Trying to get Roon to run inside Chrome on Linux

As a Linux user something that’s missing for me is the ability to control Roon from my desktop PC. It’s become an irritant because I’ve got to reach for my iPhone or iPad to change what I’m listening to, pause music to take call etc. So after a little searching I see Google has released ARC (App Runtime for Chrome (Beta)) which is supposed to enable Android apps to run inside the Chrome browser.

I’ve installed ARC Welder inside Chrome and according to instructions opened ARC Welder, attached the Roon APK…only now ARC Welder has an endlessly spinning circle rather than offering options. or Launch App to test Roon.

Anyone else tried this, any tips?

1 Like

Not sure whether or not this is of any use in providing clues - but trying same using ARChon and attempting to install Roon yields the following:

Failed to load extension from: ~/ChromeOS/com.roon.mobile.android There is no "message" element for key extName.

and shows the following code snippet:

{ "app": { "background": { "page": "app_main.html" } }, "arc_metadata": { "apkList": [ "custom-android-release-1400197.apk" ], "enableExternalDirectory": false, "formFactor": "tablet", "name": "com.roon.mobile", "orientation": "landscape", "packageName": "com.roon.mobile", "useGoogleContactsSyncAdapter": false, "usePlayServices": [ "gcm" ] }, "default_locale": "en", "icons": { "16": "icon.png", "128": "icon.png" }, "import": [ { "id": "mfaihdlpglflfgpfjcifdjdjcckigekc" } ], "manifest_version": 2, "name": "__MSG_extName__", "oauth2": { "client_id": "133701689125-jj0hr4gb0ff4ulsbrn0uk2i4th946d4c.apps.googleusercontent.com", "scopes": [] }, "offline_enabled": true, "permissions": [ "gcm", { "socket": [ "tcp-connect", "tcp-listen", "udp-bind", "udp-send-to", "resolve-host" ] }, "unlimitedStorage", "notifications", "clipboardRead", { "fileSystem": [ "write" ] }, "https://clients2.google.com/", "videoCapture", "clipboardWrite", "identity.email", "alarms", "storage", "identity", "audioCapture" ], "requirements": { "3D": { "features": [ "webgl" ] } }, "update_url": "https://localhost", "version": "1337" } Retry I give up ARChon Custom R

ARC Welder running inside Chrome:___Arc Welder trying to load RoonMobile.apk:

I tried ARChon Custom Runtime 2.1.0 - x86_64 41.4410.238.0, unpacked the Roon APK and tried to launch it via launch unpacked extension. Chrome shows this:

Failed to load extension from: ~/roonapk Manifest file is missing or unreadable. Could not load manifest.

@danny, @brian, I know this is completely unsupported but any insights you could share - it’d be great to get this working for those of us running Linux on the desktop.

unsure… clearly its not since google likes it for submission to the play store!

I did find this:

maybe something about the file is unliked by arcwelder?

Thx @danny. I had a look at the sample app (which does run) and the manifest file is json, whereas the Roon file appears to be in binary form. Will keep tinkering and look for logs.

that is android’s weird binary json thing

Got as far as Roon launching, but then it crashes:

Unrecognized manifest key ‘arc_metadata’.

"arc_metadata": { "apkList": [ "custom-android-release-1400197.apk" ], "enableExternalDirectory": false, "formFactor": "tablet", "name": "com.roon.mobile", "orientation": "landscape", "packageName": "com.roon.mobile", "useGoogleContactsSyncAdapter": false, "usePlayServices": [ "gcm" ] }

followed by the underlying sequence of events:

[code]The child process has been loaded: so_executable/dexopt

Log
0.124s + 0.002s = 0.126s (+0M virt, +0M res): App instance started

Log
Sending 86 file system cache entries to the plugin

Log
0.124s + 0.009s = 0.133s (+0M virt, +0M res): Started renderer thread

Log
0.124s + 0.033s = 0.157s (+0M virt, +0M res): Starting System

Log
0.124s + 0.079s = 0.204s (+0M virt, +0M res): Android runtime initialized

Log
0.124s + 0.105s = 0.229s (+0M virt, +0M res): Started SurfaceFlinger

Log
0.124s + 0.121s = 0.245s (+0M virt, +0M res): Started native services

Log
0.124s + 0.193s = 0.317s (+0M virt, +0M res): Package dexopted

Log
0.124s + 1.868s = 1.992s (+0M virt, +0M res): System server started

Log
0.124s + 1.953s = 2.077s (+0M virt, +0M res): Activity onResume {com.roon.mobile/com.roon.NativeActivityWithIntent} (build 41.4410.238.0)

