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This is a collection of Fire TV mods using Xposed. It requires that you are on software version 51.1.4.0 or newer. It currently contains:
AlternateLauncher: This will start an alternate launcher instead of the Amazon one. It will load when the Fire TV starts and anytime you push the home button. The way this is done is a little hokey and there is currently no way to turn it off or select which launcher you want, so if you have more than one, the one that gets started is it.
HideAmazonMenuItems: Gives a settings menu to select which menu items to show.
HideLauncherAds: Hide the ad at the top of the Home screen.
KeyBindings: Allows any key to start any app.
RecentsOnMenuLong: Bring up the recents dialog when long pressing the home button.
HideAmazonMenuItems:
In order to do this, I had to hijack an existing Settings item, so the Help option is gone and I put a 'Menu Items' option at the beginning of the settings list. You can turn on/off any item except Home and Settings. After making changes you must reboot to see the changes.
KeyBindings:
Someone requested this, but doing a UI for it would be too complicated, and I figured I'd put the feature out there for people to use, and eventually get around to making a UI for it. For now, you'll have to configure it manually. Create a file called key_bindings.xml and make it look like this:
Code:
<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8' standalone='yes' ?>
<map>
<string name="KEYCODE_F1">org.chromium.content_shell_apk</string>
<string name="KEYCODE_F2_LONG">com.pandora.android.gtv</string>
</map>
You can have as many entries as you like. You can find the KEYCODE names listed here: http://developer.android.com/reference/android/view/KeyEvent.html To set up a long press key put _LONG at the end of the key name. The other part is the package name you wish to start, org.chromium.content_shell_apk is Netflix. Then just adb push key_bindings.xml /sdcard/ and reboot. And it should start whatever app you specified when pressing that button. Do note that the button will not longer do whatever else it used to do. So if you bind ENTER to something, it will not longer function normally. By default, long press on home will launch the recents dialog. If you set up KEYCODE_HOME_LONG, it will override that behavior.
Starting with 51.1.5.0, Amazon provides a shortcut menu on home long press. If you would like to retain this functionality, you can use this key_bindings.xml file (Thanks to @Firef0xx819):
Code:
<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8' standalone='yes' ?>
<map>
<string name="KEYCODE_HOME_LONG"></string>
</map>
Please let me know if you have any issues. One problem I know of is that it doesn't seem to show up in the list of applications, so if you want to uninstall it you need to use adb, ssh, or a terminal using the command pm uninstall rbox.xposed.firetvmods
Source code: https://github.com/androidrbox/RboxFireTvMods/
Changelog and Downloads:
1.4: Added HideLauncherAds
1.3: Fix HideAmazonMenuItems for 51.1.4.0.
1.2: Allow KeyBindings to support long press keys
1.1: Added HideAmazonMenuItems, KeyBindings, and RecentsOnMenuLong
1.0: Initial version
Awesome. XBMC is now my launcher!
elmerohueso said:
Awesome. XBMC is now my launcher!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how? I have Xposed installed and have installed and activated the module ... how do I choose xbmc as the launcher?
I assume it's because he repackaged or recompiled the apk to include the launcher intent.
I found a handy app on the Play Store that allows XBMC to act as a launcher without having to make any modifications to the XBMC .apk. I just sideloaded it after installing/activating the Xposed module, and now pressing the home button takes me to XBMC right away. Seems to work perfectly so far, although I haven't yet tested what happens when there is more than one launcher installed.
Play Store link for XBMC Launcher:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=se.blunden.xbmclauncher
Evozi APK Downloader link:
http://apps.evozi.com/apk-downloader/?id=se.blunden.xbmclauncher
I've installed xposed, and the module. The module is activated, but I have no alternate launcher on bootup, or when I press home.
treqie said:
I've installed xposed, and the module. The module is activated, but I have no alternate launcher on bootup, or when I press home.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe you need to launch that alternate launcher first.
Shinyhead said:
I believe you need to launch that alternate launcher first.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And where might that be, exactly? There's nothing in Applications, the module has been loaded and activated.. but there's nothing in xpose itself that points me to anything launchable.
treqie said:
And where might that be, exactly? There's nothing in Applications, the module has been loaded and activated.. but there's nothing in xpose itself that points me to anything launchable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used FiredTV launcher as my alternate launcher. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2782307
treqie said:
And where might that be, exactly? There's nothing in Applications, the module has been loaded and activated.. but there's nothing in xpose itself that points me to anything launchable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to install another launcher, the xposed module isn't a launcher itself. Install the XBMC Launcher linked above by essdee. I just restarted my FireTV and it worked right away.
