I might ditch my Roku for an Apple TV 4K — and it’s all thanks to video ads

[admin]

Roku's video ad plans sound like such a bad idea I might jump ship to the Apple TV 4K.

I might ditch my Roku for an Apple TV 4K — and it’s all thanks to video ads : Read more

 

[Big Willie!]

Yes, also waiting to see the level of obnoxiousness coming with the ads. I wish they would offer a higher-price "ad-free" device but they won't. The recurring revenue from ongoing ads will always be more than a onetime fee can match. We will never be free from &!? $#& ads...

 

[ScooterTrash]

I had an Apple TV hooked up to my amplifier that I never used. I was shocked to see it was one of the biggest users of bandwidth in my house! It is now sitting there unplugged

 

[purposelycryptic]

Any Android TV device using a non-default launcher has no ads whatsoever, and you can just download one off the Play Store.

That's what I did when my Shield TVs received the Google TV-like UI update, and what I did for my parents on their Chromecast w/ Google TV.

If I pay for something, I'm not going to accept any kind of advertising on it. I paid for it, I'm not going to keep paying for it for all eternity by looking at ads.

If there is no option for no ads, then you won't get a cent of my money. I wouldn't accept ads if they were actively, continuously paying me for seeing them.

 

[1maginary_Friend]

Apple TV devices DO have ads on the home screen. People tend to forgive or ignore that fact because they’re for Apple products. They push AppleTV+ REAL hard; similar to pushing the Apple Music subscription service on the app that we used to be able to just play our own music files on without harassment.

Apple also has the bad habit of rendering their own hardware obsolete really quickly because of constant software updates. I bought 2 Apple TV devices (2nd Gen., I think- because I didn’t know better) for $99 ea. in 2016. By 2019, apps were starting to disappear. By 2022, Netflix was the only functioning app (Hulu, Prime, HBO… all gone).

I bought a $23 Roku in 2017. I use it everyday, and every app still works (in 2024). BUT - I’m deeply, fundamentally opposed to ads. This diabolical plot that Roku is implementing really upsets me. I’m researching router or DNS-based ad-blocking software like AdGuard and Pi-Hole. I think that’s the route Tom should take and report back to us on. As much as I love my iPhone and MacBook, I know Apple TV devices are not the answer here. Like I said, they are NOT ad-free. It’s only a matter of time before the existing banners extend to products other than Apple.

 

[1maginary_Friend]

Any Android TV device using a non-default launcher has no ads whatsoever, and you can just download one off the Play Store.

Is there a specific launcher you’d recommend? Or, a specific Android TV device, for that matter?

I’m looking to jump ship on Roku because, like you, I believe once we own a device we shouldn’t be subjected to ads on it. I wasn’t happy with Apple TV devices, either. I’ve never tried an Android media player, so if this is a viable ad-free option, that’s pretty exciting.

Sorry - I know your comment is kind of old. Trying to research my tech wish-list in time for Black Friday deals.