Well, in fairness, Flauncher and Nova launcher are on the play store. Irrespective, there are ways to install things now and then harden against google, such as blocking MAC address, Pinhole, disabling updates etc.
Alternatively, an android dongle (like Onn) is an option, however I would advise against Amazon Fire sticks and the like (telemetry, locked down)
Alternatively, make your own. A
Raspberry Pi CM4 TV Stick that plugs into HDMI is one known option. If Andorid (and ASOP) become as locked down as you fear, there will be other options - Kodi, LineageOS TV etc.
If Android wants to shit the bed, no problem. It’s not the only game in town.
A totally valid option I had not considered. Imo, the solution needs to be controlled by a standard remote. I tried for a couple years to get my family to use a media pc that used a media keyboard and no one would touch it. I turned it into a server and streamed to emby and now they will use it but only after I showed them it works even when the internet is down.
I TOTALLY feel you. I’ve wanted a good media remote for ages. seems like a project to repurpose a bluetooth remote to control a phone would be medium low difficulty
looks pretty promising, i see there are a ton of bluetooth remotes on Amazon that are simple media on one side and keyboard on the back. I might have to screw with that on an android and see If I can cobble together a launcher that’s media friendly
Until sept 2026…
Do you really think Google will approve those APKs once they have fully lockdown android (that includes Google TV)?
That’s why this push from google to kill the APK installation without their blessing infuriates me!
https://keepandroidopen.org/
Well, in fairness, Flauncher and Nova launcher are on the play store. Irrespective, there are ways to install things now and then harden against google, such as blocking MAC address, Pinhole, disabling updates etc.
Alternatively, an android dongle (like Onn) is an option, however I would advise against Amazon Fire sticks and the like (telemetry, locked down)
Alternatively, make your own. A Raspberry Pi CM4 TV Stick that plugs into HDMI is one known option. If Andorid (and ASOP) become as locked down as you fear, there will be other options - Kodi, LineageOS TV etc.
If Android wants to shit the bed, no problem. It’s not the only game in town.
yeah, we’ll be working on grapheneOS tv boxes in a years time.
I will 100% jump over to it if that does turn into a thing
HDMI + A presentation mouse and bluetooth keyboard on an old Pixel?
A totally valid option I had not considered. Imo, the solution needs to be controlled by a standard remote. I tried for a couple years to get my family to use a media pc that used a media keyboard and no one would touch it. I turned it into a server and streamed to emby and now they will use it but only after I showed them it works even when the internet is down.
I TOTALLY feel you. I’ve wanted a good media remote for ages. seems like a project to repurpose a bluetooth remote to control a phone would be medium low difficulty
I bought one of these from Flirc but never used it.
looks pretty promising, i see there are a ton of bluetooth remotes on Amazon that are simple media on one side and keyboard on the back. I might have to screw with that on an android and see If I can cobble together a launcher that’s media friendly
OMG me too!