yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Shield Android TV Android Development] will.blaschko:
Content is pulled from JustWatch, a free service that shows what videos are available on a variety of services. The API isn't currently open, but I figured it out through reverse engineering. Answering your second and third questions: I can only display what JustWatch has, if you go to their site, you'll see the content is missing there as well (another big one is Downton Abbey). I don't currently have account integration and, as far as I can tell, all ways I have of doing it are STRICTLY against the ToS provided by Amazon--as is pulling the video data from them directly... sigh.

I may add a way to pull specific movies/episodes either from your account or Prime VoD items not listed on JustWatch. I don't know what form that will take yet.

(TLDR) The takeaway is: I will do what I can to keep adding features as possible, I just have to be careful to not violate the various Amazon ToS, because I have several apps/services distributed through their products that I don't want to lose.
[Shield Android TV Android Development] will.blaschko:
Just uploaded

Version 1.2.0:

Restart/resume video playback dialog based on past viewing--this does not sync with the Amazon servers, local only

Show top (unplayed) movies in the recommendations launcher on the Android TV home screen

Fix for search page crash on Android 23+ (stupid permissions change)

Fix for crash caused by clicking on Amazon Video Settings when app is not installed

Fix for crash caused by a show not having a backdrop image
[Shield Android TV Android Development] desmoloch:
Fantastic work!!!

My setup:

Shield TV (Android TV)

Your Edited Amazon Video 3

Prime Launcher v 1.20

I can play all Videos fine and it does not crash anymore. Settings also work, but a few things to mention:

- Setting Video to highest quality does not work. I see no difference

- Bug: If i try to change default audio language (default is german, thats fine) it switches to english and i cant set it back to german (fix: clear data of Amazon Video app)

- Is it possible to set audio quality above stereo? All Videos are only stereo, but dd+ etc is possible

But now the best part: With your edited amazon Video app i can use the app on my shield! Its 100% working!! If i switch to settings from your prime Launcher it opens Amazon video app and from there i can navigate through all content, play all content etc... Thats great!

Did you know that?

Best regards
[Shield Android TV Android Development] Kovs:
Awesome job! Loving the updates! I look ever hour at this thread and watch the progress. I noticed last night as I was watching Man in the High Castle, and its missing a few episodes (went from E6 to E9).

Also, a request: I dont know how possible it is, but is it possible to implement fast forward and rewind? Using the remote, i havent been able to figure it out.

Thanks again! Are you planning on publishing your app in the Playstore for autoupdates? There will be some beers coming your way from Milwaukee!!!
[Shield Android TV Android Development] Lolento:
is it possible to add the edited prime video app to the home screen?

it is somewhat usable now and best part is that i can go straight to my watch list.
[Shield Android TV Android Development] will.blaschko:
Let me see if I can put something together really fast, it should be. Will edit when I have.

-- Edit --

The new "edited-" VoD APK should now have an Android TV launcher associated with it--it'll take you straight to your watchlist.

Let me know if you run into any issues :)
[Shield Android TV Android Development] sanitarium09:
Works amazingly well. Thank you for creating this as Amazon's never going to.
[Shield Android TV Android Development] underworld1234:
Can I install the Amazon Underground app after this? I downloaded the apk from apkmirror, but I keep getting an error (see log):

C:\>adb install "com.amazon.mShop.android_6.1.4.200-7141510_minAPI11(armeabi)(120,160,240,320,400,420,480,560,640dpi).apk"

3605 KB/s (36715038 bytes in 9.944s)

pkg: /data/local/tmp/com.amazon.mShop.android_6.1.4.200-7141510_minAPI11(armeabi)(120,160,240,320,400,420,480,560,640dpi).apk

Failure [INSTALL_FAILED_DUPLICATE_PERMISSION perm=com.amazon.avod.SDK_ACCESS pkg=com.amazon.avod.thirdpartyclient]
[Shield Android TV Android Development] will.blaschko:
Unfortunately, no, not in its current state. I had to re-sign the VOD app after making the changes and, since I don't have access to Amazon's signing keys (for obvious reasons), the permissions from the Underground and the VOD app will conflict.

In theory one could re-sign the Underground app with the same key and it should work, but I haven't done that because it's not sustainable in the long run.

