Database Users

[Q] Google play on nook simple touch ?

I've been using my rooted nook simple touch glow for a week and have been pretty happy with it, but need to install either pocket or instapaper which are only on google play. I tried readability but it crashes on startup.
Anyone know if it's possible to install google play on the NTG running 1.1.5?
Is there any other manual way to install a google play app? I know how to install via adb, but no idea where to download the apk for an app I purchase.

If you install from this guide, at the end it shows how to enable the market / play:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1675706
Note that you cannot search the market from the rooted Nook for some reason. But there is an application that you can install to search the market. See here:
http://blog.the-ebook-reader.com/20...arket-search-and-other-tips-and-tricks-video/

seltzered said:
I've been using my rooted nook simple touch glow for a week and have been pretty happy with it, but need to install either pocket or instapaper which are only on google play. I tried readability but it crashes on startup.
Anyone know if it's possible to install google play on the NTG running 1.1.5?
Is there any other manual way to install a google play app? I know how to install via adb, but no idea where to download the apk for an app I purchase.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have similar problem on accessing market place, it's stated should wait for one day, it's been over a few days now problem doesnt resolve by itselt. In fact you tube ceased to work now, it was okay when I first rooted it.

Did you do steps #4 and #5 in this guide?
http://blog.the-ebook-reader.com/20...using-glownooter-includes-googles-app-market/

ladykayaker said:
Did you do steps #4 and #5 in this guide?
http://blog.the-ebook-reader.com/20...using-glownooter-includes-googles-app-market/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for this. I thought of uninstall and reinstalling google apps and unfortunately deleted youtube altogether both the apk and reinstalled software. So I did a soft un-root again and it seems now it worked (after I had done step 4 & 5 as per your message).
Now I have market app that works, search function does not work. I will probably installed vending apk or did step 4 and 5 againg ( I think I spent more time fixing Nook touch than actually using it).
Btw, anyone knows how to make the side options on the right to appear (where one can choose home or adw launcher). For some reason it has disappearred. How do I get back from nook home reading screen to adw launcher now??

atisha said:
Thanks for this. I thought of uninstall and reinstalling google apps and unfortunately deleted youtube altogether both the apk and reinstalled software. So I did a soft un-root again and it seems now it worked (after I had done step 4 & 5 as per your message).
Now I have market app that works, search function does not work. I will probably installed vending apk or did step 4 and 5 againg ( I think I spent more time fixing Nook touch than actually using it).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I doubt that you'll get the marketplace search working, it is a known issue. Use the alternative search application mentioned in the article.
Btw, anyone knows how to make the side options on the right to appear (where one can choose home or adw launcher). For some reason it has disappearred. How do I get back from nook home reading screen to adw launcher now??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is the magic buttons application it needs to be running to get the buttons. Note that when the application is running but the menu is collapsed, that it is _very_ difficult at first to find and open it. Look closely at the middle of the right edge of the screen. There should be a very faint icon there. If so, then try to press the side of the _plastic_case_ where it meets the screen by jamming your fnger right between them, as if you are trying to pry the plastic case off. That is how I hit that button!

Once you have found button savior and are back in the ADW launcher, be sure to give @jeff_kz's NookTouchMods a try. You will be able to remap one of your quicknav buttons or the 'n' long press to take you back to ADW launcher - much better than button savior!

ladykayaker said:
Once you have found button savior and are back in the ADW launcher, be sure to give @jeff_kz's NookTouchMods a try. You will be able to remap one of your quicknav buttons or the 'n' long press to take you back to ADW launcher - much better than button savior!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Kayaker, I've looked at these mods before, but I see no canonical information explaining exactly how to modify and install the mods. Is there some thread explaining this that I've been unable to find?
Thanks!

the end of button savior
dotancohen said:
Kayaker, I've looked at these mods before, but I see no canonical information explaining exactly how to modify and install the mods. Is there some thread explaining this that I've been unable to find?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its a fairly recent thread - perhas you hadn't seen it yet - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1991048

ladykayaker said:
Its a fairly recent thread - perhas you hadn't seen it yet - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1991048
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. Actually I had seen the thread but it looks like they are referring to things previously discussed, which I could not find. Perhaps I just need to download the files and play around, it might all become obvious. I am new to rooting and to the Nook, so I am a bit apprehensive to start diving in.

