the5thColumnist , 2 months ago

@dalfen
I think smart TVs are dumb. Put the smart stuff on a device like a Roku that you plug into your TV then you can update the smart stuff without buying a new TV.

BeAware , 2 months ago

@the5thColumnist @dalfen Better yet, get something like Nvidia Shield. It runs Android TV so you're not locked down to a specific app store.👍

dalfen OP , 2 months ago

@BeAware
That's a cool deal too... but Google and Nvidia have a partnership. I guess it depends if one doesn't care about Google knowing what they stream, etc.

@the5thColumnist

BeAware , 2 months ago

@dalfen @the5thColumnist True...but seeing as it's Android, I wonder if one couldn't just flash their own version of Android/Linux on it and get rid of all that...🤔

Android is built on Linux after all...

dalfen OP , 2 months ago

@BeAware

That would be nice. You probably couldn't get an app from the Google Play store then, right?

@the5thColumnist

BeAware , 2 months ago

@dalfen @the5thColumnist Well, right. But Fdroid exists and there's MANY places to get APKs on the web. Not sure if FDroid supports Android tv but there's probably many ways to get apps.🤷‍♂️

dalfen OP , 2 months ago

@BeAware

That's a great point. Do you know if big-name streaming services would allow their apps on such devices?

@the5thColumnist

BeAware , 2 months ago

@dalfen @the5thColumnist That I do not know. I don't think they can tell an APK that was just copied and downloaded from somewhere else from the legit, unless the uploader modified the APK, which is always possible.