LeanBack module-A xposed module

[Xstar410]

xposed module to modify user apps for leanback support such as emulators or sideloaded **free** games that never show up on Android TV such as NSTV.

The idea behind this to make it work is really simple....somehow the module will:
1. Load ALL user apps that don't have leanback support
2. Modify either permanently/load the app's manifest to add leanback LAUNCHER & other lines to it.
3. On restart Theoretically it should work with almost all apps being modified for Android TV.

Side note:
Any app/game that only has touch support will NOT work at all since those apps probably don't have either controller, keyboard, & mouse support at all and it will be just redundant to mod them...
(Tried playing cod zombies on NSTV...I tried all key mapping apps and nothing worked.)

THIS MODULE WILL PROBABLY REPLACE THAT **SIDELOAD LAUNCHER**

From the way I wrote this you should have already guessed that the module has NOT been made yet, since more research is needed to be done in order to progress any further than an idea, but I'm posting it now for anyone that's wants to tackle this project or help me make it(new to xposed module developing.)

 

[xd4d3v]

xposed module to modify user apps for leanback support such as emulators or sideloaded **free** games that never show up on Android TV such as NSTV.

The idea behind this to make it work is really simple....somehow the module will:
1. Load ALL user apps that don't have leanback support
2. Modify either permanently/load the app's manifest to add leanback LAUNCHER & other lines to it.
3. On restart Theoretically it should work with almost all apps being modified for Android TV.

Side note:
Any app/game that only has touch support will NOT work at all since those apps probably don't have either controller, keyboard, & mouse support at all and it will be just redundant to mod them...
(Tried playing cod zombies on NSTV...I tried all key mapping apps and nothing worked.)

THIS MODULE WILL PROBABLY REPLACE THAT **SIDELOAD LAUNCHER**

From the way I wrote this you should have already guessed that the module has NOT been made yet, since more research is needed to be done in order to progress any further than an idea, but I'm posting it now for anyone that's wants to tackle this project or help me make it(new to xposed module developing.)

No need for an xposed module. just a new launcher, there's a few out already, not great though
for the mapping, I don't think it's possible to do that, xposed or not due to different mappings per game, the shield TV community is tiny, without many developers onboard.. will be a tough to get anyone with knowledge to write anything at this stage.

 

[Xstar410]

No need for an xposed module. just a new launcher, there's a few out already, not great though
for the mapping, I don't think it's possible to do that, xposed or not due to different mappings per game, the shield TV community is tiny, without many developers onboard.. will be a tough to get anyone with knowledge to write anything at this stage.

I been using es file explorer, but I want native support though for my games/emulators

 

[xd4d3v]

I been using es file explorer, but I want native support though for my games/emulators

ES file explorer to start sideloaded apps?

try sideload launcher, or HAL launcher for a full launcher replacement.

 

[Xstar410]

ES file explorer to start sideloaded apps?

try sideload launcher, or HAL launcher for a full launcher replacement.

nah, Im saying I been using it for everything & its great, but I would like to see my non-native tv apps on the leanback lists for games...I hate to modify them manually since it is a bit annoying

 

[Zacharybinx34]

Why don't you guys just use Kodi as your launcher?

 

[xNixon]

I've looked into the same issue, mainly because of the norwegian TV app GetTV that is ment for customers to watch TV on any device in and out of the house and with NSTV i would have 1080p native from the IPstream instead of the 1080i the cableboxes they deliver can handle.

To make apps work that way, they need a layout compateble with DPad navigation, so changing the manifest wouldn't help much i think, and if you create an app to launch with an overlay for the app you would need to run an emulated new version of android and in that instance launch the app and have cursor/leanback support for non-native apps, that would drain the power and create even more issues, best way to do this would be for Nvidia to add a cursor mapping profile for the gamepad controller og tv remote (ex. "trippleclick search to start 'mousemode'." and then use the directional keys to move the cursor around)

 

[Beefheart]

Why don't you guys just use Kodi as your launcher?

Speaking personally, because that would make this flagship device very limited in terms of what you can do outside of Kodi. Who would buy a device as powerful as the Shield TV then use it simply for watching video in Kodi?

Leanback is terrible. I use Smart Launcher Pro myself, lots of options, support for remotes and automatic categorisation of applications and games.

 

[Zacharybinx34]

Speaking personally, because that would make this flagship device very limited in terms of what you can do outside of Kodi. Who would buy a device as powerful as the Shield TV then use it simply for watching video in Kodi?

Leanback is terrible. I use Smart Launcher Pro myself, lots of options, support for remotes and automatic categorisation of applications and games.

You can create links to android apps within Kodi.

 

[Beefheart]

You can create links to android apps within Kodi.

Yes, I'm aware of that. But the whole process is limited and the interface less than ideal for a device of this type, or at least if used to its potential. If we were talking about a system of limited specification that was used for little else other than video playback and a few additional apps (for example, an Amazon Fire Stick) then it would perhaps make sense. But I have 60+ applications and games installed on my Shield TV. And the idea of having to access them from within Kodi, an application which was not designed with this in mind, is unappealing to say the least.

 

[digitalhigh]

This is funny. I enjoy how the discussion is on modifying Leanback Launcher, but all the suggestions are "Don't use Leanback Launcher".

I for one actually like Leanback and the way it works on my TV with a remote. Like it was designed for it.

