First Android TV experience.. how to make the most of it?

by Fera6037

I just hopped on the Android TV bandwagon with the new MiBox, before that I was not familiar with the platform. I will be using it as my main entertainment hub, instead of subscribing to cable.

I set it up yesterday, downloaded the available TV apps such as ESPN, ABC etc and sideloaded the Fios Mobile app (I use my parents account to gain access to these).

I noticed the play store for android TV seems pretty limited, so do most people side load their favorite apps? And then how do they get them to show up in the homescreen app list? The sideloaded Fios Mobile app doesn't show up, so I have to dive into the apps through the settings. Is this why people reference "leanback" support?

I suppose I'm just looking for some insider info on what to do next to make the most of the box. Maybe we could get into a discussion on how people use theirs, or if there is some good documentation on different uses.

blusky75

SPMC for streaming local and remote content (avoid it's Kodi equivalent - it too is up on the app store)

Also apps like HDHomerun and Tablo are great for for streaming OTA broadcasts (assuming you have a Tablo DVR or HdHomerun device on your network)

Lots of old school console and arcade emulators available too (performance mileage will vary)

Game streaming from a PC via moonlight

JimboLodisC

So far you're doing alright. As far as apps not optimized/built for Android TV, they won't show up in the home rows if the dev didn't add leanback support. There's a couple apps that can help out with this, one of them can create a tile by cloning an app that's hiding, and the other is basically its own launcher for the hidden apps.

The app store on the device itself will feel pretty sparse. It's kind of just experimentation as far as finding an app that you use on another device and then seeing if it works with a remote on your Mi Box. It might be a good idea to look into a gamepad or KB+M if you find that you're using a lot of regular Android apps that aren't optimized for a remote control.

tvtoo

do most people side load their favorite apps?

I sideload apps by downloading at APK Pure and transferring by USB drive.

how do they get them to show up in the homescreen app list?

I use HALauncher, which is native to Android TV Play Store. It shows you all installed apps, categorized by whether they are TV-native, "Handheld"-native (phones and tablets), or designed for both platforms.

(You can fully customize that app list.)

It also has a setting that lets you lock in "landscape mode", which is important, because some sideloaded apps turn 90 degrees.

It also has a "show all apps" feature, so you can see all installed apps.

I will be using it as my main entertainment hub, instead of subscribing to cable.

Puffin TV can also help because it will display Flash video websites on Android TV (like Puffin browser for Android phones). It may be coming out soon.

Schoener98

I am also finding android TVs App Store to be lacking (especially with TV network apps). I am in debate on returning the Mi box and getting an Amazon streaming device with Kodi side loaded.

sspectre

I'm normally a fan of Kodi/SPMC but I haven't had a great experience with it on the Shield so far. Just recently I made the Shield a Plex server and have been using Plex instead. For me it's worked better and smoother so far.