What do you think of Android TV-Box Formuler? - Device Reviews and Information

Hello everybody,
I wanted to know what you think of the Android TV boxes of the brand Formuler if you have already tried them. (Formuler Z7, Z8 etc...)
Don't you find that they are way too expensive ? Do you think it is possible to do the same with other boxes much cheaper? How do you explain that they are considered by many people to be the best?
It amazes me that so many websites recommend these TV boxes ........

No one ?

Two plus years late but i searched XDA for Formuler since i bought one. I was looking for custom firmware or similar. To be fair, the box is speedy has had several updates and security patches from google and mine is running Android 10 which is not bad.
The interface is Android but not a full distro. More like Android Tv. It comes with Miracast, it's own market store and play store as well. Honestly.... i would recommend it.

Related

Android tablets and upgrading

I hope I am puttng this in the right forum, but I am looking at getting an android tablet pc and I'm just wondering about how it would work putting new versions of android on it. Im looking at pretty much everything that ended in pad on ebay just for a multimedia device but the cheap one's are all on like 1.6 to 2.1. I wanted to know before I buy it if it would be easy to update to 2.2 and eventually 3.0 with the code released from google or would I have to rely on the company that produces the probuct to release an update, in such case I would have to buy a hither end device made by a large company such as samsung...
Sent from my X10a using XDA App

[Q] Any new roots?

