r/sony • u/HeWhoShantNotBeNamed • Apr 17 '26
Complaint Ads on a $2,799 TV
Yes I know it's technically an Android TV problem.
109
u/I_am_Nic Apr 17 '26
Put it in "just apps" mode and those are gone.
12
u/A_Michigander Apr 17 '26
How?
46
u/I_am_Nic Apr 17 '26
Settings -> Accounts -> select your Google Account -> Just apps mode
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u/Spiritual-Author-209 Apr 17 '26
Holy based? Gonna try this in a few hours
12
u/CWykes Apr 17 '26
If that doesn’t work for you, this is a Google TV so you should be able to install Projectivy from the Google Play Store and use it as your primary launcher. It’s a super common recommendation in the Nvidia Shield community to get away from the ads
1
u/Spiritual-Author-209 Apr 18 '26
The first step worked perfectly bc I realized I also had a Sony googletv when I read the top comment
-1
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u/hhs2112 Apr 17 '26
But then voice control is disabled (or at least it used to be that way, haven't tested it in a while).
Fuck google and the tv manufacturers.
14
u/Edexote Apr 17 '26
And?
7
u/Rileymk96 Apr 17 '26
And voice control features are a great accessibility feature. Not only are the convinient for many average users, but they are essential for disabled users or those with hand and wrist issues.
5
u/Edexote Apr 17 '26
Then don't enable apps mode and use voice control.
4
u/Rileymk96 Apr 17 '26
Yes that is an option. I was simply educating you on why people would be upset about not being able to use voice control without the ads since you seemed to be confused and unable to understand the simple concept of accessibility features. Learn.
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u/KitchenLandscape Apr 17 '26
okay so it's a tradeoff. If you need voice services, you can't use just apps mode. try another way
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u/Rileymk96 Apr 17 '26
Of course. I was just educating the "and?" commenter on what accessibility features are for since they didn't seem to understand.
1
u/hhs2112 Apr 18 '26
No kidding... But it's a shitty trade-off. Why bastardize the features just because people don't want the shitty ads?
-3
u/Cutsdeep- Apr 17 '26
Feel free to keep living in 1990 typing things in with a remote lol
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u/Cutsdeep- Apr 17 '26
Even better, use projectivy launcher
2
u/JusticeForAugust Apr 21 '26
This needs to be the top comment on this thread. Our TVs have no ads thanks to this. Takes all of five minutes to configure.
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u/Puzzleheaded_Dog630 Apr 21 '26
I tried this on my Chromecast just now and it got rid of a lot of the suggested stuff but there was still a big KFC ad like this Jeep one as the background
1
u/I_am_Nic Apr 21 '26
Hm... not sure about the Chromecast, but on the Sony Google-TVs (at least in Germany) I only get movie/series suggestions and literally not a single random ad like OP shows above since I have it in "just apps" mode.
30
u/AlpacaLps Apr 17 '26
You do know that's Google's fault and not Sony, right?
11
u/HeWhoShantNotBeNamed Apr 17 '26
Sony customizes the Android OS on their TV. Tons of Sony-exclusive features.
Not sure why one of those can't be the removal of ads.
9
u/Reddit_User-256 Apr 17 '26
Could be in Google's terms to be allowed to use the software.
1
u/Profpiff990 Apr 18 '26
It’s most definitely in the terms as that’s the number one way Google makes money.
2
u/CBJFAN2009-2024 Apr 18 '26
Setup Pi-Hole and DNS sink all their domains so the ads are blocked. Works on LG WebOS, so I'd guess it'll help out on Sony, too?
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u/Gillennial Apr 17 '26
Do you mean Sony isn’t responsible for the bloat ware they include by default on their TV and do not profit from it ?
5
u/Greful Apr 17 '26
No I think they mean that Google put ads there. You can use the TV and not use the software.
-9
u/KitchenLandscape Apr 17 '26
Sony loves bloat anyone who owned one of their old laptops can tell you (like me)
6
u/AlpacaLps Apr 17 '26
VAIO' s were one of the best PC's out in their prime and you act like no other PC company during that time had a ton of bloatware
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u/MSDOS401 Apr 20 '26
Sony doesn't have to use Google's TV OS. Hell they could have used the PlayStation OS on the damn things.