If anyone wanted to create the Underground APK, I used this tool to sign: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2478180 with the Shared key.
[Shield Android TV Android Development] underworld1234:
That makes sense. Thanks for your wonderful work :)
[Shield Android TV Android Development] death2all110:
I'm sure if someone had a Asus Zenfone 2 and downloaded and pulled the APK we could get the correct libs. Seeing as how the Nexus Player and Asus Zenfone 2 both have x86 processors.
[Shield Android TV Android Development] will.blaschko:
Or any Intel-based phone for that matter. We're assuming that Amazon supports those devices, but it can't hurt to try.

--Edit--

Hmm: http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201601690

Says only ARM devices for now--but lots of their FAQs remain horribly out of date, so I haven't given up hope.
[Shield Android TV Android Development] death2all110:
Of course not.

I guess it won't work on Nexus Player for the time being. I don't see amazon rushing to support x86 phones any time soon.

Thanks for trying!
[Shield Android TV Android Development] will.blaschko:
I'm creating a Play Store listing for the app. Honestly, I don't know if Google will accept it, but I'll keep you posted. I've combined the Amazon Instant Video install process into the app itself, so it'll prompt you when the app is launched and then install the necessary APK if the user gives approval. I am going to open it for Beta testing originally, so, if approved, I'd appreciate a few people trying it out on their devices. I'll update the OP if it goes through.
[Shield Android TV Android Development] omair94:
I just installed Amazon video on a Zenphone 2, and video played back successfully on it, so i guess they do support x86. Here's the apk from it: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByoDPh0-_YAgZjd6c3RkdGN1SDA/view?usp=docslist_api
[Shield Android TV Android Development] will.blaschko:
Ugh, not sure what is going on. I just tried an ADB install to a x86 virtual device and I get [INSTALL_FAILED_NO_MATCHING_ABIS] which means it won't install without the correct libraries being present. I don't know why it's working on the Zenphone. I'll keep looking into this.

-- Edit --

So it looks like the app is depending on ARM > x86 translation, that's fine. But looking at the logs again, it seems like the issue might be with a bug inside the player library.
[Shield Android TV Android Development] desmoloch:
Any chance for better sound then stereo?

//edit: i tested the Amazon Video app installed on my LG. Max sound i get is stereo :(
[Shield Android TV Android Development] timmy1701:
I have the Shield TV and your App in the Version 3 works fine with a few limitations. I not see all Epsiodes from many TV Series but in the Original Amazon Prime App the Episodes included. The second problem is the Stream Quality is Only SD not HD.
[Shield Android TV Android Development] 3rob3:
First of all, thanks for doing this! Silly (but serious) question.....why is the remote working nearly perfectly in your edited VOD based on version 3.xxx? And what advantages are there to using your launcher instead, just that it looks better on a TV?
[Shield Android TV Android Development] BenjiHansell:
Hi. I've come up with a couple of designs. They're fairly basic but clean and with Material colours. Attached below.

For the word "Prime" I haven't copied and pasted the official logo (in order to avoid risking trademark infringement), however I have found a font which looks remarkably similar. I could change this to a more common font if you would like, however it is worth noting that the word itself is still trademarked. The good news is that I've been reading into the law and it seems that you're covered by the Trademark Fair Use Doctorine anyway.

Anyway, here's a link to all the source files including some earlier designs:

https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B7-9x3_Yn9P1TG90OEloQ0QteEE&usp=sharing

Like I said, let me know if you need any modifications at all. Also, if you want to use any of the other slightly varied designs in the Google Drive link let me know first so I can finalise them (e.g kerning and centre-alignment).
[Shield Android TV Android Development] will.blaschko:
Basically just that, it's a little more TV-like to navigate. Honestly, the edited APK is probably fine if you want to use that. The VOD app, unlike the store app, is using native Android views and the fixes they made between 2.x and 3.x took it in the direction of being more usable with a D-Pad. It does look like they have/had plans to make a TV version at some point that is either on hold or scrapped for the moment.

I'll probably lightly maintain both apps as possible (mine and the edited 3.x VOD app), just to keep them current and working.
[Shield Android TV Android Development] will.blaschko:
Great work! I agree, this is the best of the variants, I'd be ecstatic to drop the icons in. Are these as finalized as you'd like or did you want to tweak a little more? What kind of attribution would you like?