I was curious to know if there were any new roots for the FireTV? I'm running 51.1.4.3 and from what it says on aftvnews, this version cannot be rooted. With that said, any version higher than 51.1.2.0 can't be rooted.
Any ideas on to why this is? And if there are alternatives to their method? Or, can I down grade to the supported software to allow a root?
Thank you!
No we cannot root newer firmwares.No you cannot downgrade unless you are already rooted. I think our best chance of finding root for the Fire TV is by upgrading the Android version to 4.4 or higher. I would love for Amazon to upgrade our firmware to Android 4.4+ for app compatibility issues, but I also think that it gives us a better chance of achieving root on newer firmwares. Amazon has Android 4.2.2 locked down and it would probably take a miracle to find an exploit for rooting. They have been using 4.2.2 for awhile and they have basically secured it from being rooted.
porkenhimer said:
No we cannot root newer firmwares.No you cannot downgrade unless you are already rooted. I think our best chance of finding root for the Fire TV is by upgrading the Android version to 4.4 or higher. I would love for Amazon to upgrade our firmware to Android 4.4+ for app compatibility issues, but I also think that it gives us a better chance of achieving root on newer firmwares. Amazon has Android 4.2.2 locked down and it would probably take a miracle to find an exploit for rooting. They have been using 4.2.2 for awhile and they have basically secured it from being rooted.
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Shoot, that's unfortunate to hear! I'll be keeping my fingers crossed hoping that they switch to 4.4+
Muscle Nerd said:
Shoot, that's unfortunate to hear! I'll be keeping my fingers crossed hoping that they switch to 4.4+
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i was thinking the same as your orignal post but for the TV STICK.
im tempted to try eroot's latest version. i know they have been able to exploit Lollipop recently but i read that the issue exists on previous versions too somewhere on xda. PingPong root for the samsung galaxy S6 uses this exploit too.
also as a company that doesn't rely on the google ecosystem, what advantage will they have by moving to a newer OS? for them, they are happy with their build. it does everything they want it to do and as the previous user said... they've got most of the exploits out
El_Nino9 said:
i was thinking the same as your orignal post but for the TV STICK.
im tempted to try eroot's latest version. i know they have been able to exploit Lollipop recently but i read that the issue exists on previous versions too somewhere on xda. PingPong root for the samsung galaxy S6 uses this exploit too.
also as a company that doesn't rely on the google ecosystem, what advantage will they have by moving to a newer OS? for them, they are happy with their build. it does everything they want it to do and as the previous user said... they've got most of the exploits out
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Exactly. I can't think of an argument for amazon wanting to upgrade the OS. Theres actually a very small fraction of users that buy these products and modify them. There's maybe an argument that newer set top boxes will compete with aftv (well that's a given) But IMO its likely they'd address that with a second generation unit. I haven't heard anything regarding this but sure its coming. Apple is about to release #4 which is their fourth box in what? --8 years? There are several roku boxes and aftv is over a year old. So it just seems logical we'll see a new aftv running a newer OS than we will see this console upgrade.
But obviously I hope I'm seeing this wrong.
KLit75 said:
Exactly. I can't think of an argument for amazon wanting to upgrade the OS. Theres actually a very small fraction of users that buy these products and modify them. There's maybe an argument that newer set top boxes will compete with aftv (well that's a given) But IMO its likely they'd address that with a second generation unit. I haven't heard anything regarding this but sure its coming. Apple is about to release #4 which is their fourth box in what? --8 years? There are several roku boxes and aftv is over a year old. So it just seems logical we'll see a new aftv running a newer OS than we will see this console upgrade.
But obviously I hope I'm seeing this wrong.
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There are several reason why they should upgrade to 4.4 or higher, Its real simple, when the apps that Amazon are using as their default Fire TV apps start to require Android 4.4 to install them, then they are no longer default Fire TV apps. It has already happened with several Fire TV apps. Wait til some of the big name apps that a lot of people use requires Android 4.4 and Amazon will have no choice to upgrade to 4.4+. If some of the developers of the more popular apps start requiring android 4.4 then amazon will upgrade quickly. Its gonna happen, cause never since I have been using Android has so many app developers required such a new version of Android to install so many apps. Just in the past couple months I have lost 20+ apps because they started requiring Android 4.4. The only thing I can figure out is that all the app companies are getting ready for Android M, cause there is a rumor that the apps for Android M will not be compatible with other versions of Android. There is also a rumor that Android M is going to let you choose which services you will let each app use when you install apps. Like if you were installing Facebook and no longer wanted facebook to have control of your contacts of location services, then you can just uncheck those option when you install the app. Who knows if the rumors are true, but if they are then Amazon will have to do something in terms of an upgrade. Its not unheard of for an OS to drop support on devices. Even Apple quits supporting their own devices rather quickly. Like if you take an old iphone or ipad and open the app store it will tell you no apps are compatibble because your version of ios is not new enough, and nothing can be installed because there is no newer updates from Apple. The same thing is gonna happen to the Fire TV if its not upgraded. Wait and see.
porkenhimer said:
There are several reason why they should upgrade to 4.4 or higher, Its real simple, when the apps that Amazon are using as their default Fire TV apps start to require Android 4.4 to install them, then they are no longer default Fire TV apps. It has already happened with several Fire TV apps. Wait til some of the big name apps that a lot of people use requires Android 4.4 and Amazon will have no choice to upgrade to 4.4+. If some of the developers of the more popular apps start requiring android 4.4 then amazon will upgrade quickly. Its gonna happen, cause never since I have been using Android has so many app developers required such a new version of Android to install so many apps. Just in the past couple months I have lost 20+ apps because they started requiring Android 4.4. The only thing I can figure out is that all the app companies are getting ready for Android M, cause there is a rumor that the apps for Android M will not be compatible with other versions of Android. There is also a rumor that Android M is going to let you choose which services you will let each app use when you install apps. Like if you were installing Facebook and no longer wanted facebook to have control of your contacts of location services, then you can just uncheck those option when you install the app. Who knows if the rumors are true, but if they are then Amazon will have to do something in terms of an upgrade. Its not unheard of for an OS to drop support on devices. Even Apple quits supporting their own devices rather quickly. Like if you take an old iphone or ipad and open the app store it will tell you no apps are compatibble because your version of ios is not new enough, and nothing can be installed because there is no newer updates from Apple. The same thing is gonna happen to the Fire TV if its not upgraded. Wait and see.
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That's a good point. I didn't consider the fact the aftv would become obsolete by not keeping up with the software. I was focusing on the hardware getting beaten by competition which might happen sooner given the boxes on the horizon. A year ago, you really didn't have many other affordable options to run kodi and apps like netflix in HD. Now you've got a few and more to come. I think a lot will have to do with timing. Amazon seems to listen to their customer base (not us in particular) but if the public embraces 4k more and the newer boxes start to take a bigger piece of the market...I'm just saying it'll be interesting.
It depends on Amazon's view from a business point--why do the customer's buy the product? Will Netflix be affected by running an older OS? (btw--to me the answer to that is it already is! I've been doing netflix instant streaming since it first started the service and i ran it solely on my laptop. AFTV to this day has the most netflix bugs out of all the devices I've ever used.) Amazon has the money to make a better box and make it cheaper than any other company I think. Apple seems to get it finally, but I doubt I'd be interested in that--if you complain about amazon's controlled ecosystem, they have nothing on apple. Doesn't matter because people buy apple and that only helps further the advancement of android tv type boxes.
Don't get me wrong. I hope you're 100% right and the OS gets upgraded ASAP but even if that's inevitable, I'm not certain AFTV will be the box to own at that point, if say it happens around Xmas--when others have been running Lollipop.
KLit75 said:
That's a good point. I didn't consider the fact the aftv would become obsolete by not keeping up with the software. I was focusing on the hardware getting beaten by competfn which might happen sooner given the boxes on the horizon. A year ago, you really didn't have many other affordable options to run kodi and apps like netflix in HD. Now you've got a few and more to come. I think a lot will have to do with timing. Amazon seems to listen to their customer base (not us in particular) but if the public embraces 4k more and the newer boxes start to take a bigger piece of the market...I'm just saying it'll be interesting.
It depends on Amazon's view from a business point--why do the customer's buy the product? Will Netflix be affected by running an older OS? (btw--to me the answer to that is it already is! I've been doing netflix instant streaming since it first started the service and i ran it solely on my laptop. AFTV to this day has the most netflix bugs out of all the devices I've ever used.) Amazon has the money to make a better box and make it cheaper than any other company I think. Apple seems to get it finally, but I doubt I'd be interested in that--if you complain about amazon's controlled ecosystem, they have nothing on apple. Doesn't matter because people buy apple and that only helps further the advancement of android tv type boxes.
Don't get me wrong. I hope you're 100% right and the OS gets upgraded ASAP but even if that's inevitable, I'm not certain AFTV will be the box to own at that point, if say it happens around Xmas--when others have been running Lollipop.
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I think the Fire TV can last for years, but first we have to get newer firmwares rooted. Then we need to get another system running on the Fire TV. I would like to see something happen with the Fire TV like what happened with windows mobile, running two and three OS at a time. I used to run windows mobile and Android on my old tilt 2 and that was 6 years ago. All you had to do was put the android system on an SDCard and boot into it. I would like to see that happen with the Fire TV, where we can put other systems on an external drive and boot into them.
The hardware is fine on the Fire TV, and specs are not everything. Just because specs are great on paper does not mean you will get better performance in all areas. I think HTPCs have proven that specs mean much less than companies lead you to believe. The Raspberry Pi is a clear example that a low cost low powered device is more than enough to make use of. I am still running an Apple TV 1 with 256mb of ram and 1ghz which is under clocked by Apple to run at 600mhz, and it performs very well. The Fire TV can run for five or more years as long as Amazon keeps updating it, or developers find a way to get a new OS on to it.
Software is way more important, cause as soon as Amazon, Windows, Apple etc stop updating devices you either have to put a different system on it or get something else. So like I said, as soon as more apps require a ewer version of Android, Amazon can either upgrade to a newer version of Android or let the Fire TV become obsolete. I for one hope they upgrade. I know some people have said Amazon has no need to upgrade to a newer version, but if they don't the Fire TV will be useless, and that's a fact.

