Enthusiast II

Android Controllers and Setup, past the CR100 brick

Forum|Forum|8 years ago
February 13, 2018
112 replies
8635 views

As many of us are being thrown off of our CR100's, and forced onto an external third party device, please use this thread to say what device you will use or have tried, and advise what settings and configurations make it work.

Please keep it on topic, use the "Save the CR100" thread to put the world to rights on the bricking of our functioning devices.

Life must go on, The CR100 will die, lets try to help each other find our best solution.

To start,

I have just purchased a Lenovo Tab 7 Essential, 7" screen so similar overall size to the controller, ordered through Tesco Direct, very fast service available in 3 hours from ordering.

Tesco added a discount so got it for £62, although They advertised it as the Tab 4 7" which is actually a different unit with slightly higher res and should retail at £99 rather than £69 anyway its fine at the right price. both run Android 7.0

So set it up with no security as I don't want a pin entry each time I pick it up.

Installed Sonos from Google play and allowed Sonos net connections and connected straight to my system.

Then set the sonos options to "Show lock screen controls" and "Show Volume on Home screen"

Set the Android screen saver to Clock (its a bit too small compared to the Controller) but can be shown when docked (charging), so leave the unit on and it blacks out to a clock, can be digital or analogue.

One downside of this particular device is the micro usb charging port is not central, so Belkin docks wont work, so the cradle/dock could be an issue!? Any ideas?

Leave the Sonos app running and it comes out of the lock screen into Sonos.

Without a proper cradle its not so easy to directly compare, sometime touching the display unlocks, othertimes I need to press the side power button.

If you touch the button it goes to the home screen, which needs a swipe to unlock, a nice touch, if sonos is playing and running, then the home screen wallpaper is the artwork.

On the home screen are quick access play,stop and skip but no volume, there is a tiny expander arrow that opens up a menu that has a button to change volume, but thats way too complex, easier to double tap the quick access area and it opens the sonos app to show you the zone with volume control, art, queue etc.

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chicks

For those paranoid about Alexa "listening in" all the time, there's always the Voice Remote for Echo devices. It requires pushing the Mic button to listen. It can be paired with any Echo device, for the hard buttons to work, but not with Sonos One. The voice control will work with Sonos, though. A nice solution for just $30.

https://www.amazon.com/Alexa-Voice-Remote-Amazon-Echo/dp/B01E9AHU8Q/ref=sr_1_1

ratty

For those paranoid about Alexa "listening in" all the time, there's always the Voice Remote for Echo devices. It requires pushing the Mic button to listen. It can be paired with any Echo device, for the hard buttons to work, but not with Sonos One. The voice control will work with Sonos, though. A nice solution for just $30.

https://www.amazon.com/Alexa-Voice-Remote-Amazon-Echo/dp/B01E9AHU8Q/ref=sr_1_1

Now, if we could only have Dot default to controlling a nominated Sonos player (volume, play/pause, etc) that would make this remote really useful.

A

Alan_93

Enthusiast I

Alexa can't be used for your own selections from your NAS.
Why are you posting this here, it's not relevant? This is how to set up alternatives that are something like the CR100 for people who want something NOW.

So i guess you missed the part about the iPort, then... :8

Yes - really helpful telling us about something else that doesn't work with NAS............:8

A

Alan_93

Enthusiast I

As many of us are being thrown off of our CR100's, and forced onto an external third party device, please use this thread to say what device you will use or have tried, and advise what settings and configurations make it work.

Please keep it on topic, use the "Save the CR100" thread to put the world to rights on the bricking of our functioning devices.

Life must go on, The CR100 will die, lets try to help each other find our best solution.

To start,

I have just purchased a Lenovo Tab 7 Essential, 7" screen so similar overall size to the controller, ordered through Tesco Direct, very fast service available in 3 hours from ordering.

Tesco added a discount so got it for £62, although They advertised it as the Tab 4 7" which is actually a different unit with slightly higher res and should retail at £99 rather than £69 anyway its fine at the right price. both run Android 7.0

So set it up with no security as I don't want a pin entry each time I pick it up.

Installed Sonos from Google play and allowed Sonos net connections and connected straight to my system.

Then set the sonos options to "Show lock screen controls" and "Show Volume on Home screen"

Set the Android screen saver to Clock (its a bit too small compared to the Controller) but can be shown when docked (charging), so leave the unit on and it blacks out to a clock, can be digital or analogue.