I get "sorry, cannot open" when I try to launch! What am I doing wrong? I've installed using ADB and shell. Both give me the same result when I try to launch.
You have to install Xposed which is linked in the first link, then open Xposed and 'install' it, reboot when asked then open Xposed, go to Modules and using a mouse check the appropriate module's checkbox on the right.
..
JJ-KwiK said:
So, which launchers have been tried/tested so far? There are a couple a TV themed launchers on Google Play. I wonder if any of those would work...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried TV Launcher, but it's not free. Now I'm using XBMC as my launcher.
..
Apex launcher
Apex launcher works after using Xposed module. Some Apex features don't work, but I figured out how to link activities to shortcuts with custom icons in the Apex launcher. So I have shortcuts for AFTV launcher, Applications (native app manager under settings), Controllers (native under settings), and Network (navite under settings/system).
Fire TV boots directly to Apex launcher. Home button returns to Apex launcher always. Placed XBMC shortcut first on Apex so its easy to launch XBMC from anywhere by pressing home then enter.
Near perfect. Thanks for the module rbox.
Just curious.... I haven't seen any posts about this so I was surprised to find all of my installed apps in a generic five icon wide grid launcher format under Apps, in between Games and Photos, in the AFTV launcher. Is this normal?
htpcforall said:
Just curious.... I haven't seen any posts about this so I was surprised to find all of my installed apps in a generic five icon wide grid launcher format under Apps, in between Games and Photos, in the AFTV launcher. Is this normal?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is weird. I know you mentioned in the other post you didn't install the Amazon app store. Quite strange. If you read through that post you saw I am working on an addition to this module that basically does the same thing, without breaking everything else like the app store does. I never saw anything that would hint that this was built in functionality to the launcher itself though.
htpcforall said:
Apex launcher works after using Xposed module. Some Apex features don't work, but I figured out how to link activities to shortcuts with custom icons in the Apex launcher. So I have shortcuts for AFTV launcher, Applications (native app manager under settings), Controllers (native under settings), and Network (navite under settings/system).
Fire TV boots directly to Apex launcher. Home button returns to Apex launcher always. Placed XBMC shortcut first on Apex so its easy to launch XBMC from anywhere by pressing home then enter.
Near perfect. Thanks for the module rbox.
Just curious.... I haven't seen any posts about this so I was surprised to find all of my installed apps in a generic five icon wide grid launcher format under Apps, in between Games and Photos, in the AFTV launcher. Is this normal?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This sounds pretty nice, any chance we can get a screenshot of what your default home screen looks like now?
servo386 said:
This sounds pretty nice, any chance we can get a screenshot of what your default home screen looks like now?
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Click to collapse
i think the biggest issue with i had with apex was it isnt fully remote friendly, for me on a htpc i would like full control with the remote myself. its suprising that there arernt any good TV launchers out there already.
htpcforall said:
Apex launcher works after using Xposed module. Some Apex features don't work, but I figured out how to link activities to shortcuts with custom icons in the Apex launcher. So I have shortcuts for AFTV launcher, Applications (native app manager under settings), Controllers (native under settings), and Network (navite under settings/system).
Fire TV boots directly to Apex launcher. Home button returns to Apex launcher always. Placed XBMC shortcut first on Apex so its easy to launch XBMC from anywhere by pressing home then enter.
Near perfect. Thanks for the module rbox.
Just curious.... I haven't seen any posts about this so I was surprised to find all of my installed apps in a generic five icon wide grid launcher format under Apps, in between Games and Photos, in the AFTV launcher. Is this normal?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm installed the same method as described in the xbmc wiki: 3.3 Xposed and rbox module (Requires root)
So everything went well, until I wanted to go back to the vanilla firetv homescreen. It says that if I exit xbmc with the button on the bottom, it should return me to that screen. Nope, it just restarts reboots xbmc. First how do I fix this and second, how can I remove the apks to get rid of this if it's not what I am looking for? I tried using adbfire app in osx, I chose uninstall apk, and pasted the same .apk that I installed with but it says that there isn't one of that name...
