Running ThirdParty Android Apps on PTCL IPTV ( ZXV10B760H RichMedia Box) Proof of Concept
Currently PTCL IPTV use Android TV Box from ZTE Custom build with Android Kitkat version 4.4, Two 2.0 USB Ports, One HDMI port and memory card slot, LAN and WIFI.
Problem 1: It doesn't have Google Playstore/Playservices, we cannot install youtube and other apps. So the other option is so install .APK files from USB downloaded from apkmirror.com etc. We wanted to install Google Playstore in the Android TV Box to get access to millions of apps. After downloading and installing the Google Playstore/Playservices, we got to know we can install 3rd party applications but THERE WERE NO SHORTCUT or ICON of the our Installed app in the Menu/Launcher. After numerous tries I decided to call IT department of PTCL for the solution. They said the same thing there will be no shortcuts after installing the app. App will run for the first time as after installing the app in Kitkat, It display OPEN or Cancel Option. We made It sure our Applications were getting properly installed and saved in the memory by installing and running them again and again.
Solution:
Being an Android Developer, I came up with the solution. We can retrieve the information about the All Applications/Services installed in the Android Phone/Device, in our case Its Hybrid Android TV box. I created a simple app which gets the list of all installed applications from device and displays the list, with that It was made sure installed apps persisted in memory.
Next step was obvious: TO RUN THE APPLICATIONS. PackagerManager also gives us the package names of the applications through which we can make INTENT and fire it through StartActivity.
Compiled the app, Installed it through the USB as mentioned above App RUNS only once after installing as It gives OPEN/Cancel options. It worked! My App displayed the list of installed apps and after clicking on the package name, Intent fired, StartActivity got called and we were able to run applications which were preciously installed through USB
Problem 2: MY OWN APP DIDN’T HAD ITS OWN SHORTCUT/ICON SO WE CAN RUN IT AFTERWARDS!. First problem was solved we have the access to all applications and can start them on demand. Now only problem was left to have access to our own APP!.
Solution:
Android TV Box had 4 preinstalled applications.
- Android Browser.
- Iflix Application.
- Two ZTE Applications.
Only one app was useful “BROWSER”.
It is possible in Android to start an Application from html page. You just have to create static html page.
What it does is that instead of URL, we are giving it the package name of the app. And in Android Manifest
When href link is clicked, Browser matches the parameter with all applications activity intent filters. In our case it will match with our Intent & package name and our Application will start and list of applications will appear and on clicking on them you can start third party apps. That’s all!.
- You have to install this app. https://uploadfiles.io/pm3ua
- Download Google Playstore/Playservices from Apkmirror.com save it in USB and Install in TV BOX.
- Open https://ptcl-applisting.appspot.com/ in PTCL TV BOX Browser or save .html in your USB, Attach the USB with the BOX whenever you want to use it click on the button.
- ENJOY!.