[GUIDE] Speed up and customise Note 2014

Root
This guide assumes that you have rooted your tablet.
Instructions to do so can be found here:
P600 - Wifi only model
P605 - Lte model
Disabling Apps
Why?
Disabling Apps can have a significant performance improvement. A lot of apps startup on boot and use a little bit of ram to cache. Disabling the apps/services you don't need will free up some of the ressources.
Instructions:
Keep the apps you need and if you are not sure rather keep an app more. You can disable a lot more if you know what you are doing. You can either disable/freeze using Titanium Backup Pro or ROM Toolbox Lite. If you do it that way the apps will still be enabled if you create a second user on your tablet. You should rename the apks to .bak in /system/app then they should be gone globally. You can do this with the free ES File Explorer, just make sure to select root "Root Explorer" under Tools and to mount /system/app as r/w through the menu you get by clicking on "Root Explorer".
This is the list of apps you can safely disable.
AllShare Cast Dongle S/W Update
AllShare ControlShare Service
AllShare FileShare Service
ANT HAL Service [ANT is needed for usb devices like Endomondo etc. If you don't have it you can disable it]
ANT Radio Service
ANT+ Plugins
b2b.hrs.android.lib
Backup
BlurbCheckout
BusinessWeek+
ChatOn
com.sec.android.app.wfdbroker
com.sec.enterprise.knox.attestation
com.sec.knox.events.manager
FlipBoard
Google Play Magazines
Group Play
Help
KLMS Agent
KNOX (29.1.1 KB)
KNOX (4.18 MB)
Knox Notification Manager
KNOX Store
My Magazine
My Magazine Here & Now
Phone
S Finder
S Translator
S Voice
Samsung Account
Samsung Apps
Samsung Apps Widget
Samsung Backup Provider
Samsung Calendar Sync Adapter
Samsung Cloud Data Relay
Samsung Cloud Quota
Samsung Contact Sync Adapter
Samsung Content Agent
Samsung Hub
Samsung Link
Samsung SNote3 SyncAdapter
Samsung Syncadapters
Samsung Video
Samsung WatchON
SamsungAppsUNA2
SamsungHub Updater
Screen Saver
Share music
Share Video
Story Album
Story Album Widget
TouchWiz Home [make sure you have another launcher installed!!!]
TripAdvisor
VideoEditor
VideoPlayer
YahooFinance
Keep these under all circumstances:
SystemUI
Other things:
Animations:
Increasing the speed of animations can make it feel faster, because you are not waiting on the animations to finish. Disabling the animations can make it feel very fast, but if you like animations you might as well keep them.
To be able to change the animation speed you first need to enable developer options:
Open settings
Navigate to General -> About device
Tap on "Build number" 7 times
You should get a notification "You are now 4,3,2,1 taps away from being a developer
Open up the developer settings
Scroll down to "Drawing"
You can change Window/Transition/Animator animation scale. I would advise setting them to 0.5 or disabling them
Nova Launcher
This launcher is one of the fastest. If you go into "Nova Settings" under "Look and feel" you can set the "Scroll Speed" and "Animation Speed" to Faster than light. This will make the tab feel like a rocket.
Customize Apps for MultiWindow
Download and install the Xposed Framework
Open Xposed installer
Go into Framework
Select Install/Update
Download/Install MultiWindowManager
Open it and select the apps you want to be able to use in MultiWindow
Reboot
Now when you press on edit in MultiWindow you can select all your apps
Factory Resetting / Updating to newest firmware
There have been several updates from samsung which drastically increase the performance. Make sure you are on the newest available firmware. Also if you are experiencing lag or any issues it might be a good idea to start from scratch. You can search on Sammobile for your device number and download the firmwares. You can also download firmwares from other countries and flash them with Odin. For example I'm using ML1 from Taiwan atm even though I'm in Germany. Just be aware that there might be differences between the firmwares. But make 100% sure that your device number matches. You have to extract the file you downloaded and put the tar.md5 file into the "pda" slot. This will wipe your internal sd card completely, including your data, so backup because everything will be gone.
If this helped you let me know and if you have suggestions I can add them to the OP.

