Hey, I'm trying to download the assistant core launcher in order to use it on a tablet. Do you have any idea where to get it or could you extract it from your lenovo smart clock 2? Thanks in advance
Guide installing android apps on the lenovo smart clock 2.
- Thread starter willbilec
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- lenovo smart clock 2
Edit: Seems that the clock reboots itself if it looses wifi connection. Pretty stupid "feature"..
I followed this guide and installed Last Launcher as launcher and mapping volume keys to "Home".
However, my clock now seems seems to reboot itself once a day. After reboot the clock ends up showing last launcher instead of the default Home/Clock app. Anyone else having this problem?
I followed this guide and installed Last Launcher as launcher and mapping volume keys to "Home".
However, my clock now seems seems to reboot itself once a day. After reboot the clock ends up showing last launcher instead of the default Home/Clock app. Anyone else having this problem?
Last edited:
Yes i have the same problem, it reboot one time a day (or go to the home screen). All the chromecast are loosing connexion one time a day
I ended up resetting launcher app back to the default clock. And mapped keys to launch last launcher instead. Mainly using it as a clock anyway.
Unfortunately it doesn't work for me. Just tried it but when pressing the 'privacy settings' it doesn't do anything except flash for a second and stays on the settings page. I tried rebooting it and trying it again multiple times too.
I'm guessing they already patched this exploit. It's effing stupid if they spent the time to patch something that people actually want to work.
I'm guessing they already patched this exploit. It's effing stupid if they spent the time to patch something that people actually want to work.
What"s not working? Choosr Talkback settings -> privacy policy in the dialog.
I doubt anything had been fixed in this old device. What version are you on? Rooted my device like 3 days ago with latest firmware installed.
Did exactly as your, the OP and a YouTube video described. And nadda. I'll check the build number in the morning.
Key Remapper supports using the Android rotation, so I've just set it up that hitting a special key sequence cycles between portrait and landscape. I couldn't rely on the automatic rotation because for some reason, portrait ends up upside down.
Does anyone know if the same approach for loading any app onto the clock also works for the Lenovo Smart Clock Essential? Rather than being dependent on a Google Assistant clock, I'd rather have one which integrates with Alexa. I tried Ultimate Alexa but since there is no Google Play Store/services on the clock, I couldn't sign up for the pro version to have Ultimate Alexa without ads. Any workarounds for this?
DeblaGaming
Senior Member
Anyone knows how to do this on the first gen version? When downloading an APK file nothing happened, and I can't open it either...
Cheers
Cheers
I picked up one of these 2nd gen clocks this week and while as some folks have mentioned the Talkback support was removed from the Google Home app preventing the previously used method to break out of the Google Home software, I've found one that still uses basically the same method. There is probably a simpler way to do this, but it worked for me.
- Settings menu -> send feedback —> (say something) -> Legal Help Page
- This opens a locked down browser that we need to break out of still since it can't download anything.
- The goal at this point is to find any link that uses http since this locked down browser doesn’t appear navigate through cert errors. I did this by:
- About Lumen (bottom of page) -> Lumen (Hyperlink in first paragraph)
- From here you have two options. You can get out to twitter, or scroll down to their blog posts. I found a blog post from 1/26/2023 that had a http link.
- Before opening the link, create an A Record (I had trouble with CNAMEs) for the IP behind that domain name to a self-hosted web server.
- On that self-hosted website, have a plaintext URL for http://f-droid.org.
- Press and hold to highlight the full URL, and you should have an “Open” option in the context menu, click that. Nothing will appear to happen, but close the current browser window, then quit out of giving feedback. You’ll find a full browser awaiting you to then download packages from f-droid with.
Nice find, @holysoles!
FWIW as one data point: I just took a new-in-box unit through the full rooting process (here) successfully today, including activating it for the first time using the Device Utility app, letting it run through a firmware update on the clock from the shipped firmware (1.52.257161) to the latest (1.56.285116), and then rooting it using the TalkBack screen reader method.
