I want to help someone a bit less tech savvy drop the cable box in favor of a fire tv or shield. My biggest concern is compatibility with streaming tv apps, particularly stuff like the spectrum tv app, hulu, and directTV now. I won't be around all the time to sideload new versions or change any settings and it sounds like android needs a little love. Someone with some firsthand experience please talk me out of buying an inferior piece of hardware!
I have roku, androidtv mibox and chromecast and I’d personally recommend Roku for someone who’s less tech savvy. Also, in terms of the number of channels, non at the moment can beat it. If you don’t want it though androidtv is also a good alternative. With it I can watch movies/shows from sling, hulu, hbo now, etc. I can’t comment on amazon firetv since I have non.