Awesome post, thanks!! I'm returning my Crapple Air and getting the Note 10.1 today.
First thing to do: Root.
Second thing: Follow your instructions.

Han Solo 1 said:
Awesome post, thanks!! I'm returning my Crapple Air and getting the Note 10.1 today.
First thing to do: Root.
Second thing: Follow your instructions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Get the updates then factory reset it before you get it all set up.

Excellent post dude. Definitely looking forward to putting this to good use. Thanks

Does anyone have the latest Xposed.apk. The links for it in the thread do not work.

The ANT stuff is safe to freeze.
Regards,
John Francis

Han Solo 1 said:
Awesome post, thanks!! I'm returning my Crapple Air and getting the Note 10.1 today.
First thing to do: Root.
Second thing: Follow your instructions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You had the Note, returned it, got the Air and now are returning the Air to get the Note again?
How did the iPad work out for you? I didn't think it would be that great if it doesn't have a stylus.
nrage23 said:
Does anyone have the latest Xposed.apk. The links for it in the thread do not work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The link from the thread works for me:
http://dl.xposed.info/latest.apk
jfrancis999 said:
The ANT stuff is safe to freeze.
Regards,
John Francis
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks I added it to the list.

Got it to work. My office network is not liking the link. Tried from Chrome, IE and from my tablet with no luck. Turned off wifi on my phone and it downloaded just fine.

{Diemex} said:
You had the Note, returned it, got the Air and now are returning the Air to get the Note again?
How did the iPad work out for you? I didn't think it would be that great if it doesn't have a stylus.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just went out on my lunch break and made the exchange at Best Buy.
iPad sucks. Yes it's fast, and the apps look good, but that's it. If you want to do any actual work on it, or watch whatever show or movie you throw at it, or really multi-task, it blows.

Han Solo 1 said:
Just went out on my lunch break and made the exchange at Best Buy.
iPad sucks. Yes it's fast, and the apps look good, but that's it. If you want to do any actual work on it, or watch whatever show or movie you throw at it, or really multi-task, it blows.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool, hope that your device will perform as well as mine when you apply the guide.
There are several limitation with iOS that make it harder to do serious work. You tried and saw for yourself... And I doubt there will be a stylus ever, I recall Steve saying at the launch event that it's easy to use, works with your finger, a pen would just add an additional layer of complexity.

Han Solo 1 said:
Just went out on my lunch break and made the exchange at Best Buy.
iPad sucks. Yes it's fast, and the apps look good, but that's it. If you want to do any actual work on it, or watch whatever show or movie you throw at it, or really multi-task, it blows.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes let us know what your experiences are. I've always thought iOS was too restricting overall but with 7, they seemed to make it a bit more flexible.

ChrisNee1988 said:
Yes let us know what your experiences are. I've always thought iOS was too restricting overall but with 7, they seemed to make it a bit more flexible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I got the Air on Friday and tried it all through today, when I finally had enough. iOS 7, in my opinion, is “prettier”, but functionally, nothing has changed.
You still need iTunes if you want to put any movies on it, you still don’t have any access to folders, and it’s generally the same walled garden it has always been.
Very happy to be back on Android.

nrage23 said:
Get the updates then factory reset it before you get it all set up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, this is a very good tip. All that software piled up on top of each other can cause issues.
Any device that updates i'll do the ol' factory reset afterwards to run at optimal performance.
Han Solo, the force is strong in you... lol

Ty
Sent from my SM-P600 using Tapatalk

This is an awesome guide. Just got my Note 10.1 2014 today. After I rooted, I came here to find out what I could freeze. I froze up 53 apps and installed Nova Launcher. This thing is just beastly fast. I love it. Thanks again for sharing!