In terms of the discussion at hand - this isn't that hard to implement. You don't have to hook *every* package - you just need to hook the bit of Leanback Launcher that enumerates the packages and then modify that code to always return "yes" when asking if it has the Manifest permissions for Leanback.

As I find this quite intriguing and know a bit about Xposed - I think I'll take a look at this today if time allows. I happen to have both the nexus player and shield TV system images lying around (access to both versions of Leanback), so I may just be making this.

I'll post back here if anything comes of it.

Also, I wonder if I can force the "Live Channels" app to display at the top of Leanback's home interface, like it does on my parents' Samsung w. Android TV.

While we're modifying leanback...Should we put the "non-leanback" apps in their own row, or in the same row as all the other apps?

 

[Drakknar]

This is funny. I enjoy how the discussion is on modifying Leanback Launcher, but all the suggestions are "Don't use Leanback Launcher".

I for one actually like Leanback and the way it works on my TV with a remote. Like it was designed for it.

In terms of the discussion at hand - this isn't that hard to implement. You don't have to hook *every* package - you just need to hook the bit of Leanback Launcher that enumerates the packages and then modify that code to always return "yes" when asking if it has the Manifest permissions for Leanback.

As I find this quite intriguing and know a bit about Xposed - I think I'll take a look at this today if time allows. I happen to have both the nexus player and shield TV system images lying around (access to both versions of Leanback), so I may just be making this.

I'll post back here if anything comes of it.

Also, I wonder if I can force the "Live Channels" app to display at the top of Leanback's home interface, like it does on my parents' Samsung w. Android TV.

While we're modifying leanback...Should we put the "non-leanback" apps in their own row, or in the same row as all the other apps?

Its own row would be great actually.. Otherwise I feel that things could become a little bit too messy. Or you could simply let the user select that via the module's option[emoji14]

 

[guap]

xposed module to modify user apps for leanback support such as emulators or sideloaded **free** games that never show up on Android TV such as NSTV.

The idea behind this to make it work is really simple....somehow the module will:
1. Load ALL user apps that don't have leanback support
2. Modify either permanently/load the app's manifest to add leanback LAUNCHER & other lines to it.
3. On restart Theoretically it should work with almost all apps being modified for Android TV.

Side note:
Any app/game that only has touch support will NOT work at all since those apps probably don't have either controller, keyboard, & mouse support at all and it will be just redundant to mod them...
(Tried playing cod zombies on NSTV...I tried all key mapping apps and nothing worked.)

THIS MODULE WILL PROBABLY REPLACE THAT **SIDELOAD LAUNCHER**

From the way I wrote this you should have already guessed that the module has NOT been made yet, since more research is needed to be done in order to progress any further than an idea, but I'm posting it now for anyone that's wants to tackle this project or help me make it(new to xposed module developing.)

can't wait for this I hate HAL, costomizing the stock launcher is the way, best of both worlds: original features AND customizations:good:

 

[digitalhigh]

A little update:

I did some initial research into this, and found the method we need to hook in order to make this happen.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/xposed/development/hooking-protected-list-inner-class-odd-t3306186

I haven't had more time to dive into this further, but I do have the initial framework started for a module. No idea when I will be able to tackle it more, but at least we have an idea of what needs to be done for anybody else who may be interested in this and know Xposed.

 

[duanim]

i do like the stock launcher,but needs more cosmetic,but i did found that the apk call OmniSwicth is wonderfull,the only thing is not fully working if somebody make work that would be remarkable,i do like the interface and using my fire tablet 7 inches with a combination the droidmote apk is the best so far for my shield tv if someone try this would know what i am talking, i am not a developer but i will be happy is somebody from XDA make this app OmniSwicth works

 

[lickarock]

Anyone remember GEL Xposed before it became GNL? Thats what we need for this. I actually like the way leanback works, I just want it to load all of my apps.

 

[brando56894]

Yea that's the thing that kills me about AndroidTV, its so crippled in terms of apps. I love the interface but the lack of apps sucks, it would be amazing if someone could figure out a hack that would allow the play store to show all apps.

Sent from my Pixel C using Tapatalk

 

[daniel644]

This is funny. I enjoy how the discussion is on modifying Leanback Launcher, but all the suggestions are "Don't use Leanback Launcher".

I for one actually like Leanback and the way it works on my TV with a remote. Like it was designed for it.

ME TO, if it weren't for the crap play store and the lacking all the installed apps.

I installed this ROM http://forum.xda-developers.com/shield-tv/development/rom-t3321787 last night and I already miss the Leanback Launcher and how it "just worked" with the remote, the stock interface (and Nova for that matter) just don't navigate well with the remote.

honestly my dream setup would be the factory OS with the Leanback Launcher, but rooted with the FULL play Store and all the installed apps shown in the Launcher.

 

[pspbyer]

ME TO, if it weren't for the crap play store and the lacking all the installed apps.

I installed this ROM http://forum.xda-developers.com/shield-tv/development/rom-t3321787 last night and I already miss the Leanback Launcher and how it "just worked" with the remote, the stock interface (and Nova for that matter) just don't navigate well with the remote.

honestly my dream setup would be the factory OS with the Leanback Launcher, but rooted with the FULL play Store and all the installed apps shown in the Launcher.

I installed the leanback launcher and it works well on restyle

 

[s--c]

I installed the leanback launcher and it works well on restyle

How did you manage this. I tried and it would not let me install leanback launcher