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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

#191

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You're not wrong, but what should be the narrative to any future devices like this is: "They change it after selling it to you for the worse, don't buy their products." When that becomes the reputation the problem will solve itself when they stop selling them from bad reputation.

It's still vandalistic destruction of property Google doesn't own. Google and their hardware partners owe refunds to all these customers.

I'm sympathetic to the idea that there are implicit expectations during a purchase that shouldn't ideally be violated. But I'm curious if you truly believe this, or if it's just hyperbole.

In this "fully my property, not a service I'm using" framework, would an update that patches a security vulnerability be "altruism"? Would refusal on Google's part to patch vulnerabilities be a completely acceptable refusal to futz with someone's property?

This is a serious question; my perspective is that "I thought I was buying unchanging property" is disingenuous unless you're similarly surprised by app updates and maintenance (let alone feature development). The expectation of these updates makes it pretty clear to me that this resembles a service more than a static product that Google has ability to "vandalize" (or responsibility to maintain).

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

#192
post #183

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Very difficult to do when it comes to entertainment. Almost all streaming services have locked down DRM that makes running open source software very difficult. (I know someone will say “just pirate it then!” but even putting moral obligations aside that’s still not realistic for the average viewer)

I don’t believe there is any coherent moral argument against piracy in the face of such hostile tactics from media companies.

Of course there is. Pirating streaming media isn’t like stealing bread to feed your starving family, it’s entirely optional. If you don’t agree with the terms of service (i.e. DRM) then don’t use the service. Deciding on your own terms of service is just entitlement. I personally don’t care either way but you can’t say there is no argument against it.

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

#193
post #49

The new Apple TV 4K is a absolutely better than any of the high end android tv devices. I’ve been through them all (at considerable expense) and am now totally happy on the new apple tv

I have an Apple TV and I want to like it, but the remote is utter garbage. Every time I so much as brush against it, it does some weird shit, like pause playback, go into fast forward, change the program or whatever... so then there's a mad scramble "where's that fucking remote?" as I try to figure out what appendage touched it so I can find it and undo whatever it decided to do. I'm afraid to stretch my legs or arms…

This $10 replacement GE remote is somehow 500x better. My Apple TV experience was dramatically improved.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HSSAZX8

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

#194
post #182
post #49

The new Apple TV 4K is a absolutely better than any of the high end android tv devices. I’ve been through them all (at considerable expense) and am now totally happy on the new apple tv

Can you watch porn on that? Can you stream random online media? Really curious, I do things on my TV I don't see working in a typical apple eco system

You can install VLC and enter arbitrary stream URLs to watch.

You can also use Plex to access a media server with whatever you want to put on it.

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

#195

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…

Logged in YouTube works fine. I use both (android and Kodi) and honestly it's not so much worse on Kodi. Plus you don't need to sideload apks to disable the current ad flood

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

#196

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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?

You’re late to the game, Ford is working on that already.

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

#197
LG WebOs does the same thing. I haven’t accepted the eula and stream from my Apple TV. However, a friend of mines wife did and now he has ads everywhere on it. I don’t understand how this is so normalized?

You actively have to work in order to block ads and trackers today. Its getting harder everyday. It’s so sad we have some of our worlds best engineers working on how to send ads to people. Our priorities are whack.

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

#198
post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Which do we value more, speed of the UI or susceptibility to undesireable change? Libreelec (Kodi) on Pi4 skews away from the latter.

I have Kodi on my cheap android TV which performs much faster than on my pi. So I prefer that. My RPI even crashes from time to time, even thought it has active cooling. Elec just can turn into a resource hog, especially if you switch between apps often. I am just still pissed that I spent $150 on a pi with case for elec when it obviously isn't the optimal device. And want others to avoid the problem :) As said somew…

Which version of RPI is that?

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

#199
post #194
post #182

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Can you watch porn on that? Can you stream random online media? Really curious, I do things on my TV I don't see working in a typical apple eco system

You can install VLC and enter arbitrary stream URLs to watch. You can also use Plex to access a media server with whatever you want to put on it.

So no porn streaming at all?

Does VLC on Apple TV support all VLC codecs?

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

#200
post #67

Where does the "ad invasion" end? Smart toasters that force you to watch ads before getting your toast in the morning? Smart windows that display ads that block your view of your backyard? Smart paints that display ads on your bedroom walls? Smart shower-heads that play jingles as you wash yourself? Smart brain implants that directly induce subconscious desire to buy certain products and services? Is there some kind…

- "Smart" alarm clock requires micropayment to use snooze.

And they say:

"Why not? We indicated in the TOS (on page 4) our ability to 'modify the program as needed to better support our customers or our services.'

"Also please note that our TOS, which incorporates our Privacy Policy, allows us to sell your wake-up time to third parties in real-time.

"And before you say you never agreed to our TOS, we say you did when you plugged the SuperSmartestAlarm into a power outlet (as clearly indicated on page 22 of the aforementioned TOS, which can be conveniently viewed in a 6" x 2" frame with vertical and horizontal scrollbars)."

[Since this is too close to the truth to be obvious satire: no, this is not happening AFAIK (right now).]

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