I can reboot my Amazon Fire TV right into XBMC but when I exit XBMC and try to go into Settings and then Applications, nothing happens.... Any Ideas?
peter_d4 said:
I can reboot my Amazon Fire TV right into XBMC but when I exit XBMC and try to go into Settings and then Applications, nothing happens.... Any Ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Uninstall the XBMC auto launcher, install FireDtv launcher. then move the XBMC icon to the top left corner so it's the first app your remote hits. You will then no longer have any problems with the XBMC being launched first and the trouble that can bring in some circumstances.
nyder said:
Uninstall the XBMC auto launcher, install FireDtv launcher. then move the XBMC icon to the top left corner so it's the first app your remote hits. You will then no longer have any problems with the XBMC being launched first and the trouble that can bring in some circumstances.
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Click to collapse
Trouble? My xbmc is always auto launched and tied to my home button. Never caused a single issue and super convenient. Just curious.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
In XBMC use the default (Confluence) skin. Go to Programs. Enter and go to Android Programs. Find KFTV Launcher. Highlight and use the Menu button on the remote to make it a Favorite. You can now access the FTV home screen from XBMC
jmerrilljr2 said:
In XBMC use the default (Confluence) skin. Go to Programs. Enter and go to Android Programs. Find KFTV Launcher. Highlight and use the Menu button on the remote to make it a Favorite. You can now access the FTV home screen from XBMC
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
I've read in several different places that people use Nova Launcher with the Fire TV. Since I've already purchased Nova Launcher Prime, I figured this would be a particularly good option for me.
The problem I'm running into is that I can't launch most of the Amazon apps. If I try Amazon Video, the screen just flashes and then goes back to the app drawer. If I tried Appstore or Amazon Music, I get "permission denid" (Amazon FreeTime, oddly enough, works just fine, as does the Fire TV App Tutorial, but I don't need either of those ). My Fire TV is rooted, and running the latest firmware version.
Has anyone else seen this, and if so, do you have a solution? I can't find any mention of it by searching the web, which makes me think it might be an issue introduced with recent firmware versions. It occurred to me it might have something to do with root: when I rooted my daughter's Kindle Fire, we couldn't watch Amazon videos on it without turning root off temporarily. I can't find a way to turn off root temporarily using SU on the Fire TV, though--there's no way to launnch SuperSU from Settings, and attempting to launch it from the Nova app drawer does nothing.
Given this problem, I abandoned Nova Launcher and tried several other things. XBMC/SPMC is nice, but it doesn't give easy access to Android apps, without some finagling (I'll install the non-launcher version of SPMC so that my wife can browse TV). I've seen mentions of several launchers for Google TV or Android set top boxes, but most of those can't be found anymore, or they don't work on the Fire TV.
However, I eventually was able to make Nova work, by adding a shortcut to the Fire TV Launcher on a home screen: when adding something to a home screen, select "Shortcuts", then "Activities". There are several paths to the Fire TV home screen, the simplest probably being the "Home" activity under "KFTV Launcher"--there's also at least one under "Android System" (the one ending in "ChooserActivity"), and another somewhere else I can't remember. Once I put the shortcut in place, I edited the icon, using the green one for Amazon Instant Video. Interestingly, even using the Activities Shortcuts method, you can't go directly into videos, music, etc.--you get a "Permission denied".
Of course, to make Nova work as the launcher, I'm using rbox's mods package, which includes support for an alternate launcher: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2786618
OK...so the above solution isn't completely unproblematic: if any apps are open (including apps opened directly from Nova--even sideloaded apps), opening the Fire TV Launcher goes to those apps. The only way I've been able to get back to the menu (other than hitting the "Back" button a lot) is to go into System Settings from Nova Launcher. What I probably need is an app that'll force stop KFTV--but that's ugly and time-consuming. Any suggestions?
EDIT: That was easy. When creating app shortcuts on the Nova home screen, I hadn't seen a KFTV Launcher app--but it's there, called "Home", and that one always goes to the KFTV home menu.