If it's not asking too much, as I'm trying to put it in the Play Store, I need a featured graphic 1024px x 500px -- it's the banner you see at the top of app listings. It can be anything, even abstract. Otherwise I can throw something together :D.
[Shield Android TV Android Development] BenjiHansell:
Yeah they're finalised and ready to go. Just be sure to use the smaller files labeled "render" as the others contain redundant layer data. As for attribution anything would be appreciated*, but not necessary. I'm just glad to be able to contribute :)

I'll have a go at the featured graphic. Again it might have to be simplistic as my skills are limited but I'll at least come up with something of the same style to get you started.

I hope that Google allows you to list it in the Play Store. This app is the biggest development Android TV has seen in a while.

*PS: If you do find a way to attribute me, my actual name is the same as my username, just with a space in the obvious place.
[Shield Android TV Android Development] Patch7:
Google play probably won't allow it because Amazon doesn't allow it. Hope I'm wrong. ...
[Shield Android TV Android Development] JonDeutsch:
Can we still assume that this (impressive) project is still a non-starter for the Nexus Player due to its x86 architecture?

---------- Post added at 09:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:41 PM ----------

You should be wrong but I think you're right.
[Shield Android TV Android Development] daign:
Tested tonight multiple times on Nexus player. No go. Uninstalled all amazon apps, followed instructions multiple times and tried both versions of the VOD apps.

Bout to sell my nexus player, its useless when it comes to amazon content for some time now. My amazon fire stick runs CIRCLES around it in both emby, kodi as well as able to play amazon prime.

Shame android tv has been such an utter flop.
[Shield Android TV Android Development] will.blaschko:
Yeah, I think Nexus Player is probably a no-go for the moment :(.

Since I don't have the hardware to compare, how is the Fire Stick (which I do have access to) better than the Nexus Player for Emby and Kodi? They should run the same apps (if the x86 issue isn't the problem) since it's the same platform.

I love my nVidia Shield, but it's a whole other price point, I got it deeply discounted over Black Friday, that's the only reason I even considered it.
[Shield Android TV Android Development] will.blaschko:
For the moment it's looking like that. You said the stock apps don't work for you either, right?

As to the Play Store, I'm still hopeful, app is still under review--if it slips in, it's because it's not trying to replace the Amazon app, only launch it. The way I'm reading it, Amazon is more overtly hostile towards Google than the other way around (hence why you can get Amazon apps on Google Play).
[Shield Android TV Android Development] sanitarium09:
I have a feeling Amazon is going to send a cease and desist if it gets on the Play Store. Another developer made an app to cast Prime Video with Chromecast and Amazon promptly demanded it be taken down. I hope it doesn't happen to you but as it is I don't see anything they can do about people sideloading it and using it.
[Shield Android TV Android Development] 3rob3:
Awesome, and thanks for the explanation.
[Shield Android TV Android Development] JonDeutsch:
When you say stock apps, which stock apps do you mean?
[Shield Android TV Android Development] MaluNoPeleke:
I am pretty happy with my Nexus Player but this makes me sad :(
[Shield Android TV Android Development] will.blaschko:
I mean the APKs on APK Mirror, the official apps I haven't changed.
[Shield Android TV Android Development] jaykresge:
I've decided awhile ago to hit Amazon where it hurts. Money. I've been doing it for a few years now (cancelled Prime back when it was $79) and started shopping elsewhere, even if it meant paying slightly more or waiting an extra day or two for delivery. It takes discipline, but it can be done. For 2015 I itemized my purchases from ONE retailer only, but next year I'll do all retailers. This is the email that I just sent Amazon through their support page (if they respond, I'll update).