One downside of this particular device is the micro usb charging port is not central, so Belkin docks wont work, so the cradle/dock could be an issue!? Any ideas?

Leave the Sonos app running and it comes out of the lock screen into Sonos.

Without a proper cradle its not so easy to directly compare, sometime touching the display unlocks, othertimes I need to press the side power button.

If you touch the button it goes to the home screen, which needs a swipe to unlock, a nice touch, if sonos is playing and running, then the home screen wallpaper is the artwork.

On the home screen are quick access play,stop and skip but no volume, there is a tiny expander arrow that opens up a menu that has a button to change volume, but thats way too complex, easier to double tap the quick access area and it opens the sonos app to show you the zone with volume control, art, queue etc.

Bit the bullet and did the exact same as this - sorted but not happy.:8

K

Kenneth_14

Renowned Enthusiast I

As many of us are being thrown off of our CR100's, and forced onto an external third party device, please use this thread to say what device you will use or have tried, and advise what settings and configurations make it work.

Please keep it on topic, use the "Save the CR100" thread to put the world to rights on the bricking of our functioning devices.

Life must go on, The CR100 will die, lets try to help each other find our best solution.

To start,

I have just purchased a Lenovo Tab 7 Essential, 7" screen so similar overall size to the controller, ordered through Tesco Direct, very fast service available in 3 hours from ordering.

Tesco added a discount so got it for £62, although They advertised it as the Tab 4 7" which is actually a different unit with slightly higher res and should retail at £99 rather than £69 anyway its fine at the right price. both run Android 7.0

So set it up with no security as I don't want a pin entry each time I pick it up.

Installed Sonos from Google play and allowed Sonos net connections and connected straight to my system.

Then set the sonos options to "Show lock screen controls" and "Show Volume on Home screen"

Set the Android screen saver to Clock (its a bit too small compared to the Controller) but can be shown when docked (charging), so leave the unit on and it blacks out to a clock, can be digital or analogue.

One downside of this particular device is the micro usb charging port is not central, so Belkin docks wont work, so the cradle/dock could be an issue!? Any ideas?

Leave the Sonos app running and it comes out of the lock screen into Sonos.

Without a proper cradle its not so easy to directly compare, sometime touching the display unlocks, othertimes I need to press the side power button.

If you touch the button it goes to the home screen, which needs a swipe to unlock, a nice touch, if sonos is playing and running, then the home screen wallpaper is the artwork.

On the home screen are quick access play,stop and skip but no volume, there is a tiny expander arrow that opens up a menu that has a button to change volume, but thats way too complex, easier to double tap the quick access area and it opens the sonos app to show you the zone with volume control, art, queue etc.

Bit the bullet and did the exact same as this - sorted but not happy.:8

Can either of you advise whether the device you have bought is the Lenovo Tab3 7 Essential - which according to various retailers runs on "Lollipop"? I can find no such thing as a Tab4 7" - the Tab4 seems to start at 8". Thanks

PhilSkillAuthor

Enthusiast II

Lenovo Tab 7 Essential, on offer at Argos.

http://www.argos.co.uk/product/8242523?cmpid=GS001}&_$ja=tsid:59158|acid:532-198-3455|cid:200223050|agid:12488287490|tid:aud-144400486596:pla-437799066444|crid:66128552450|nw:g|rnd:17859663352415267395|dvc:t|adp:1o3|mt:|loc:9046135&gclid=Cj0KCQjwy9LVBRDOARIsAGqoVns_pj4ZIT6YpY-2xaTmtSlrZfqWtBK0Zvj2eCx43spR9RisCwDa6OwaAqLOEALw_wcB

K

Kenneth_14

Renowned Enthusiast I

Lenovo Tab 7 Essential, on offer at Argos.

http://www.argos.co.uk/product/8242523?cmpid=GS001}&_$ja=tsid:59158|acid:532-198-3455|cid:200223050|agid:12488287490|tid:aud-144400486596:pla-437799066444|crid:66128552450|nw:g|rnd:17859663352415267395|dvc:t|adp:1o3|mt:|loc:9046135&gclid=Cj0KCQjwy9LVBRDOARIsAGqoVns_pj4ZIT6YpY-2xaTmtSlrZfqWtBK0Zvj2eCx43spR9RisCwDa6OwaAqLOEALw_wcB

Thanks very much. Picked one up today, will be interesting to compare to the Amazon Fire 7's i've also used as replacements.

