Wow, great timing. I was days away from buying a Shield, but I get irrationally mad when forced to see ads. I won't now, even if there's hacky workarounds.
Reviews of Android TV launcher after Google added ads to the homescreen
211–220 of 507 posts
Re: Reviews of Android TV launcher after Google added ads to the homescreen
#212Was deeply frustrated last year when it became clear in the US market at least that dumb TVs no longer exist, not unless one wants to pay the 4x premium for buying a gaming monitor and using it as a TV.
Decided to buy an Android TV, one that would not need a network connection on the Android side for HDMI input mode to work, and just keep a computer plugged into it. Lack of sensible remote control is annoying. But forced ads are infuriating.
Re: Reviews of Android TV launcher after Google added ads to the homescreen
#213I ran into this last week on my nvidia shield. Here's a summary of the workaround I found (apologies for not having the specific package names offhand): 1. Install a new launcher from play store (I found one called "Basic Launcher" that matches the aesthetics of the default one). This doesn't solve the problem though, because Google disabled changing the default launcher for some user hostile reason, until you delete…
>I manged to remove them...you go to All apps..scroll down to "Show system apps"...Android TV Home...Force stop... Uninstall updates => You will have old Home Screen https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce/forums/shield-tv/9/4579...
Wouldn't that mean you had an insecure device?
Re: Reviews of Android TV launcher after Google added ads to the homescreen
#214I 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.
Google will chock this up to "staying" competitive. The Fire TV and Samsung Smart TVs have had ads on the menu for a while now. Ads on the home screen takes it further. If this was nipped in the bud, it would not have made it this far.
People are slowly realizing these commissions don't care about consumers, just making it seem they do.
Re: Reviews of Android TV launcher after Google added ads to the homescreen
#215Earlier quoted context omitted.
Super wrong. Google sold one product then removed functionality after sale. That's very illegal.
A good parallel is the recent Peloton Treadmill update (as a result of the CPSC suit). You used to be able to use the treadmill without video content, it worked as a treadmill; you only had to pay for a subscription if you wanted Peloton content on the screen. This seems fairly obvious to anyone buying the device, and makes sense. I buy a treadmill, I can use the treadmill forever, but if i want content, I pay a mont…
A lot of "innovation" in consumer tech is really just turning previously-standalone devices into subscription platforms and/or billboards. I'm sure the engineers who build these are proud of their contributions to society.
Re: Reviews of Android TV launcher after Google added ads to the homescreen
#216Earlier quoted context omitted.
So no porn streaming at all? Does VLC on Apple TV support all VLC codecs?
Sorry I don't know what you specifically mean by "porn streaming" are you talking about a dedicated app for a specific streaming service? If so, I highly doubt Apple would allow those on their platform but I've never actually checked. There are semi-sketchy IPTV clients that you can use to watch what seems to be unofficial streaming services, so perhaps those can also be used to watch what you want? As for VLC, it's…
Well if I watch porn I don't download it and watch it later, but open some place app or website and browse videos on my TV to fap to comfortably from my couch.
To be fair my question is already answered, no porn support. You need a another device to stream from.
Re: Reviews of Android TV launcher after Google added ads to the homescreen
#217Earlier quoted context omitted.
there's nothing wrong with ads on stuff like this; televisions aren't sacred ground.
Nothing wrong. But I and many others have migrated away from google products because of actions like this.
The constant bombardment of expectations that you'll spend more money is normalized, but it is not ok.
Re: Reviews of Android TV launcher after Google added ads to the homescreen
#218Earlier quoted context omitted.
>I manged to remove them...you go to All apps..scroll down to "Show system apps"...Android TV Home...Force stop... Uninstall updates => You will have old Home Screen https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce/forums/shield-tv/9/4579...
Wouldn't that mean you had an insecure device?
Everything's a tradeoff.
Re: Reviews of Android TV launcher after Google added ads to the homescreen
#219Earlier quoted context omitted.
Which do not have porn apps either. But I can over complicate everything by streaming my safari session I guess? I guess safari supports porn
You can Airplay any video content from the web, or mirror the screen.
So I use another device to browse and the TV only for watching. I get it, sounds annoying just to enjoy some porn
Re: Reviews of Android TV launcher after Google added ads to the homescreen
#220Where 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…
Isn't the answer to just buy a product explicitly marketed as ad-free? I used to watch enough YouTube that it was worth it for me to pay $10/mo to disable ads (and stream music). It never occurred to me that I was owed as a human right limitless free content with no implicit or explicit cost. Similarly, if ads partially fund a toaster, just....pay more for the toaster without ads? The expansion of ads to every produc…
That's great, until they stop making the ad free version. It's like TVs, there are no high end ad free TVs now.