Rooted HTC 10 and Samsung fitness trackers

Hello!
This is not a problem specific to the HTC10, but I figured, I've got one and it's running LeeDroid's Oreo ROM, so maybe I have better luck here...
Got a Fit 2 Pro, and it looks like a great tracker. Problem is, Samsung's apps seem to detest either other manufacturers' devices or rooted ones. There's this thread here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/an...d-samsung-gear-app-android-n-samsung-t3547035 , however it's closed as the apps are supposed to be more 'open' now. However this is still not the case, as on my phone they appear as incompatible. I guess Samsung may have opened them to other devices, but not to rooted ones...
Anybody's got any success using Samsung's devices/apps?
Thanks!
krakout said:
Hello!
This is not a problem specific to the HTC10, but I figured, I've got one and it's running LeeDroid's Oreo ROM, so maybe I have better luck here...
Got a Fit 2 Pro, and it looks like a great tracker. Problem is, Samsung's apps seem to detest either other manufacturers' devices or rooted ones. There's this thread here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/an...d-samsung-gear-app-android-n-samsung-t3547035 , however it's closed as the apps are supposed to be more 'open' now. However this is still not the case, as on my phone they appear as incompatible. I guess Samsung may have opened them to other devices, but not to rooted ones...
Anybody's got any success using Samsung's devices/apps?
Thanks!
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To use Samsung Tracker device with other manufacturers, your best option is to use an app like Open Fit.
You can find instructions for using it with the HTC 10 in THIS ARTICLE.
Thanks, but yeah, I've seen this and it won't cut it... at this point, an older version of Gear is a much better option than Open Fit unfortunately.
krakout said:
Thanks, but yeah, I've seen this and it won't cut it... at this point, an older version of Gear is a much better option than Open Fit unfortunately.
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Fair enough. Though this is why I stay clear of anything Apple or Samsung personally.
Did you try installing the Samsung Accessory Service before trying to use their Fit App?
Pretty sure it's a prerequisite.
You're right, of course. The watch looked amazing (to me, at least - a great gadget between a fitness tracker and a smartwatch, certainly a couple of steps up from my Fitbit Charge 2) but obviously, little did I know about how locked these are... now I know
Yes, the Accessory Service is installed; with the modded apks it does work with my phone, but all them apps (except for Samsung Health, I think) still appear incompatible in Play. There's some suggestions about tweaking build.prop to fool it into thinking it's a Samsung device, but doing that opens a separate can of worms.
Btw, since we're at it, does Play sniff whether you're rooted or not?
Thanks for trying to help

