I use ad blockers and open source privacy focused software whenever I can but occasionally I have to use computers that don't belong to me or an older phone where my usual applications aren't installed and seeing all the advertisements just feels dirty and dystopian.

I think the worst ads are the text to speech ones that say "Download this app today". The unblinking energenic people saying you can make a living at home are probably a close second.

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[–] bug@lemmy.one 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Tangentially related, I recently replaced my Chromecast with a "Chromecast with Google TV". It's an Android TV box which you can install SmartTube on and cast YouTube with no ads. Yes, I am aware of the irony of paying Google for new hardware instead of paying them for their ad-free service, but the new device cost less than 2 months of YouTube Premium and I like tinkering.

[–] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Oh nice! I'll have to look into that! Thanks! It's not glacially slow, is it? That's one of the reasons I never use the apps of my so-called smart TV.

[–] CaptKoala@lemmy.ml 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

My smarttube is glacially slow, but it's the TV hardware that can't keep pace, I assure you.

I've also noticed when the stream is cut by YT, smarttube will almost always manage to get it back, very rarely do I have to actively pick up the remote to fix it.

When my TV plays nice, it's a perfect YT replacement, and I highly recommend it.

[–] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Thanks, I'll definitely look into it.

[–] CaptKoala@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 year ago

I wish you a pleasant, ad/sponsor-free viewing experience sir.

[–] bug@lemmy.one 2 points 1 year ago

As the other commenter said it's about the hardware really. I tested it out on a really old device first to make sure it actually worked - it did but at a glacially slow pace. The new box is pretty snappy though!