I am considering buying an Nvidia Shield TV, but my question applies to Android TV in general: is it possible to install ordinary, i.e. non-Android-TV optimised apps through the google play store?
Let's say I want to install a VPN client; will google play show me the client only if there is a TV-optimised version? Will it let me download the app anyway, maybe telling me it's not optimised? Or do I have to download the apk and install it manually (which means no automatic updates)?
Thanks!
You will need to sideload the apk.
Google play won't allow you to, saying it's not compatible with your device. Your can side load the apk no problem. But you'll run into problems with apps expecting touch responses and you have no touch input. With some apps a remote with just up-down-left-right will work and you can get by, but many won't. You'll need an air mouse to navigate. I think a remote won't work well with anything that needs a keyboard, as well. (Switching from app to keyboard, for example)
Only thing on the TV Play Store are TV optimized apps that have been submitted by their developers and approved by Google.
You kinda need an Aptoide TV for it to install with an interface and you have to go into settings to launch it
Also it would not be optimized so use with risk. It is like ES Explorer with a remote control
VPN"s on the playstore for android TV are not free. Yes, sideloading is your way to go. Hal Launcher has a way to sideload apps into your tv directly from your phone. Install it on both devices. Then go to settings, then tools, then "apk transfer" and follow the instructions. Works for me everytime. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.i.akihiro.halauncher
Don't forget if you leave the VPN on when you switch off your tv, the tv will reboot automatically when you put tv back on.
If it's grandparents, I think you absolutely will need to avoid non-TV optimised apps. It will just be too awkward and unstable for them.
Assuming you are in the UK, if you want apps for UK TV channels, All4 is missing, My5 and UKTVPlay. They are available on the Amazon FireTVstick4k, however.
Live Channels can be good depending on your source, but glitchy with HDHomerun in my experience.
There are quite a few VPN apps optimised for TV in the play store. Bear in mind that activating it might mess up streaming services like Netflix and Prime Video. More complexity for them.
Getting foreign channels is really tough unless there is a specific optimised TV app.
Have you investigated IPTV? There are a few options for that which could work, depending on how you'll get the foreign TV streams.
Last resort would be a custom Kodi set up with add ons, but difficult to get stable and a lot of effort.