Tag: Android TV

The AT4k Launcher for Google TV and Android TV Brings an Ad Free Experience – No Rooting Required!

I recently spent some time testing a new interface for Android TV and Google TV called AT4K. It brings the visual style of the Apple TV interface to much lower cost devices like the Onn streamer I tested it on. The primary draw of this specific launcher is that it functions without advertisements and can be configured to run as the default launcher without having to root your device, similar to the Projectivy launcher I looked at last year.

Check out AT4k in my latest review!

The layout features a header row that behaves similarly to the standard Android launcher, pulling content cards from associated apps. For instance, when I scrolled to the Apple TV app icon, the header displayed specific shows and movies from that service. If an app does not provide its own cards, the system pulls from other apps like Plex. The header can be removed if you just want the standard app layout.

Below this header, the rest of the applications are arranged in a grid. Managing these icons is straightforward; holding down a selection button triggers a “jiggle” mode that allows for moving apps or grouping them into folders. I created a dedicated folder for games, and the process was functional and mirrored the organizational style found on Apple TV devices.

Navigating the settings reveals two distinct areas: one for the standard Android system settings and another for AT4K’s internal configurations. The launcher supports both light and dark modes, though I found the light mode to be quite legible. There are premium features available for a one-time fee of five dollars, such as the ability to use custom images or videos as backgrounds and the option to expand the app grid from five to seven icons per row. During my time with the app, I encountered some difficulty interacting with the custom image menu, which is something to monitor in future updates.

One of the more practical aspects of AT4K is its ability to become the default launcher without requiring the user to root or hack the device hardware. It utilizes Android’s accessibility options to override the standard launcher. By enabling the AT4K service in the accessibility menu, the launcher can intercept the home button press and manage the boot sequence. To test this, I enabled the “override current launcher” and “start on boot” settings before power-cycling my device.

After the reboot, the original Google TV interface appeared momentarily before AT4K automatically took over. I launched several resource-heavy applications, such as HD HomeRun and Apple TV, and in each instance, pressing the home button returned me back to the AT4K interface rather than the factory default.

The app manager within the settings also provides a quick way to hide specific applications from the launcher or access deep system settings like “force stop” or “uninstall.”

I found the setup process to be accessible for most users, as it does not require adjusting complex security settings. For those who prefer the aesthetic of the Apple ecosystem but want to maintain the flexibility of an Android-based device, this launcher offers a functional middle ground. I plan to keep this as my primary interface for the time being, as it provides a streamlined experience that remains stable under regular use.

BuzzTV Powerstation P6 Review.. It’s not an Nvidia Shield

I review a lot of TV streaming boxes, and for enthusiasts the Nvidia Shield has long been the reference point. It has been around since 2015 and remains a capable device for people running their own media servers with support for full 4K Blu-ray rips, including support for Dolby Vision and lossless audio formats. It also shares its core hardware lineage with the Nintendo Switch, which gives it enough performance headroom for gaming and emulation.

While attending CES, I came across a company called BuzzTV showing a device called the Power Station 6 that they said is more powerful than the Shield. I decided to purchase one to see how it performed and whether it could serve as a realistic alternative. Spoiler alert, it doesn’t.

Check it out in my latest review!

The model I chose was the least expensive version, which includes 8 GB of RAM and sells for just under $300. There are higher-end variants with 16 GB and even 32 GB of DDR5 RAM, with the most expensive version priced at around $500. At that level, it starts competing directly with compact Ryzen-based mini PCs, which generally offer more flexibility and stronger overall performance for similar money.

All versions of the Power Station 6 use the same Rockchip RK3588 processor. Storage on the base and mid-tier models is 128 GB, while the highest-end version includes 256 GB. There is also an SD card slot and an internal bay for an NVMe SSD, allowing for quiet, solid-state expansion. Physically, the unit looks appealing but feels lightweight and somewhat hollow. The port selection is reasonable, with USB 3.0, USB 2.0, USB-C, optical audio out, gigabit Ethernet, and HDMI output rated for up to 8K. In practice, however, its usefulness as a home theater device quickly runs into limitations.

In my testing, this was not a strong Plex client. When I opened the box I was greeted with a warning that the Powerstation 6 is not to be plugged into a home theater receiver for some strange reason.