I'm very sad no root for P601 3G
Sent from my SM-P601 using Tapatalk 4

thank you, this has become my all time favorite tablet and I had them all

Without touchwiz home can you still use the stylus apps? And stylus button to bring up menus anywhere on screen? My gf note 10.1 2014 is still really slow and feel heavy even with the latest update + wipe
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

dk206 said:
Without touchwiz home can you still use the stylus apps? And stylus button to bring up menus anywhere on screen? My gf note 10.1 2014 is still really slow and feel heavy even with the latest update + wipe
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes

38585665 48
dk206 said:
Without touchwiz home can you still use the stylus apps? And stylus button to bring up menus anywhere on screen? My gf note 10.1 2014 is still really slow and feel heavy even with the latest update + wipe
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah, the only thing that doesn't work anymore is the weather widget from TouchWiz, everything else is separate.

Tab Pro 8.4 tips and tricks

I personally own a Tab Pro 8.4 LTE version. As all we know, Samsung has made the menu button of the Tab Pro Series into muti-windows switcher and also the shortcut of task manager. In some apps, there may be a menu button for you to press. But if there is no menu button in some third party apps, you can long press the menu button to open up the menu. I hope it helps!:laugh:

In case anyone didn't know, instead of getting multi windows by dragging and dropping. You can tap the app for floating pop-up windows. Also, you can take a screen shot of your tab by swiping from the right of the screen using the entire bottom side of your hand.
~Galaxy TabPro SM-T320

iam_douchebag said:
you can long press the menu button to open up the menu.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Uhhh... I think you meant "long press the recent apps button to open up the menu"

So I FINALLY figured out edge zoom. When viewing a web page do a double tap. On the second tap, leave your finger down, then slide your finger up or down to zoom in or out.
Making this discovery, though, doesn't mean I'm any less ticked off that I can't disable it because it's constantly being triggered accidentally.
Sent from my LG-D800 using Tapatalk

Does anyone know how to use IR blaster on tab pro 8.4 ..?
Sent from my SM-T325 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Murali_ch21 said:
Does anyone know how to use IR blaster on tab pro 8.4 ..?
Sent from my SM-T325 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is built-in Watch On app. Or you can download 3rd party software from play store (I use Peel).

ddavtian said:
There is built-in Watch On app. Or you can download 3rd party software from play store (I use Peel).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks dude, on my tab i don't have watch on so i was just wondering how to use it. I downloaded peel too, thank u so much.
Sent from my SM-T325 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Watch On may be region specific, I'm in US.

Murali_ch21 said:
Thanks dude, on my tab i don't have watch on so i was just wondering how to use it. I downloaded peel too, thank u so much.
Sent from my SM-T325 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Watch on is downloaded from samsung apps which is preloaded on the tablet.

ddavtian said:
There is built-in Watch On app. Or you can download 3rd party software from play store (I use Peel).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have the Tab Pro 8.4? And if so, is Peel working properly?
On mine, it only displays in portrait mode (which is contradictory to where the IR Blaster is located) and only uses about a quarter of the screen (seems to be behaving like the device is a phone, instead of a tablet). Also, the text in the menus is off, again like its not correctly designed for the screen resolution. Peel worked really well on my old Note 8 (broke the screen); so I'm surprised to see these issues.
Since Peel is mostly unusable for these reasons, I've been using WatchOn. WatchOn is not bad, but not great either. It doesn't seem to have as much personalization as Peel, and often displays shows I don't have interest in.

