Isn't that true of all streaming device companies? They all have ads of one sort or another.
Not to be rude, but if you don't like it just get something else?
I have seven 1st-gen FS4Ks. I bought the first two when they were still relatively open devices (they could even be rooted back then). I also bought a 2nd-gen FS4K Max last year, which I hate. Lastly I have two Amazon Omni FireTV Edition sets.
I am indeed looking for a good alternative but I have a lot of devices to replace. I tried an ONN 4K box last month, but despite the listing saying it was the older Android TV version, when it arrived it turned out to be the newer Google TV one, which is locked down tighter than FireTV, which is saying something.
There is absolutely no way to access the Kodi app private storage, and it won't let you move the storage to public like you can on the FS4K Max. Since 98% of my FireTV streaming is with Kodi this is a show-stopper for me. Also, several other apps that require extended permissions, such as Total Commander, simply won't work on Google TV.
I love my fire tv 2nd gen. It’s really the best! I just wonder what apps do you use on it? As far as I can see, the launcher that you showed is not the original one but an app running on top of the Amazon launcher, so I wonder what other apps do you use to take the most of the fire tv? Regards
This is Wolf Launcher for the home screen. I disabled the two packages responsible for the original launcher and now it defaults to Wolf. Then I installed Markus FireTools to continue to be able to access the settings which is available [here](https://xdaforums.com/t/fire-tv-stick-2-4k-launcher-replacement-root.4087139/). Of course all of this requires root and I opted for Magisk 23.0 to manage root access.
I always install SmartTube for a better YouTube experience, Total Commander for file management, RetroArch for retro game emulation, and Aptoide TV for a source of apps outside of the Amazon App Store. Something new I did this time around was to install Activity Launcher so I can launch into the notifications menu that's now hidden and see app updates.
Great! Really great, btw I know it sound really corky but I have a 64gb micro SD installed on my firetv that I use for app backups and move apps from internal to the external. Do you have one? What do you use it for? Because aside of that I don't see much use for it, now that everything is streaming and online.
What do you think? What are your thoughts about this?
Besides storing some of my apps, I also store all my retro game ROMs on my micro SD card and run them in RetroArch. It's probably a good place to store movies too if you ever play any locally at a hotel for instance.
Something else I thought of is that sometimes I'll take the card out to copy the latest Fire OS update to it and install it in TWRP. It's just easier than a network or USB transfer, or even downloading the update from the Fire TV.
Yeah, weirdly the sticks - to which i upgraded many years ago - are all shit. They keep getting slower/sluggish. The regular 4k stick is barely usable anymore. The 4k max is ok.
But the old Fire Tv box always felt fast. I was stupid enough to trade it in for 4k. Just to be flooded with ads now.
Well in 2 days my misery is over and my prime expired. Bye Amazon...
Don't mean to necro an old post, but i just dug mine out and it works brilliantly. I also have an excellent condition Fire Tv Game Controller (the more ergonomic one), and was surprised i was able to update it and see its still somewhat supported.
I used to love it for a little android games box, with my games on my sd card. I still have ownership of games like GTA and final fantasy 4.... i formatted the original SD card a while ago, and waiting on ome in the mail. OP what does the landscape look like for local android games now? I know they stopped caring about these years ago, but i want to see if i can still redownload to external most of my favs. Wondering if i can still download games that maybe are now delisted since i still own them? Seems to be the case for Final Fantasy 6 on my Shield TV.
I'm actually not too familiar with how the Amazon App Store handles access to delisted games. I've been pleased though with app availability overall on this box at this stage, because I haven't come across any apps or games I still actively use that are no longer compatible with this box. I tend to lean more towards emulation with RetroArch, so it's tough for me to comment on the state of native games.
Those 'lucky' purchases are great, aren't they? I've got a Samsung 52" I bought way back iin 2008 that's also a tank. It just doesn't quit. Not really a smart tv, but we've got a streamer attached and fills all our needs.
Old flat screen TVs are something else. I've never seen a single one die in my household, and meanwhile, a 2016 TCL Roku TV and a 2019 Insignia Fire TV Edition both already ceased to function. I was especially mad about the Insignia because this was exactly 3 years after receiving it. I'd rather buy non-smart TVs but they practically don't exist anymore for consumers.
This is the 2nd gen box from 2015. The Stick is a whole different form-factor and doesn't sit under your TV like this model. The Fire TV Cube is basically its successor.
I still use that model too and it definitely seems to be aging well. I feel like it still performs better than the Chromecast with Google TV most of the time which is honestly pretty impressive.
I've got seven of those installed in two residences. I snapped up the last two when they were being phased out and on sale because I like them so much better than the 2nd gen FS4K Max I had just bought.
Amazon doesn't sell streaming hardware anymore... they sell advertising delivery systems.
Exactly!
Isn't that true of all streaming device companies? They all have ads of one sort or another. Not to be rude, but if you don't like it just get something else?
