I am ASTOUNDED at how bad Chromecast + google tv is, need help deciding alternative

by Lupusur

So, overall i guess it works, but two things irk me enough to make me want to return it tomorrow

  1. the un-hidable ads on the home screen. 70€ to get an ad shown to you as soon as you boot up your tv??? Fuck google, absolutely insulting. Can't get that Disney + shot off my screen no matter how hard I try.

  2. Wow, the account management system is one of the worst ones I've ever seen on any premium device.

So, I'm definitely returning it tomorrow, and I'm just considering spending half for the mi box s or mi stick, do they resolve these issues?

Thank you

EDIT : just got the mi box, setup and the whole experience is x10000 times better, no google forced bull rap, adequately personizable home screen.

BenSchoon

Lol if you have problems with Chromecast "ads" I'd love to see how you feel about Fire TV and Roku

pawdog

1st, it's not a premium device, and you don't like 2 features that don't even exist on other Android TV devices, No other Android TV device actually has accounts like this one so you won't have to worry about that. The banner ads are not removable on any Android TV device that has them. The Shield is the only one left that doesn't. but you may as well get use to them on everything. Apple TV probably will never have them.

bobniborg1

Shield. I'm pretty sure it doesn't have the ads

bigfkncee

As others have said a different launcher is the solution.

Just like Android phones and Tablets you can change the default of any app to be whatever you want. If the homescreen ads are THAT much of a bother, just change the launcher. Try WolfLauncher.

ricklar_atv

You can bypass the original UI home screen by installing a separate launcher and disabling the stock launcher. This is fairly simple to do, and probably the best tutorials for this are on YouTube with TechDoctorUK channel.

akisnet

I have read many times comments supporting the elitist approach that an affordable or cheap device must be filled with ads. It's just an opinion that thrives on Android TV subreddit by Google fanboys. And it presented as a fact.

It's just pathetic.

He asked about an alternative to Google TV and they try to convince him to digest the ads.

Mi Box S and Shield TV are very good options. But they will get in the future the updated launcher with the ads. The funny thing the new launcher is more customizable.

Ads are everywhere, Roku, Fire OS, Apple TV (in a form of heavy promotion of Apple TV Plus content and hide other production), PlayStation Store and Xbox.

crogs571

If you don't want the banner at the top then go to app only mode and you'll just have a screen of app icons.

https://support.google.com/googletv/answer/10070784?hl=en