Amazon To Block Piracy Apps On Fire TV 27
Amazon will begin blocking sideloaded piracy apps on Fire TV devices by cross-checking them against a blacklist maintained by the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment. The company will, however, continue to allow legitimate sideloading for developers. Heise reports: In response to an inquiry, Amazon explained that it has always worked to ban piracy from its app store. As part of an expanded program led by the ACE, it is now blocking apps that demonstrably provide access to pirated content, including those downloaded outside the app store. This builds on Amazon's ongoing efforts to support creators and protect customers, as piracy can also expose users to malware, viruses, and fraud.
[...] The sideloading option will remain available on Fire TV devices running Amazon's new operating system, Vega OS. However, it is generally limited to developers here. In this context, the company emphasized that, contrary to rumors, there are no plans to upgrade existing Fire TV devices with Fire OS as the operating system to Vega OS.
[...] The sideloading option will remain available on Fire TV devices running Amazon's new operating system, Vega OS. However, it is generally limited to developers here. In this context, the company emphasized that, contrary to rumors, there are no plans to upgrade existing Fire TV devices with Fire OS as the operating system to Vega OS.
ZOMG! (Score:2)
Re: ZOMG! (Score:3, Funny)
Not everything. I think you'll find most Raspberry Pis won't play ads . /s
Re: ZOMG! (Score:2)
Everything? Can your Raspberry Pi device allow you to access Netflix, Disney+, and other commercial streaming services, with 4k video, and an interface that's friendly to a standard remote control (not accessing them via a web browser full screen)?
People who use side loading aren't all "pirate ALL the media!" types, and don't want to hassle with juggling multiple OTT devices normally.
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
Yep. I do all this every day on my Pi.
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Yep. I do all this every day on my Pi.
Well, then I might look into that route myself if the time comes.
As it is I only put up with Amazon's Ad-tacular OS because the Fire Sticks are the only streaming devices I can find that have hardware-acceleration support 10-bit H264.
Re: ZOMG! (Score:2)
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Everything? Can your Raspberry Pi device allow you to access Netflix, Disney+, and other commercial streaming services, with 4k video, and an interface that's friendly to a standard remote control (not accessing them via a web browser full screen)?
Yes. I doubt the so-called "dodgy boxes" that plug into an HDMI port are using proprietary technology. I'm sure you could roll your own hardware, but probably not whatever's in the £30-50 yearly software updates you have to buy. A relative has one, and I'm tempted to ask where they got it because the UI is simpler, smoother and completely bereft of ads, recommendations, or anything one has to pay extra for.
Wait, were you talking about paying for all those services?
Re: (Score:2)
Wait, were you talking about paying for all those services?
Not all of them, no. But being subscribed to a commercial service like Netflix or having access to Amazon Prime Video (because you subscribed for free shipping) while still using other apps that have to be sideloaded isn't that odd. Having to change your device just because you changed the app you're using isn't very high in WAF (Wife Approval Factor).
Re: These things (Score:2)
Pretty much my take. Plex has a client so for the new Fire TV Select (their first one using the new OS), and the device only supports 20 year old video codecs (h264). HEVC and AV1 videos have to be transcoded back at the server. If it was a real Android TV device Google wouldn't when certify it with those specs.
Re: These things (Score:2)
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The Fire Stick Select is Amazon's first Vega OS device, and a product lower in market segment than the (normal) 4K Stick. The limitations are straight from Plex [forums.plex.tv].
7 mbps? That's worthless for anything higher than basic streaming-service 1080p resolution. It must be some artificial limitation too, because the device can supposedly play back 4K/HDR - which
Why is it Amazon's business (Score:1)
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Maybe you need to read page 89 of the TOS. I'm sure Amazon has your best interests at heart.
Once again proving you don't own the device... (Score:4, Insightful)
You paid them for the right to hold it in your possession until which time they decide to brick it.
Fire TV? (Score:4, Informative)
If you're using a Fire TV you're doing it all wrong. Build yourself an HTPC, get a decent NAS, install Kodi on your HTPC. Use a TV that doesn't require an Internet connection (i.e. use it as a simple monitor). Pop some corn, sit back, win. There are even simpler ways of doing this with a RasPI, but I find having a full blown PC at my disposal to be quite convenient as well.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: Fire TV? (Score:2)
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Oh it can be done. You can find many off-lease HP i7 2nd to 4th gen systems on eBay for around $25, although shipping will increase the cost. Ask around, your friends may have old PCs in their closet or know someone at work with a computer they are not using. It doesn't take much of a system to create a decent HTPC these days. Mine is an i7 4770K that I've been using for well over 10 years now. In all that time I've only had to replace the CMOS battery, replace the thermal pads on the video card (a GTX 970)
Re: Fire TV? (Score:2)
Re: Fire TV? (Score:2)
Goodbye Fire TV, Firestick... (Score:2)