Android app to take commands via wifi?

tonyyeb · 23 May 2014 at 10:23

Hi all

Before I try to write an app to do this does anyone know of an existing app that will either take commands from a remote machine or automatically/periodically download them via xml or similar and then perform them?

An example would be to get the device to launch the movie player and play a video (possible with parameters such as loop 10 times but that isn't important right now).

All help appreciated

Pho · 23 May 2014 at 19:52

I'd look at using SSH (some Android SSH servers require root, some don't). It looks like you can start applications over SSH too. Would likely make scripting much easier.

tonyyeb · 23 May 2014 at 20:31

That was one of the first things I tired but I can't get ADB over wifi working with this particular Android device I'm using

Pho · 23 May 2014 at 21:24

You don't need ADB for SSH do you? By that I mean, once you're connected to SSH the phone doesn't care if you're wireless or USB connected. ADB doesn't come into play.

tonyyeb · 23 May 2014 at 21:50

Ah ok, I saw the commands being used and assumed it was ADB. Just playing with SSH now but looks like a I need root privilege to launch apps / intents.

Pho · 24 May 2014 at 13:02

Ah damn. Are you willing to root your device? Usually it's pretty simple to do and unleashes your phone quite a lot.

For example, I'm currently doing some Android development and being able to SSH into the /data/data partition to view private app files/settings has made life a lot easier. Usually that folder is locked away.

tonyyeb · 24 May 2014 at 13:26

It's ok I've managed to sort it. Instead of launching direct through SSH I called ADB over SSH

Now I'm busy scripting file copying (video files), then launching them in the movie player... Exactly what I wanted!

Thanks a lot Pho, really appreciate al your help

Pho · 27 May 2014 at 10:13

Cool

. Handy to know should I ever need to do the same.