Log
ptime: 2395

Log
crash_time: Tue Jul 19 2016 08:06:17 GMT+0200 (SAST)

Log
Delaying update install logic for 4 minutes

Log
Compositor is disabled

Log
File system initialization 1/2

Log
0.121s + 0.002s = 0.123s (+0M virt, +0M res): App instance started

Log
File system initialization 2/2

Log
Sending 75 file system cache entries to the plugin

Log
0.121s + 0.010s = 0.130s (+0M virt, +0M res): Started renderer thread

Log
0.121s + 0.026s = 0.146s (+0M virt, +0M res): Starting System

Log
0.121s + 0.050s = 0.170s (+0M virt, +0M res): Android runtime initialized

Log
0.121s + 0.070s = 0.191s (+0M virt, +0M res): Started SurfaceFlinger

Log
0.121s + 0.083s = 0.204s (+0M virt, +0M res): Started native services

Log
0.121s + 0.159s = 0.279s (+0M virt, +0M res): Package dexopted

Log
0.121s + 0.304s = 0.425s (+0M virt, +0M res): System server started

Log
0.121s + 0.417s = 0.538s (+0M virt, +0M res): Activity onResume {com.roon.mobile/com.roon.NativeActivityWithIntent} (build 41.4410.238.0)

Log
the child process has been loaded: so_executable//system/bin/dexopt

Log
NativeClient: NaCl module crashed

Error
plugin crashed

Log
Received a crash

Log
prod: ARC

Log
arc_app_name: com.roon.mobile

Log
ptime: 738

Log
crash_time: Tue Jul 19 2016 08:06:31 GMT+0200 (SAST)

Log
ver: 41.4410.238.0

Log
arc_build_tag: arc-runtime-41.4410.238.0

Log
message: plugin crash without minidump

Log
chrome_version: 51.0.2704.106

Log
app_id: nbcfnbdijhjoiidlgpddlmepoholglej

Log
app_version: 1337

Log
app_package_name: com.roon.mobile

Log
runtime_name: ARChon Custom Runtime 2.1.0 - x86_64

Log
runtime_update_url: http://localhost

Log
width: 960

Log
height: 632

Log
is_minimized: false

Log
is_maximized: false

Log
is_fullscreen: false

Log
runtime_updated_while_running: null

Log
arch: x86-64

Log
nacl_arch: x86-64

Log
os: linux

Log
Crash reporting not enabled in Chrome. Please enable it.

Log
FINISHED REPORTING CRASH

Error
Plugin not ready

Log
the child process has been loaded: so_executable/umareporter[/code]

maybe this stuff helps? https://github.com/vladikoff/chromeos-apk/issues/80

that warning about unrecognized manifest key arc_metadata seems to be ignorable

Thanks Danny, Ill continue to delve into this as time permits. The alternative is to install Remix OS for PC in a VM and run to Roon from there.

I’ve Gotten Roon to work on a Remix OS PC as well as the little Remix. Have you attempted to load Roon under Amazon Fire OS? I’ve been trying and Roon keeps getting stuck at the initial welcome page and I lose control ability via the remote.

Not tried it, but will take it for a spin also. Remix works, just not tried it in a VM yet.

Just saw this. Got to sympathize with that! Any progress on this Evan?

Unfortunately not.

Too bad.

But hey, I’m subscribed to this thread now. So if you DO work it out, please post here.

Thanks.

PS - I’ll wager we are not the only two people that would be real happy to see a full Roon running in on a Linux box, that’s not in a full VM.

I’m sure we’re not alone, but also that we’re a minority

No doubt about that. But I’d love to know just how much of a minority, be that either % of user population, or number of licenses sold. I don’t run in geek circles anymore, so I don’t actually know anyone (not counting on-line acquaintances) that uses Linux as the OS for their main “PC”. Other than myself. :hushed:

I’ve set up Linux for my folks, my in-laws and a few mates with their own businesses. None have issues and none have virus/malware problems. Outside of that most of the guys on my infosec team run Linux at home, but they’re a different breed. If Linux had better printer support from manufacturers it’d be a doddle to get more people running it as their desktop os.

Well, we’re OT now… but this IS your thread. :slight_smile:

My problem is that there are some programs - that I can’t live without - that work best in Windows. Excel would be just one example of several.

That plus the occasional program that runs in Linux (along with OSX and Windows), but does not easily install in Ubuntu - which is the variant I use.

Oh… and then I guess there’s the third kind of program - like Roon - that does not run in Linux at all. :disappointed:

Games!!!