randromeda

First off, I don't think every single one of Google's decisions regarding Android is good. Hell I actually think they've blundered too many times to count when it comes to bringing new features to Android. That said, for Android to mature further, it really needs to go the "it just works" route that Apple's been nailing.

Things like how you're required to have a Google account to really use an Android phone at this point, and how features like Nearby Share rely on Google accounts garners a lot of hate from the FOSS/enthusiast crowd. And I get it. I really do. That said, I've worked in IT long enough to know that the enthusiasts will find ways around restrictions like this, or they'll simply find another open source app that does the same thing. The average user on the other hand, almost certainly has a Google account, and for that person, this implementation makes sense. You log into one account and can see all your devices? That's about as good as it gets.

Notice how it's gotten progressively harder to install apps from external sources over each iteration of Android? Yeah that sucks, but for the average person, that's stopping them from installing malware disguised as an app. They don't care that there were obvious signs that the source can't be trusted, the fact remains that they found a way to brick their Android phone, while that wouldn't have happened on iOS.

Ever notice how people say Android's just "too confusing"? That's the crowd that Google is trying to win over. We already use Android, and probably will continue to because what other option is there? But emulating what iOS does well and bringing that to Android is going to bring in more people to the OS, and ultimately that's not a bad thing.

After my last post on here asking about convenient streaming options at higher resolutions, I got a few comments recommending Stremio with Torrentio and Real Debrid.

I ended up going through with that and streamed a 4k movie. That said, what's the catch? I'm a little paranoid because I'm not sure if this still counts as torrenting, and if I should be using a VPN while watching something from RD.

No such thing as free lunch, so I'm assuming there's other downsides to this solution, could someone let me know what they are?

I've finally invested in a high resolution monitor, which means 1080p content looks pretty bad, especially on a 32 inch display.

I've been using FMovies so far for streaming, but now that 1080 looks like shit on my display, it's sort of lost it's appeal. Are there any ways to have a convenient streaming setup (that doesn't require too much effort for every new movie/show I want to watch) that also supports 1440p or 4k?

I assume this is to be expected as we get closer to the reddit blackout date but I'm just wondering if lemmy.ml is running slower for anyone than usual?