Anyone recommend a good fast android tv box as shield alternative?

by peterkozmd

I got the nvidia shield 2019 and so far it works fast and well and generally happy with it. The only drawback is that the machine itself is pretty locked down as far as adding apps that aren't in the store etc. I don't want some cheap knockoff box android box thats sluggish and never updated. A polished one that works as well as the shield. One that lets me add apks as i wish and access the full app store. I know you can sideload but on the shield its a pain and need to deal with app compatibility issues,etc. I figure I'd get a regular android box to supplement it

Dxsty98

What you are asking for doesn't exist. You can either use proper AndroidTV or some cheap knockoff, these are your two options.

Also under the hood AndroidTV is more or less normal Android with an optimized user interface.

THE_Celts

I don't think you understand what you're asking for.

The reason not all Play Store Apps are avaialble on the Sheild is b/c they might not be compatible with the Android TV interface. Some are, some aren't. It's easy enough to sideload them. You say you don't want to sideload b/c you're worried about "compatibility". But in this case you'd still have those compatiblity issues on any Android TV box, because they all use a different interface than your phone.

And no, there is no "polished" Android TV box that works as well as the shield. It doesn't exist. If you can wait, Google is apparently putting out an Android TV stick later this year. But newsflash: that device likely won't have access to every Play Store app either.

sivartk

I've found that most of what I want is in the Aptoide store. I normally just side load it and then I'm good to go. Download from Aptoide, update from Aptoide, etc. You can even force it to install apps that it knows won't work well on Android TV (I.e. won't play nice with the remote).

I have a Shield and Mi Box S, but they both run official Android TV. I've avoided the non-official devices because they won't have DRM and all of your Amazon, Netflix, Disney+, etc. will be limited to SD. Granted I don't have any of those pay services now, but it will even limit the free IMDB programming through the Prime Video app.

pawdog

It's not really locked down either app developers have always had the opportunity to make their apps available on the Play Store. They choose not to. They can build remote controllable versions of their apps. They choose not to. You have apps you want on the Shield, contact those developers. It up to them to do the work. Sideloading is quite simple but again it's not up to Google to make what is supposed to be a developer feature easier for non developers. Or easier to install pirate streaming apps.

fletch101e

I have the shield and 2 MI Box S and like them all. Out of the box they are all locked down. As far as side loading goes, I just grab the apk I want and use a file manger in the shield or Box S to install Problem solved.

BiggussDikkuss

Not Android TV but Ugoos with their fast, snappy AM6 lineup do good Firmware support and quality hardware:

https://forum.freaktab.com/forum/tv-player-support/amlogic-based-tv-players/s922x/775424-ugoos-am6-s922x-tv-box-android-9-0

There are all sot of options over on the Freaktab Website.

ndtaughthem

Aurora Store. Scroll down to find app

https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.aurora.store/

reallu_weezy

U dont have a security option where u can add apps that are downloaded from the online