search

element-hq / element-android

A Matrix collaboration client for Android.
https://element.io/
Apache License 2.0
3.31k stars 696 forks source link

Android TV support #4792

Open spicemint opened 2 years ago

spicemint commented 2 years ago

Your use case

What would you like to do?

Use an element client with video and audio call support on android tv.

Why would you like to do it?

So users can have video calls on their tv with android tv.

How would you like to achieve it?

I use a google android tv chromecast and have a usb webcam attached to it. I'm able to install the regular whatsapp android client via aptoide and it works with the usb webcam to make calls etc. just like an android phone. There is also support for google duo but did not try it. Skype I could not install. Maybe other people also would want to run it on their tv and there could support be added for element?

Have you considered any alternatives?

google duo, 3cx, and whatsapp work but would be nice if i could use matrix/element

Additional context

No response

ouchadam commented 2 years ago

out of interest, is it currently possible to side load element onto an android TV device?

spicemint commented 2 years ago

out of interest, is it currently possible to side load element onto an android TV device?

this seems not possible on google android TV chromecast. I'm have tried to sideload only with aptoide, element and installation failed. 3cx, whatsapp are working but also sideload. not sure how i can obtain log files of why the install fails, maybe that might be of some help to get it working?

languagemaniac commented 3 months ago

Hi, I successfully loaded Element on my android tv. I used login via gitlab, and it opened a link in TVbro (optimal web browser for android TV, found here on github) and logged in without any issues.

I can access a conversation by just using the remote control, but I can't accept calls. For that, I used an app on my phone called "Bluetooth keyboard and mouse" by Appground.io (it's not foss unfortunately), which lets you have a bluetooth mouse on your phone, and when I clicked on the button to accept the call, I could successfully communicate with my phone.

It's not ideal, but it's do-able. Calls ring when element is running in the background while I'm using some other app, but didn't get a notification or anything, and had to open Element to accept the call.

To sideload apps onto my android tv, I use this foss app called Apkupdater

Before I had that, I served a folder that contained apk files via ftp with a simple ftp server app on my phone, and I accessed with the app "file commander" that's available via google play app on the tv.

I'm using a xiaomi mi box 4, with the leanback launcher

Didn't try video calls as I don't have a camera plugged in.