Thanks for the reply!
I will explain that why the plugin apk need to be singed:
In fact, to make a remote control app work properly and flawlessly, we try many method. But for security aspect on OTT device and manufacturer side. We decide to use a plugin APK with manufacturer's certificate and without grant any permission to CetusPlay TV sever app and CetusPlay Mobile app . Because, to make the control function work, we use the Instrumentation in the plugin APK.
Through Instrumentation, you can simulate events such as button press, lift, screen click, and scroll. Instrumentation implements these functions by running the main program and the test program in the same process. You can think of Instrumentation as a component like Activity or Service with no interface. So with this Plugin APK can execute the commands like a remote(UP, DOWN, LEFT, RIGHT, HOME, etc). And of course this need to be authorized by the manufactures. Without the signed APK, CetusPlay can do nothing on the remote control part. but user still can use other function based on CetsuPlay TV server app. But the users experience is pretty bad.
Thanks for your work! That is how we work on the remote control part of branded Android TV devices. Hope we can hear from your team soon