
1.) File Management: I thought this was part of the Android OS. Apparently not? I would like to find a file management app that gives me Windows-like control and navigation.
2.) Camera: The PH-1's native camera app might be good someday. For now it sucks. I'd heard you could "just get the Google Pixel Camera" and everyone made it sound super easy. Well ... I did go out and find the Nougat version Google Pixel Camera APK. I installed it. It crashes instantly upon opening and never works. I'd love to know what went wrong there.
3.) Keyboard: Okay, sometimes Samsung just does it better. Their keyboard app was perfect and I'd gotten used to the layout. Now I'm wishing I could have my Samsung keyboard back. The Google one sucks, truth be told. Most keyboard apps you find searching Google Play are all about being pretty or fancy or whatever. I just want the same simple functionality back: All letters and numbers on the same screen and the most common special characters as alternate long-press options on that same page. Decent intelligent autocomplete. Larger buttons. Extensions such as .com when they make sense and not when they don't.
I'd also like to get any and every recommendation for apps. Is there any point in rooting the PH-1? That sort of thing.
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can set up the Google keyboard to display letters and numbers as well as symbols on long press. It's in the keyboard settings in your phone settings but isn't turned on by default. I don't know why. I turned it on and now it's usable. Go to phone settings, language&input, virtual keyboard, Gboard and preferences. Enable show numbers and long press symbols
Also I use file explorer from play store
barleysoda said:
You can set up the Google keyboard to display letters and numbers as well as symbols on long press. It's in the keyboard settings in your phone settings but isn't turned on by default. I don't know why. I turned it on and now it's usable. Go to phone settings, language&input, virtual keyboard, Gboard and preferences. Enable show numbers and long press symbols
Also I use file explorer from play store
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I prefer the SwiftKey Beta keyboard, been using it for years.
barleysoda said:
You can set up the Google keyboard to display letters and numbers as well as symbols on long press. It's in the keyboard settings in your phone settings but isn't turned on by default. I don't know why. I turned it on and now it's usable. Go to phone settings, language&input, virtual keyboard, Gboard and preferences. Enable show numbers and long press symbols
Also I use file explorer from play store
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the timely response. Yeah, got the Gboard sorted. Weird how you have to look to find settings and minor tweaks like that. Oddly found that I prefer ASUS file manager. Strange that the Android OS doesn't have file management built in. Is there a way to enable full control of my PH-1 files and folders from my PC?
Next problem: Sounds. Once again, Samsung made it all so much easier. Need to sort out how to specify sounds for specific apps. For example, if I get a text message, I am used to setting one sound just for that and different sounds for other specific events. What I am seeing here is ringtones, media and notifications. And quite annoyingly, EVERY APP seems to be enabled to span notifications by default. Apparently,you have to block each one individually. It's also be nice to set my phone to silent easily but on a timer so I don't forget to turn it back on. Used to just pull down top of the screen and tap the icon to silence. Had an app to turn it back on on a timer called Shush, but it didn't work reliably.
Had another "damn I love this phone" moment yesterday when I realized that I can actually just uninstall my longtime nemesis, Google Music.
BonkersTheClown said:
Thanks for the timely response. Yeah, got the Gboard sorted. Weird how you have to look to find settings and minor tweaks like that. Oddly found that I prefer ASUS file manager. Strange that the Android OS doesn't have file management built in. Is there a way to enable full control of my PH-1 files and folders from my PC?
Next problem: Sounds. Once again, Samsung made it all so much easier. Need to sort out how to specify sounds for specific apps. For example, if I get a text message, I am used to setting one sound just for that and different sounds for other specific events. What I am seeing here is ringtones, media and notifications. And quite annoyingly, EVERY APP seems to be enabled to span notifications by default. Apparently,you have to block each one individually. It's also be nice to set my phone to silent easily but on a timer so I don't forget to turn it back on. Used to just pull down top of the screen and tap the icon to silence. Had an app to turn it back on on a timer called Shush, but it didn't work reliably.
Had another "damn I love this phone" moment yesterday when I realized that I can actually just uninstall my longtime nemesis, Google Music.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In the msgs app, you can set the notification sound for that.
For the timed silence, when you pull down the notification bar, you will see the do not disturb icon. A circle with a stroke through it. When you turn that on, you can set a duration for it.
I use Ex File Explorer on my phone and I use the blackberry keyboard.
There is another thread on this forum that's dedicated to the Google cam port where you can get the APK.
Sent from my PH-1 using XDA-Developers Legacy app
BonkersTheClown said:
1.) File Management: I thought this was part of the Android OS. Apparently not? I would like to find a file management app that gives me Windows-like control and navigation.
2.) Camera: The PH-1's native camera app might be good someday. For now it sucks. I'd heard you could "just get the Google Pixel Camera" and everyone made it sound super easy. Well ... I did go out and find the Nougat version Google Pixel Camera APK. I installed it. It crashes instantly upon opening and never works. I'd love to know what went wrong there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. If you search on the play store, there are a bunch of free file managers for download. There's a bunch of them, pick one that fits your style
2. Did you get the ported one? Havent tried it but I don't think the actual pixel camera apk will work on any phone. Check out the most recent port in this thread
https://forum.xda-developers.com/essential-phone/themes/google-camera-port-t3665197/page4
flakko86 said:
1. If you search on the play store, there are a bunch of free file managers for download. There's a bunch of them, pick one that fits your style
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got that part sorted. As a pure Android noob, I was surprised the OS doesn't have one built in.
2. Did you get the ported one? Havent tried it but I don't think the actual pixel camera apk will work on any phone. Check out the most recent port in this thread
https://forum.xda-developers.com/essential-phone/themes/google-camera-port-t3665197/page4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am pretty sure I got the right one, but I'll try the one you linked along with the instructions. We'll see how it goes.
Okay I have downloaded the APK, how do you access changelog and make the prescribed settings changes?
BonkersTheClown said:
Got that part sorted. As a pure Android noob, I was surprised the OS doesn't have one built in.
I am pretty sure I got the right one, but I'll try the one you linked along with the instructions. We'll see how it goes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stock Explorer:
Settings - Storage - Explore
onenexus said:
Stock Explorer:
Settings - Storage - Explore
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah true, found that before. It's a lot of steps. I wanted and got something to stick on my home screen that gets me there in a single tap.
BonkersTheClown said:
Okay I have downloaded the APK, how do you access changelog and make the prescribed settings changes?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
While you're in the app, tap the 3 horizontal lines on the top right corner of the screen. That should take you to the settings menu
More fun stuff. I would have thought that this would be simple. I dumped Google Music because quite frankly it sucks and I have always hated it. Shopped around and found a music player that I liked: Pi Music Player. Now when I try to play music via voice command via Google Assistant, it doesn't know what app to use. I'm offered the choice between Google Play and YouTube. I have looked and looked, but haven't found steps for changing the GA default music app to Pi Music Player - at least no steps that actually work. Another one of those, "this should seriously be easier than this" things.
Also, on my old Samsung phone, I was able to get the home button working in Google Chrome. Frankly, I'd rather use Brave as I prefer to not spend my bandwidth on letting Google spy on me. Same is true in Brave and Chrome: No home button possible.
Thanks so much for the help!