-------------------------------

I know it's arrogant, and somewhat childish, but that's the point. Right now, Amazon is doing this because they think that they can make more money by locking you into their ecosystem (buy their hardware to use their services). The only way that changes is if they think there's profit to be made in making their services widely available. So, send similar emails to Amazon customer support, en masse. If no one makes noise, they're not going to change.
[Shield Android TV Android Development] JonDeutsch:
My understanding is that the official Amazon video apps won't work on any non-sony Android TV which is why you're developing the work-around, right?
[Shield Android TV Android Development] will.blaschko:
That was my understanding too, I just wanted to verify (one last time) that since I can't test personally :)
[Shield Android TV Android Development] easy_mac:
Pretty strange, ever since I saw this post, I think it was the 1.1 version, I installed it on my Nexus player and things have been going great.
[Shield Android TV Android Development] will.blaschko:
If you guys find an APK (official release from Amazon or a modified one) for the Amazon Instant Video player that works on your Nexus Player, point me in the direction of that APK. I'll see if I can get it to work with the launcher, if it doesn't already :)
[Shield Android TV Android Development] JonDeutsch:
My understanding is that the APK that is used for the Sony built-in Android TV used to work on the Nexus Player until Amazon disabled it. So, in theory, the APK from the Sony TV ATV system may be designed to work on x86 systems!
[Shield Android TV Android Development] jaykresge:
And here's the response from Amazon:
[Shield Android TV Android Development] easy_mac:
The version you posted is working fine with me (2.0.45.1210). No changes needed. I'm using real pacs 5.1 ROM maybe that's why.
[Shield Android TV Android Development] meccs:
Edited Version seems to work
[Shield Android TV Android Development] SUer:
I copied the Launcher app, then copied and unzipped the edited Amazon app from the OP, installed them both in that order and it's installed and working on my Nexus Player in the UK OK.

I get a message telling me Player Update Available and if I hit 'Install' it fails with a parse error. But if I click 'Later' it works fine. The launcher menu is a bit jittery while it populates, but after that it launches the Prime app and plays the video perfectly. The settings boxes etc all work fine, too.

No HD is the only drawback I have, but nothing much we can do about that I guess?

Good work Dev. This is a pretty slick solution and means I don't have to get out my handheld Bluetooth Keyboard & Touchpad every time I want to access my Prime Video account. I was not happy to put my Amazon details into a Kodi rep.

My Nexus Player is also connected to a 3 port USB with Ethernet (connected to 150MB Broadband) and has a 60gb SSD Pop Drive mounted as super fast app storage, too. This makes my Nexus Player a mega cheap home cinema solution upgraded from mostly old PC parts.
[Shield Android TV Android Development] Kovs:
Is your Nexus Player current on the OS (6.0.1)?
[Shield Android TV Android Development] SUer:
Yes mate. Stock unrooted. Have too many issues with custom ROMs on this device so went back to latest stock image from Google. Bootloader is unlocked still though.
[Shield Android TV Android Development] will.blaschko:
Update from Google Play: they will not be willing to host the app since it requires another APK to be present. Also can't bundle the APK, because it gets tagged for intellectual property policy conflicts. Project will continue to live here :)
[Shield Android TV Android Development] hotbbq:
I did the same and I was almost successful. I can browse the movies, but when I try to play anything the movie crashes and dumps me back to Launcher app.
[Shield Android TV Android Development] letsief:
Spectacular work! It's a pity that Amazon makes us resort to such measures. Obviously HD support would be great, but honestly the SD resolution doesn't look terrible right now.

Any chance FF/RW/skipping will work in a later release? I see the on-screen 10-second skip buttons, but they don't do anything.
[Shield Android TV Android Development] cookiehead2:
I tried it last night and it seems to work well with the 2.x version (didn't try 3.x). I agree that while it might not be full resolution, it does look decent and certainly wouldn't detract from a normal TV series.
[Shield Android TV Android Development] JonDeutsch:
I'm confused. Are people now saying that these APKs now do work on the Nexus Player? Did something change from last week?
[Shield Android TV Android Development] Kovs:
+1 for this!
[Shield Android TV Android Development] SUer:
Seems to work on some but not others. At a loss as to why though.