Perhaps the problem you were seeing with the
FWIW as one data point: I just took a new-in-box unit through the full rooting process (here) successfully today, including activating it for the first time using the Device Utility app, letting it run through a firmware update on the clock from the shipped firmware (1.52.257161) to the latest (1.56.285116), and then rooting it using the TalkBack screen reader method.
Perhaps the problem you were seeing with the
Privacy Policy link crashing is region-specific, or depends on successful internet access to that privacy policy page, or something similar? I notice that you're in detailed control of your network there to place custom DNS records - were you doing any other MITM or network filtering at the time that the device was failing to connect by chance? Trying to narrow down contributing factors for other folks to be aware of... I know a lot of Google products are sensitive to MITM attacks via certificate pinning or HSTS.
Is there any way to get wallpapers working? I've tried like 3 launchers (all AOSP based because I want something lightweight) and whenever I set one it just shows a black screen. Even tried installing a "missing app" (wallpaper cropper from AOSP 10) and it didnt work.
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Great guide! I have my clock running the Home Assistant companion app with some nice dashboard as well. Since it's the minimal version of the companion app it doesn't support the notification commands. Does anybody now of a free app that will run on the clock that allows to do an API call from Home Assistant to the device (webhook) to launch the Home Assistant app? Or a (simpler) free alternative to tasker that can do such stuff?
Hello all, I have been following everything here and it has been working perfectly, thanks for doing the good work.
Unfortunately for me, however, I found out that if you set a pattern (and I would imagine any kind of lock would do this), the device will not boot, it will just hang on the Lenovo logo. Does anyone know a way to fix this, or do I really just need to buy a new clock? Many thanks
P.S. I have tried rebooting multiple times and doing the factory reset shortcut (volume +/- for 10 sec) and it does not work. The screen is receiving taps (which I can see because I turned the option on in dev mode), but it just stays stuck on the lenovo screen
Unfortunately for me, however, I found out that if you set a pattern (and I would imagine any kind of lock would do this), the device will not boot, it will just hang on the Lenovo logo. Does anyone know a way to fix this, or do I really just need to buy a new clock? Many thanks
P.S. I have tried rebooting multiple times and doing the factory reset shortcut (volume +/- for 10 sec) and it does not work. The screen is receiving taps (which I can see because I turned the option on in dev mode), but it just stays stuck on the lenovo screen
Hello everyone,
Does anyone knows how we can possibly control the light of the lenvo smart clock 2 pad?
I already have home assistant with all browser_mod and wall_pannel sensors of the smart clock accessible.
If its dimable I see many use cases, for example:
→ Notification when you sleep the pad lights up?
→ Slow sunrise with morning alarm
→ Night reading?
→ Night light for kids that have difficulties sleeping without any light
Does anyone knows how we can possibly control the light of the lenvo smart clock 2 pad?
I already have home assistant with all browser_mod and wall_pannel sensors of the smart clock accessible.
If its dimable I see many use cases, for example:
→ Notification when you sleep the pad lights up?
→ Slow sunrise with morning alarm
→ Night reading?
→ Night light for kids that have difficulties sleeping without any light
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4Hello, in this guide I am going to describe how to side load android apps on the lenovo smart clock 2.
Requirements.
A device to use the google home app.
A List of apps you want to install, make sure you have a keyboard and home screen launcher in mind.
Not a requirement but basic understanding of the talk back screen reader will be helpful.
Next some things to be aware of.
While ADB is in developer settings I haven’t found a way to connect the clock to a pc using the dock I tried a usb C to A cable but that did not work.
The draw over other apps permission is unavailable.
Here are the specks that we are working with.
Processor
MediaTek™ MT8167S Processor (1.50 GHz)
Operating System
Android 10
Display Type
4.0" LCD IPS Touchscreen
Memory
1 GB
Hard Drive
8 GB Flash We have about 3.3 GB free.
Finally, I am visually impaired so the way I describe things may not make sense for some. If you have trouble understanding please let me know.
Note You are doing all this at your own risk. However, everything is easy to undo with a factory reset.
Instructions for factory resetting.
- Flip the mute switch to muted.