Minimised apps!
Tap (don't drag) one of the apps in the sidebar, it will open up in a new window on top of whatever you have running. Now tap the minimise symbol '_' on the top right of the window. The app gets reduced to a small disc that can be moved around to wherever you want!
It's not earth-shattering but it's a nice touch!

redpoint73 said:
Do you have the Tab Pro 8.4? And if so, is Peel working properly?
On mine, it only displays in portrait mode (which is contradictory to where the IR Blaster is located) and only uses about a quarter of the screen (seems to be behaving like the device is a phone, instead of a tablet). Also, the text in the menus is off, again like its not correctly designed for the screen resolution. Peel worked really well on my old Note 8 (broke the screen); so I'm surprised to see these issues.
Since Peel is mostly unusable for these reasons, I've been using WatchOn. WatchOn is not bad, but not great either. It doesn't seem to have as much personalization as Peel, and often displays shows I don't have interest in.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you rooted? I'm running stock os model SM-T320 wifi bought from best buy. I've not installed the latest os update with "kids mode"
I say all that to say Peel works just fine in landscape for me.

Look at this guys, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2791926
Stay tuned for my first CM11 theme soon.

I can not enjoy the CM 11
What should I do to not always get "unfortunately app, Has stoped". I tried different steps on the net, but without success. It happens often on CM 11, 12 and less on stock rom changed

vladvladimir said:
What should I do to not always get "unfortunately app, Has stoped". I tried different steps on the net, but without success. It happens often on CM 11, 12 and less on stock rom changed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is this a tip or a trick?
Seriously, this is not the right thread for this question, or even the right forum section. This belongs in the Q&A section.
What apps are stopping? Did you migrate data between ROMs? Did you do a full wipe (data, cache, Dalvik) between ROMs?

I did not know where to fit my question. I apologize. The browser always shows me error. Always use advanced wipe function
No method found on the internet helped me

vladvladimir said:
I did not know where to fit my question. I apologize. The browser always shows me error. Always use advanced wipe function
No method found on the internet helped me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You really didn't answer most of my questions. Its hard to help you, if you don't provide the information requested. Even saying you used Advanced Wipe doesn't really say anything specific. What partitions did you select to be wiped?
Did you migrate any data, like using Titanium? Specifically any system data?

manigault said:
So I FINALLY figured out edge zoom. When viewing a web page do a double tap. On the second tap, leave your finger down, then slide your finger up or down to zoom in or out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't see any benefit of this feature over pinch and zoom.

eejimen said:
I don't see any benefit of this feature over pinch and zoom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you only have one finger?
Seriously, just another way to skin a cat. Maybe Samsung wanted something to fall back on, due to all of Apple's patent lawsuits.

for redpoint73,
*Did you migrate data between ROMs?
I do not know what. Error "unfortunalety ... Has stoped" I had since I was a stock rom t320xx ... ana1. Disturbed by this, we decided to use a custom rom cm11
Did you do a full wipe (data, cache, Dalvik) between ROMs?yes, Except I used to wipe sd-card
I used odin for root and install custom flashify to recovery. That was all.
Multumesc

How to handle Auto-start permissions ?

Hi,
Everything is in the title : How to handle Auto-start permissions in OOs 4.5.3 ?
I didn't find a menu for that.
With my old phone, I used to use Bootmanager, but without Xposed I can't use it anymore.
Any piece of advice ?
BR

I would like to know this as well, memory management (start up/background use/keep awake) is huge in controlling battery life.

I need Xposed for 3 apps: Boot Manager, GravityBox, and YouTube AdAway...

So, no option in OOs ?

dcrnic said:
I need Xposed for 3 apps: Boot Manager, GravityBox, and YouTube AdAway...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can have and adblocked YouTube with a magisk module. Background play too.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/apps-games/app-iytbp-injected-youtube-background-t3560900

oskarvlc said:
You can have and adblocked YouTube with a magisk module. Background play too.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/apps-games/app-iytbp-injected-youtube-background-t3560900
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you. I'm using SuperSU PRO... will check if magisk can run with it together...

