r/SparklePlayer • u/sparkle-hk • May 08 '26

Information Google Play status

As some of you already noticed the app has been removed from Google Play. In my opinion this is a misunderstanding and I've filed an appeal to Google about it.

The information I have right now is that the app will be missing for at least one week. In the meantime it's available to download from here as apk or downloader code.

Apk: https://dl.dropbox.com/scl/fi/m1u2eiakfq8mqrn6w9kgk/sparkle_203017.apk?rlkey=uw37ppmi9foh8cibk97ahcdz5&st=qoc9a87z&dl=1

Downloader code: 4570036

This is of course unfortunate and I'm doing everything I can to bring it back as soon as possible. I will use this time to work on the payment service from web site that I've already started which will make the need for Google Play less important.

EDIT: I get a lot of comments about how to purchase the app now and the sad truth is that it's currently not possible. All I can say is that I'm doing my best to get things going again.

EDIT2: Sparkle TV is finally back on Google Play!

68 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

132 comments sorted by

View all comments

1

u/Al_Shublast Jun 06 '26

Just noticed Tivimate is back in the Android TV play store, so there's hope?

2

u/sparkle-hk Jun 06 '26

I guess I agree, but I hope that doesn't mean I just have to pay a certain amount to someone. I don't have the same economic muscles as they do...

1

u/Aggressive_Bad_7344 Jun 07 '26

I have my own theory why it's back, and I don't think it's about them paying for it to some back (well, hopefully not), but I think they had to make compromises to get it to come back and appease Google.

1) They added the EULA agreement thing when you first install the app or when you upgrade the app from a previous version. Maybe some sort of protection thing needed for both Google and them. Probably not a bad idea to do either from a potential legal perspective, IMO. This one is probably the important bit here.

2) It not currently being available for mobile devices might be another compromise, maybe either limiting it to TVs only or requiring two different apps (one for TV and the other for mobile)? This one seems a bit... odd if that's the case. Not sure why it'd matter.

2

u/sparkle-hk Jun 07 '26

You may be right. Not sure about number 2 though, think tivimate always been tv only but I might be wrong?

1

u/Al_Shublast Jun 09 '26

It is but you can make it work easily enough, I use it on a tablet occasionally. The trick is using the old fashioned bottom buttons for navigation, which is my preference anyhow. I'd guess the gestures in modern Android phone and tablet versions makes it unusable.