Android · AV Control
Android AV Control Platform
SkyMatrixControl is a dedicated Android kiosk app for pubs and hospitality venues. It lets staff control every television, HDMI source and Sky box from one wall-mounted tablet, while keeping the technical setup behind a simple, configurable interface.
Java / Android SDK / TCP / AV
Built for the people running the venue
SkyMatrixControl is a dedicated Android kiosk app for pubs and hospitality venues. Staff choose a television such as Main Bar, Pool Room or Outside, then route it to a named source such as Sky A, Sky B, Adverts or Karaoke. The deliberately simple grid keeps those everyday decisions separate from the wiring underneath.
One tablet for every screen and source
The tablet controls an HDMI matrix over the local network and can route one source to every active television for a match or scheduled event. Up to three Sky boxes have their own virtual remote tabs, covering navigation, number entry, playback, coloured buttons and recording without relying on physical remotes in locked cabinets.
A stable interface when hardware changes
Inputs and outputs can be renamed, enabled, disabled and reordered so the app reflects the venue rather than exposing port numbers. If a matrix input moves or fails, its logical source can be reassigned to another physical HDMI port while keeping the same name for staff. Damaged television outputs can be disabled without redesigning the whole interface.
Designed as a dedicated appliance
Device-owner kiosk mode, automatic startup, immersive full-screen presentation, Wi-Fi enforcement, wake locks and restricted Android system access keep the tablet focused on venue control. A password-protected settings area gives authorised users access to essential configuration without exposing it during normal use.
Authenticated remote administration
The tablet exposes an authenticated management service for the companion Sky Matrix Control Centre. Administrators can update matrix and Sky box addresses, change port mappings and names, apply two-Sky or three-Sky presets, inspect configuration, restart the app and reboot tablets. HMAC-SHA256 challenge-response authentication and Tailscale-compatible private networking keep those commands away from unauthorised clients.
Technologies
The app uses Java, the native Android SDK, AndroidX, Material Design 3, View Binding, ViewPager2, TabLayout, OkHttp, TCP sockets, custom ASCII and binary device-control protocols, EncryptedSharedPreferences, HMAC-SHA256, RSA licence verification, SHA-256 update validation and Android device-owner APIs.
The tablet controls the matrix and each Sky box directly over the local network.