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dizzurp
09-06-2018, 11:06 AM
Why do Dreamlink and Formuler boxes use a basic phone version of Android instead of AndroidTV which is designed to be used on TVs with remotes?

Is the licensing too expensive or simply just not attainable?

kens
09-07-2018, 06:06 PM
Android OS is open source, but to use it commercially, costs $$.

what you refer to most likely comes down to hardware configurations for SOC (system on a chip)
Even many Android Smart TV's are hacked versions of Android so as to make them Proprietary to the Manufacturers.
(This is so you have to use approved Apps from there Market only)

My friends "real Android" TV, has no phone settings, but still has an auto-rotate function???
...and it's a big TV to Rotate so we decided not to try. (LOL)
/kens

floder2
09-07-2018, 09:21 PM
Are there any boxes out there that have an Android O/S that use remote controls similar to smart tv's ...........makes apps like Netflix and Hulu work well without an air mouse........... I once a long time ago had a Western digital box ( WD tv Live media box)...it worked well with apps like hulu..netflix...MLB.TV and others.............But yes you could not install stuff like kodi on them..............I guess the closest thing to it would be Nvidia Shield ...........with IPTV coming through Kodi or a player like Perfect-Player or........STB-EMU

dizzurp
09-08-2018, 04:34 PM
Yes, the OS is called Android TV which is a version of AOSP designed for TVs and remotes.

Only a few devices I know have them: Google Nexus Player, Mi Box, and Nvidia Shield

Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Video, YouTube, and plenty of other apps created for Android TV are all designed to be remote-friendly.

The Shield, although 3 years old, is still the top android box on the market. The problem is that it's nearly 2-3x the cost of a Dreamlink or Formuler box. Plus you don't get the best looking IPTV app on the market: MyTVOnline/DOL2

floder2
09-08-2018, 05:43 PM
bought a Nvidia Shield a year ago ..only had the game pad...no remote........... $100 ...........craigslist .....sometimes a private sale on used stuff can be cost effective