New Shield TV Version for 2019?

I've read a few articles (one of which was from xda back in March or April) stating that there are rumors of a new Shield TV in the works. Other articles stated that they were excpecting NVidia to possibly make an announcement in May. I know rumors are rumors, but curious to know if there are any other leaks now that we're into June?
Thanks
yea it said they are on a four year schedule. but no other info has been given
dontbeweakvato said:
yea it said they are on a four year schedule. but no other info has been given
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I would hate to buy one now, then a new version gets release in a month or two.
dirk1965 said:
I would hate to buy one now, then a new version gets release in a month or two.
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I bought 2017 model today. I prepare for repentance
Even though NVidia has a trade-up program, they only give you $20. Not near enough to compensate the original cost!
I came across this and other articles like it yesterday:
androidpolice.com/2019/06/15/new-nvidia-shield-tv-running-android-9-pie-pops-up-in-play-console-device-catalog/
Apparently, a new Shield TV is coming! Not much is know except it will feature a different processor and Android Pie.
I actually just purchased my Shield the other day. I have it loaded with emulators, DirecTV Now, and I am absolutely loving it! I hate that a new version is on the horizon when I just bought this beast, but that's the name of the game I suppose.
Considering a number of new bugs introduced and not fixing existing in new Pie update, I am skeptical regarding a next Shield. Nvidia should partner a good software vendor to make the Shield valuable.
MOPKOBKA said:
Considering a number of new bugs introduced and not fixing existing in new Pie update, I am skeptical regarding a next Shield. Nvidia should partner a good software vendor to make the Shield valuable.
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Pretty sure that Nvidia has supported the shield for far longer than anyone expected. Bugs and all, it's still the best thing you can hook up to your TV outside of a HTPC.
Note: I own two Nvidia Shield TV's (both the 2015 16gb versions) and I've owned one of them since the original launch date of may 2015.

I would like to upgrade the SO of my LG-350N (K8)

Hello everyone,
I have a LG-350N (K8) and I use a mobile app to do my job. Every month I need to update this app, but this month I cannot update it because it is not compatible with my mobile anymore. So I need to buy a new mobile phone or upgrade the SO. The thing is that I checked some of the cheapest mobiles which are in selling that work with Android 11 (for example) and I realised that my mobile LG-350N (K8) has better characteristics. And I was thinking that technicaly it has to be possible for a LG-350N (K8) running a SO newer than the 6.0. But officialy there are not more updates beyond the 6.0, that is why I am here. It can be possible to upgrade my mobile LG-350N (K8) using a non official firmware? do you recommend me to try this? some of you knows where can I find these files? some of you knows which of them works best?
I like my mobile and it works perfect. It doesnt make any sense to buy a new one which probably is even worse just because there are not official updates provided by the manufacturer. And I couldn't believe that nobody thought about this. That is why I arrived to this forum.
I am looking forward to hearing from you guys,
Thanks a lot
that device was deprecated long ago, you really should buy a new one
tutibreaker said:
that device was deprecated long ago, you really should buy a new one
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thanks for your answer. It just need a better SO. Its characteristics are still OK. Nowadays, they are selling phones even worse, but they run a newer SO, just that. Maybe it exists some third party SO to stop this non-sense. My mobile works perfect
there is no much develepment for that device, so no much to do

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