Sideloading Apps onto Sony NSZ-GS7

[RumoredNow]

Sideloaded Apps List

Only free Apps will be attempted here - no sideloading of paid APKs will be tested.

I'll try to update this list from time to time. (Last updated 07-22-2013)

Test Device

Sony NSZ-GS7 Google TV set top box​

Failed for me:

1. Bejeweled Blitz (process does not run)
2. Color Zen (process does not run)
3. Coindozer 6.1 (does not support screen orientation - landscape detected.)
4. Lookout Security & Antivirus 8.15.2 (failed to load/open after install.)
5. Mahjong Solitaire (process does not run)
6. NFL Mobile (doesn't use location off WiFi - this causes issues with video playback)
7. NHL Gamecenter (panics on opening - screen orientation)
8. Opera Browser {full} (insufficient memory error)
9. Opera Mobile Classic (install error)
10. SpeedTest.Net (process runs, but crashes shortly after App boots)
11. Zombie Evil (process does not run)

Confirmed Working:

1. Craig's List for Android {CLapp} (works very well...)
2. FilmOnTV Free Me (seems lame unless you subscribe to channels - I'm not satisfied with this one even though it works)
3. Pai Gow Poker {Free} (a classic casino game and very fun time waster)
4. Pinterest 1.5.5 (a Pinterest veteran w/ over 1500 pins and almost 200 followers tells me it works great. she'll be pinning from Google TV a lot with this App.)
5. Pulse News 3.1.7 (the UI is a bit much on the remote during setup, but afterwards runs fairly smooth.)
6. SPB TV (it's free and streams nice - mostly fluff, but a large selection of channels and connects to Play for add-ons)
7. Sticky Notes Widget (you can't resize the widget - it ends up being 1x1. but at least it is a place to pass notes among the household or leave yourself a reminder where you will see it. all other options work such as notepad color/opacity and font size/color.)
8. TVCatchup (it works when sideloaded, but due to legal constraints you need a UK IP Address...)
9. TVPhoon (works great. similar to TV Redux, but different content.)
10. WeatherBug 2.9.2 (works great! kicks AccuWeather in the ----. lots of refresh rates. puts small notice on screen at refresh. alerts go to notification area.)

07-13-13 - now broken - see below @ 10-15-13 update
I'm now using the Chrome plugin "APK Downloader" to download APKs straight off Google Play.
[Official] APK Downloader – Download APK files from Android Market to PC

07-16-13
Play is updated in my browser so I had to update APK Downloader, reinstall the plugin and reconfigure. If yours stopped working, just update to 1.4.3.

10-15-13
Sorry... After the changes in 4.3, APK Downloader was broken and I got lazy about following up. Here's the new deal:
APK Downloader [Latest] Download Directly | Chrome Extension v2 (Evozi Official)

 

[RumoredNow]

Reserved for Future Post (How To/Links/etc.)

 

[RumoredNow]

I thought I'd break this out separate from the sticky thread (http://forums.androidcentral.com/google-tv/109089-google-tv-working-apps.html) where the original post appeared.

This will make it easier to dialog and for readers to see when there are updates to the thread.

I'll post new entries and update the original for ease of use.

 

[Chris Gerhard]

I have four different Google TV boxes, the Sony NSZ-GS7, Sony NSZ-GT1, VIzio Co-Star and Logitech Revue. I just retired the Logitech Revue to the closet after using it almost daily for 2 years because I only have three HD displays and the other models are either better or better supported but I use the three I have connected. I do not have any sideloaded apps, only apps included with the devices or from Google Play Store or the Amazon App Store.

I can't hack my way out of a wet paper sack but I am among the biggest Google TV fans anywhere and better able to make the devices meet my needs than most anyone. Amazon had the $13 PrinterShare app for free the other day so I installed it. I had been using the free version of PrinterShare from the Play Store but it only prints to Google Cloud printers, this paid version prints to network printers and I assume USB connected printers. Google Cloud printing required I have a PC running Chrome on my network, not optimal but it worked well enough.

If any apps requiring sideloading are of interest to me, I can test on my models. I am somewhat hopeful that the update to Jelly Bean will negate sideloading any apps that work but aren't available for direct install, meaning those apps will become available on Google Play for Google TV. I guess that won't be known until we get the update.

It is good to see someone with the technical understanding of Android and sideloading handling a thread on the topic here.

 

[RumoredNow]

Thanks Chris,

I just retired a Roku 2 XS in favor of the Sony box. Google TV is a huge advancement over the Roku, but I'm surprised how few Apps are marked as compatible. I too hope for an update to remedy that.

 

[RumoredNow]

Google Play updated in my browser so I had to update the APK Downloader plugin.

Tried Zombie Evil and it failed...

Tried Sticky Notes Widget and it is working except the widget resize.

 

[RumoredNow]

TVCatchup works.

But you have to be inside the UK due to IP Address checks that are built in.

Any UK citizens that can test this one further?

 

[RumoredNow]

The SpeedTest.Net App isn't working...

How cool would it have been to tell friends how fast your TV can go? LOL. Well there is always the full site via browser...

Hmmm... Browser... I really like Opera on my mobile. Maybe I'll try that next?

 

[RumoredNow]

So Opera Browser (full) and Opera Mobile both fail to start... I wonder if Chrome is the only browser allowed???

FilmOn TV works, but couldn't really find a reason to keep it. Streams poorly, wants you to pay for content (subscriptions) and plays in a small window inside the App Frame)

SPB TV works. Lots of fluff, but free and a nicer interface that FilmOn. Plays full screen 4:3.

 

[Chris Gerhard]

So Opera Browser (full) and Opera Mobile both fail to start... I wonder if Chrome is the only browser allowed???

FilmOn TV works, but couldn't really find a reason to keep it. Streams poorly, wants you to pay for content (subscriptions) and plays in a small window inside the App Frame)

SPB TV works. Lots of fluff, but free and a nicer interface that FilmOn. Plays full screen 4:3.

There are other browsers that will work, I recall Maxthon but can't recall the others I have seen mentioned since none of them are reputed to work well enough on Google TV to mess with based on what I have read. Google TV Forums will have more information. There is a version of FilmOn in the Google Play store that will work with Google TV and play fullscreen but after installing it and briefly testing it, I would say it isn't worth bothering with.

 

[RumoredNow]

I forgot about TVPhoon... The first App I sideloaded. Works great. Like TVRedux, but different content. I've used the heck out of this one.

Craig's List for Android (CLapp). Loads and works great. I just did multiple searches and everything is groovy with this.

 

[RumoredNow]

Sorry - I got complacent after the 4.3 updates broke the APK Downloader extension for Chrome and just ran the status quo. I'm back into sideloading.

Here's the new deal: APK Downloader [Latest] Download Directly | Chrome Extension v2 (Evozi Official)

Tried and Succeeded w/ NFL Mobile. Highlights, Scores, etc. Get push notifications for your (1 only) favorite team. Cancel this one working properly if you want to watch the highlight vidz - for some reason not reading location causes it to deny access to said vidz.

Tried and Failed: NHL Gamecenter - I'll look around for an NHL App that does work.

 

[jefft962]

Check this out..."show-box.me" ! Got it sideloaded on my NSZ-GS8...way better than Netflix and it's free! I question the legality, but nonetheless awesome!

 

[SatyaNagender Guthula]

Is Any one trying to sideload old youtube app on Google TV. Does it work, I have uninstalled the update forced on me, but the old app only loaded the video that youtube is not supported in the device. :'(