when the cast of Apple TV+’s hit series Severance brought Lumon Industries to life in New York City’s Grand Central Terminal, it was more than just a marketing stunt—it was a surreal experience for both the actors and the audience. Adam Scott, who plays the show’s protagonist, Mark S., described the event as “super fun,” a stark contrast to his character’s frequently enough gloomy demeanor. The pop-up, which took place on january 15, 2025, recreated the eerie, green-toned office environment that fans of the show have come to know and love—or perhaps fear.
The stunt was designed to promote the highly anticipated second season of severance, which premiered just two days later on January 17. The series, known for its mind-bending narrative and commentary on workplace surveillance, had kept fans on edge for nearly three years since the cliffhanger ending of its first season.Scott, alongside co-stars Patricia Arquette, Britt Lower, Zach Cherry, and Tramell Tillman, spent three hours inside a glass cube, mimicking the monotonous office tasks their characters perform on-screen.“People gathered around and just watched us do boring, monotonous office work,” Scott recounted with a laugh during an interview on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
The event wasn’t without its hiccups. Scott’s computer malfunctioned mid-act, forcing him to troubleshoot while staying in character—a testament to his dedication. The actor also shared a lighter moment from the interview, recalling how he channeled Tom Cruise’s iconic running style for a pivotal scene in Season 2. “He’s the best runner in the world,” Scott said. “You gotta get the blade hands, you gotta get the knees up, and he’s always running in uncomfortable clothes. I had a suit and dress shoes and had to run an enormous amount.” The sequence took nearly five months to shoot, culminating in a small wrap party to celebrate its completion.
Season 2 continues to explore the unsettling world of Lumon Industries, where employees undergo a surgical procedure to sever their work memories from their personal lives. The show’s critical acclaim and devoted fanbase have made it one of Apple TV+’s standout offerings. For those who missed the live event, the full interview with Adam Scott offers a deeper dive into the making of the series and the behind-the-scenes challenges the cast faced.
Why might an Android app’s packageInfo be null when trying to install it on a Xiaomi device?
When you encounter an issue where your self-developed Android app fails to install on a Xiaomi device and you receive the error “packageInfo is null,” it typically points to a few potential causes related to the app’s configuration or compatibility. Here’s a thorough breakdown of the possible reasons and solutions:
- Incorrect Package Name or Version number:
- ensure that the package name and version number in your app’s manifest file (AndroidManifest.xml) match the requirements of Xiaomi’s system. Mismatched details can prevent the app from being recognized correctly by the device.
– Double-check the package attribute in the versionCode and versionName attributes in the
- Incorrect or Missing App Signature:
– Android apps must be signed with a valid certificate before installation. If the app is not properly signed or the signature is invalid, Xiaomi devices may reject the installation.
– Ensure you are using a valid keystore to sign the app.If you are debugging, use the debug keystore provided by Android Studio. For release builds, use a custom keystore and ensure the signature is consistent.
- Device-Specific Restrictions:
– Xiaomi devices often have additional security measures, such as ”Install via USB” or “Install unknown apps” settings, which must be enabled to allow the installation of apps outside the Play Store.
– Navigate to Settings > Security > Install unknown apps or Settings > Apps > Special app access > Install unknown apps and enable the necessary permissions.
- API or System Compatibility:
– Ensure your app is compatible with the Android version running on the xiaomi device. Such as,if your app targets a higher API level then the device supports,installation may fail.
– Check the minSdkVersion and targetSdkVersion in your build.gradle file and adjust them if necessary.
- Corrupted APK or Installation File:
- If the APK file is corrupted or incomplete, the installation process may fail. Try rebuilding the APK and reinstalling it.
– Verify the integrity of the APK file by comparing its checksum or re-downloading it if it was transferred to the device.
- App Bundle vs APK:
– If you are using Android App Bundles (AAB), ensure you are generating the correct APK for the specific device architecture and distributing it properly. Xiaomi devices may not support all formats.
Steps to Troubleshoot:
- rebuild and sign the app using the correct keystore.
- Verify the
AndroidManifest.xmlfor accurate package names and version details. - Enable unknown app installations on the Xiaomi device.
- Test the app on other devices to isolate the issue.
- If the problem persists,consult Xiaomi’s developer resources or community forums for device-specific guidance.
By addressing these potential issues, you should be able to resolve the “packageInfo is null” error and successfully install your app on Xiaomi devices.
