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HALauncher - Android TV?
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Popularity Score: 33
This app was mentioned in 52 comments, with an average of 1.62 upvotes
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Featured apps and extra notifications are Sony bloat added to Android TV. To remove:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=62218798&postcount=69
Otherwise try a fully customizable launcher like HALauncher. You can set this as the default launcher too.
Edit: ninja'd
You can sideload the app directly from your phone to the TV. Install an app called HAL Launcher on both phone and TV from the playstore. Go to settings and "apk transfer" on both. On your phone press "discover" and follow prompts on phone, then TV, to connect. Select the Spectrum app from the app list on phone then press "send". Once the app has transferred you will get the prompt to install in TV. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.i.akihiro.halauncher
HALauncher is great for seeing every app installed on your Mi Box, such as Chrome. I think there's a tutorial on how to make it your default launcher also.
Use HALauncher. It is free, and you don't have to use it as a launcher, just create channels that can be set up on the home screen.
I sideloaded the app and it works. It really is a pain to navigate however. Using a wireless mouse with a USB dongle helped a ton for navigation.
What I did was download HALauncher and forced landscape mode for apps in the settings menu. Then I put the Spectrum TV APK in my Google Drive or Thumb Drive and installed it. Just remember you have to check the install "Unknown Sources" option in the actual OS' settings.
When I get home from work, I'm going to try and sideload Chrome to my Android box. Apparently, the browser works pretty well and I'll see if I can log into spectrum.net and full screen the player on the site.
HAL Launcher:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.i.akihiro.halauncher&hl=en
As for Sideloading the Leanback Launcher (the launcher the NP uses) you can look on XDA.
Just don't take any of the flame you're going to get for asking personally. Most of the people there are nice enough, but as you do anywhere on the internet there are a few douches there.
I believe HALauncher can do it.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.i.akihiro.halauncher&hl=en
I know you can customize the color scheme at least. I haven't had luck with using it with 6.0. I haven't tried reinstalling though.
EDIT: Fail... right on the page.
- attention * Android TV 6.0 can not use this app as home app! I try to solve it, but this is probably limitation of OS. So, solving is hard...
This is what I use on my mk808 plus android stick. Halauncher.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.i.akihiro.halauncher&hl=en
It does work on official AndroidTV devices like the NP as well.
Someone recommended it on reddit. Don't know who. You can customize the look, apps displayed, and their order. EDIT: I just want to point out, I personally use this one. I don't like not being able to reorder the apps on the standard leanback launcher, and I like being able to customize the colors. I've had no issues with using this as a replacement at all.
I just got this update on my MiBox 3, as an update to the home launcher (Android TV Home).
I also own a Chromecast with Google TV, and the new Android TV Home launcher I got is slightly different from the home launcher on the CCwGTV. The new Android TV Home launcher does look similar to the home launcher on the CCwGTV, but the two aren't quite the same.
The new Android TV Home launcher retains the ability to add and remove channels on the Home tab (the screen you immediately see when you boot up). This function isn't available on the Home tab of the CCwGTV, which I feared losing when I saw its new Home tab interface with the spammy recommendations all over the Home screen when you boot up, and you just have the lame "Apps-Only Mode" as an alternative (without completely replacing the launcher). But the Home screen channels function from the previous version of Android TV Home launcher is still available on this new version of the Android TV Home launcher.
Yeah, I really don't dig the Fire TV-knockoff banner recommendation at the top at all, but I can basically ignore it, like I can also ignore the spammy Discover tab. The Apps tab still doesn't show sideloaded mobile apps (I don't expect that to ever be implemented), but it actually looks and works fairly well -- it reminds me a bit more of an Apple TV (which I also own).
I'd have been seriously pissed to have lost the ability to add and remove channels, and fortunately that's still available. I use HALauncher to create my own channel groups of apps (some sideloaded) to launch from the Home tab, and that still works now, with this updated version of the Android TV Home launcher. So I can live with this updated version. I actually wish this version of the Android TV Home launcher was on the CCwGTV.
All of the alternate Android TV launchers I've tried have their share of annoying bugs and limitations... I've found that HALauncher is the least annoyingly buggy of the ones I've tried, and it's free.
75+ 1-Star reviews in 2 days - Take the hint!
