Android TV/button navigation needs a rethink/redesign

[opusforlife2]

Checklist

• I made sure that there are no existing issues - open or closed - which I could contribute my information to.
• I have read the FAQ and my problem isn't listed.
• I'm aware that this is a request for NewPipe itself and that requests for adding a new service need to be made at NewPipeExtractor.
• I have taken the time to fill in all the required details. I understand that the feature request will be dismissed otherwise.
• This issue contains only one feature request.
• I have read and understood the contribution guidelines.

Feature description

Newpipe should be completely navigable and accessible using Android TV or similar devices. There should be no touchscreen-exclusive actions.

Why do you want this feature?

Plenty of issues opened about TV navigation being problematic. I'm closing them all in favour of a single, easier-to-track issue. This will have to be done during/post rewrite anyway.

Additional information

No response

[dasassaa]

Please, also add #11194

[opusforlife2]

🤦 That tab was the first one I opened and somehow forgot to deal with it.

[kubo6472]

From user's perspective, I've been using yuliskov/SmartTube on my Android TV (CCWGTV) and I tried it for fun on a tablet, and can see that it's basically unusable with touch controls. But might be a good inspiration for the TV controller navigation.

[logos88]

It wouldn't be more simple to use smarttube as a TV player through DIAL protocol like iBicha proposes here?:
#10791 (comment)

This way NewPipe efforts can go to continue improving the app on phone and integrating it with other apps from other platforms

[jeaye]

What an amazing project! I just installed NewPipe last night on LineageOS on an rpi5, hoping to be able to use a PS5 controller to browse YouTube. To be honest, I was surprised how well it works, but there are some buttons/features I can't access with just the directional inputs. Namely, I noticed:

• The search icon in the top right
• The full screen button in the video player

For both of these, I can use the controller's touch pad to simulate mouse input, but I'd really love if this use case were considered for your rewrite. Thanks so much for all the hard work. 🙇