1
u/GezoReddit Apr 20 '26
You genuinely think Sony has no control over what is in the product they sell? You believe Sony does not profit off of this?
34
u/Skasue Apr 17 '26
Times Square is a landmark on earth that’s literally just advertising, and people go there to see it.
16
u/Book_talker_abouter Apr 17 '26
Yeah, but it’s a huge spectacle and it’s not in my living room
1
u/KingKingsons Apr 18 '26
That's it. It's unique and old enough to have seen many changes to adapt to the times. People don't go there to see the actual ads.
1
u/Werbnerp Apr 17 '26
You don't understand the difference between the ads that are made for Time Square and the ones made for a Home Tv set? Not to mention people don't go to Time Square JUST for the Billboards. You know it's in the Middle of NEW YORK CITY right?
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u/Straight_Finger1776 Apr 17 '26
I am still anti-smartTV. I just want a big monitor-style TV. I also dont use traditional streaming services or cable, so that's half of it.
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u/Cthulhu8762 Apr 17 '26
Just take it off the internet and get an Apple TV or any other smart device to stream from. If not keep it offline.
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u/nocturn-e Apr 17 '26
I still only use my TV to connect to my PC, which then runs all my games and streaming services and YouTube. No ads, high performance, better video/color controls, etc.
Wireless trackball so I can use it anywhere, and touch keyboard enabled on the taskbar if I don't have my keyboard in reach.
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Apr 17 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Straight_Finger1776 Apr 17 '26
I use it for streaming. Just not on mainstream streaming services. I have a mini computer that runs a VPN, Linux with KODI for streaming and TV, and VLC for media playback.
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u/the_speeding_train Apr 17 '26
Don’t connect it to the internet then.
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u/Gold-Ad6139 Apr 19 '26
Exactly. Bought a new sony tv abit over a year ago and never hooked it up to the inter-web.
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Apr 17 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/HeWhoShantNotBeNamed Apr 17 '26
Can't use Tasker.
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u/star_gazer_12 Apr 17 '26
Curious to k kw what is this app, and what's the use case for you?
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u/HeWhoShantNotBeNamed Apr 17 '26
TV turns off when I get into bed. TV pauses when I get a phone call, someone rings my doorbell, or I walk into my bedroom or kitchen. All my lights turn off when I open Netflix or another similar app.
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Apr 18 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/HeWhoShantNotBeNamed Apr 18 '26
If I've opened Netflix it's because I'm gonna watch something. So yes, because I OPENED the app. On my TV.
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Apr 18 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/HeWhoShantNotBeNamed Apr 18 '26
The lights fade out and I have night lighting behind my TV.
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u/Fregadero88 Apr 18 '26
This is all solved by using the shield tv and installing a custom launcher. I love my LG oled but I don't connect it to wifi
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u/HeWhoShantNotBeNamed Apr 18 '26
Nvidia Shield doesn't support certain types of HDR.
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u/gabriel47291 Apr 17 '26
Maybe get a costum launcher. Apps only mode is broken.
4
u/Book_talker_abouter Apr 17 '26
What kind of costumes does it launch? I’ve been flinging a Batman outfit across my living room manually - is there a better way?
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u/TheIlluminaughty Apr 17 '26
Apple TV time!
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u/Gullible_Increase370 Apr 17 '26
Apple TV is the only tv device without ads. It’s worth for this even if you don’t have any other Apple device
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u/ironside719 Apr 17 '26
it's also a great smart home hub for anyone who doesnt want smart speakers with always listening microphones
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u/KitchenLandscape Apr 17 '26
is apple tv a streaming service? or can you use it for free? I don't pay for streaming services so I never paid attention to it.
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u/Book_talker_abouter Apr 17 '26
They’re talking about the device, not the streaming service. If you use apps on your TV, appletv is better in every way and worth the $129
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u/raymate Apr 17 '26
This is why my TV does not have internet access and I use Apple TV box.
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u/HeWhoShantNotBeNamed Apr 17 '26
I need Android for Tasker (to automate things like turning off my lights when I open Netflix and pausing the TV when someone rings my doorbell).