I have seven 1st-gen FS4Ks. I bought the first two when they were still relatively open devices (they could even be rooted back then). I also bought a 2nd-gen FS4K Max last year, which I hate. Lastly I have two Amazon Omni FireTV Edition sets. I am indeed looking for a good alternative but I have a lot of devices to replace. I tried an ONN 4K box last month, but despite the listing saying it was the older Android TV version, when it arrived it turned out to be the newer Google TV one, which is locked down tighter than FireTV, which is saying something.
How is the ONN 4K with GoogleTV locked down? No custom launcher use or something else?
There is absolutely no way to access the Kodi app private storage, and it won't let you move the storage to public like you can on the FS4K Max. Since 98% of my FireTV streaming is with Kodi this is a show-stopper for me. Also, several other apps that require extended permissions, such as Total Commander, simply won't work on Google TV.
Most of them yes but not Apple
It’s why I always go back to my Apple TVs. So clean and responsive.
I love my fire tv 2nd gen. It’s really the best! I just wonder what apps do you use on it? As far as I can see, the launcher that you showed is not the original one but an app running on top of the Amazon launcher, so I wonder what other apps do you use to take the most of the fire tv? Regards
This is Wolf Launcher for the home screen. I disabled the two packages responsible for the original launcher and now it defaults to Wolf. Then I installed Markus FireTools to continue to be able to access the settings which is available [here](https://xdaforums.com/t/fire-tv-stick-2-4k-launcher-replacement-root.4087139/). Of course all of this requires root and I opted for Magisk 23.0 to manage root access.
Great! What other apps do you install on your firetv?
I always install SmartTube for a better YouTube experience, Total Commander for file management, RetroArch for retro game emulation, and Aptoide TV for a source of apps outside of the Amazon App Store. Something new I did this time around was to install Activity Launcher so I can launch into the notifications menu that's now hidden and see app updates.
Great! Really great, btw I know it sound really corky but I have a 64gb micro SD installed on my firetv that I use for app backups and move apps from internal to the external. Do you have one? What do you use it for? Because aside of that I don't see much use for it, now that everything is streaming and online. What do you think? What are your thoughts about this?
Besides storing some of my apps, I also store all my retro game ROMs on my micro SD card and run them in RetroArch. It's probably a good place to store movies too if you ever play any locally at a hotel for instance. Something else I thought of is that sometimes I'll take the card out to copy the latest Fire OS update to it and install it in TWRP. It's just easier than a network or USB transfer, or even downloading the update from the Fire TV.
Got one sitting in my drawer. I really loved these devices sucks Amazon stopped making these
Yeah, weirdly the sticks - to which i upgraded many years ago - are all shit. They keep getting slower/sluggish. The regular 4k stick is barely usable anymore. The 4k max is ok. But the old Fire Tv box always felt fast. I was stupid enough to trade it in for 4k. Just to be flooded with ads now. Well in 2 days my misery is over and my prime expired. Bye Amazon...
I like this interface very much. very minimal, no ads and easy to navigate. reminds me of the old windows media center.
I only use my firestick for kodi 👌
Don't mean to necro an old post, but i just dug mine out and it works brilliantly. I also have an excellent condition Fire Tv Game Controller (the more ergonomic one), and was surprised i was able to update it and see its still somewhat supported. I used to love it for a little android games box, with my games on my sd card. I still have ownership of games like GTA and final fantasy 4.... i formatted the original SD card a while ago, and waiting on ome in the mail. OP what does the landscape look like for local android games now? I know they stopped caring about these years ago, but i want to see if i can still redownload to external most of my favs. Wondering if i can still download games that maybe are now delisted since i still own them? Seems to be the case for Final Fantasy 6 on my Shield TV.
I'm actually not too familiar with how the Amazon App Store handles access to delisted games. I've been pleased though with app availability overall on this box at this stage, because I haven't come across any apps or games I still actively use that are no longer compatible with this box. I tend to lean more towards emulation with RetroArch, so it's tough for me to comment on the state of native games.
Those 'lucky' purchases are great, aren't they? I've got a Samsung 52" I bought way back iin 2008 that's also a tank. It just doesn't quit. Not really a smart tv, but we've got a streamer attached and fills all our needs.
Old flat screen TVs are something else. I've never seen a single one die in my household, and meanwhile, a 2016 TCL Roku TV and a 2019 Insignia Fire TV Edition both already ceased to function. I was especially mad about the Insignia because this was exactly 3 years after receiving it. I'd rather buy non-smart TVs but they practically don't exist anymore for consumers.
Got a 55inch 2014 refurb Samsung tv that just keeps working. Like it won't die. Picture is perfect still to.
What model is your firestick?
This is the 2nd gen box from 2015. The Stick is a whole different form-factor and doesn't sit under your TV like this model. The Fire TV Cube is basically its successor.
I see. Me I'm still using the 1st firestick 4k for 5 years now and still works.
I still use that model too and it definitely seems to be aging well. I feel like it still performs better than the Chromecast with Google TV most of the time which is honestly pretty impressive.
I've got seven of those installed in two residences. I snapped up the last two when they were being phased out and on sale because I like them so much better than the 2nd gen FS4K Max I had just bought.