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.i.akihiro.halauncher&showAllReviews=true
In that case, perhaps your TV box has the mobile version of Android, not Android TV, in which case you can either try using the mobile version of Ani-Ko, or you can use an Android TV app aware launcher like HALauncher.
Let me know how either of these options works out for you.
Try HALauncher. I don't have an Android TV box yet, but I still wanted to try out the TV version of the app, so I downloaded and installed it on my phone. I was a bit confused that it didn't get an app icon so after a bit of searching I found that HALauncher is supposed to be able to work on both handheld and TV versions of Android ^((though it's UI is optimized for use on a TV which makes operating it on a phone a little awkward)), and it allows you to launch both types of apps, and for apps that are supposed to be compatible with both modes, it has an option to "Launch by giving priority to TV mode" or "Launch by giving priority to Handheld mode", which doesn't seem to do anything for any of the apps I have on my phone, but should apparently cause some apps that have a different UI for mobile or TV versions of Android both built into the same APK to use the UI you picked.
- Custom Background Image ✔️
- Custom Apps ✔️
- Shortscuts for your favorite TV Channels, Apps, Netflix shows, Youtube channels ✔️
Open up the Play Store website and remote-install an alternative launcher to your SHIELD, such as HALauncher. That should trigger the home app selector to appear when you press the Home button on your controller. You should then be able to set the regular Android TV home as default again.
Things like HALauncher and Chainfire's Sideload Launcher work on my 700D. I was going to say they didn't appear in the Play Store because I had to sideload them originally (before the Oreo update), but that appears to no longer be the case.
VPN"s on the playstore for android TV are not free. Yes, sideloading is your way to go. Hal Launcher has a way to sideload apps into your tv directly from your phone. Install it on both devices. Then go to settings, then tools, then "apk transfer" and follow the instructions. Works for me everytime. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.i.akihiro.halauncher
Don't forget if you leave the VPN on when you switch off your tv, the tv will reboot automatically when you put tv back on.
You can sideload most Android apps. Install Halauncher from the playstore on both TV and phone. In the Launcher there is a button for transfer apk. You can transfer any Android apk from phone to TV or vice-versa by following the instructions. Once transferred to TV you will automatically be prompted to install. Some phone apps work fine on the android TV, some don't. You can experiment. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.i.akihiro.halauncher
I have an older laptop. I think I'm going to install Remix OS (an Android OS) on it and run the HDMI through the Alpha. That way I can easily switch between Windows and Android. Sometimes Windows isn't very couch friendly. I think this launcher w/ some side-loaded Android TV apps will work well. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.i.akihiro.halauncher&hl=en
It is possible to sideload your own APKs onto Android TV.
However, just like on mobile Android, sideloading apps is done at your own risk.
If you are sideloading APKs that are not Android TV optimized, then you need to use a separate launcher like HALauncher to see and run these third party apps:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.i.akihiro.halauncher&hl=en
One thing to try before you start messing around with ROMs: HALauncher allows you to easy access apps (included sideloaded ones), change wallpaper, add widgets, etc. It's not the stock Android UI but should work better for TV in my opinion.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.i.akihiro.halauncher&hl=en
As for mouse input you should just be able to plug one into the Forge's USB jack. You don't need an alternative launcher to do that. At least that's how it works on every other Android TV device.
I prefer standalone emulators, but YMMV. I'd recommend getting a good launcher that works well with a TV interface and controller, like HALauncher or similar.
Other than that, a lot of people recommend gamesome.
>Also, does it matter (performance-wise) if I run games from zip or unpacked?
Doesn't matter. I tend to keep my 8 and 16 bit games unpacked, but I compress my disc ISOs to save space. I use PSX2PSP to convert ISOs/BINs to PBP, and PSP ISOs to CSO with CISO GUI.
I can't speak for all emulators, but for Mupen64 I recommend unpacking, don't use zips, as in my experience, to play zips, Mupen64 unpacks them to its directory and doesn't clean up after itself (unless that's changed recently).
There is no way with the stock launcher. Try out HAL Launcher or several other TV launchers and the sideloaded apps should show up
Not that I have seen. But you may want to look into HALauncher as a replacement launcher
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.i.akihiro.halauncher&hl=en
You will lose the recommendations section.