LBE Security Master can handle Autostarts perfectly. I use it to control permissions and for autoboot on my OP5. Rest of options I've switched off. Works like a charm. If you need APK just PM me.
You need root (of course)

exis_tenz said:
LBE Security Master can handle Autostarts perfectly. I use it to control permissions and for autoboot on my OP5. Rest of options I've switched off. Works like a charm. If you need APK just PM me.
You need root (of course)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm interested, is it an English versoin ?

There are large threads about this program here on XDA. For me this is an understandable piece of software. I found others too complicated or PMP (Xposed) that didn't work on my Sony Z3 Dual.
LBE does this job. Download from XDA or send me pm for apk.

Has anyone figured this out?
I vaguely remember seeing the option in settings - apps - cog - auto start in an earlier version of OOS?
Is this removed or moved somewhere else?
OnePlus 5 apparently has a new feature of auto starting apps based on usage, but that seems to be a load of *@#! cos none of my most used apps launch on boot

The option still exist but you cannot access it through settings.
If you're an Alarmy user, the app give you prompt to that page whenever you confirm an alarm setup (interestingly).
If you don't, you can download JOneplus tool from play store which also can lead you to that page (by force touching the app)
And no, I'm not affiliated with either or both of the above apps in any ways.

If you use nova launcher you can create an activity to point to manage centre where you can see the auto start apps, however it does not work at all for me but your mileage may vary.

I use the app Autostarts which works perfectly

Hi
I'am using this one, you should try it~
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tk.ty3uk.oxygenhiddensettings

chrislui said:
Hi
I'am using this one, you should try it~
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tk.ty3uk.oxygenhiddensettings
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thx, Autostart + Doze Optimization shortcuts

y7038862 said:
The option still exist but you cannot access it through settings.
If you're an Alarmy user, the app give you prompt to that page whenever you confirm an alarm setup (interestingly).
If you don't, you can download JOneplus tool from play store which also can lead you to that page (by force touching the app)
And no, I'm not affiliated with either or both of the above apps in any ways.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
daleski75 said:
If you use nova launcher you can create an activity to point to manage centre where you can see the auto start apps, however it does not work at all for me but your mileage may vary.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
timebandi said:
I use the app Autostarts which works perfectly
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
chrislui said:
Hi
I'am using this one, you should try it~
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tk.ty3uk.oxygenhiddensettings
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! Interesting suggestions.
Will test all for a few days and update

chrissss91 said:
Thx, Autostart + Doze Optimization shortcuts
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Replaced this app with Apex Shortcuts (may not be exactly the same label as I translated them from French :angel :
- Shortcuts / Activities / Management Center / Application Auto-start (.chainlaunch.view.ChainLaunchAppListActivity)
- Shortcuts / Activities / Management Center / Hibernation Application Parameters (.cleanBackground.view.ManageBackgroundAppListActivity)
If someone can provide me the real label in English, I'll update OP

chrislui said:
Hi
I'am using this one, you should try it~
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tk.ty3uk.oxygenhiddensettings
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So tried this for the last few days, but looks like it doesn't seem to have any effect?
I have apps like LMT, greenify, ex kernel manager set to start at boot and settings in the above and other apps but they don't seem to start up or apply the settings. In fact the toggle in LMT even gets turned off at boot and have to manually get into any of the apps and restart them.
I am assuming the others don't see this misbehavior? Do you have aggressive doze and/or doze turned off?

FTVLaunchX: custom launcher, no root (replacement for LauncherHijack)

Welcome to FTVLaunchX – a simple helper application to allow custom launchers on Amazon Fire TV devices – no root required!
It is inspired by the famous LauncherHijack of @BaronKiko and tries to overcome several issues relating to it:
- Reliably intercepts any & all presses of the home button
- Starts the selected launcher on boot
- Starts the selected launcher when waking up from sleep
- Fixes the ominous missing-cursor bug in Silk
- etc.
Please find a thorough description, installation instructions as well as the source code over here:
https://github.com/codefaktor/FTVLaunchX
Get the APK: FTVLaunchX-1.0.1
EDIT: uploaded new release 1.0.1!
If you want to say Thank You or fund further development, then feel free to drop me buck or two, see https://github.com/codefaktor/FTVLaunchX#Donations
Please report back if you did test on your devices (so far tested on Fire TV Stick 2nd Gen & Fire TV Stick 4K) – I will watch this thread for any issues and/or feature requests.

