This would be horrible for people who enjoy sideloading APKs.

  • kaitco@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Yeah, but if you hook up a refurbished laptop that costs like $100, you could still use that via the HDMI rather than the Fire TV “part”.

    Take their cheap hardware and then not use what they hope you’ll use it for.

      • kaitco@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        It’s still cheaper than a “normal” TV + Roku or whatever.

        I mean, the goal here is to stop being so inundated with ads. There is a cost associated. The cost can be in a more expensive TV, privacy nightmares, or a cheap TV with a cheap setup.

        A $200 setup sounds ace to me and perfectly feasible. You could probably lower than by using a Raspberry Pi setup instead. A “decent” TV is going to run into the $400 range once you get 55” or larger, and your laptop/Pi setup can be used on any TV for as long as you want.

        Heck, it doesn’t even need to be a new-to-you laptop. I’ve repurposed my last 3 computers to do just this; I was buying a new desktop or laptop anyway, so the old one became my streaming device.

        • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          You really expect some 60-year-old plumber who just wants to watch Netflix to figure all that out just to watch it?

          • kaitco@lemmy.world
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            1 year ago

            Idk…my mother’s in her 60s and she can figure out this stuff. And plumbers have a fair amount of general know-how. 🤷‍♀️

            Obviously, the TV-to-laptop option isn’t for the general masses, which is why these devices exist. I’m just offering that there are alternatives available to those who are willing.