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this post was submitted on 04 Jul 2024
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If something requires an "app" and a connection to "the cloud" for basic functionality, don't buy it. This sort of abandonment by the manufacturer will always happen. Maybe it will last longer. Maybe it will be next week. But once the company has your money, the last thing they want to do is to spend any of that money providing you with support.
The funny thing about this is that the first time I had that moment of realization was when I got the Sphero BB-8 toy from my kids for Christmas. It had a dedicated app. The reason it’s funny is because, out of all the things that I own, it’s the only app-driven one that still works. Sphero just merged it into their main app. Once that app stops getting updated, this toy will cease to work despite everything about it being functional. ☹️
This is why i am for mandatory open sourcing of abandonware. So much stuff just laying wasted that could be hacked.
But allowing you to diy your own toys might make you consume less and thats bad or something.
As long as you can side load a functional apk to a supported Android device, it should work, no?
Android eventually locks out apps designed for older APIs. I remember reading about a bunch of abandoned apps being dropped from the Play Store for that reason. Not sure if that's just the Play Store though or if it is the Android OS itself. I haven't ever kept a phone beyond the manufacturer providing security updates since I actually use my phone for secure things.
You have to enable developer mode and install with
--bypass-low-target-sdk-blocknow.Dunno if they'll remove that eventually
Don't say that so loud.
You'll have the self-proclaimed "power users" that just copy things they see posted without knowing what it does or possible issues and side effects, doing this and then complaining about issues stemming from it. And never disclosing they did it, blaming it on the system as a whole, ignoring the bypass they did.
Oh wait, this isn't the Windows community.
Only if it works as a peer to peer, if the device depends on connecting to a company's server (which all do since the whole point was to collect usage habits) then you're shit out of luck whenever they decide you're
It depends on if it requires server side connection or not.
That's funny, I have the exact same toy. It was a Father's day gift years ago. It's now an expensive display piece, as the battery no longer seems to hold a charge. And, as best I can tell, the battery is well sealed inside, making replacement impossible. Yet another thing I hate about our disposable culture.
Would something like BlueStacks let the app run?
I’m not sure but that’s a potential solution. You’d have to find the older APK somewhere but I feel like it should work since it’s just a Bluetooth connection to the toy.
I'm laughing my ass off thinking about all the steps required to get these working if you bought them new. downloading an app and pairing your shoes to wifi or some shit. ha
if the internet goes down can you still put on your shoes?! lmao!
what if you like the feature and are okay with just using it while you can?
Depends on the price imo
Its still stupid. No reason there is no embedded web interface. That is such an easy thing to do. Like routers have been doing for ages.
what if you don't even know what that stuff is or how to use it even if it were available?
Then it still doesn't take away anything from you. How would an additional embedded web based control panel impact you negatively? If you don't use it just don't use it. But it ensures longevity and makes the device entirely self-contained.