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Tell HN: You now need a Samsung account to use streaming services on a SamsungTV
Slight click-bait title: Disney, Netflix and Prime come installed (for now) but if you want to install any other streaming service you need a Samsung account.
This might not be news for everyone and this is not true for older models, the roll-out of this "feature" has been mixed, but for most (all?) 2023 models this is true.
Posting this because it's something I wish I knew, it's going to be a hassle to return my new 85 inch tv!
- brucethemoose2 4y agoIs there any TV that doesnt require a sign in for apps? Not that I think this is acceptable... and I've had a horrible experience with Samsung software in everything from laptops to fridges to tablets to an S9.
- latenightcoding 4y agoNone of the TVs I bought before 2020 required a sign in for apps.
- brucethemoose2 4y agoHmm well our TCL(Roku) and Sony (Android TV) ones do.
- purpleblue 4y agoWhy would you use the built-in apps? Samsung is notorious for how much tracking data they collect. I would rather just use an Apple TV or Roku and leave it at that.
- rektide 4y agoThe original Chromecast model is so good & pure. Your own device just sees a blank slate computer & can order it around & make it do whatever? Awesome. You already have your own OS, in your pocket, & another one on the TV doesnt help at all. Keep it simple. The networked ubiquotous & pervasive computing ideas had such hope, & taking the role of interface away from many devices & promoting the core device you actually own & use & care about is so exceeding of an idea. (One before Chromecast, but it was a great & capable tabula rasa implementation there-of).
- theshrike79 4y agoFriends don't let friends use the built-in TV apps. Just grab any Apple TV or Google TV, plug it in and enjoy better quality and no ads on the UI.