• Zedstrian@sopuli.xyz
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    12 days ago

    The only smart TVs anyone should be getting are ones running Google TV that can have the default launcher replaced with an ad-free option such as Projectivy Launcher.

    If Google locks down Android APK installations further, even Google TV might no longer be viable, but for now it is the only option with a user-friendly TV interface (versus using a Linux device) with an app library not limited to the degree that Roku and Apple TV devices are.

    • The_Jit@lemmy.world
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      12 days ago

      That’s why I got a Hisense TV a few years ago because it had the stock Google TV on it. I immediately installed Flauncher on it. No issues since.

    • SanctimoniousApe@lemmings.world
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      12 days ago

      I couldn’t replace the launcher on my Onn Google TV box (the model with the built-in Google Home Mini), unless there’s some way of doing it via ADB? This is why I prefer Android vs Google TV, but if that’s only the case for the Onn device, then that may broaden my options significantly.

      • Zedstrian@sopuli.xyz
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        12 days ago

        The Launcher Manager app is also necessary to change the default launcher to the custom one you choose. Here’s a guide I wrote a while ago on my recommended configuration steps.

        It should work on both Android TV and Google TV; they’re both Android, just different official launchers, so the best device to run is the one with the latest version of Android and the highest specs.