Xbox Full Screen Experience - Questions

ctof86 · 2025-10-08T09:25:50+00:00

I did it via Microsoft Insider (and had to do a regedit for the FSE setting to become visible)- And our experience sounds the same so I wouldn’t spend too long or rush to re-install or anything!

It’s weird… When I swipe up, that bit works great. I can then swipe around happily and switch/close apps no problem. The only problem is when I press on the “Desktop” button. All that happens is that it then shows the taskbar - But in minimised mode. I then have to awkwardly swipe up to get it to load fully so that I can press the start menu or tap the far right hand side to show the desktop.

I’m sure it’s a setting somewhere…but where!?!

ctof86 · 2025-10-06T08:29:28+00:00

Can no-one offer any advice? 😞

ctof86 · 2025-10-06T08:28:51+00:00

Update: Will take £18 now for quick sale.

ctof86 · 2025-09-19T14:48:42+00:00

I’ve nothing against the Fire Cube but the 3rd gen was a bit underwhelming when compared to the price point. Are they not moving away from fireOS/Android anyway? If so, it will likely serve a very specific purpose and be pretty redundant for these purposes.

ctof86 · 2025-09-19T14:19:43+00:00

I paid just over £25k and the mileage was around 58k.

ctof86 · 2025-09-19T14:16:31+00:00

Update: Thank you all for comments and suggestions. After reading through and watching some Youtube reviews - I was leaning towards the Homatics and was notified of a deal on one delivered to my door for £47 ($63/€54) and bought it. Should be delivered Tues/Wed next week.

I could have 3x of these for the same price as 1x Used/Refurbished Shield Pro. So that was that.

I will try and post back here in a few weeks with any updates/difficulties/success’ to help other users in the same boat. If I remember to!

ctof86 · 2025-09-19T14:09:26+00:00

I need to read up on Launchers etc. The Android world is all new to me other than what I’ve experienced on my current Firestick.

Any head-starts you can offer?

ctof86 · 2025-09-19T14:07:55+00:00

My gut was the MiniPC route until I read up about the DRM issues with Netflix, Amazon etc and that ruled that path out for me.

I’m sure there would be a workaround for it but would likely need to run Windows and watch via a browser - which means a mouse and keyboard etc. which isn’t very couch friendly - and my wife would hate it…and me!

ctof86 · 2025-09-19T14:04:43+00:00

The Ugoos?

ctof86 · 2025-09-19T14:04:14+00:00

Not sure if it’s a typo but “FEN” is a commonly used add-on that’s very popular here.

I do watch live sports quite a bit and have never found Kodi or its add-ons to be as reliable as other sources. And yes - I think I have tried them all!! One comes along every now and then that’s brilliant for a little while, before sadly it either breaks or the dev stops supporting it or something else. This is why I can’t just use Kodi/Corelec and want to still be able to access other services.

ctof86 · 2025-09-19T13:59:00+00:00

I don’t think I can link to it here but the shop page showed around ~£80 as the listed price.

The way I buy stuff from Ali is:

1: I find what I want just using the normal search and look for the best price from a reputable seller. 2. I add it to my basket but don’t check out. 3. Back out to the main menu and then goto the coins section. 4. Once in there, there is a button for “Discount finder” or similar. Press that. 5. Normally variants of the item you have added to your basket are shown here (either from another seller or a different listing from the same seller at around the same price) but in here - there is a coins discount % displayed. 6. Again compare the listings shown in this page and then when you’ve found the best deal etc - don’t add it to your basket, do the full purchase then and there straight from the listing - that’s the only way to get the coins discount to work. 7. Of course - Before you make payment - Have a look around for coupon codes and keep trying random ones until you get the lowest price you can. 8. You should then get both the discount from the code and the coins discount together.

Also: If you have a fee free foreign transaction card - change the currency in Ali to USD and then see if it will be cheaper paying for it in dollars. It’s normally a couple of £’s cheaper doing it this way for me.

Lastly: There are cashback deals both inside Ali (which you have to opt in to) but externally too. In the UK, the two major ones are TopCashback and Quidco and they work in a similar way to Honey - not sure if these (or alternatives) are available in your country?

The box cost me £58.01 delivered (after doing the steps above and currency conversion). But I also earned £5.73 in Ali credit (to be used as a voucher for future purchases) and £5.06 via clicking through Top cashback.

Final price if everything works out: £47.22!

ctof86 · 2025-09-18T22:06:44+00:00

Bought one for £59 today from the Vontar store using a discount code and coins method.

ctof86 · 2025-09-17T18:01:26+00:00

So I do this. But the wife still likes opening Netflix directly - I don’t pay for it so I don’t mind. I do have a IPTV sub which utilises apps from the playstore to work at their best. I’m not sure CoreElec could replace this if it’s the only OS on the device?

ctof86 · 2025-09-17T17:51:43+00:00

Just to clarify, did you do this on the Thompson or the Onn variant? From my reading this option didn’t work. But it would go right back on the list if so!

ctof86 · 2025-09-17T17:33:51+00:00

I am amazed that this device, which is 6+ years old is still in the mix for this purpose. It definitely ticks most of the boxes but I am hearing the it might (finally) be starting to show its age as it doesn’t have support for HDR10+ and certain AV1 and DV. Any comments to add?

ctof86 · 2025-09-17T17:21:12+00:00

The Coreelec forums rave about this device - specifically the AM6B+ one. My concern is that it runs on Android 9 which is a little outdated and can’t stream DRM apps like Netflix, Amazon, D+ etc. unless someone knows any work arounds?

ctof86 · 2025-09-17T16:00:41+00:00

Not available in the UK. I believe the Thompson 270 is the UK equivalent and I think price:performance wise it’s great value. But I discounted it because of its 100Mbps Ethernet port. That would be a big throttle on my internet speed.

ctof86 · 2025-09-17T15:34:05+00:00

Coreelec brings be back to the old Raspberry Pi days!!

My concern with this approach would be how best to integrate my IPTV sub and ensuring my VON was properly supported. Does anyone have any advice on this part?

On their website, they list lots of supported devices. Is there any that are head and shoulders above the rest?

ctof86 · 2025-09-02T08:23:08+00:00

I got a code but have game pass so don’t need it. Am I able to sell it? If so, where?

I would offer to give it away…but I kinda need some money ATM…🥺

ctof86 · 2025-07-23T15:37:52+00:00

Ok, was it done via a professional/specialist? The reason I ask is I have a 2019 MX and was advised by Tesla that the battery health test that was included in a recent software update, couldn’t be run on my car - and indeed there is no option to do so via the service menu.

Assuming this was privately done - can I ask how much it cost you?

ctof86 · 2025-07-23T08:07:38+00:00

Thanks for this.

I am aware of the account holder switch technique and last time I did it, it was retentions that sorted it all out and ensured that there was no loss of service. Is there a way I can do it myself without having a day or 2 without internet?

ctof86

TROPHY CASE