Testers Wanted: Retropie Forum App

[lilbud]

Okay, let me just reply to every one in one big post.

@herb_fargus & @EctoOne: Yes, I did use the nodebb-webview as a template to build this app.

@Hex Yes, I would like some help with this...if you wouldn't mind. If possible, maybe we could work together on this seeing as I have absolutely no experience making Android Apps of any kind. Also, how did you make that app?

As a few of you could imagine, trying to make an Android app with no Android device to test on is difficult to say the least.

[herb_fargus]

@lilbud I like the idea and I would use it provided there are no ads and doesn't end up like the rubbish that is tapatalk.

I trust @Hex and his expertise and I'm happy to test any developments.

[Hex]

@lilbud One thing I would like to state up front, It will not be called lil-hex.

@herb_fargus Do you have any info about what s/w is used by RetroPie forums?

[herb_fargus]

@hex nodebb and there may be a couple plugins for the composer and a few tweaks for links to docs and what not but mostly stock

[Hex]

@lilbud I wrote it for PhPBB

[Hex]

@lilbud @herb_fargus Looking at the mobile website, is there any deficiency an Android application will fulfil??

[lilbud]

@hex Probably native push notifications, you can't get that with the mobile site.

[Hex]

@lilbud Also regarding the application not shown in drawer, you have to declare which activity do you want to launch in the Manifest by adding the following code to the activity tag

 <intent-filter>
        <action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN"/>
        <category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER"/>
</intent-filter>

[lilbud]

@hex This is my reaction to most of what you just said:

[Hex]

In you source code for the application there will be a file called AndroidManifest.xml

AndroidStudioProjects/Project/app/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml

Open this file and find this and add the missing part:

        <activity
            android:name=".MainActivity"
            android:theme="@style/AppTheme">
            <intent-filter>
                <action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN"/>

                <category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER"/>
            </intent-filter>
        </activity>

Then recompile and rebuild your apk. That should work

[cyperghost]

@hex said in Testers Wanted: Retropie Forum App:

@lilbud One thing I would like to state up front, It will not be called lil-hex.

magic number: I don't want DEFACE anymore ;)

@lilbud @Hex
BTT... I appreciate a mobile app and I'm ready to test. If there is need for debugging you can enable logs in the apps and I can send them here for feedback. My newest device just got Android 5.1 (API lvl 22) and I have some with KitKat (API lvl 19)

Is there a way to keep the APK as small as possible? 2,5MB is much for a first attempt ;)

@lilbud said in Testers Wanted: Retropie Forum App:

@hex This is my reaction to most of what you just said:

;) ...

[EctoOne]

@cyperghost said in Testers Wanted: Retropie Forum App:
My newest device just got Android 5.1 (API lvl 22) and I have some with KitKat (API lvl 19)

Just curious, how new is new when it just got 5.1? My 5 year old tablet is running with 7.12

Is there a way to keep the APK as small as possible? 2,5MB is much for a first attempt ;)

Now that you mentioned it, it seems kinda big for a webview app. Can't wait to see what it can do.

[cyperghost]

@EctoOne I've got a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (PT3310). It's 4 or 5 years old and that's my newest Android device. So far it runs stable with Lollipop .... better wrote latest ;)

Now that you mentioned it, it seems kinda big for a webview app. Can't wait to see what it can do.

Yes... that keeps space for some improvements.

[lilbud]

In a few days I'll be getting a new phone, It should run Android 7.1.1 and possibly Android 8

[lilbud]

@cyperghost said

Is there a way to keep the APK as small as possible? 2,5MB is much for a first attempt

I'm choosing to see my hobbled together version that doesn't even work right as a proof of concept

[cyperghost]

@lilbud Bluestacks and Android-x86 are Android emulators for PCs so you can maybe tryout. I have to agree that I never tested even one!

[EctoOne]

If you're using Android Studio, it has also a build in Emulator. Can't say how well it performs tho. It barely loaded up on my Laptop.

[lilbud]

@ectoone @cyperghost The App works in an emulator, but the Android Studio emulator doesn't work on AMD machines.

[lilbud]

Here is an updated .apk file with the changes @Hex suggested

https://github.com/lilbud/RetroPie-App

[herb_fargus]

@lilbud well now it shows up in the app drawer. But immediately crashes upon opening.