I originally posted this in reply to the HD Widgets post but thought it should have its own thread under Nova Launcher:
I can confirm Nova Prime and HD Widgets work on my rooted AFTV with Rbox's mods. Was using Fired TV until I read the posts about HD Widgets. No comparison. Now have an App Drawer, a Dock if I want it, and the ability to Drag icons around to reorder. Can't change wallpaper. Icons are resizable, can be dragged mid-grid and number Rows and Columns is adjustable. Icons and Labels can be edited. Haven't got around to trying Gestures and other features like Folders.
I installed Nova through Google Play. Don't know if can be installed from the Amazon Appstore.
schneid said:
I originally posted this in reply to the HD Widgets post but thought it should have its own thread under Nova Launcher:
I can confirm Nova Prime and HD Widgets work on my rooted AFTV with Rbox's mods. Was using Fired TV until I read the posts about HD Widgets. No comparison. Now have an App Drawer, a Dock if I want it, and the ability to Drag icons around to reorder. Can't change wallpaper. Icons are resizable, can be dragged mid-grid and number Rows and Columns is adjustable. Icons and Labels can be edited. Haven't got around to trying Gestures and other features like Folders.
I installed Nova through Google Play. Don't know if can be installed from the Amazon Appstore.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some screenshots would be good once you have it setup close to an ideal setup... Maybe you can use the Amazon FireTV Utility App to take them. Also I am guessing you have the Google Store & all the dependencies installed for it to work correctly...
Some one told me of another Launcher that works & should be very good for the FireTV but have only installed it on a FireTV Stick but haven't had time to set it up. I have just made sure it boots.
Y314K said:
Some screenshots would be good once you have it setup close to an ideal setup... Maybe you can use the Amazon FireTV Utility App to take them. Also I am guessing you have the Google Store & all the dependencies installed for it to work correctly...
Some one told me of another Launcher that works & should be very good for the FireTV but have only installed it on a FireTV Stick but haven't had time to set it up. I have just made sure it boots.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll try to take some screenshots. Thanks for the AFTV UA tip to take them. I went with Nova as I own it and am used to it. it is overkill so maybe something simpler would be better.
Yes, all four Google Play apps installed.
Nova Prime Launcher ScreenShots
ScreenShots of Nova Launcher Prime running on AFTV.
I have it working well too. I've tried everything I can think of to get wallpaper working. It's a no-go. It seems Amazon must've completely removed that functionality from the FTV. No launcher has it working.
xm41907 said:
I have it working well too. I've tried everything I can think of to get wallpaper working. It's a no-go. It seems Amazon must've completely removed that functionality from the FTV. No launcher has it working.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is supposed to work in FiredTV but not for me.
schneid said:
It is supposed to work in FiredTV but not for me.
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Click to collapse
The entire wallpaper settings has been removed. I installed the settings.apk found elsewhere in this forum to get bluetooth keyboards working and if you try to go under display - wallpapers, its dead. Setting a wallpaper through quickpic or other such app does nothing either. I'm content with a black background though, considering all the advantages.
Do Amazon Prime videos still work doing this?
schneid said:
ScreenShots of Nova Launcher Prime running on AFTV.
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Click to collapse
Man.. That looks good with the black background... Not bad at all.
1. Is there a shortlink to go back into the FTV Original UI ?
2. Have you setup LLama or some other prog like it to auto boot into Nova Launcher at bootup ?
3. Do you expand the storage. You seem to have ton of apps installed. Wonder how your storage space doing ?
4. Do you have the Settings.apk installed ? Wonder what APK might need to be installed to get the wallpapers working..
xm41907 said:
I have it working well too. I've tried everything I can think of to get wallpaper working. It's a no-go. It seems Amazon must've completely removed that functionality from the FTV. No launcher has it working.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
RIght.. But there might be something we can install to get that back... I'm hoping..
krawhitham said:
Do Amazon Prime videos still work doing this?
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Click to collapse
If you freeze the stock FTV launcher, then no. I've stumbled upon a way to keep it in place and still use NOVA as the launcher. I'm going to be pulling together a post with video about my system setup soon.
schneid said:
It is supposed to work in FiredTV but not for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's not a FireTV wide UI WallPaper but it's done from within the FiredTV App...
xm41907 said:
The entire wallpaper settings has been removed. I installed the settings.apk found elsewhere in this forum to get bluetooth keyboards working and if you try to go under display - wallpapers, its dead. Setting a wallpaper through quickpic or other such app does nothing either. I'm content with a black background though, considering all the advantages.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well that sucks.. Wonder if some other launcher might handle wallpapers from within itself like FiredTV... But the black background should keep the speed up. And it doesn't look bad at all...
krawhitham said:
Do Amazon Prime videos still work doing this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good ?... I am guessing you can change back to the FireTV UI to get it work.