Nvidia Shield TV (with Chromecast built-in) is not showing up in Google Home app

I have multiple Nvidia Shield TV's (with Chromecast built-in). When I set them up initially, they both were there and showing up with the menu that allowed me to disable/enable personal results. I can see the televisions in other menus within the google home app just now the one under "more settings". I purchased a few nest cams and could not use their full functionality. When I searched Google's help, I found out that the reason why the nest cameras did not work was because I had already set up an account with nest thermostats. I had to unlink then relink the account and that's when I lost the TV's.
The reason why I need the TV's to show up in the menu is because when I initially set up the television I ran through the set up. By default, personal results are on and I would like to turn it off. If the TV's don't show up in the "more settings>device" section then there is no where else I can go to turn it off. I've tried a number of things:
1. Factory reset cell phone, camera's, thermostats, and nividia shield (and everything that was smart home related in the google home app) and started from scratch.
2. I went into my google dashboard and deleted all data related not only to the nvidia shield but all devices linked to my account.
3. Renamed the TV's to see if they would pop up and be recognized as something new or different since they had a new name
4. Logged in with another google account (which gives only partial features since it's split across two accounts)
5. Moving all components onto a different network (guest network)
Again, the reason why I want this is because my personal results are showing up on the televisions no matter who gives the command. The Android TV's do not work like the Google Home units where they can distinguish between your voice and offer up personalized results. The TV's work only with 1 account. I do not want someone saying, "what's on my schedule for tomorrow" or " show me pictures of Tiffany " and it accesses my account and post it up on the television.
Please help. Thank you.
P.S. and yes I contacted Google's support, online, over the phone, and even through chat via web and pixel 2 xl. It was useless. Not one of them really understood what I was explaining and all they did was read verbatim exactly what the help file said that they pulled up, which had nothing to do with my issue.
P.P.S. I've been trying to find the solution for the past 15 days, the hardest part is to find online help because when you do a search for "Google Home app" or "home app" it gives you results on the Google Home unit or Apple nonsense about their home app.

Help!! Adding TV shows and Movies to Channels

I was wondering if it was possible to add Movies and TV shows to the Nvidia shield home screen Channels? Or using a different launcher. Like Movies from Tvzion? Thanks
You can add TVzion to the home screen by using an app called "TV app repo". It will essentially make an icon shortcut that works.
If however you are wanting to add movies from within the Tvzion app in a similar way to how google music or video works and displays them on the home screen then it needs to be a supported app by google I think ( I may be wrong) Good luck with it being supported in future if it is some sort of stream......... /cough
You only have to look at how spotify was working in this way and now is not. And seems to be unofficially unsupported in this way now (due to a falling out by both parties about fairness/competition with music apps and their own service i think) You cannot have it on its own row on the homescreen by using the customize homescreen settings anymore it simply is not available just the icon to set it running.
You have to understand that TVzion displays the streams and not google, so getting it to then run TVzion from a button click on the home screen and then any individual stream that may or may not have possibly moved in the meantime also is virtually un-doable in my eyes, unless someone knows of some workaround that achieves a similar thing?
HawthorneDruid said:
You can add TVzion to the home screen by using an app called "TV app repo". It will essentially make an icon shortcut that works.
If however you are wanting to add movies from within the Tvzion app in a similar way to how google music or video works and displays them on the home screen then it needs to be a supported app by google I think ( I may be wrong) Good luck with it being supported in future if it is some sort of stream......... /cough
You only have to look at how spotify was working in this way and now is not. And seems to be unofficially unsupported in this way now (due to a falling out by both parties about fairness/competition with music apps and their own service i think) You cannot have it on its own row on the homescreen by using the customize homescreen settings anymore it simply is not available just the icon to set it running.
You have to understand that TVzion displays the streams and not google, so getting it to then run TVzion from a button click on the home screen and then any individual stream that may or may not have possibly moved in the meantime also is virtually un-doable in my eyes, unless someone knows of some workaround that achieves a similar thing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the reply. I actually messaged the DEV of the TV zion app. And he é stated that he will support adding movies to the home screen. He just hasn't updated the app to be compatible with 8.0 and 9.0 Android, as of yet.

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