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Sony Appears To Be Blocking Kodi On Its Recent Android TVs (androidpolice.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the cease-and-desist dept.

Several reports indict that at least some of Sony's recent Android TVs are actively blocking Kodi, the open-source, cross-platform streaming and media player that allows you to access and play local, network, and remote content. Android Police reports: The official Kodi project Twitter account pointed out Sony's deficiency a couple of days ago, but reports on the Kodi forums of issues installing and running the app from the Play Store go even further back to last year. A handful of affected enthusiasts believe they have discovered the cause of the problem: Sony seems to be blocking the package ID for the app from being installed/run. Supporting this theory is the fact that recompiling the app from scratch with a different ID allows it to work.

6 of 115 comments (clear)

  1. Sony still in business? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Insightful

    Sony executives should have all been taken to the parking lot and shot after they started spreading malware.

    Fortunately, this only affects those stupid morons who continue to do business with Sony.

  2. that's Sony for you by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    it is Sony tv not your tv

  3. Sony screwing their customers again by barc0001 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    For the illusion of protecting their revenue from their content division? This is my shocked face.

    Sony hardware used to be great. Used to be. Now it's overpriced compared to a dozen competitors. No reason to buy it.

    1. Re:Sony screwing their customers again by Kernel+Kurtz · · Score: 5, Insightful

      For the illusion of protecting their revenue from their content division? This is my shocked face.

      ^This.

      It is a huge conflict for hardware makers to also be content purveyors, and the people who buy their products are worse off for it.. The same is true of ISPs.

      If you want to avoid crippled equipment or services you are better off dealing with people who have no financial interest in what you actually use them for, because otherwise your needs are always going to come second.

    2. Re:Sony screwing their customers again by nnull · · Score: 3, Insightful

      See, why would you want to root your android device? There's no need to root your Android device anymore. The manufacturers will protect you! There's no reason for root.

  4. Return defective product for full money back by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Return the defective product.
    If proven consumer affairs need a big yellow warning label on their product reporting said limitations and or telemertry - which is probably also baked in.
    Then a class action to compensate for the time in returning and setting up a different brand.