1. Is there a shortlink to go back into the FTV Original UI ?
Yes. See screen shots. Top left icon. Called "Home" in apps. "Home" key does it too.
2. Have you setup LLama or some other prog like it to auto boot into Nova Launcher at bootup ?
No. Rbox Mods do this. I boot into
3. Do you expand the storage. You seem to have ton of apps installed. Wonder how your storage space doing ?
Everything works so not worried so far.
4. Do you have the Settings.apk installed ?
Yes.
Wonder what APK might need to be installed to get the wallpapers working..
i don't have a clue but don't care that much.
krawhitham said:
Do Amazon Prime videos still work doing this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do for me. just have to use "Home" app which loads the original AFTV launcher. "Home" key goes back to Nova.
I use nova on my phone and really like it. My only concern is the fact it's made for touch. Does the aftv stock remote control everything here? (Minus customizations of course) Aftv remote is all I have. Wukong app works pretty well but would rather be able to just use the regular remote.
KLit75 said:
I use nova on my phone and really like it. My only concern is the fact it's made for touch. Does the aftv stock remote control everything here? (Minus customizations of course) Aftv remote is all I have. Wukong app works pretty well but would rather be able to just use the regular remote.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once setup you can move around with the Arrow keys and use the Select, Exit, and Home buttons. To configure it, you really need a "mouse" That can be a USB mouse, a trackpad, or a phone app. My go to device is a Logitech K400 keyboard:
http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Wireless-Keyboard-Built-In-Multi-Touch/dp/B005DKZTMG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420720596&sr=8-1&keywords=logitech+k400
I ave also used DroidMote on my phone. You need the client and server:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.videomap.droidmoteclient
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.videomap.droidmoteserver
For day-to-day use I use my Logitech Harmony ONE remote along with Flirc that feeds IR commands via USB to the AFTV.
If you have money to blow, get a Harmony Ultimate Home:
http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-915-000237-Ultimate-Entertainment-Automation/dp/B00N3RFCBE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1420721028&sr=8-2&keywords=B00N3RFC4G|B00N3RFC4Q|B00N3RFCBE
I thought about it but in my opinion, Harmony setup is hard, and I did not want to go through the pain when my ONE works fine provided you use a Flirc which is also a pain..
schneid said:
Once setup you can move around with the Arrow keys and use the Select, Exit, and Home buttons. To configure it, you really need a "mouse" That can be a USB mouse, a trackpad, or a phone app. My go to device is a Logitech K400 keyboard:
http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Wireless-Keyboard-Built-In-Multi-Touch/dp/B005DKZTMG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420720596&sr=8-1&keywords=logitech+k400
I ave also used DroidMote on my phone. You need the client and server:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.videomap.droidmoteclient
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.videomap.droidmoteserver
For day-to-day use I use my Logitech Harmony ONE remote along with Flirc that feeds IR commands via USB to the AFTV.
If you have money to blow, get a Harmony Ultimate Home:
http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-915-000237-Ultimate-Entertainment-Automation/dp/B00N3RFCBE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1420721028&sr=8-2&keywords=B00N3RFC4G|B00N3RFC4Q|B00N3RFCBE
I thought about it but in my opinion, Harmony setup is hard, and I did not want to go through the pain when my ONE works fine provided you use a Flirc which is also a pain..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I'm gonna try to set it up tomorrow. I have a mouse and keyboard but only use it for certain apps once in a great while and cwm. By all accounts the harmony is awesome but I'd rather put money elsewhere for now. I might pickup a melee f10 pro.
