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Android-Based Smart TVs Aren't That Smart When You Install Malware On Them (softpedia.com)
An anonymous reader writes: Smart TVs running older versions of the Android operating system are being infected with malware that was specifically built to target smart TVs. Infections occur via applications downloaded from a series of sites ran under the H.TV brand. These are websites that offer applications specifically built for Android smart TVs that allow users to watch TV channels from other regions of the globe. As usual, these apps are side-loaded from unofficial app stores. Fortunately, it's not a smart TV ransomware.
For a moment I was hoping the "malware" just removed the manufacturers cruddy adware/malware, transforming the device into an old-fashioned "dumb" just-works television.
Since I like Neweggs stance on patents, here is a non affiliate link to some examples: http://www.newegg.com/Commerci...
Silence is a state of mime.
After 3 years of using my High end Sony Smart TV for internet video streaming, I bought a Stream Box because the TV's software was never updated and some services like YouTube actually stopped functioning because of end of support for whatever streaming method the device was using.Someone really needs to explain to Executives at TV manufacturers than nobody goes out to Replace a TV just so the SmartTV functions can get updated. Not when one can go buy a stream Device for a fraction of the price and get updates and a much better interface and function.
Perhaps next time you could come forth with a technical solution beyond "dumb the fuck out of it", which only makes you look like a moron.
There's actually a good reason for that without even getting into security issues: Odds are those "smart" features will be obsolete before your TV is, so instead of paying extra for "smart" features, it's probably better to pay less for an STB that you can replace every so often instead.
Even if they don't go obsolete, chances are your TV manufacturer won't provide any feature additions as they come. If you want them, you'll have to buy next year's model, which is dumb.
Odds are those "smart" features will be obsolete before your TV is
Even if they don't go obsolete, chances are your TV manufacturer won't provide any feature additions as they come. If you want them, you'll have to buy next year's model, which is dumb.
That's the problem with buying anything "smart" -- phone, TV, car, whatever. The people making these things are only interested in being able to advertise lots of features. They don't give two shits about updating them, making them secure or even if they are useful at all.
I've never understood why someone would want an integrated "smart TV". Things become obsolete, app makers switch to a new os/hardware config. If you have your smart device integrated into the TV there is no way to replace a relatively cheap system in an expensive one. Whereas if you have a separate smart device and it no longer supports the apps you want, breaks, or is infected with a virus you simply buy a new one (often quite cheaply) hook it up and you're off and running. Also from what I've seen separate smart TV device manufactures often have more stable, well supported software since they are dealing with a limited number devices instead of dozens of TV models. My Amazon Fire/Chromecast devices have required a simple restart less than a dozen times since I bought them 2 years ago. Someone I know who owns a 4k smart TV has had to factory reset their TV at least 3 times due to software bugs in the last year alone. Buying a TV with integrated smart capabilities is like buying a house with a fridge/washer/dryer permanently cemented into a wall.
I don't think people install malware intentionally, they are tricked into it by definition they didn't want to
The problem with smart TVs is that they get designed and build and sold and then the market changes and you're stuck with all these build in apps that are pointless. Whereas if you just get a really nice TV for a cheaper price then attach a Roku, Fire Stick, Chromecast, etc, then you can update that device and get new applications and technologies far more cheaply. Especially true with the first generation of smart TVs that were impossible or very difficult to upgrade or add new channels to. Another example, the smart TV might only do 802.11b, whereas most media players under $100 are much faster and more flexible.
The bells and whistles in some cars become obsolete very quickly. Built in satellite radio service, for a service that became defunct before the auto was less than a year old... An iPhone connector but you decided to get an Android instead. Better for the auto to have some generic common or standardized connectors, then attach your own navigation system, radio system, media player, etc.
Buying a Steam Box to... watch youtube videos etc, is one weird decision.
Lack of updates is another puzzling reason, I have a bunch of TVs and even 5 year old C series Samsung keeps updating stuff (which is rather annoying).
Not sure about new revisions, but most of the older Samsung TVs I touched ran Linux.
There is a wonderful SamyGo project, which allows you to root and harness your TV (full shell access, SAMBA/NFS mounts, ui patches and even cardsharing clients)
I have a Blu-Ray player that can stream video from Blockbuster.
Yeah, glad they spent the engineering time on that.
Slashdot still doesnâ(TM)t support Unicode after it was added to the HTML standard in 1997.
You do realize that the reason Amazon Prime Video isn't on AppleTV is because Amazon doesn't want it on there, right? Amazon didn't create an app to do it, where they do have an app for iPad and iPhone. Netflix has no problem working on AppleTV, nor does Hulu. Why would Apple let those services on, but block Amazon Prime Video?
Also, Amazon is the one not carrying competitors' hardware any more - just go try to buy an AppleTV from Amazon, or the new version of ChromeCast. You won't find them, but the first search result will be a FireTV stick.
But I'm sure that Apple is still the bastard in your mind because they didn't go and write an app for Amazon, cracking the DRM to play the video anyway when Amazon didn't graciously help them.
Slashdot still doesnâ(TM)t support Unicode after it was added to the HTML standard in 1997.