Sony's TV updates?

[Steak-connoisseur]

I need to vent a bit here. I recently filed a complaint with Sony, but honestly, I don't have high hopes that it'll go anywhere.

 

Last year, I decided to splurge on Sony's flagship TV of 2022, the XR-65A95K. I did my homework and watched Linus' reviews at the time.  Coming from an older Samsung Smart TV, I wanted to avoid getting stuck with an unsupported TV OS down the line. That’s why I chose a TV running Google TV OS. I figured as long as Google keeps updating it, I’d be good. 

 

Turns out Sony has a say in which updates you get, and it looks like they won't be allowing older models (despite being old 1 generation old) to get Google TV OS 12. What's really frustrating, I cannot download the PS Remote Play App on my TV as Sony has only allowed TV's RunningOS 12+ to have access to this app, which i assume is what their new XR-65A95L must run, as they have the PS Remote Play app as a new selling feature. 

 

I highly doubt it is a hardware issue either, I have an inexpensive Google Stick from four years ago running the latest version just fine which has the PS Remote play app!

 

It’s hard not to think they are doing this on purpose to make you upgrade but it's not like their TVs are cheap products that users will upgrade regularly, if anything they are more expensive.

 

This whole mess could have been avoided if Sony had put in the effort to build a better ecosystem that included PS Remote Play from the get-go.

 

Does anyone know of any workaround to manually install the app or bypass Sony's automatic update feature to get OS 12 or am stuck having to buy another Google TV?

 

 

[Stahlmann]

Sadly I can't bring up any solution to your specific problem.

 

 

But what I can say is that LG is by far the best TV / monitor brand when it comes to firmware and updates. They don't have many bugs in the first place, and my C9, which I got in 2019, still gets new updates and new features. They even updated the whole OS interface to match the newer C-series models. At first I was a bit upset because I prefer the older interface. And to my surprise they actually included a toggle to switch back to the old one. Apps also receive updates constantly, even for my 5 year old TV.

 

So if you buy another TV in the future and intend to use the built-in smartOS, then I will absolutely recommend to get an LG instead.

[TheWutofWat]

this is my issue with Sony and their TVs, from a person who repairs them, this is the kind of bullshit they do regularly and make it so hard that people just turn off from them.

I am honestly sorry about this and this makes my recommendation even more, LG OLED is best nothing else even beats them, even if Samsung OLED is a little better or Sony OLED is just nicer process or something, I just stick with "crazy" I know and love.

[ender23]

11 hours ago, Stahlmann said:

So if you buy another TV in the future and intend to use the built-in smartOS, then I will absolutely recommend to get an LG instead.

More proof that my life is better by using an Apple TV or Shield.

[Stahlmann]

On 8/24/2024 at 12:32 AM, ender23 said:

More proof that my life is better by using an Apple TV or Shield.

Haven't used one of these before, but I hear the Shield upscaling is best-in-class. And so far my LG TV's never gave me a reason to use a 3rd party box.

[ender23]

No ads, faster, all in all more thoughtful.

[MarkPol88]

The only thing that comes to mind is sideloading, although I doubt it will work:

https://www.androidpolice.com/how-to-sideload-any-application-on-android-tv/

[dilpickle]

As a rule Android TVs don't get major OS updates. You are better off using an external media player.