- Press both volume buttons for ten seconds.
- A window should now come up asking if you want to reset. If nothing is pressed the device will auto reset in a minute.
- OK, let’s start.
- Find a website where the apk is that you want to install.
- Now find a way where that website will come up in a google search.
- Note do to how google displays the search button may not be available, so we will have to rely on Google’s auto complete feature.
- Examples:
- If you were looking for nova launcher, you would be using nova launcher.ap we will want google to finish adding the K.
- Add this word to your calendar. For example,nova launcher.ap
- Make sure this is the same calendar that the clock is signed in to.
- Next open the google home app. Find your device click on settings then accessibility.
- Next click the switch next to screenreader.
If so, ask google “what’s on my calendar?” Swipe right until the event you added is spoken or highlighted.
Next swipe down and right in a single motion an L shape.
Swipe right until copy last utterance is selected double tap, if successful the menu should disappear.
It may take a few tries to get it.
Next open the same menu, (swipe down and right.)
Swipe until talkback settings is selected. Double tap again.
A new screen should appear.
Now swipe, swipe a lot until privacy policy is selected.
Double tap, a browser should now open.
Swipe and double tap to allow all the permissions.
Next swipe until google apps is selected. Double tap then find search and double tap to activate.
Find the search box, double tap to get into it.
Now swipe up and right in a single motion
If successful a new menu should come up. Find edit then activate paste.
If the text gets pasted in the search box, you can now turn off talkback.
Back on your phone flip the switch next to screenreader.
Now here is where things get difficult, the text should be in the box, But I was not able to see the search button with talkback. If you see the button, try turning off
talkback and pressing it
If the search button does not show up here is where you will have to rely on Google auto complete suggestions.
You should have a pretty good idea of what to do from here.
Note that when you download something a window will come up with all downloaded files. The first time you install an apk you will have to click allow from this source when that window comes up.
Notes.
I recommend you install something like nova launcher, for a replacement home screen.
When you install a replacement home screen you will have to click always on the new window that will pop up.
If you want to get back to the regular clock interface, launch the home app.
Any questions feal free to ask.
Remember doing a factory reset will clear all changes made.2I picked up one of these 2nd gen clocks this week and while as some folks have mentioned the Talkback support was removed from the Google Home app preventing the previously used method to break out of the Google Home software, I've found one that still uses basically the same method. There is probably a simpler way to do this, but it worked for me.
- Settings menu -> send feedback —> (say something) -> Legal Help Page
- This opens a locked down browser that we need to break out of still since it can't download anything.
- The goal at this point is to find any link that uses http since this locked down browser doesn’t appear navigate through cert errors. I did this by:
- About Lumen (bottom of page) -> Lumen (Hyperlink in first paragraph)
- From here you have two options. You can get out to twitter, or scroll down to their blog posts. I found a blog post from 1/26/2023 that had a http link.
- Before opening the link, create an A Record (I had trouble with CNAMEs) for the IP behind that domain name to a self-hosted web server.
- On that self-hosted website, have a plaintext URL for http://f-droid.org.
- Press and hold to highlight the full URL, and you should have an “Open” option in the context menu, click that. Nothing will appear to happen, but close the current browser window, then quit out of giving feedback. You’ll find a full browser awaiting you to then download packages from f-droid with.
1Nice find, @holysoles!
FWIW as one data point: I just took a new-in-box unit through the full rooting process (here) successfully today, including activating it for the first time using the Device Utility app, letting it run through a firmware update on the clock from the shipped firmware (1.52.257161) to the latest (1.56.285116), and then rooting it using the TalkBack screen reader method.
Perhaps the problem you were seeing with thePrivacy Policylink crashing is region-specific, or depends on successful internet access to that privacy policy page, or something similar? I notice that you're in detailed control of your network there to place custom DNS records - were you doing any other MITM or network filtering at the time that the device was failing to connect by chance? Trying to narrow down contributing factors for other folks to be aware of... I know a lot of Google products are sensitive to MITM attacks via certificate pinning or HSTS.
