ok, we all don't like the new android tv ad ridden launcher and know delaying the update can only do so much until it's forced upon us.
i don't know who said this but someone suggested changing the package name to get android to think it's a different app so it will install and we can enjoy Play Next without seeing an ad for Disney+.
so i started my journey of trying to do this myself and sharing the info with others so they can also enjoy the spoils of war (didn't go as intended but at least i have info that i can share so someone else can continue my work).
i first downloaded the last version of the launcher that doesn't have ad's (2.0.10-307630529-f) and tried opening it in 7z to see if i could change the manifest xml file that way. no dice, it's in a proprietary format that your average text editor can't work with.
so i googled a manifest editor and came across this github repository: https://github.com/WindySha/ManifestEditor
perfect! i can... oh no its in Chinese...
after some translation i was able to figure out what parameters was what. the first parameter (-pkg) was exactly was i was looking for! it takes in a valid manifest xml file (i just used the one i extracted from the launcher) and changes the package name in the manifest file to what i have supplied.
and it worked, i put the manifest xml into a copy of the original and tried installing it on a android tv image you can use via android studio aaaaaand...
signature not valid.
to be honest i was kinda expecting this so i looked at the rest of the editor to see if it has a signing feature and it does! so i go and us the -s parameter which takes the signed apk and applies it to the modified unsigned apk and got a error saying i needed jarsigner, ok i'll download a copy and put it into the same folder as my editor.
i found the signer (https://github.com/Jamling/jarsigner) and found out that i needed to compile it.
thats when i decided to share where i am at so someone else can take a crack at it cause it's one of those things that i just don't have the energy to continue and have to go though more potential road blocks (i have enough of that in my real life, i don't need anymore).
if anyone wishes to take this on then go ahead, i'm gonna go and waste away in bed until i am back to normal.
As an European I wanted to share my list of certified Android TV devices with both Netflix and Amazon Prime (4K) that can be found on Amazon (UK, DE, FR, IT, ES, etc).
Most are around €70 / €80 and offer better specs than a Mi Box S. Links go to a website that lists most European Amazon websites for a same product. (The links are not affiliates BTW).
All offer 2GB of RAM, 8GB of Storage, Android TV 10, Netflix and Prime Video certifications.
Based on Amlogic S905X3
Based on Amlogic S905X2
Based on Amlogic S905Y2 (Dongle)
This is only the devices I found from Amazon. Of course there are other devices from other websites that are also certified (ATV, Netflix, Prime).
EDIT:
I'm going to also add other better options in Europe, available in other stores than Amazon:
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