Options for making android TV suck less?

by logophobia

Bought a Sony Bravia KDL-50W809C. The TV itself is fine, but android tv is very disappointing. The launcher specifically is rather useless:

  • Recommendations bar sucks. I disabled all recommendations, but it still shows stuff. Can I completely disable it?
  • Featured apps is useless and intrusive, basically ads for apps I don't want
  • Then a non-customizable list of apps and inputs, which would be a lot of nicer if I could, you know, customize it

Is there a (non-risky) way to change the launcher to something else? Or other options for making the platform suck less without risking bricking the television?

proxicent

Featured apps and extra notifications are Sony bloat added to Android TV. To remove:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=62218798&postcount=69

Otherwise try a fully customizable launcher like HALauncher . You can set this as the default launcher too.

Edit: ninja'd

jamesey10

I posted this a couple days ago...

https://www.reddit.com/r/AndroidTV/comments/3icqqc/rooting_sony_x850c/

Get Rid of the "Featured Apps" Section Go to Settings -> Apps

Look for an app called "Sony Shelf"

Force Close it

Set Notifications to "Off" Get Rid of the "Sony Select" App and its Recommendations Go to Settings -> Apps

Look for an app called "Sony Select"

Force Close it

Set Notifications to "Off"

Also check this thread at XDA. http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-player/general/sony-android-tv-users-t3096901

Izacus

You can easily replace a launcher, e. g. Xbmc launcher app lets you configure Kodi as default. And Kodi supports Android app shortcuts and is much more customizable and pleasant to use.

Kalzenith

Not sure how built-in android TV behaves compared to the Nexus player, but I've side-loaded Nova launcher onto my Nexus player. I love it.

edit: and im downvoted because.... i offered a potential solution?

deadringer28

The best launcher out there is HALauncher. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.i.akihiro.halauncher

ChrebetEighty

Kodi is the key.

oshae

Here's what you can do. Take it back and get a Roku.