Some people think aftv has a smooth simple GUI, but I think its a mess! Especially the way prime movies and TV are thrown in everywhere. Llama's not a must but there are WAY too many clicks occurring to get to xbmc. That dev deserves great praise. But nova might be a much better option overall. Thanks again!
xm41907 said:
I have it working well too. I've tried everything I can think of to get wallpaper working. It's a no-go. It seems Amazon must've completely removed that
functionality from the FTV. No launcher has it working.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you are wrong about the wallpapers not working. I tried over 100 launchers and some of them do have wallpapers that work by default. Nobody probably took time to try any launchers besides the popular launchers so they assumed if the wallpaper did not work on them that they would not work on any launcher, but they do on more than 10 launchers that I know of. I am not gonna do all the work for anyone, but I will share three launchers that the wallpaper works on, squarehd launcher, chameleon launcher and honeycomb launcher. all the lanchers that the wallpaper work on seem to be old launchers, and as I said over 10 launchers I have found work, but most all of them were made by the same developer and are the same just have a different name, so basically there are really around six launchers that the wallpapers work on. if we can find someone that can figure out what the three launchers above share in common then we can probably find out why the other launchers wallpapers do not work. I have not ried, but I am also thinking that old versions of some of the more popular launchers may work as well, but I do not have any old apk files to try.
Forgot to mention in my last post that Buzz Launcher also works. Wallpapers are displayed by default. Also, the latest update works and it is updated frequently. You might have a problem getting past the first screen, cause you have to activate the launcher with a two finger swipe, but you do not really need to swipe, just take your mouse cursor to the top of the screen and click once and its the same as a two finger swipe.
porkenhimer said:
you are wrong about the wallpapers not working. I tried over 100 launchers and some of them do have wallpapers that work by default. Nobody probably took time to try any launchers besides the popular launchers so they assumed if the wallpaper did not work on them that they would not work on any launcher, but they do on more than 10 launchers that I know of. I am not gonna do all the work for anyone, but I will share three launchers that the wallpaper works on, squarehd launcher, chameleon launcher and honeycomb launcher. all the lanchers that the wallpaper work on seem to be old launchers, and as I said over 10 launchers I have found work, but most all of them were made by the same developer and are the same just have a different name, so basically there are really around six launchers that the wallpapers work on. if we can find someone that can figure out what the three launchers above share in common then we can probably find out why the other launchers wallpapers do not work. I have not ried, but I am also thinking that old versions of some of the more popular launchers may work as well, but I do not have any old apk files to try.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was referring to the use of the native android wallpaper function, not that no launcher has the ability to project a wallpaper on the FTV. Yes, there are quite a few launchers that have built-in wallpaper functionality, such as Firedtv, the only FTV specific launcher available. Of the ones you mentioned, I'm only familiar with Chameleon and from what I recall, it used it's own wallpaper system.
porkenhimer said:
Forgot to mention in my last post that Buzz Launcher also works. Wallpapers are displayed by default. Also, the latest update works and it is updated frequently. You might have a problem getting past the first screen, cause you have to activate the launcher with a two finger swipe, but you do not really need to swipe, just take your mouse cursor to the top of the screen and click once and its the same as a two finger swipe.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, I played a little around with the Buzz Launcher and it looks like a very decent launcher with a lot options and themes. I like it so far, however I can't make any of the widgets to work. Any advice on how to make them work? I tried "HD Widgets" and Play Store Widgets. Also, any suggestion on how to get rid of the annoying "Two-finger Swipe Down" Notification? It keeps coming back after closing an app or when the launcher starts.
Hi Guys!
I've written a little helper app that allows you to basically use any app you want as a launcher on your FireTV (and probably also Stick, but I don't own one to test).
The app does not require root as it doesn't really set your app as system launcher, it just provides various workarounds!
Scenario
You want SPMC to be your launcher? No problem! With this little helper app the aftv boots straights into spmc. Also you can select the option to start spmc everytime the "screen on" event occurs (after firetv exits sleep mode). If you are in a different app (e.g. netflix) and press the home button on the remote the system takes you to the amazon launcher. This is detected by the apps watchdog and it takes you right back to SPMC. If you still want to use Amazon prime video or music than the option to allow jumpbacks is for you. It will allow you to stay in Amazon launcher if the last task was your selected launcher app.
The same procedure works for all other apps/launchers you want to use!
Feature list
Use any app as "launcher" (e.g. SPMC, XBMC/Kodi, FiredTV, TV Launcher, ...)
