Does anyone know if there are similar devices to the firestick only that run android tv? I'm sick of amazon not letting us take control and customize our home screens. But I've been looking and I'm not seeing many "sticks" if you will they are all boxy. Any suggestions in that regard?
I loved my Chromecast w/ Google TV (CCwGTV) right out of the box, and used it exclusively for about a year... until the storage limitation finally caught up to me.
Now I've switched back to Roku for a while, at least until the gen-2 CCwGTV comes out (and is hopefully better than the gen-1 stick).
I don't customize my home screen, but I'm like 99% sure some of the other folks in r/CCwGTV do.
And Google is (best I can tell) cool with it, so... no rules violations.
I'd go for something Google certified like a mi stick or a Chromecast with Google TV.
20$ -- Onn 4K TV Box from Walmart - peep my tutorials ; )
- root, unlock bootloader, delete default stock launcher and so much more
Why does it need to be a stick? Why do you care what the form factor is when it's hidden behind the TV?
If you NEED a stick then Xiaomi and Walmart's ONN brand both make one.
Depending on how much you want to spend, the Chromecast with Google TV or the Shield TV Tube.
GOOGLE TV IS THE FUTURE
the sync with Google Search + watchlist is amazing
universally usedable
I use both the xiaomi mi box S and the new chromecast both are fine. I ditched the firestick about two years ago and haven’t looked back
CERTIFIED ANDROIDTV/GOOGLETV BOXES WITH NETFLIX AND PRIME VIDEO FOR THE UNITED STATES ONLY:
- AirTV Mini (More info at airtv.net/products)
- AT&T TV (More info at http://att.com/tv/device-features )
- Tivo Stream 4K (More info at http://tivo.com/products/stream-4k )
- T-Mobile TVision HUB (More info at http://t-mobile.com/tvision/services/hub )
- Verizon Stream TV (AV1 hardware decoding. More info at http://verizon.com/products/verizon-stream-tv-gen-2 )
CERTIFIED ANDROIDTV/GOOGLETV BOXES WITH NETFLIX AND PRIME VIDEO FOR THE US, EUROPE AND THE REST OF THE WORLD:
- Chromecast with Google TV (more info at http://tv.google )
- Mecool KD3 with Google TV (More info at http://mecoolonline.com where you can get a 10% off with the code "mecoolbox" at checkout)
- Dynalink TV dongle (More info at http://dynalink.life )
- Homatics Box Q (More info at http://homatics.eu/products/homatics-box-q )
- Homatics Dongle Q (More info at http://homatics.eu/products/homatics-dongle-q )
- Mecool KM2 (More info at http://mecoolonline.com where you can get a 10% off with the code "mecoolbox" at checkout)
- Nvidia Shield TV (The most expensive but powerful, recommended for gaming. More info at http://shield.nvidia.com )
- Walmart Onn (More info at http://walmart.com )
CERTIFIED ANDROID TV BOXES WITH NETFLIX AND PRIME VIDEO CERTIFICATIONS THAT USE THE NOW OLD AMLOGIC S905X SoC:
- Xiaomi Mi Box S (More info at http://mi.com/global/mi-box-s )
- Ematic Jetstream (More info at http://androidtv-guide.com/streaming-gaming/ematic-jetstream-tv-box )
CERTIFIED ANDROIDTV/GOOGLETV BOXES WITH ONLY PRIME VIDEO FOR THE US, EUROPE AND THE REST OF THE WORLD:
- Formuler GTV (Gigabit ethernet. Exclusive MYTVOnline2 app for IPTV. More info at http://formuler.tv/gtv )
WARNING!, ALTHOUGH MECOOL IS THE BEST OEM WHEN IT COMES TO RELEASING NEW DEVICES EVERY YEAR, THEY ARE THE WORST WHEN IT COMES TO RELEASING FIRMWARE UPDATES TO FIX BUGS AND ISSUES, IF YOU DON'T MIND ABOUT THAT, YOU CAN GET ANY OF THE FOLLOWING MODELS:
- Mecool KM6 Classic Edition (AV1 hardware decoding. More info at http://mecoolonline.com where you can get a 10% off with the code "mecoolbox" at checkout)
- Mecool KM6 Deluxe Edition (AV1 hardware decoding. Gigabit ethernet. WiFi 6. 4GB of RAM. More info at http://mecoolonline.com where you can get a 10% off with the code "mecoolbox" at checkout)
- Mecool KM7 (AV1 hardware decoding. 2GB/16GB and 4GB/64GB versions. More info at http://mecoolonline.com where you can get a 10% off with the code "mecoolbox" at checkout)
- Mecool KT1 (AV1 hardware decoding. DVB-T2/S2/C tuner built-in. More info at http://mecoolonline.com where you can get a 10% off with the code "mecoolbox" at checkout)
- Mecool Now (An Android TV device with a built-in camera and microphone, suitable for videoconferencing. More info at http://mecoolonline.com where you can get a 10% off with the code "mecoolbox" at checkout)
- Mecool KD2 TV Stick (AV1 hardware decoding. More info at http://mecoolonline.com where you can get a 10% off with the code "mecoolbox" at checkout)
- Mecool HomePlus KA1 (Android TV speaker with AV1 hardware decoding, DVB-T/T2/C variant. More info at http://mecoolonline.com where you can get a 10% off with the code "mecoolbox" at checkout)
For more info about all certified Android TV devices, head over to www.androidtv-guide.com website.
How about the Google Chromecast, although I don't know how much customization it allows to the home screen.
I have a tanix, a mibox s, a tivo stream and a couple weeks ago I've bought a onn box at Walmart for 20 bucks.
After debloating it, let me tell you that I'm impressed. I'm running a Kodi installation with several addons and a skin full of widgets and it works surprisingly fast and snappy. I watch 4k 20+ gb files without a hitch. I also use Tivimate with 8 different providers, epgs, vod etc and again, the little sucker delivers.
The box is so small and weights so little. I affixed it to the back of my tv with double sided tape to avoid dangling.
Stay away from the onn stick. Is underpowered, has half the ram and is only 3 bucks less than the box.
For the price, size, power and convenience you can't go wrong with the Onn box.
I think the tvision hub stick by tmobile has android on it.
As per Rule 6 all discussion of the pirate version of ATV Launcher will be removed automatically.
I have a Xiaomi TV Stick 4K. Runs really smooth without any problem.
Roll your own androidtv on a raspberry pi - https://konstakang.com/devices/rpi4/LineageOS18-ATV/
I use the Mecool KM2 and it runs just great. I also have several of the Onns for bedrooms. They perform really well, especially for the price.
I tried this with a new box and the ease of use of firestick won out, I went back again.
Check out troypoint.com reviews
Can't you mod the Firestick with Kodi or another xmbc?
I will get downvoted for this but i used to be big into open android. I have one apple device and its a apple tv 4k, have had rokus, firesticks, shield pro.
So far been the most reliable and has the best picture quality. Flame away.
I also use a cheap multi remote for all my equipment. If you want to know which one contact me privately as advertising is not allowed
Google TV is excellent 👌