What was the reason given for not using Google Services?

PicoPix Max General Discussion
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What’a the benefit of regular Android when since no Google play services makes installing a lot of apps that need activation impossible.

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Hi @Philips_Support_N and @Philips_Support_P,
You say that the choice was made to go for AOSP Android instead of Android TV for 2 reasons:

  • Netflix certification
    We also need Netflix certification on the current AOSP Android release. That’s why we have a patched version after all :slight_smile:
  • More versatile and you can install more apps
    Certainly true but from what I gather from the initial reviews, the quality of the apps is much lower since they are not made for a TV interface. The airmote solves this partly but it remains a bit wonky.
  • Is there any other reason why Android TV was not chosen?

Is it technically possible to switch to Android TV at some point in the future? :slight_smile: It would not solve issues but at least a lot of the complaints would be gone.

Thanks you for your answer! :slight_smile:

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Not necessary dead, please see:

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Google Playstore on PicoPix Max (Unofficial Proof of Concept):

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10

I like your optimism but what makes you think that Google will change their whole policy for not giving GMS to non-touchscreen devices because a few people will write to them? Philips is big enough as brand and since they didn’t even respond to them … I would doubt it quite a bit that there is any hope at all.

So I also would like to ask if it is possible to migrate to Android TV?

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Technically that should be possible but according to Philips most of the asked potential customers (during product concept) didnt wanted Android TV.

Maybe this will change now that the custom Android is used on a daily base by more and more real customers:

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Yeah but still nothing from @Philips_Support_N or @Philips_Support_P if that is even to be considered at all (or at least I haven’t seen anything from them on this topic).

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Hello

For Android TV: unfortunately we won’t move to this OS on the current Max version as the hardware doesn’t allow it. It requires a special CPU
For Fire OS: we reached Amazon 2 months ago and they put this project on hold internally

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@Philips_Support_N I can’t get the aptoide store to work. I’ve allowed all permissions, cleared the cache (in app & projector), I even factory reset and it still won’t work. Downloads are all stuck at 0%! What do I do?

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Some streaming apps don’t work due to the lack of GMS. Casting for these app doesn’t work either. HDMI is not an option due to lack of BT/4CC.

Does anybody have a workaround for this?

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what about sideloading? lets hack the damn thing

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If you mean sideloading apk, it’s not a hack, it’s even recommended by Philips :wink:

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Already on the horizon, as linked in

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I assume that Google Drive would be accessible from a browser for displaying media from there?

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Yes, same for gmail etc

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I don’t use Telegram, can you elaborate on this please?

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The Video in the link is watchable without a Telegram Account

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Well this is certainly not true. Android TV does not require a special CPU. The RK 3328 will work just fine…

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Nvidia shield tv is non-touch screen - just sayin

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AndroidTV has GMS build-in.