---------- Post added at 08:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:10 PM ----------

Really strange. I had side loaded Amazon Underground and Amazon Music, but uninstalled them before I did the steps I explained. Perhaps that has something to do with it???
[Shield Android TV Android Development] Zacharybinx34:
Works great, just wish it had HD =(
[Shield Android TV Android Development] BenjiHansell:
Ahh too bad. We knew it was a long shot but worth a try. I have works in progress for the featured graphic that you were going to use so let me know if you ever need me to finish it. Unfortunately right now I don't believe there are any other Android TV compatible Play Store alternatives (like F-Droid on mobile), but maybe someone here knows of one.
[Shield Android TV Android Development] easy_mac:
Same here running purenexus 01-05-16 build. Was working ok on realpac lollipop build
[Shield Android TV Android Development] MisterEz:
Great job - thanks for your hard work!
[Shield Android TV Android Development] cookiehead2:
The amazon instant video app won't work (in my experience) on it's own, but the launcher app and apk combo the OP has developed will make it work.
[Shield Android TV Android Development] will.blaschko:
I'll see what I can do about the forward/back, I might have to start modifying the Java, which I don't really want to do...
[Shield Android TV Android Development] MaluNoPeleke:
Philips has announced that they will release an Instant Video app to all of their Android TV devices this quarter.

Maybe that will work on the Nexus Player, too.
[Shield Android TV Android Development] dzendeh:
Thank you very much, this ist working perfectly for me in Germany.
[Shield Android TV Android Development] JonDeutsch:
Any update on this working on the Nexus Player?
[Shield Android TV Android Development] billygoat32:
I've tried to figure out how to skip forward, like through the intro of a show, but can't figure out how. I have this 10 second option to the right of the play/pause but it doesn't do anything. Can someone please help?
[Shield Android TV Android Development] easy_mac:
Not working for now, gotta use a mouse
[Shield Android TV Android Development] billygoat32:
Where can I donate :) outside of that issue I love it. Honestly your app is the reason I was able to buy the shield and consolidate my systems.
[Shield Android TV Android Development] easy_mac:
I'm just another user my friend, I think a few posts back the developer said he would have to mess with the Java to change that http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?p=64700546
[Shield Android TV Android Development] jeetjshah:
Was working for me mid last week on my stock Nexus Player, checked today and I keep getting kicked when trying to watch a video.
[Shield Android TV Android Development] will.blaschko:
Kicked as in the player was crashing? Or kicked as in you were given a "not allowed" dialog?
[Shield Android TV Android Development] will.blaschko:
I'll see if I have time this week to take a look at the underlying code. Like I said above, this might require changing the Java, not just the layouts, which is a whole other level of undertaking. Either way, I'll investigate :)
[Shield Android TV Android Development] easy_mac:
You da real mvp
[Shield Android TV Android Development] xaudiblex:
Just a heads up, if you happen to have a keyboard hooked up with multimedia keys (i.e.-play, pause, fast forward, & rewind), or a Logitech Harmony Smart Control bluetooth compatible remote, the rewind/fast forward keys

WORK

for skipping forward and backwards 10 seconds! I am almost at peace with android TV; just hoping for Watch ESPN, sling TV "Live Channels" integration, and live channels (like on the Fire TV app) for Foodnetwork, HGTV, & Travel Channel.
[Shield Android TV Android Development] jeetjshah:
Sorry shoulda provided more info the first time. When attempting to watch a video, I get an error stating "Error loading video."
[Shield Android TV Android Development] will.blaschko:
Sorry, yes, thank you for mentioning this--Amazon is targeting the keycodes for those keys. I'm just not sure why the actual buttons (ff/rew) aren't working as expected with the d-pad click and that's what I have to look at.
[Shield Android TV Android Development] underworld1234:
Some one just posted on Reddit that Amazon video is working on Shield TV. I am at work and skeptical, but cannot test it out....anyone?
[Shield Android TV Android Development] 3rob3:
As far as I can tell the one mentioned on Reddit is the same v3 APK posted here, which other than skip forward/back works just fine with the remote.
[Shield Android TV Android Development] Lolento:
This looks like the same app posted by OP
[Shield Android TV Android Development] xaudiblex:
Ironically, I think reddit poster is confused on which app he/she has installed. The poster mentions they installed the one from XDA & uninstalled it. If you look at the file on apkmirror, it was last updated on December 5th. I've used that one and had the dreaded crash after trying to play a video. I have a feeling he actually installed the edited Amazon Prime Instant Video app from Will and thought he installed the one from apkmirror. The reddit poster even mentions he/she can't install the amazon underground app (this make sense because amazon didn't sign the edited apk).
[Shield Android TV Android Development] will.blaschko:
See images attached, you'll see my nVidia Shield TV poking out in the corner bottom right :)