Roku started doing this (though seems less intrusive so far than this) and its why I ditched it for an AppleTV.
My big fear is that Apple will do the same in years to come but for now it is all we have.
Reviews of Android TV launcher after Google added ads to the homescreen
221–230 of 507 posts
Re: Reviews of Android TV launcher after Google added ads to the homescreen
#222I 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 was really disappointed to find the same problems with tvOS having moved from a pair of Shields.
The ads hadn’t rolled out yet on Shield when I moved over but for some reason I just assumed Apple wouldn’t be shilling ads at me constantly for services I don’t have, or trying to sell me content I already have access to.
More fool me. Fire TV is worse, but I’ve heard Roku is much the same.
The Smart TV ecosystem is rot all over.
Re: Reviews of Android TV launcher after Google added ads to the homescreen
#223Where 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…
Except no ad-free service remains ad-free forever. Sooner or later, subscriber growth slows down, and the standard playbook to continue to grow revenue is:
(a) introduce new products that require additional subscriptions (but eventually the company runs out of new products to introduce),
(b) raise subscription fees a tiny little bit every year (but there's a limit to how much any company can do that without angering customers too much), and
(c) break existing ad-free plans into new tiers of service, some or all of which have... ads.
Re: Reviews of Android TV launcher after Google added ads to the homescreen
#224I 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…
Do you know of any Android TV / smart tv box which has a USB port?
I am currently building a magic mirror like smart map. Basically, the goal is to have a big touchscreen with Google maps or Google earth running.
For touch screen support I bought a cheap USB infrared frame. I have tested it with the USB C port of my Android phone and it works well, but I have sadly not found any Android TV box which has an USB port.
Re: Reviews of Android TV launcher after Google added ads to the homescreen
#225I 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…
At first, I thought nVidia had done this, and I was cursing their name. After some searching, I discovered this is actually the stock launcher from Google instead. nVidia should absolutely get ahead of this to preserve their own reputation.
That's Nvidia's choice to use default launcher. It's not like Google does not allow their partners to adapt OS. I agree about blaming Google first, but it's device from Nvidia, customer will not research where each particular application or part came from. If battery will blow up, nobody will blame some nameless chinese factory.
Re: Reviews of Android TV launcher after Google added ads to the homescreen
#226I use a DNS-level adblocker and was wondering what those black blocks on the home screen were supposed to be. Should've guessed it was ads.
Wanna bet how long until they start using own API for DNS lookup? I say 2 years.
Stakes are 1 karma point.
Re: Reviews of Android TV launcher after Google added ads to the homescreen
#227If 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 plat…
tvOS has the same problem I’m afraid.
Re: Reviews of Android TV launcher after Google added ads to the homescreen
#228F*ck, I just bought an expensive Android-based Sony TV.
Re: Reviews of Android TV launcher after Google added ads to the homescreen
#229Earlier 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?
I'm really tired of companies hiding behind "security" when it comes to ruining my experience every time I get an update.
If they want me to be secure, package essential security updates into seperate downloads.
Re: Reviews of Android TV launcher after Google added ads to the homescreen
#230Earlier quoted context omitted.
The plex client is rock solid
I bought an Nvidia Shield because the Plex client can switch the display's refresh rate to match the content (no judder for 24p content). Based on [1], it sounds like that should be possible with the Apple TV, too. Can anyone confirm if this works well? [1] https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208288
I can't confirm with Plex specifically, but I can tell you content matching is an OS-level feature, not specific to apps. It works for the apps I've tried.