Start on boot
Start on "Screen on" event
Run a background watchdog to check for the current top activity
Allow jumpbacks to amazon launcher only from your selected "launcher" app
Easily going back from amazon launcher to your selected app by pressing the home button (works for all menu positions but search & start page, so scroll down to videos, press home, voila!)
customize watchdog interval
About the watchdog
It will help you to prevent the home or back button to go to the amazon launcher
How does it work? It regularly checks the current top activity, if it is the amazon launcher it starts your selected app
be careful as too low intervals can affect your device performance!
Also make sure to disable home button detection if you use FiredTV launcher to prevent interference!
Troubleshooting
If you somehow manage to lock yourself out just do this via adb:
Code:
adb shell am start -n jb.com.aftvlauncherhelper/jb.com.aftvlauncherhelper.MainActivity
and disable the watchdog (or select the right app ).
If you like the app please consider buying me a drink (button is in my signature).
Have fun!
Screenshot:
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
Changelog:
Version 1.1:
Fix delayed starting action
Version 1.0:
Initial release
sounds great, thanks. will test this evening.
It works really good but sometimes doesn't get back to firedtv on the first try for me.
I selected firedtv as Launcher and enabled all options (watchdog to 1s)
When I run firetv home and press the home button I sometimes have to scroll around in the menus and press home again to get back to firedtv.
But it's better than anything I tried before! Great work!
aHcVolle said:
It works really good but sometimes doesn't get back to firedtv on the first try for me.
I selected firedtv as Launcher and enabled all options (watchdog to 1s)
When I run firetv home and press the home button I sometimes have to scroll around in the menus and press home again to get back to firedtv.
But it's better than anything I tried before! Great work!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! I was able to reproduce this. Probably some timing issue when there are a lot of things going on in the message queue. I will try to fix this with the next release.
aHcVolle said:
It works really good but sometimes doesn't get back to firedtv on the first try for me.
I selected firedtv as Launcher and enabled all options (watchdog to 1s)
When I run firetv home and press the home button I sometimes have to scroll around in the menus and press home again to get back to firedtv.
But it's better than anything I tried before! Great work!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have just built a small update to v1.1 to try and address you issue.
Please let me know if it works better now
superkoal said:
I have just built a small update to v1.1 to try and address you issue.
Please let me know if it works better now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i rooted and dont need your app anymore.
but thanks for the support :>
Chris
superkoal said:
I have just built a small update to v1.1 to try and address you issue.
Please let me know if it works better now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great work here, much appreciated
I've installed V1.1 but its hit and miss if it returns back to Kodi, great step in the right direction though and lot easier for many people over rooting.
Many thanks again :good:
works good w/ one of the launchers I have.....during testing when I press home it automatically goes back to the custom launcher and if I press home again it goes back to the amazon launcher and if I continue pressing home it stays on the amazon launcher until I actually do something like press up or down which I think is good...I have the watchdog interval to 1500ms is that good or bad?
nickyb003 said:
works good w/ one of the launchers I have.....during testing when I press home it automatically goes back to the custom launcher and if I press home again it goes back to the amazon launcher and if I continue pressing home it stays on the amazon launcher until I actually do something like press up or down which I think is good...I have the watchdog interval to 1500ms is that good or bad?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it's a good interval. Thanks for the feedback!
Sent from my GT-I9195 using XDA Free mobile app
nice I will try it on fire tv stick which is not rooted of course maybe tomorrow and see how it works so I can get rid of llama thank you
This is really cool! As my aftv cannot be rooted i'm stuck with the amazon launcher. This actually helps a lot!!!
Nice one, this is just what I was looking for, will try it out when I get home from work
What does coming from sleep class as, is that a Screen on event?
And if I want my home button to take me back to Amazon Home do I just need to enable jumpback or does it do that anyway?
Thanks :good:
did little testing on un-rooted Fire TV stick. What I found out was you need to HOLD the home button instead of pressing it to use custom launcher app.
Will do more testing to learn the app more.
I can confirm this works for FireTV Stick. I do not have a FireTV. AFTVLH is this app AFTV Launcher Helper in the following. Here is my experience:
1. Settings Defined in AFTVLH:
- Selected App: Kodi
- Start on boot?: Enabled
- Detect screen on events?: Enabled
- Enable top activity watchdog?: Enabled
- Allow jumpback to amazon launcher?: Enabled
- Watchdog interval: 1500 ms
- AFTVLH Version: 1.1
- FireTV Stick: Stock, not rooted.
