The Spam Thread!

[cpd2009]

Problem: Most apps nowadays are written for at least 4.2.

The firmware update is still 4.1.1, and no other updates are apparently planned, unless I want to root the stick. On the old Android stick, the OTA update only gives the stick some new app versions, such as AirShow, and maybe some stability fixes.

As for most apps running 4.2, I'm not so sure...... 4.1 only came out two years ago, and it would be crazy if app developers dropped support this soon. I know Apple likes to drop support for older iOS devices and versions in about two years-or-so timespan, but if Android developers start doing it, then it will be sad. Not everyone can get the latest version of Android, and they should follow the PC model of supporting OS'es for at least five years, even when newer versions are available. It uses more developer resources this way, but this will ensure that by the time the particular Android reaches EOL, enough people would have moved forward to newer versions.

Hazel has Android 4.2.2. Her model is not included in Samsung's Android KitKat upgrade list.

Even if apps do drop support for 4.1, it won't really matter since the Android stick is limited to viewing YouTube videos, viewing videos from a USB drive, and having Anna-Lena display random screencaps when I use Nanouk for retro games.

[cpd2009]

Last weekend, I discovered that the batteries in my Roku remote control were corroding and one of the battery springs was crusted in alkaline junk. The funny part is that I had the brand new batteries installed last fall, and they were still working despite the leakage. Nevertheless, I had to toss the remote in the trash, and my Roku was without a remote.
The batteries were "Sunbeam" brand, and normally they are reliable batteries. I guess the remote had a bad battery.

I was planning on forking $15 over to Roku for a replacement remote, but I discovered the Roku app in Google Play. It allows you to control most Roku devices with your Android phone or tablet, and my particular model, the Roku HD is compatible!

The app works really well, just like a real remote. I may still get the physical Roku remote eventually, but we'll see how the Roku app works. So far, so good.

[RAMChYLD]

Heh, toss the remote into the trash. I would've repaired the remote (I tend to do things like that. I've repaired several devices that was damaged by corroded batteries in the past). As for the batteries, this is one reason I don't trust china brand batteries, and prefer sticking to the big names like Energizer and Duracell, or even Eveready.

[cpd2009]

Heh, toss the remote into the trash. I would've repaired the remote (I tend to do things like that. I've repaired several devices that was damaged by corroded batteries in the past). As for the batteries, this is one reason I don't trust china brand batteries, and prefer sticking to the big names like Energizer and Duracell, or even Eveready.

I still do have the remote, in a bag. It hasn't gone out to trash yet. I feel that it's not worth my time attempting to clean it off with baking soda paste. I also don't like the idea of possible contamination of alkaline powder, but since I have disposable gloves anyway, perhaps I should give it a try someday.

The Sunbeam batteries I used were from Dollar Tree, and they are distributed by some company that licenses the Sunbeam brand, which is known for making Space Heaters and outdoorsy type stuff. They actually last a while, and are akin to store brand batteries from Family Dollar or the grocery store, despite being made in China. I assume I just got a bad batch, as none of my other Sunbeam batteries have corroded.

If you want to know about true China-brand batteries, look no further than "Kaizen". There is another dollar store I been to that had a wall full of these Alkaline batteries. The AA batteries seem fine, while I had to reconsider buying some AAA batteries. The AAA batteries were corroding in the packaging.

[RAMChYLD]

Experimental Macintosh text input by speech recognition

[cpd2009]

Experimental Macintosh text input by speech recognition

Looks like the first test was successful!

Two things... David, what did you use to clean off battery corrosion? Was it the baking soda paste I mentioned? (gleaned that from random how two guides online) I have decided to rescue my Roku remote. The Roku app is indeed nice, and serves well as a remote, but Hazel's battery life is far more limited than a typical remote.

Secondly, I think I will indeed proceed with the firmware update for Anna-Lena's Android stick. YouTube is very glitchy with videos. The audio tends to have clicks and pops at times, and the stick can even freeze up completely during YouTube playback. That never happened with the original stick, which had the updated firmware applied as soon as I set it up.

[cpd2009]

Okay...

The firmware update server for the Android stick must not be working right. It keeps serving me the firmware that is already installed. The firmware update on the stick is dated March 2013, and on the original stick, I got an offer for a June 2013 firmware. On my second stick, it keeps serving me the March 2013 firmware. >.< I went ahead and tried installing it twice, and it appears to update, but only my Android system settings and Google app info are wiped. My screencaps remain on the internal memory, and my Amazon AppStore info is intact. And, none of the preinstalled apps were wiped, which is good news.

Perhaps the other update was pulled for some reason, but that doesn't explain why it keeps asking for an upgrade to the exact same version currently installed.

So, I will have to skip the upgrade for now.

[cpd2009]

So here is what comes up when you have the stick check for software updates. The English text is somewhat poor, and it keeps bringing up this same version, even after you attempt to install it.

Then again, this is a discount off-brand Android device. While it works well for my needs, I can see that many other potential users getting frustrated with the device, especially with the mistranslated English and several features not mentioned in the user manual, such as the firmware update feature. They also have to invest in a wireless keyboard and mouse, since pointing and clicking on each letter is not very intuitive.

[RAMChYLD]

Tired

[cpd2009]

I'm listening to the Holy Rosary on the radio while I write this. I don't know why... Anyway...

Earlier, I was playing a late night session of AC:CF, going on a bug hunt. I managed to snag three giant beetles, which are rare bugs and sell for loads of Bells. I also got a couple more rare bugs such as a rainbow stag and a few lantern flies.

I also cut down a couple trees too. Here is where I think the developers passed up an opportunity. Any AC player knows that when you chop down a tree, it disappears into thin air. So does the stump once you remove it.

The missed opportunity? Having the trees remain and allowing the player to sell them to that raccoon in the apron. If you can fit an entire dinosaur fossil in your pocket, you could also fit a cut down tree in your pocket too. Same goes for the stump. They should have kept the cut down trees and stumps around for Bells. Trees could go for 100 bells, and stumps for 50. Win win all around!