Dolby Vision was not supported, and lossless audio passthrough to my receiver did not work. While it can output 4K and 8K video, the lack of video and audio passthrough features means it doesn’t support the enthusiast-grade playback experience that the Shield is known for. That was disappointing given the price category this device occupies.

Performance is one of the few areas where the Power Station 6 shows some promise. In the 3DMark Wildlife benchmark, it slightly outperformed the Nvidia Shield, though not by a wide margin. That extra headroom shows up in emulation. GameCube titles like Wave Race using the Dolphin emulator ran at full speed in my testing. PlayStation 2 emulation was more mixed. Using NetherSX2 at minimum settings, demanding games like Burnout Revenge struggled to maintain full speed when there was a lot happening on screen. At this price point, a mini PC generally handles this workload better.

The software experience reinforces that concern. This is not an officially certified Android TV or Google TV device. Buzz TV uses its own interface, and while the Google Play Store is present, many mainstream streaming apps either cannot be installed or do not function properly. Disney+ would not play content at 4K and repeatedly errored out after only a minute or two of playback. Netflix was available only in a tablet-style version, with the TV version failing to launch entirely. Features like Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and reliable HDR support were absent across these apps.

Although the device reports Widevine L1 certification, which should allow for high-resolution HDR streaming, real-world results did not reflect that capability. Compounding this is an outdated security posture. The box runs Android 13, but its most recent security patch dates back to August 2023. Google Play Protect was disabled by default, and there are numerous preinstalled apps of unclear origin. Taken together, this raises both usability and security concerns.

One area where Buzz TV clearly invested effort is the remote control. It feels solid, is backlit, and avoids the advertising buttons common on many streaming remotes. The programmable color buttons and the accompanying configuration app are well executed, and HDMI-CEC controls are easy to access. The remote ends up being the best-designed part of the product, even though it cannot compensate for the broader software and compatibility issues.

After spending time with the Power Station 6, what stood out most was how poorly integrated the overall experience felt. The interface itself is not cluttered with ads, but many of the things enthusiasts expect simply do not work. Between limited app compatibility, missing audio and video features, outdated security updates, and unusual hardware restrictions, the device falls short of what its high pricing suggests. There is some performance potential here, but in its current form, it is difficult to justify as an enthusiast-grade streaming box, especially when more capable and flexible Mini PCs exist at similar prices.

The Google TV Streamer Review

I recently had the chance to test out Google’s latest TV streaming device, which is set to replace their lower-priced Chromecasts. Priced at $99 (compensated affiliate link), this device enters the more premium side of the market without the premium features enthusiasts might be expecting.

You can see more in my latest video.

The packaging includes a power adapter, a USB power cable, and a remote, but no HDMI cable, which is worth noting for anyone planning to hook it up to a 4K TV. The remote control has a new customizable button that can be programmed to launch apps or switch inputs. I also found it to be very responsive for voice queries.

The Streamer does include gigabit Ethernet offering faster connectivity if you have an ethernet connection nearby.

Surprisingly it does not feature the latest Wi-Fi technology. While lower cost devices now have Wi-Fi 6 onboard, this one is running with the older AC technology. It’ll still work with any Wi-Fi access point, but it may not do as well on busy wireless networks.

The device performs smoothly, and I found its responsiveness to be impressive, especially when navigating apps like Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney Plus. Dolby Vision and Atmos audio worked as expected through those services. However, it still hasn’t solved the 24p playback issue that affects many TV shows and movies shot at 24 frames per second. Netflix handled it, but Prime Video and Disney Plus did not switch properly in my tests. This will likely be a deal-breaker for home theater enthusiasts.

Another deal breaker for enthusiasts is that the device does not passthrough lossless audio or HDR formats from high bit rate Blu-Ray rips.

The box is running Android 14, although I did not notice many differences from prior versions of Android with Google TV. Google is now integrating some AI-powered synopses of show details and audience reviews but these are mostly very brief summaries. But issues with Google TV’s universal watchlist persist – such as not being able to add Netflix shows to it.

One fun addition is the integration of AI-generated screen savers. You can request custom artwork directly, which is a neat feature. The AI-generated images it created, such as a Siberian Husky playing video games, were a whimsical touch but not something to base a purchasing decision on.

The Streamer supports the Matter home automation standard, making it compatible with a growing range of smart home devices, although my experience with Matter devices has been mixed. The one device I have on hand compatible with the standard did not work correctly.

