The idea
After installing my home media center (Odroid U3 + Android + XBMC) I had the need of an application that would take care of two things:
- Makes sure that XBMC always starts when I booted Android (autostart mode)
- Makes sure that XBMC always stays in the foreground, no matter what! (persistent mode)
I found a dozen of apps that are able to make XBMC autostart, but unfortunately I did not find any app that would make XMBC stay always on top and that would restart XBMC after an unexpected crash. “Autostart and StaY!” is my solution to my above desires! 🙂
The App
“Autostart and StaY!” is indeed a very simple app with the following options to the user:
- Make an app start at system start (autostart mode)
- Make an app always stay in the foreground (persistent mode)
- Ensure an app is always running; foreground or background (stay mode)
- Does NOT need root privileges!
The following modes are supported (see Figures 1,2):
To support the above functionalities the app offers the following modes:
- Autostart:If this mode is selected the app automatically starts at a desired action, after the given delay (in seconds)
- Stay:If this mode is selected the app will always stay in the background or foreground, if the service has been turned on
- Persist:If this mode is selected the will always stay in the foreground, if the service has been turned on. Of course, only one app may be in this mode.
(Note that you can make the service run at system start too. See Figure 3)
In order to force the above options, “Autostart and StaY!” uses a service (see Figure 1). This service is polling the Androids current Task list, to determine whether an app is running or not and whether an app is on the foreground or not. The user has the option to start this service at system start or not. Further, the user is also able to switch on and off the service at any time and to configure its polling interval (See Figure 3).
Use Cases
Despite the obvious use, i.e. autostarting apps, here are also some known use-case examples:
- Odroid U3 (mini-pc) + Android + XBMC
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- Autostart + Persist
- Dedicated Spotify Connect Server
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- Autostart + Persist
- Android FTP Server
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- Autostart using BroacastReceiver Intents (On Wifi connected/disconnected)
How to use
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1. Find the desired App – “Available Apps” Tab
Start by searching for the App you want to control, by going to the “Available Apps” Tab:
Note that you can use the “Advanced Scan” method for more search-options. For low-memory devices this is advised! That is, search directly for the App and avoid using Thumbnails.
Leaving the search field empty will result into displaying all available apps in the phone/tablet. The “Show Thumbnails” checkbox is for showing (more memory) or hiding (less-memory) the displayed-apps thumbnails.
2. Add the desired Options
In order to add your desired option you can either:
- Expand the list to see the basic three options (Autostart, Stay, Persist) OR
- Click directly on the row of the corresponding App to show the “More Options” window (shown below)
3. “AndSY Apps” Tab – Service Toggle
In the “AndSY Apps” Tab you will quickly find all the apps for which you have selected some options.
Important Notice
- The Stay/Persist options need the Service to work! Please enable the Service for these options. Don’t forget also to enable the autostart of the Service. This options is found in the App-Settings (See figure below).
- The Autostart option does not need the Service
4. “Remote Control” Tab
In case you are using a mini-pc that runs Android, and you don’t have any mouse or keyboard connected to it – as in my case -, you will these feature very useful. This is because this feature will enable you to control Autostart and StaY! (AndSY) remotely from your phone or tablet using again the AndSY app. In order to achieve that, don’t forget to enable the remote control in the App-Settings.
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Download
This is a free app and you can download it from Google Play. Leave your comments here and please let me know of any bugs, so I can fix them! Of course, I would be more than happy to hear any suggestions for future work! Thank you and enjoy! 🙂
[expand title=”Changelog” swaptitle=” “]under construction[/expand]
