I received a tv from a family member yesterday and tried to update the android software to a more recent version, but it says that this is the latest.
while the tv is using this version i cannot use many of the streaming apps like Netflix, is there anything i can do to force update(maybe apply a newer apk from an outer source) or should i just use another tvstick?
Put a device on it.
What you should do is to connect a recent Android TV box to it, recommended ones are as follows:
CERTIFIED ANDROIDTV/GOOGLETV BOXES WITH NETFLIX AND PRIME VIDEO FOR THE UNITED STATES ONLY:
- AirTV Mini (More info at airtv.net/products)
- AT&T TV (More info at http://att.com/tv/device-features )
- Tivo Stream 4K (More info at http://tivo.com/products/stream-4k )
- T-Mobile TVision HUB (More info at http://t-mobile.com/tvision/services/hub )
- Verizon Stream TV (AV1 hardware decoding. More info at http://verizon.com/products/verizon-stream-tv-gen-2 )
CERTIFIED ANDROIDTV/GOOGLETV BOXES WITH NETFLIX AND PRIME VIDEO FOR EUROPE ONLY:
- EKO KATV10
- Nokia Streaming Box 8000 (More info at http://nokia.com/shop/streaming-devices/nokia-streaming-box-8000 ).
- Strong Leap-S1 (More info at http://strong.tv/en/products/ip-tv-receivers/leap-s1 )
- Youin (by Engel).
CERTIFIED ANDROIDTV/GOOGLETV BOXES WITH NETFLIX AND PRIME VIDEO FOR THE US, EUROPE AND THE REST OF THE WORLD:
- Chromecast with Google TV (more info at http://tv.google )
- Dynalink TV dongle (More info at http://dynalink.life )
- Homatics Box Q (More info at http://homatics.tv/products/homatics-box-q )
- Homatics Dongle Q (More info at http://homatics.tv/products/homatics-dongle-q )
- JBL Link Bar (More info at http://jbl.com/refurbished-home-speakers/JBL+LINK+BAR-.html )
- Mecool KM2 (More info at http://mecoolonline.com where you can get a 10% off with the code "mecoolbox" at checkout)
- Nvidia Shield TV (The most expensive but powerful, recommended for gaming. More info at http://shield.nvidia.com )
- Walmart Onn (More info at http://walmart.com )
CERTIFIED ANDROIDTV/GOOGLETV BOXES WITH ONLY PRIME VIDEO FOR THE US, EUROPE AND THE REST OF THE WORLD:
- Formuler GTV (Gigabit ethernet. Exclusive MYTVOnline2 app for IPTV. More info at http://formuler.tv/gtv )
- Mecool KM6 Classic Edition (AV1 hardware decoding. More info at http://mecoolonline.com where you can get a 10% off with the code "mecoolbox" at checkout)
- Mecool KM6 Deluxe Edition (AV1 hardware decoding. Gigabit ethernet. WiFi 6. 4GB of RAM. More info at http://mecoolonline.com where you can get a 10% off with the code "mecoolbox" at checkout)
- Mecool KT1 (AV1 hardware decoding. DVB-T2/S2/C tuner built-in. More info at http://mecoolonline.com where you can get a 10% off with the code "mecoolbox" at checkout)
- Mecool Now (An Android TV device with a built-in camera and microphone, suitable for videoconferencing. More info at http://mecoolonline.com where you can get a 10% off with the code "mecoolbox" at checkout)
- Mecool KD1 TV Stick (More info at http://mecoolonline.com where you can get a 10% off with the code "mecoolbox" at checkout)
CERTIFIED ANDROID TV BOXES WITH NETFLIX AND PRIME VIDEO CERTIFICATIONS THAT USE THE NOW OLD AMLOGIC S905X SoC:
- Xiaomi Mi Box S (More info at http://mi.com/global/mi-box-s )
- Ematic Jetstream (More info at http://androidtv-guide.com/streaming-gaming/ematic-jetstream-tv-box )
For more info about all certified Android TV devices, head over to www.androidtv-guide.com website.
Wow Kitkat came out in 2013 and was replaced by Lollipop in 2014, so I'm going to have to say that this TV isn't all that recent, and that's probably why there's no updates for it.
Yeah, it sucks how makers just abandon their hardware well before the hardware is even being close to being worn out.
You might be able to try to force an update, but since this is a TV, there's a good chance that the TV may quit working, because the OS is usually tweaked significantly to make it work with the TV's hardware.
Yes, since Kitkat is no longer supported/up to date, many apps have quit working and/or cannot be updated or downloaded/installed. Again, sideloading might be an option but this might cause more problems that it solves.
So like you mentioned using an current external Android TV or other streaming box might be the best option.
Sorry, I wish I had a magical answer, but I don't.
I guess the good/great news is that streaming boxes/sticks are really affordable, so hopefully having to get/add one won't be painful.
Best wishes and good luck!