Thanks for this. Works with no issues and really well on my Fires TV Stick 4K.
When I press home it opens my launcher quickly (TV Launcher 3).
When I wake the device from sleep I do see the amazon launcher for a split second (literally a quick flash).
When I reboot it takes 20-30 seconds to automatically start my launcher.
This could be because it is giving way to IP Vanish which is set to launch on startup.
As soon as IP Vanish launches, I press the back key or the home key and my launcher immediately loads.
Love your work.
Also there is another way of returning to the default Amazon Launcher. Maybe you already know it
Use the Alexa Remote (Voice) and say "Home" or "Settings".
Thanks again.

Flakie said:
When I press home it opens my launcher quickly (TV Launcher 3).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it should be a tiny bit quicker and what's more important: way more reliable! Except for the split-second when coming out of sleep I never see the Amazon launcher anymore (I also use TVLauncher 3).
Flakie said:
When I wake the device from sleep I do see the amazon launcher for a split second (literally a quick flash).
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Aye, this is to be expected but should really just be a fraction of a second.
Flakie said:
When I reboot it takes 20-30 seconds to automatically start my launcher.
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Aye, I know - it's because I let the system decide on when to launch it. As you said, there may be other things also being launched and so it has not the top priority. Maybe I'll experiment with raising the priority of FTVLaunchX but I wanted to stay on the safe side for the 1.0 release.
Flakie said:
As soon as IP Vanish launches, I press the back key or the home key and my launcher immediately loads.
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Yes, you can also press the home key as soon as the Amazon launcher comes up and it should work - it's just the auto-start method which takes its time...
Flakie said:
Also there is another way of returning to the default Amazon Launcher. Maybe you already know it Use the Alexa Remote (Voice) and say "Home" or "Settings".
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Ha, I totally forgot about that one – I'll add this to the docs, thank you!
Oh, and just to clarify: do you think that we should also try to catch that and start the custom launcher when hearing "Home"? This may not be possible and IMHO it's way better to leave that as a valid exit method to get back to the original Amazon launcher...
Oh, and a big thank you for testing and replying!

Thank you so much! I finally have my cursor back in the Silk Browser because of this!

JUSTINMARMER said:
Thank you so much! I finally have my cursor back in the Silk Browser because of this!
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Glad that it works for you and you like it The main reason why I was creating it was this pesty cursor bug...
Oh, on what kind of device are you using it? Am looking for someone to test it on a Fire TV Cube with Fire OS 7 / Android 9...

Got any images we can use for an article?

MishaalRahman said:
Got any images we can use for an article?
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Here is an icon and a banner:
https://github.com/codefaktor/FTVLa...p/src/main/res/mipmap-xxxhdpi/ic_launcher.png
https://github.com/codefaktor/FTVLaunchX/blob/develop/app/src/main/res/drawable/banner.png
Can render them at any size if you need larger variants;
Or if you need a screenshot then voila: https://imgur.com/a/UethyYm

TheRealQubix said:
Glad that it works for you and you like it The main reason why I was creating it was this pesty cursor bug...
Oh, on what kind of device are you using it? Am looking for someone to test it on a Fire TV Cube with Fire OS 7 / Android 9...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wish I could help. I'm running several Fire Sticks. All v2 and 4k. No cubes.

