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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

#311

Post by bryik »

NietTim wrote: 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.

Previously, I bought Pixel devices with confidence in Google's stewardship and taste. Now that Google has injected ads into a $200 device I bought a year ago, I can only assume that all Google products will eventually have ads. Why would I ever buy another pixel phone? $699+ for a phone that will some day have ads on its home screen? No thanks.

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

#312

Post by PostThisTooFast »

somethingwitty1 wrote: post #307
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…

Uninstalling didn't seem to work for me after reboot. If that doesn't work for you, try disabling it: 1. Install your new launcher through play store. (I used the Basic Launcher as well). 2. Settings -> Device Preferences -> About. Scroll to "Build" and click on it until it pops up that you are a developer (it will give you a countdown) 3. Settings -> Device Preferences -> Developer options (this was just unlocked in…

"Scroll to "Build" and click on it until it pops up that you are a developer"

More bullshit. Google is king of shitty UI.

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

#316

Post by radley »

techlaw wrote: post #106

I am hopeful that now that the FTC has a pro-consumer Chair that some of these anti-consumer acts will be curtailed. I would also argue that some of these bad acts could be considered to be false / deceptive trade practices under the various state laws (in the U.S. at least). For example, some people would never have bought a FireTV cube for streaming video if Amazon had revealed that they would be adding advertiseme…

> mandatory arbitration

Actually, mandatory arbitration can massively backfire, and the ad change seems like a compelling case.

Example: https://www.vox.com/2020/2/12/21133486/doordash-workers-10-m...

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

#317

Post by ronsor »

lstamour wrote: post #304
nonbirithm wrote: post #263

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The big issue with major OS updates for me is that the security updates are bundled with the feature updates. That's why updating Android on my old phone stopped being feasable, when the increased performance requirements caused it to remain persistently hot and unresponsive. Not just the security updates, but also things like APIs that prevent some applications from being compatible. Still, I have to wonder how much…

New in iOS 14/15: > Software Updates > iOS now offers a choice between two software update versions in the Settings app. You can update to the latest version of iOS 15 as soon as it’s released for the latest features and most complete set of security updates. Or continue on iOS 14 and still get important security updates until you’re ready to upgrade to the next major version. https://www.apple.com/ios/ios-15-preview…

Apple, the antithesis of user choice, is even now offering an option between upgrading and getting security updates.

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

#318

Post by tinybear1 »

matthewrobertso wrote: post #185
mctt wrote: post #171

Earlier 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...

I looked through this thread when searching for a workaround but this method didn't work for me (2019 Shield TV Pro), I had to swap the launcher.

Uninstalling the update also didn't work for me using my 2015 Shield.

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

#319

Post by bonzini »

afavour wrote: post #179
fartcannon wrote: post #2

Google, Microsoft, Apple, Facebook - we power their abuses with our money. Just stop buying their trash. Support open hardware, free and open source software.

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)

Even if Widevine itself is not open source, there are lots of legal streaming add-ons for Kodi. For example I use Disney+, Netflix and Prime with Kodi on a Le Potato (same SoC as Amazon Fire Stick). Right now it's an old, formerly analog TV, but when I change it I will just buy a 43" monitor.
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