Also look here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-player/Launcher
Some people find that these qualify as Android TV. It is Android on your TV but that is a very different beast than Google's supported devices. Once these are running Android 5 with the Leanback launcher it will be much closer but still will not be a fully supported Android TV box from Google. If you buy one of these I suggest installing the HAL Launcher. By far the best TV experience out there.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.i.akihiro.halauncher
The best launcher out there is HALauncher. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.i.akihiro.halauncher
Have you tried this? Let me know how it goes if you do :- https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.i.akihiro.halauncher
I use HALauncher, which lets you add lists of non-Android TV apps as homescreen channels.
BIOS setup. Follow the instructions there for it to set and save the time, and don't forget to format your VMUs.
You can grab the latest Android builds here
As for the Shield TV menu issues, that's normal for the shield TV. You need a sideload launcher.
As for games working or not working, it's hit or miss, can't help too much there.
With the remote, the stock Android TV launcher is dead simple to navigate. Then you add the apps you want, like Netflix or Youtube (custom installed). It depends a bit if the current Android TV offers are enough for your parents.
Here's a little insight on the UI: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YU0Cf4u_uk
It seems that there are alternative launchers as well...: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.i.akihiro.halauncher&hl=en
Video about the HAL launcher on the Nvidia Shield: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UB7V-hFTVs
Some folks are also working on a better Kodi for the Nvidia Shield TV: http://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=228361
If you want one that looks similar to the stock launcher but has customization check out HALauncher.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.i.akihiro.halauncher
Give one of these a shot.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.i.akihiro.halauncher
The leanback launcher should have the great options of this one.
or
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.quiverapps.appshortcuts
This one says it is for Fire TV but it works great on Android TV as well. You need to get an APK for the TV and one for your mobile but the experience of this app is really good.
Get the TV app here.
Ok I think I figured it out, that launcher works : https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.i.akihiro.halauncher
Here is what I get when I launch HAL Launcher : https://i.postimg.cc/QC5WjFjH/dex2.jpg
By switching to this: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.i.akihiro.halauncher
Try HALauncher if you hate this new look.
HALauncher is free. You don't have to use it as a launcher, just create channels that can be set up on the home screen.
Have you tried HALauncher? You can customize your home screen on the Mi Box however you'd like.
Try HALauncher https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.i.akihiro.halauncher&hl=en
or TV Launcher https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.awe.dev.pro.tv&hl=en
Heres how you set it https://forum.xda-developers.com/shield-tv/themes-apps/alternate-launcher-root-marshmallow-t3359076
try this sideload launcher
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.i.akihiro.halauncher&hl=en
Something like this:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.i.akihiro.halauncher
I believe there are others, I haven't tested any of them aside from 60 seconds with this one.
UPDATE: I spent some time looking at the thread referenced in the link you provided (https://plus.google.com/+IsraelOliverJr414515/posts?partnerid=gplp0) and eventually came across a reference to an app called "HALauncher". I sideloaded this onto my Nexus Player using ES File Explorer. Once installed on the Nexus Player, I launched HALauncher and went into the settings and turned on "Lock the orientation of the screen (Landscape)". Then I was able to launch the Time Warner Cable app and play back video reliably!!! While the TWC app still doesn't recognize the navigation buttons on the remote or Android app (requires a mouse to use), the app seems to function perfectly with no errors. I'm finally able to stream all my TWC cable channels to my Nexus Player! Thanks!
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.i.akihiro.halauncher&hl=en
http://www.androidheadlines.com/2015/08/android-tv-quick-look-halauncher.html
UPDATE #2: Just in case anyone else is looking to use the TWC app on the Nexus Player: I bought a mini bluetooth keyboard (with trackpad mouse) just for the purpose of using this app, and found that it will NOT work. After video playback is started, the bluetooth device will eventually enter its power-save mode and disconnects from the Nexus Player. This causes the TWC app to exit playback and drop back to the Main Menu. Then you must use the mouse to start playback again. I tried numerous times to start video playback and turn off the keyboard, but any disconnection of the device again causes the app to exit and go to the Main Menu. However, I HAVE been able to get it working reliably using a regular USB mouse!!
This will load all side loaded apps.