Smart TV operating systems (Tizen, webOS, Roku TV, VIDAA, Titan OS) vs Android TV / Google TV: apps, update promises, older TVs losing apps, home-screen ads and ACR viewing-data tracking, how to switch ACR off, and why a cheap certified Google TV box can outlast the TV’s own brain. Lawsuit details are allegations as reported by the regulators; settlements imply no admission.
0:00 Your TV might be watching you
0:31 What smart TV means
1:14 Apps: the big one
1:52 Updates: the small print
2:33 Speed, RAM and apps leaving
3:23 Ads and ACR
4:32 How to turn ACR off
5:15 Google TV isn’t perfect either
5:44 A box vs a new TV
6:11 Verdict
6:38 Outro
Sources: FTC press release, 6 Feb 2017 (Vizio); Texas Attorney General press releases, 15 Dec 2025, 26 Feb 2026 and 11 May 2026; Samsung One UI Tizen upgrade policy; LG webOS Re:New; BBC iPlayer help pages.
📺 Best IPTV boxes to buy (no channels included, legal apps only)
Certified Android TV / Google TV players (plus one Formuler box, not Google certified) for licensed apps.
1. NVIDIA Shield TV Pro: premium pick, AI upscaling, Dolby Vision/Atmos, Gigabit Ethernet
UK: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07YP9FBMM?tag=hushamcom-21
US: www.amazon.com/dp/B07YP9FBMM?tag=hushamcom-20
DE: www.amazon.de/dp/B07Z6RD4M9?tag=hushamcom01-21
FR: www.amazon.fr/dp/B07Z6RD4M9?tag=hushamcom06-21
IT: www.amazon.it/dp/B07Z6RD4M9?tag=hushamcom08-21
2. Google TV Streamer 4K: solid Google TV default with Ethernet and 32GB
UK: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DBLWTQCT?tag=hushamcom-21
US: www.amazon.com/dp/B0D8WJYSF9?tag=hushamcom-20
DE: www.amazon.de/dp/B0DBM2QF8F?tag=hushamcom01-21
FR: www.amazon.fr/dp/B0DBM2QF8F?tag=hushamcom06-21
IT: www.amazon.it/dp/B0DBM2QF8F?tag=hushamcom08-21
3. Xiaomi TV Box S (3rd Gen): cheaper Google TV box, Wi-Fi 6, 32GB
UK: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0F3JWFL56?tag=hushamcom-21
US: www.amazon.com/dp/B0F3JWFL56?tag=hushamcom-20
DE: www.amazon.de/dp/B0F58Q4CM9?tag=hushamcom01-21
FR: www.amazon.fr/dp/B0F58Q4CM9?tag=hushamcom06-21
IT: www.amazon.it/dp/B0F3JWFL56?tag=hushamcom08-21
4. Xiaomi TV Stick 4K (2nd Gen): budget Google TV stick, Wi-Fi 6
UK: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FFN6NRTZ?tag=hushamcom-21
US: www.amazon.com/dp/B0FFN6NRTZ?tag=hushamcom-20
DE: www.amazon.de/dp/B0FFN6NRTZ?tag=hushamcom01-21
FR: www.amazon.fr/dp/B0G1M61429?tag=hushamcom06-21
IT: www.amazon.it/dp/B0FFN6NRTZ?tag=hushamcom08-21
5. Budget Google TV 4K player: model differs by store
UK (MECOOL KD3): www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C4WC4WBP?tag=hushamcom-21
US (onn. Google TV 4K): www.amazon.com/dp/B0C3RD6CV2?tag=hushamcom-20
DE (Strong LEAP-NOVA-X): www.amazon.de/dp/B0GSQQSNMS?tag=hushamcom01-21
FR (Strong LEAP-NOVA-X): www.amazon.fr/dp/B0GSQQSNMS?tag=hushamcom06-21
IT (Strong LEAP-NOVA-X): www.amazon.it/dp/B0GSQQSNMS?tag=hushamcom08-21
6. MECOOL MEon1: Google TV certified 4K box, 32GB
UK: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0GRCQS1MW?tag=hushamcom-21
7. Formuler Z12 Ultra SE: MYTVOnline 4, Formuler’s own Android, not Google certified, no Netflix HD
UK: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0HJH8RPT6?tag=hushamcom-21
US: www.amazon.com/dp/B0HFMQDYF4?tag=hushamcom-20
DE: www.amazon.de/dp/B0HFMQDYF4?tag=hushamcom01-21
FR: www.amazon.fr/dp/B0HJH8RPT6?tag=hushamcom06-21
IT: www.amazon.it/dp/B0HJH8RPT6?tag=hushamcom08-21
These boxes come empty: no channels or subscriptions included.
Some links are affiliate links: I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
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