Gaming performance doesn’t match the price point, especially when compared to the almost-ten-year-old Nvidia Shield which absolutely smokes the Streamer in benchmark tests. Even simple games like Crossy Road lag a bit. Game streaming worked fine, however, but I did notice quite a bit of input lag when using a bluetooth game controller.

Overall, the device works well for casual streaming and home automation, but the price feels steep given that other devices offer similar features for less. If you’re invested in Google’s ecosystem or interested in the future of Matter-compatible home devices, it may be worth a look, but budget-conscious consumers will find better value elsewhere.

See more reviews of devices like this one here!

Walmart’s $15 New Onn Streaming Stick Reviewed

My latest video takes a look at Walmart’s newly released Onn Streaming stick,. Retailing at a modest $15 (compensated affiliate link), this device is exclusive to Walmart and primarily targets users with older televisions that support 1080p resolution.

The Onn Streaming Stick, devoid of the high-end features found in more expensive counterparts, still manages to hold its ground in terms of value. It’s particularly appealing for those who have older television sets that are no longer updated, along with those who travel frequently, offering a convenient way to access streaming shows on the go. The device connects via its built in HDMI plug and includes an extension cable for easier placement behind a television.

The Onn streaming stick has only a single micro USB port for powering the device. An interesting aspect is its compatibility with the Smays ethernet adapter, which also provides additional USB ports.

At its core, the stick is powered by an AM logic S805X2 processor, similar to Google’s HD-only Chromecast, but at half the price. It comes with 1.5 GB of RAM and 8 GB of storage, sufficient for streaming applications but limited for storing games or other large files.

The included remote features full voice capabilities integrated with Google Assistant. This allows for easy voice searches and control of home automation devices. Performance-wise, the stick handles most streaming services efficiently.

The Onn Streaming stick runs a “pure” version of the Google TV OS which allows for personalizing content recommendations for multiple family members. Google TV recently added a great new free live channel interface that brings in a lot of ad supported content from a number of providers. And because the underlying operating system is based on Android it has a deep app library along with the ability to sideload apps.

It also supports Chromecasting, enabling content from a phone running a supporting streaming app seamlessly transfer content to the TV. The universal search function, accessible via voice command, is sufficient, although it is still limited by not offering a truly universal search and watchlist functionality.

While the device supports game streaming services like Nvidia’s GeForce Now, native gaming experiences are less impressive due to hardware limitations. In terms of updates, Walmart has been reasonably consistent in providing security updates for their devices, though they haven’t explicitly stated their update policy.

The Walmart Onn Streaming Stick is a good option for those with older TVs or for travelers seeking a portable streaming solution. While it may not excel in gaming, it performs well enough in its primary role as a streaming device, offering good value for its price.

Is Your Generic Android TV Box Compromised?

In my latest video I dive into the security concerns surrounding generic Android TV boxes.

These devices, often found on platforms like Amazon, Walmart, and AliExpress, have been reported to contain spyware and malware that can execute in the background without the user’s knowledge. This malware can perform various nefarious activities, including click fraud, where the box clicks on ads generating revenue for the people operating the command and control server.

What’s more concerning is that these boxes have the potential to do just about anything from your IP address as they are located behind your router or firewall. Given that these devices are often connected to our Google accounts, this could mean that someone could potentially access your YouTube account, Gmail account, and any other services attached to Google through the TV box.

To ensure your Android TV device is secure, Google suggests checking if your device is Play Protect certified. This can be done by going into the Google Play Store on your device, navigating to the ‘Play Protect’ section, and checking if your device is certified. However, this process can be a bit tricky on devices running the Google TV OS, as the Google Play Store is not readily accessible.

In my video, I demonstrated how to check for Play Protect certification on the Onn 4k Google TV box, a device running the Google TV OS. Despite not being listed on Google’s list of Android TV partner products, the Onn box was found to be Play Protect certified, suggesting that it is a secure device.

However, given the potential security risks associated with non-certified devices, I recommend sticking to name-brand ones. There are good and affordable name brand options available, such as the Onn box from Walmart along with the Chromecast with Google TV (affiliate links). And for power users the Nvidia Shield TV Pro (affiliate link) is still the top device.

While generic Android TV boxes may be tempting due to their low price, the potential security risks they pose just isn’t worth it. It’s always better to opt for a certified, name-brand device to ensure your privacy and security.