K

Kenneth_14

Renowned Enthusiast I

So, played with the Lenovo a bit last night.
First impressions are that "pinning" the app is pretty useless because it tells you on the screen how to turn it off. My attempts at making it require a password / PIN code if you DO turn it off have resulted in it asking for the PIN code every time youwake it up. What I'm trying to do is have it so no unlock code is required to use the tablet, but that it is "locked" to the Sonos app - with a code being required only if you want to exit that app.

The reason is that I want to leave this lying around and don't want the kids using it for anything other than Sonos. Maybe if I set up a user profile that only contains the Sonos app? Anyone know if that would work - I mean can you delete everything else?

Anyone who can suggest a solution?

In the meantime, off to look into a case for the back of it, so that I can hide a wireless charging receiver between it and the device. My plan is to get round the docking station issue by using a Qi charging receiver that plugs into the mini usb and is hidden by the case, so I can just leave it sitting on the charging pad. Anyone with experience of this?

Thanks

jgatie

So, played with the Lenovo a bit last night.
First impressions are that "pinning" the app is pretty useless because it tells you on the screen how to turn it off. My attempts at making it require a password / PIN code if you DO turn it off have resulted in it asking for the PIN code every time youwake it up. What I'm trying to do is have it so no unlock code is required to use the tablet, but that it is "locked" to the Sonos app - with a code being required only if you want to exit that app.

The reason is that I want to leave this lying around and don't want the kids using it for anything other than Sonos. Maybe if I set up a user profile that only contains the Sonos app? Anyone know if that would work - I mean can you delete everything else?

Anyone who can suggest a solution?

In the meantime, off to look into a case for the back of it, so that I can hide a wireless charging receiver between it and the device. My plan is to get round the docking station issue by using a Qi charging receiver that plugs into the mini usb and is hidden by the case, so I can just leave it sitting on the charging pad. Anyone with experience of this?

Thanks

If you intend to leave the tablet in a charger, there is an option that will allow the pinned screen to stay on with no need to unlock as long as the tablet in on the charger. To activate, you need to enable Developers Options:

https://www.greenbot.com/article/2457986/android/how-to-enable-developer-options-on-your-android-phone-or-tablet.html

Then you need to go into the Developers Options menu and select the option to Stay Awake while charging.

K

Kenneth_14

Renowned Enthusiast I

So, played with the Lenovo a bit last night.
First impressions are that "pinning" the app is pretty useless because it tells you on the screen how to turn it off. My attempts at making it require a password / PIN code if you DO turn it off have resulted in it asking for the PIN code every time youwake it up. What I'm trying to do is have it so no unlock code is required to use the tablet, but that it is "locked" to the Sonos app - with a code being required only if you want to exit that app.

The reason is that I want to leave this lying around and don't want the kids using it for anything other than Sonos. Maybe if I set up a user profile that only contains the Sonos app? Anyone know if that would work - I mean can you delete everything else?

Anyone who can suggest a solution?

In the meantime, off to look into a case for the back of it, so that I can hide a wireless charging receiver between it and the device. My plan is to get round the docking station issue by using a Qi charging receiver that plugs into the mini usb and is hidden by the case, so I can just leave it sitting on the charging pad. Anyone with experience of this?

Thanks

If you intend to leave the tablet in a charger, there is an option that will allow the pinned screen to stay on with no need to unlock as long as the tablet in on the charger. To activate, you need to enable Developers Options:

https://www.greenbot.com/article/2457986/android/how-to-enable-developer-options-on-your-android-phone-or-tablet.html

Then you need to go into the Developers Options menu and select the option to Stay Awake while charging.

Thanks.
I've already done as you suggest on the Kindle Fires that I purchased, but haven't tried it on the Lenovo. Issue I have is that one member of the family doesn't like the fact that the device screen is on all the time 🙂. Keeps her awake apparently.

Feedback on the other thread dealing with these issues suggests that using a "Kiosk" app might offer the full flexibility that I want on the Lenovo at least. Whilst the same app can run on the Kindle, a read of the Developer's website saysquite a few of the key features will not work on the Kindle.

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