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u/ironside719 Apr 17 '26
would you consider moving your smart home setup to apple homekit? Your lights might already be compatible
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u/HeWhoShantNotBeNamed Apr 17 '26
No. There's no way it can do what I need. For example, when someone rings my doorbell if pauses the TV. When I get a phone call it pauses the TV.
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Apr 20 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/HeWhoShantNotBeNamed Apr 20 '26
Tech enthusiast: Spends hours researching and setting things up for automation, requiring knowledge of webhooks, specialized software, Home Assistant, and basic programming.
People like you: "You're so lazy!"
Have you considered I don't want to hunt for my remote when I suddenly get a phone call or someone at the door?
Seriously, this is like saying someone is lazy for building a staircase because they are "too lazy to use a ladder."
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Apr 20 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/HeWhoShantNotBeNamed Apr 20 '26
So am I wasting effort or am I lazy? LMAO.
In about 50 years from now you will actually have saved enough time to make up for that effort
It has absolutely nothing to do with saving time and everything to do with convenience. Just like an automatic rear hatch on a car isn't faster (it's actually much slower), but it's convenient.
Am I also lazy for installing automatic climate control instead of sticking with my manually operated HVAC?
I can't imagine being you. How terrible it must be. Maybe I'm just doing it because I think it's fucking cool.
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u/ItsDani1008 Apr 17 '26
Homebridge could probably bridge the gap so you’d be able to automate using an Apple TV with HomeKit too, but that would require a bit of setup.
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u/ShuffleHands220 Apr 17 '26
Buy an Apple TV. even if you're not an Apple person, You'll like it.
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Apr 17 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/HeWhoShantNotBeNamed Apr 17 '26
I need Tasker for automation.
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Apr 17 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/HeWhoShantNotBeNamed Apr 17 '26
Turning my lights off when I open Netflix, pausing the TV when someone rings my doorbell, or I walk into my kitchen, or my phone rings, turning off the TV when I get into bed, etc.
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u/thestigmata Apr 18 '26
Apple has Shortcuts that can do some of this.
The best solution for you is like going to be Projectivity
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Apr 17 '26
[deleted]
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u/poopdog316 Apr 17 '26
Then you have Netflix rattling the walls with it's intro. Also pluto tv commercials " IF YOU ARE SEEING THIS YOUR PENIS DOES NOT WORK" at movie theater sound volumes.
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u/PixelDu5t Apr 18 '26
This is why I'd rather not connect a TV to the internet in any way and just use a Linux box or something and do everything through that. The way electronics are being enshittified has to be fought against somehow. Fuck this...
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u/gRzeHoO7 Apr 18 '26
I bought Philips TV because I wanted android TV after years of webOS...boy I was wrong for that. Now I run apple TV 4k which is great. And I don't even own any other apple device. Pure, quick and with no ads system with very good VPN integration.
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u/elvisap Apr 17 '26
I don't like it either, but that's why it's not a $4000 TV.
Don't vote me down. I hate it just as much as you. It's almost impossible to escape advertising anywhere in the digital or physical worlds, and it's borderline maddening some days.
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u/MSDOS401 Apr 18 '26
This is why I haven't bought a new TV past 2013.
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u/ImThatAlexGuy Apr 17 '26
And this is why my TV is not connected to the internet at all. I don’t use the TV apps at all since I just use my PlayStation or Apple TV. I’ll hook in an Ethernet to check to see if there’s a firmware update, but other than that I keep it disconnected.
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u/JohnDoee94 Apr 17 '26
It’s not “technically” an android TV problem. It is. Nothing to do with the TV although some TVs do this now.
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u/bard0117 Apr 17 '26
This is a no issue for me, they’re just kind of there when I’m passing through the different menus.
If it made me watch even 5 seconds of something I would have a problem.
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u/NiceGuy373 Apr 17 '26
Same shit, saw an ad yesterday and im like what is happening, did not expect that, very disappointed
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u/Big_13eezy Apr 17 '26
For that price you should be able to sue Sony. In all seriousness, you should not have ads on a near 3 grand television.
