feat(v1.18): remove HOME-park from gate raise (option B) — launch PinActivity directly to cut gate delay

Author: alex-hermes-agent

.release_verify/SHA256SUMS.txt

@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+eba9af9adc997f5749d9f43a576a00780345ca94b7774f06ac7c69d5331bd921  tvapplock-release.apk

app/build.gradle.kts

@@ -15,8 +15,8 @@ android {
         applicationId = "com.alexk.tvlock"
         minSdk = 21
         targetSdk = 34
-        versionCode = 18
-        versionName = "1.17"
+        versionCode = 19
+        versionName = "1.18"
     }
 
     if (!releaseKeystore.isNullOrBlank()) {

app/src/main/java/com/alexk/tvlock/LockPollService.kt

@@ -132,9 +132,11 @@ class LockPollService : Service() {
         targetPkg = t
         android.util.Log.i("TVLOCK", "gate raising for $t")
         try {
-            // park the blocked app first: video must never render under the gate
-            startActivity(Intent(Intent.ACTION_MAIN).addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_HOME)
-                .addFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK))
+            // raise the gate directly — the old HOME-park launched the launcher
+            // (a full extra app launch) before PinActivity, adding ~2-6 s to the
+            // gate delay; on a fast YouTube-button press the app beat the gate.
+            // A vanished gate is still covered: the watchdog re-raise in tick()
+            // re-arms it within ~2.5 s if PinActivity was silently denied.
             startActivity(Intent(this, PinActivity::class.java).apply {
                 addFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK or
                          Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_CLEAR_TOP or