2. Cold Reboot
- AFTVLH starts on boot with slight delay. From "adb reboot" the device took 28-40 seconds (28 to first display of launcher to 40 fully loaded launcher) to load default Amazon Home Screen and a total of 54-60 (54 to see Kodi Launch to 60 for fully loaded) seconds to load Kodi. Note the same applies to the remote control shortcut to restart (PLAY + SELECT for 10 Seconds)
3. Pressing HOME while in Amazon Launcher
- AFTVLH loads Kodi within 1-2 seconds, no long click/hold needed. After jumpback to Amazon Launcher there is a need to navigate up/down before hitting home will launch Kodi again.
4. Pressing HOME while in a separate application -- AllCast & Crossy Road (from Amazon App Store) and Llama (sideloaded)
- AFTVLH loads selected app in ~2 seconds after first returning to Amazon Launcher then loading selected app. Crossy Road has a prompt to exit the app when home is pressed (Return to Game | Home). I was curious for a moment if it would still launch the app after selecting to return home from another app. About 2 seconds after selecting, Kodi was opened by the AFTVLH.
5. Home Menu in Amazon Launcher
- I noticed by moving up to Search or Down to Prime Video and back to Home, Kodi was opened (by AFTVLH) without pressing Home on the remote again. This doesn't work all the time, I haven't figured out what steps I took consistently for this to not work.
6. Waking from sleep/screen saver
- After the FireTV Stick is put to sleep (from Settings -> System -> Sleep), AFTVLH no longer opens Kodi when pressing Home and requires the AFTVLH to be launched again for continued use. Waking from screen saver does not appear to have this issue and still works as intended when pressing Home. Not sure if the FireTV Stick goes to sleep at some point after screen saver, I didnt have the patience to test any further tonight, maybe another day if anyone is interested.
Tried this as an alternative to MacroDroid with FiredTV.
I have a similar experience as an earlier poster. I can't get it to launch the stock launcher reliably. And when it does, it gets stuck and I can only get out with a screen toggle.
Turning on the timer allows the HOME button to work reliably, but it then won't stay in the the stock launcher, just jumping back to FiredTV.
I tried to use this app instead of using Llama, and it did absolutely nothing. I used it with everything checked and the interval set to 1500ms. Is there something I'm missing here. I can't stand the Amazon FireTV launcher!
My Setup:
* Fire TV (not stick, though I also have a stick which I will be trying this out on tonight)
* Rooted w/ unlocked Bootloader, CWM, etc.
* NO Xposed (I don't want to install Xposed for the time being security-wise)
* Pre-rooted Stock ROM 51.1.4.1 (can't wait for non-Amz ROM!)
E--Man said:
I tried to use this app instead of using Llama, and it did absolutely nothing. I used it with everything checked and the interval set to 1500ms. Is there something I'm missing here. I can't stand the Amazon FireTV launcher!
My Setup:
* Fire TV (not stick, though I also have a stick which I will be trying this out on tonight)
* Rooted w/ unlocked Bootloader, CWM, etc.
* NO Xposed (I don't want to install Xposed for the time being security-wise)
* Pre-rooted Stock ROM 51.1.4.1 (can't wait for non-Amz ROM!)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you have root and you scared of xposed? this isn't perfect solution it's intended for people without root...
This app is great, thanks! Sometimes it doesn't launch the app immediately after hitting the home button, but it usually does after a few button presses. Thanks for the work on this!
Thanks Superkoal. Just installed on my Fire stick; so far so good (still working with it to learn how best to use it).
E--Man said:
I tried to use this app instead of using Llama, and it did absolutely nothing. I used it with everything checked and the interval set to 1500ms. Is there something I'm missing here. I can't stand the Amazon FireTV launcher!
My Setup:
* Fire TV (not stick, though I also have a stick which I will be trying this out on tonight)
* Rooted w/ unlocked Bootloader, CWM, etc.
* NO Xposed (I don't want to install Xposed for the time being security-wise)
* Pre-rooted Stock ROM 51.1.4.1 (can't wait for non-Amz ROM!)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know why it is not working for you. Can you post the output of
Code:
adb shell top -m 8 -n 1
?