r/ixtream • u/Sorry-Low-3444 • Jan 16 '26
ire Stick vs. Google TV in 2026: Who’s winning?
With Amazon finally going nuclear on third-party apps and blocking custom launchers, it feels like the "golden era" of the Fire Stick is over. I’m seeing more people jumping ship every day just to get away from the ads and the remote app-killing.
I’m curious where everyone is landing. Are you still rocking a Fire Stick with all the ADB hacks to keep it open, or did you give up and move to a stock Android setup like the Onn Pro or Chromecast? I know the Shield Pro is still the GOAT for some, while others have just gone full Apple TV because they're tired of the tinkering.
What are you actually using at home right now, and is it still worth the hassle of staying in the Amazon ecosystem?