Roku mobile app

[joedean62]

DOES THIS MEAN THAT ALL THE MOBILE REMOTE APPS ARE NOT GOING TO WORK ANYMORE? (last sentence)

Support for sending ECP commands from within a Roku channel application has been discontinued. Channels may no longer include code in their channel application that is designed to issue any type of ECP command. Static Analysis testing has been updated to check channels for ECP commands. Channels that include ECP commands in their code will automatically be blocked from publishing to the Roku Channel Store.

In addition, ECP commands may not be sent from 3rd-party platforms (for example, mobile applications).

[renojim]

Sending ECP commands from within a Roku app running on a Roku device is not the same as sending an ECP command from an external non-Roku device.  It's not a new limitation.

Where did you find any statement about ECP not being allowed from 3rd party platforms?  That doesn't make any sense.  If not from 3rd party platforms, then what good would ECP be?

[AvsGunnar]

@renojim 

I believe it was from here. https://developer.roku.com/docs/developer-program/dev-tools/external-control-api.md

There is a line that states "In addition, ECP commands may not be sent from 3rd-party platforms (for example, mobile applications)."

There was also a couple of older questions in the Developer forum that didn't really seem to make it any clearer. (at least to me).

[renojim]

Ah, I do vaguely remember that.  I didn't understand it then and I don't understand it now.  I only use a few ECP commands, but they're still working for me.  I guess it's the "3rd-party platforms" part I don't get.  I use cURL and maybe it's different somehow?  They may be trying to kill off the numerous paid Roku remote apps that sometimes upset people that think Roku is charging for them (and are totally unnecessary if you ask me given Roku has an official app that's free).

[joedean62]

That's a good way to get **bleep** apps.  One vendor blocks out all others.  Should Roku be the only one we can discover content from?  

[renojim]

@joedean62, I don't follow you; I feel like I must be missing something.  How does not allowing ECP  from 3rd-party platforms affect discovering content?  I can understand people with Roku remote apps that were making money off of people that didn't know there was a free Roku app being upset, but that's about it.

[joedean62]

This video demos an app I am working on.  I can see Roku's position that any app on your network having control of your TV could be problematic, but they should offer a program for developers that implements security.  They should embrace this.  There is huge revenue potential.

https://veamcast.com/veam?ownerid=cedf76f6ca144855b8e3c7b67b68e3c2&packageid=628f38cb0d7e4e8f8543840...

[renojim]

@joedean62, thanks for sharing.  Looks interesting, but it seems that anytime Roku opens up their devices to external apps they get burned by some douche bag that takes over a Roku device with some kind of scheme to show ads or otherwise make the douche bag money.  I'm sure it's easier for them to just ban such uses than to implement some kind of security.  A better place for this discussion is probably the developer section where I see you've also posted.

[joedean62]

The L word is not allowed on this forum.

https://veamcast.com/veam?ownerid=cedf76f6ca144855b8e3c7b67b68e3c2&packageid=f97b852099a746fc93ca138...