• Ebby@lemmy.ssba.com
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    1 month ago

    While based on Google TV, they lock down the OS, control the app store, and force their apps. You’re in their walled garden and it’s a pain to break out in any meaningful way.

    • realcaseyrollins@thelemmy.clubOP
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      1 month ago

      Hmm…well it’s been a couple years since I used my Fire Stick but I remember being able to sideload Android TV apps on there just like I can now with my Google TV device.

      • Ebby@lemmy.ssba.com
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        1 month ago

        If I recall you still can through ADB, but it’s a pain and they started locking that down too. Ad blocking VPN (at least the one I tried) didn’t work.

        There was a big update about a year ago that very clearly sent the message “this device will show what we want you to see.”

        • realcaseyrollins@thelemmy.clubOP
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          1 month ago

          Ah, that doesn’t shock me. Yeah I left when they started like disabling custom launchers or something, and I realized getting a Google TV would be easier than getting around that restriction.