TheRealQubix said:
Oh, and just to clarify: do you think that we should also try to catch that and start the custom launcher when hearing "Home"? This may not be possible and IMHO it's way better to leave that as a valid exit method to get back to the original Amazon launcher...
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Click to collapse
Personally, I prefer it going back to the Amazon Launcher.
I have done a few installs of these and for the users it is the easiest way they can get there. The less complexity for them, the better

Flakie said:
Personally, I prefer it going back to the Amazon Launcher.
I have done a few installs of these and for the users it is the easiest way they can get there. The less complexity for them, the better
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Exactly my thought too!

TheRealQubix said:
Glad that it works for you and you like it The main reason why I was creating it was this pesty cursor bug...
Oh, on what kind of device are you using it? Am looking for someone to test it on a Fire TV Cube with Fire OS 7 / Android 9...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just tried it on my Nvidia Shield 2017 model and it works great. The only thing I see wrong if you want to call it wrong is, When booting it boots to the android tv screen for about 5-10 seconds but then goes to my Halauncher. Home button works great everytime. If you don't mind I will post it on the Shield tv section or you can. It would be easier for some people that don't understand adb. Great job!!!!

brick00444 said:
I just tried it on my Nvidia Shield 2017 model and it works great. The only thing I see wrong if you want to call it wrong is, When booting it boots to the android tv screen for about 5-10 seconds but then goes to my Halauncher. Home button works great everytime. If you don't mind I will post it on the Shield tv section or you can. It would be easier for some people that don't understand adb. Great job!!!!
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Good to know that it works on that device too – feel free to post it over there! (Since I don't have any experience with the Shields it's probably better since you can include some relevant instructions...)
Oh, and regarding the "bug": this is more or less by design but as I said in another reply above: I might try to experiment to make this a bit faster by raising the boot priority; something for the next release

TheRealQubix said:
Good to know that it works on that device too – feel free to post it over there! (Since I don't have any experience with the Shields it's probably better since you can include some relevant instructions...)
Oh, and regarding the "bug": this is more or less by design but as I said in another reply above: I might try to experiment to make this a bit faster by raising the boot priority; something for the next release
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Thanks again, great job.

brick00444 said:
The only thing I see wrong if you want to call it wrong is, When booting it boots to the android tv screen for about 5-10 seconds but then goes to my Halauncher.
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Ok, I've raised the boot priority to the maximum... find the 1.0.1-dev APK as an attachment.
Let me know if that reacts any faster for you on boots (though a couple seconds will probably be normal, I guess; it all depends on what other things are installed etc.).
Ping to @Flakie too.

I'm getting voiceover on official Hulu app on my v2 stick.

What launcher are available for TV stick? Any Android TV launcher?

JUSTINMARMER said:
I'm getting voiceover on official Hulu app on my v2 stick.
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Yes, that's because Hulu (and some other apps) added some weird code in one of their releases, please try the following:
Settings > Accessibility and make sure that VoiceView AND Screen Magnifier are turned off, the latter one being really important!
You can also hold Back+Menu (toggles voice view) and Back+FastForward (toggles screen magnifier) for two seconds.
If that doesn't work then head into Hulu and turn off app sounds under your profile settings.
If it is still on then go to your apps list in Settings, find the Hulu app, clear its cache AND data, force stop it and then relaunch the app. You will have to sign in again but that should really do the trick.
Please report back!

MrKaon said:
What launcher are available for TV stick? Any Android TV launcher?
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You can find some links on the GitHub page of FTVLaunchX but there are quite a few others like AppStarter, HALauncher, ATV Launcher Pro or even Kodi itself...
My favourite is TVLauncher 3 but everybody will have a different taste... you can find some of them on Aptoide, but most need to be downloaded somewhere else.

thanks for this ive got it on my 4k stick using ATV launcher and looks mighty fine !

From the description looks good. Immediately uninstalled Hijack and installed FTVLauncherX. First tried adb install -g, but adb said -g is an unknown option, so installed it directly from a dir on the stick, granted the permission via adb. Now when my Firestick 2nd starts it does start with the native Amazon Home Launcher and stays there. It switches to my launcher only when pushing the home button. I use ATV Launcher Pro.