[App Launcher Updates] FireTV launchers for Now TV and Discovery+

[PRProd]

Imported issue from https://community.home-assistant.io

FilippoGhisio

This card is amazing, really great work!

I have just an issue with some applications in the App Launcher section. I have an Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite, and my problem is that some applications (Now TV and Discorvery+ in particular) does not lunch through the App Launcher, while others that I have tried (DAZN, Youtube, and so on) work well, even if they are not on my original physical remote.

I’ve also tried to change the model of my Firestick in the configuration, even if I knew I had selected the correct model, but nothing changes. Any help?

[PRProd]

Hello FilippoGhisio! Thanks for joining me over here instead!

Since Firemote supports around 300 launchers across 8 different platforms, it can be a difficult task to keep up with the changes that individual app makers push out. Sometimes their changes cause working Firemote launchers to stop working, so I'm always grateful for the folks who report these kinds of things to me!

Let's take a look at your questions:

Now TV

This app was added back in March of 2023 from a request in issue #49. At that time, the information that was provided to me resulted in a very Fire TV specific app launcher command. I wasn't able to download this app in my region, so I had to go by what I was told.

Today, I'm still not able to download this app from the Amazon Fire TV app store in my region. However, I found an apk file that I was able to download and successfully use on my own Fire TV Stick Lite - 1st Gen (2020), and that version does require a different command to launch NOW.

Before I continue with this one, I need to know two things from you:

1. Did you download your NOW app from the official Amazon Fire TV app store?
2. If so or even if not, please follow the instructions listed here and post the results back here for me to take a look.

Discovery+

This app was added back in May of 2023 from a request in issue #111. This app is available in my region, so I can verify a few things easier.

Currently, I can affirm that the Discovery+ app launcher button DOES work on both my Fire TV, and my own Fire TV Stick Lite - 1st Gen (2020), so something must be different between your environment and mine.

Just like the previous app, Discovery+ has a specific app launcher command that only works for Amazon Fire TV devices, and a different command that works for other Android TV based devices. You stated that you have a Fire TV Stick Lite - 1st Gen (2020), so if that's true there must be something else that's different.

Occasionally, I have seen different apps for the same thing that exist because an app is tailored to a specific geographic region. Just because the "US" version works properly for me, doesn't mean that there isn't a version specific to the region where you live.

No matter the reason for the problem here, I'm going to need the same information from you that I asked previously:

1. Did you download your Discovery+ app from the official Amazon Fire TV app store?
2. If so or even if not, please follow the instructions listed here and post the results back here for me to take a look.

Thanks for letting me know about this issue you are having! I hope to hear back from you soon!

-Doug