If you own one of the many Android media player available on the market, and wanted to get Google Android TV on your device, the good news is that Google has just published Android TV Launcher on Google Play. So even though you can’t install Android TV on you device just yet, at least you should be able to run the launcher. But unfortunately, there’s also a bad news: Android TV Launcher is only available for Android TV devices such as ADT-1 Devkit or Nexus Player.
I wanted to side-loaded to one of my Android devices, so I tried APK downloader to retrieve the Android TV launcher apk, but it can’t be downloaded unless your use a “Device ID” from ADT-1 or Nexus Player. So if you want to give it a try, you’ll have to patiently wait for the apk to show up somewhere. One place where it might show up first could be on XDA Developer forums.
[Update: Android TV launcher apk is now available: LeanbackLauncher.apk, but I’ve tried it on my Android 4.4.4 tablet, and it does not work, so a device running Android 5.0 may be needed. Other mirror]
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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This looks quite awsome , but the question is if the rumours regarding an Android L Android TV full rom distribution is almost ready to be launched is true. Jean Luc would be awsome if could you gather more informations regarding this rom distribution and share it with us. The rumour is that this Android TV rom Distro is specifically designed for boxes / sticks and it have a lot of rich additions especially on the PVR part. On the other hand one of the main sponsors of Openelec a german company named Sundtek which designs and manufactures USB TV… Read more »
I agree with and and also think that it is too pity that it works only with some devices, i think they are mistaken with this decision.
I use Handy Smart TV Launcher (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.handysmart.android.launcher&hl=en)with its’ remote control app for my tv box and i ‘m sure that it will be the main rival for this new launcher from Google. Morover it works with a lot of mobile devices and tv-boxes and have intuitive remote control app.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/android/apps-games/handy-smart-tv-launcher-remote-control-t2975916
@ovidiu
As far as I know android tv sources are publicly available
And allwinner is working on integration
http://armdevices.net/2014/12/02/android-5-0-lollipop-android-tv-ui-on-allwinner-a80-octa-core-big-little-arm-cortex-a157/
Just for your info, that is wrong APK. You shared “com.android.mclauncher”, not “com.google.android.leanbacklauncher”.
Regards 🙂
@Mihir Gosai
hmm. After googling around it looks like mclauncher / leanback launcher may be the same thing.
Do you have a link to the other apk?
@Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)
Not yet, although I’ve also tried to google it.