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Reviews of Android TV launcher after Google added ads to the homescreen

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Re: Reviews of Android TV launcher after Google added ads to the homescreen

#151
I have a Shield TV and I really despise this change. I bought a device that did NOT show ads on the home screen, now it does. How is that not... it just should NOT be allowed.

Show me ads in YouTube, show me ads in whatever other app, but not my home screen. There's a difference. The home screen is MINE, not Google's.

Re: Reviews of Android TV launcher after Google added ads to the homescreen

#152
post #119

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Is the Apple TV better than the Nvidia Shield? I bought one of the tubes and that thing is slick as hell.

I have the tube sitting right beside my new Apple TV right now. No comparison to me. Apple TV is smoother, voice input is way ahead, and the Dolby stuff is way better than the Nividia processing

Interesting, thanks!

Re: Reviews of Android TV launcher after Google added ads to the homescreen

#153
post #29

If history has taught us anything: this will blow over in a few weeks or months and everyone will get used to it in the end. The small percentage of users who (sometimes only temporarily) stop using the service is offset by the new income and the majority of users do not care.

Or, as Google is simply dialing it to 10 now, it will then dial this down to 5 post reactions and people will be okay with this eventually, unfortunately.

When instead it should not have been done at the first place.

Re: Reviews of Android TV launcher after Google added ads to the homescreen

#154

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There's only one correct answer: https://kodi.tv/ Works fine, but it is not the most stable software. Plenty of add-ons and themes, and (probably the reason why it's popular) you can sideload some pirate TV add-ons.

Last I used Kodi, it was a great app for, like, DIY entertainment management but utterly useless if you are expecting to use something like Spotify or YouTube. It has been a while though, so I might be outdated on this, but I'm guessing it's still not possible to log into spotify from it, browse the spotify library / your playlists, use device remote play from your phone to the tv, and so on. Same goes for youtube (t…

Pretty sure Spotify works fine. They have a fully functioning API for premium users. Netflix might be a problem though.

Re: Reviews of Android TV launcher after Google added ads to the homescreen

#155
On the Nvidia shield, it's also just generally broken. Such absolutely basic easily reached things don't work.

I've never experienced such a regularly broken bit of software.

It's good enough that I prefer it over anything else I've tried bit my god I wish they'd leave features and make it work reliably.

And now ads. We just removed all app channels so my son doesn't see ads as sometimes they'd be scary. Now he can see things he won't be able to watch.

For fucks sake Google.

Re: Reviews of Android TV launcher after Google added ads to the homescreen

#156
post #143
post #120

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There's nothing wrong with it, if you are told about this up front and it's part of your purchasing calculation. Retroactively adding ads to an ad-free device after the customer has purchased it, sometimes buying it specifically to avoid competing devices with ads, is inexcusable bullshit.

If you subscribe to cable/satellite television, you expect there to be advertising. I'm not certain, but i suspect the agreement you sign while signing up for cable or streaming services, would include some sort of advertising clause. Ie, u less a service explicitly promotes am ad-free experience, there should be no expectations of such.

I guess I can come to your house tomorrow and paint some ads on the walls, or were you promised an ad free experience?

Re: Reviews of Android TV launcher after Google added ads to the homescreen

#157
post #29

If history has taught us anything: this will blow over in a few weeks or months and everyone will get used to it in the end. The small percentage of users who (sometimes only temporarily) stop using the service is offset by the new income and the majority of users do not care.

If history taught us anything it’s that people will move to less friction platform. I was long time Google, but over the last few years I’ve almost migrated completely to Apple. I know a lot of developers in my field (video games) that have done the same. Google is using its size and reach to fill my products with ads. I’m not an ad id and I want to be treated as such. Also, why is android such a bad development platform? Android is the worst part of mobile development and I’m glad I left it for good.

Re: Reviews of Android TV launcher after Google added ads to the homescreen

#158
post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So you're future victim blaming now? People need to be able to predict all possible eventualities and are to blame for any future changes to a system?

If you buy a product that someone can remotely control, then you are setting yourself up for a world of hurt. Whether that is advertising or having all your data wiped (like is currently the case for those Western Digital Live Book hard drives). 'Future blaming' is an asinine term. If you point out to someone that, well, they shouldn't be surprised if their home got robbed because they only had a screen door, you cou…

To take your example to the extreme, unless people control their entire tech stack, they deserve whatever is coming to them.

So if the software you're using on your system breaks functionality or introduces ads, it's on you. Maybe you can reject software updates to your local stack that you're aware of, but what happens when stuff is introduced in part of the stack you can't control?

You also assume everyone is sufficiently tech aware to prevent such things. yes, in an ideal world, every one is sufficiently tech savvy to know all possible eventualities. But that's not the case, and anyone here who thinks they're infallible at doing so, is kidding themselves.

Re: Reviews of Android TV launcher after Google added ads to the homescreen

#159
post #124
post #96

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My experience is different. I love it especially now that I can install VPN. I can access US-version of Netflix, Disney+, etc while traveling.

I am not saying smart TVs are bad. Just that android really isn't the best example. You can do this with Kodi or any alternatives too. Even my dump smart TV has VPN. Also taking your TV put to travel definitely is a rare edge case ;P Edit:// wait? Was that just a subtle Nord placement?

Oh I don't travel with my TV.

I'm referring to the OS in the newest Chromecast.

It's Google TV which is built on top of Android TV.

Re: Reviews of Android TV launcher after Google added ads to the homescreen

#160
post #143

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you subscribe to cable/satellite television, you expect there to be advertising. I'm not certain, but i suspect the agreement you sign while signing up for cable or streaming services, would include some sort of advertising clause. Ie, u less a service explicitly promotes am ad-free experience, there should be no expectations of such.

I guess I can come to your house tomorrow and paint some ads on the walls, or were you promised an ad free experience?

How about their car’s infotainment system? Can we start showing them ads when stopped at a light or were they promised an ad free experience there as well?
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