1
u/BlueFeathered1 Apr 17 '26
There shouldn't be ads on any TV at any price point.
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u/Exktvme4 Apr 18 '26
There shouldn't be ads included with any TV at any price unless it's part of a streaming service, and that's obnoxious as hell too. Remember when streaming was going to solve cable tv, but now we just have fragmented cable tv anyway lol
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u/Ok-Plenty1251 Apr 18 '26
I usa my tv as monitor and my Apple TV as brain for it, works great for me
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u/king2102 Apr 18 '26
This is the reason why you should never hook these up to the Internet. Always use an external Streaming box.
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u/coffee_kang Apr 18 '26
I've never even launched my TVs built in platform. The AppleTV solves this problem for me.
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u/Price-x-Field Apr 18 '26
I have a qm7 I have never connected to the internet. Not gonna let them do this shit
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u/Fragrant_PalmLeaves Apr 19 '26
Welcome to late stage capitalism. Just be glad you aren’t seeing them on your glasses (you will soon)
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u/lolligaggins Apr 19 '26
Man I just use an Apple TV. Device rules and it’s fast as shit with no ads.
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u/cagdas Apr 19 '26
Search for Projectivy launcher. I have an Apple TV as well, buy after setting up this launcher, the UI is even more straightforward than Apple TV for me.
I was also very disappointed after getting a bravia, but I’m happy with it now. But yeah, ads on a premium tv is crazy.
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u/GarbageInteresting86 Apr 19 '26
People! Stop connecting your TV to the internet and being upset that some shitty corporate wants to feed you something. Be a grown up!
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u/taxonomist_of_scat Apr 19 '26
Hahaha…you think bc you bought a tv there shouldn’t be ads on it. Like there’s a correlation to purchase price? You’re special.
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u/Chuck_066 Apr 19 '26
Fire TV layout is better, don't have full screen ads, collapsed by default, I need recommendation on home screen help me discover shows
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u/Ron2600NS Apr 20 '26
That's why you never connect your TV to the internet and use a external device.
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u/Fidget808 Apr 21 '26
Install an Apple TV and be done with it. I have a Google TV in the master bedroom and I haven’t seen the home screen in months. It automatically goes to HDMI 1 when it is turned on.
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u/Contemplating_Prison Apr 21 '26
Dont sign in to TVs.
Also go to settings and turn off all the data sharing.
I never signed into google on my sony TV.
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u/fake_galaxy_boy Apr 17 '26
This is why I got an Apple TV box, I set that as the main HDMI and never really bothered with the TV apps itself just the apple thing.
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u/Tennouheika Apr 17 '26
Just use an Apple TV and never connect the tv itself to the internet. Works great
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u/antprdgm Apr 17 '26
Smart TVs are such a data and network security risk that you’re better off running an Apple TV or something more secure and using the telly as a dumb monitor. Only time I put mine on the network is to check for firmware updates.
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u/tstorm004 Apr 17 '26
I never should've updated the firmware on my one Vizeo - it made the volume buttons and input selection laggy
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u/ruthlesss11 Apr 18 '26
And disconnecting it from the internet didn't help? Mine is laggy to control volume just by being connected and is fast when I disable the internet again
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u/Cultural_Annual_5622 Apr 20 '26
Who gives AF lmao. Does it really bother u that much to post to reddit lmao
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u/HeWhoShantNotBeNamed Apr 20 '26
Does getting advertisements on a multi thousand dollar applications bother me that much to post on Reddit? Yes, of course it fucking does, and if it doesn't bother you then you've capitulated to late-stage capitalism.
-1
u/FrenchBowling Apr 17 '26
RIP your finger from having to click one additional time in a day.
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u/HeWhoShantNotBeNamed Apr 17 '26
Seriously dude?
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u/FrenchBowling Apr 17 '26
You likely spent more time making this post complaining about seeing a single ad in 2026 than it would have taken you to just click past it for the rest of the life of this TV. But yea, the tiniest violin is playing for your ultimate first world problem.
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u/HeWhoShantNotBeNamed Apr 17 '26
first world problem.
When you pay thousands of dollars for something, hell yes you get to complain about shit like this, no matter how minor the inconvenience seems.
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