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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

#281

Post by grishka »

sureglymop wrote: post #224
matthewrobertso wrote: post #95

I 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.

The very first one, ADT-1, does have a USB port. I have one, but it's a prototype kind of thing and Google never really sold these to the general public. I got mine at Google I/O. That said, you could probably find them on ebay.

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

#283

Post by wutbrodo »

OldTimeCoffee wrote: post #220
wutbrodo wrote: post #202

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

Interesting, I did some quick Googling and was able to find a good handful of 2020 models with no ads, but none for 2021. I'll take your word for it that they don't exist, but the fact that this is the first year where that appears to be the case is not strong evidence to me that this is the steady-state of the TV market.

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

#284

Post by Jackdanie1s »

sureglymop wrote: post #224
matthewrobertso wrote: post #95

I 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.

Check out the formuler boxes, the gtv is android certified

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

#285

Post by bitcurious »

kstenerud wrote: post #146
jmacd wrote: 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…

Apple updates the remote in the most recent Apple TV model, and it’s backwards compatible and sold separately.

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

#286

Post by 2OEH8eoCRo0 »

matthewrobertso wrote: post #95

I 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…

This has been infuriating. It's even more pushy now that I do not log into a Google Account on the Nvidia Shield because it requires giving Nvidia full account access.

I have a Google notification that I cannot dismiss and 3 buttons on my App menu that all take me to the Play Store that I cannot remove. I'm livid.

This should be illegal and I'm frankly worried about Google's future if this is the kind of shit that they need to pull to continue to profit. Some of the brightest sw eng's around yet they do this shit rather than innovate. Lazy

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

#287

Post by bitwalker »

headmelted wrote: post #227
jbluepolarbear wrote: post #157

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

Which problem? Because there aren't ads on the home screen, or even in the Apple TV app (other than promos for TV shows, but that's like...why you're there).

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

#288

Post by deadbunny »

turbohz wrote: post #261
tpmx wrote: post #228

F*ck, I just bought an expensive Android-based Sony TV.

I got one for many years, haven't seen any ads ever. EDIT: wait, what ads are they talking about? OK, I see suggestions of Disney+ shows, and I don't have neither a subscription nor the app installed

Probably because your TV isnt getting updates anymore. Great news, no ads for you. Bad news, your TV isnt being patched anymore despite being perfectly usable for another 10 years...

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

#290

Post by pkamb »

dwighttk wrote: post #144

Side note: Not really ads, but kinda ads. I wish Apple TV would let me hide shows they are pushing.

Just don't use the "Apple TV" app on your Apple TV hardware?

Make the Home button go to the App screen.

https://support.apple.com/guide/tv/set-the-tv-button-atvbe77...

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