No widget menu available. X5 II Android TV box

[AC Question]

Hi,

I just bought a X5 II Android TV box, the main reason for me was to use it as a "info board" showing a bunch of widgets on the different homescreens.
But when I got into the app menu, the usual tab where you can see available widgets there was none to be found (?)

I tried to use different launchers to see if they would make it possible to access widgets, but that hasn't worked either.
So I assume the reason for me not being able to use widgets is laying deeper.

Would be thankful for any suggestion how I could get around this issue and be able to use widgets on this box.
I would be happy to have a clean Android installation as well if someone knows how to achieve that.




Thanks,
Bundi

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! What version of Android is it running? On most recent versions, you access the widgets by long-pressing an empty part of the homescreen, then choose Add Widget.

 

[Bundi71]

Thanks for your reply and suggestion.
The box is running Jelly Bean now. I have tried your suggestion previously and do a long-press, but it doesn't bring up any option to add widgets.

The pre-installed customization didn't for instance allow long-press on the app icons to bring them to the home-screen either, but with the Apex and Go launcher that is working.

But in neither of these launchers I have the possibility to add any widgets, hence my suspicion that this lack of possibility to add widgets is laying pretty deep in the system.....

Best regards,
Bundi

 

[B. Diddy]

It's a basic function of Android, so it's odd that you wouldn't be able to do it. How do you manipulate things on the screen? Is there a mouse? Can you pair a bluetooth mouse or touchpad?

 

[Bundi71]

It comes with a IR-remote which is not much of use. I have a normal wireless keyboard with trackball connected now which works fine.
It is also possible to use a bluetooth keyboard / mouse with it.

 

[B. Diddy]

Does the trackball have one or two buttons? If it has two, try a right click on an empty part of the homescreen.

 

[Bundi71]

Yes it does, I have tried that. It equals the "back" button in function when you click it. So no luck there.
I´m trying to add a screenshot from one of the manufacturers of this box (Tomato), here you can see that the usual widget menu is missing.


Thanks!

 

[Bundi71]

Solved it!

I thought I had tried all possible combinations, but after a long press with the left mouse key on the home screen a menu came up for the Apex launcher, and there I finally had the widget menu.

Thanks for getting me on the right track (I'm still puzzled why the original customization has made it so hidden though.....)

Now all I need is an app to simulate sweeps so that it can cycle through all the home screens with widgets.

Thanks,
Bundi