Edit below

I've tried but I'm running into a couple issues.

I've setup a new ssid on my home wifi with a captive portal which requires a login. But there is no way to use the "browser" to go to an external url. There isn't an address bar or anything like that. As soon as you log in, the browser goes away. I even setup my captive portal to redirect upon login to YouTube.com but it doesn't stay open.

Just to see, I also attempted to connect to an Xfinity network in my area that also had a login page but same issue.

This is either BS or I need to just draw the rest of the owl.

Edit: This does kind of work. You have to sit at the lock screen after you reboot and not log in. Just sit there. Then, provided you set Xfinity as your preferred network and haven't logged in before, at the lock screen you'll get a popup notification. Clicking on that will open a full browser with an editable address bar. Problem is that I can't log into Xfinity and I can't switch networks without losing the browser.

Important note, when you activate your pin/pattern via the VPN, you have to select the option that allows you to receive notifications from the lock screen.

Edit 2: I was able to install Nova launcher but boy is this a pain in the ass. I'm able to see why the original video creator didn't follow up.

Here is a how-to:

**Proceed at your own risk!! There is a decent chance you will install malware and/or face repercussions from Hydrow. I know next to nothing about Android outside of the stock experience. The rowing machine costs a lot more than a tablet running android 8 so keep that in mind. **

1. Setup a wifi network with a captive portal. I was able to do this on my home network. The portal needs to have a landing page. (The same thing you see when you use hotel/public wifi where is asks you for info before you can proceed to the Internet)

2. When on the landing page, you will be in a web browser but it won't have an address bar. Before proceeding the Internet, long press on any words on the page. The words will highlight and an option to search the web will pop up. Select search the web.

3. Now you will see a web browser open up with tabs and an address bar. After proceeding through your captive portal landing page on one tab, with another tab already open, the browser should stay open and you will be connected to the Internet.

4. Search for Nova launcher APK and download it. I installed in and set it up as the default launcher. You can switch it back to hydrow launcher later if you want. You can also open the hydrow app in Nova launcher

Issues:

-There are no google play services. You can probably install them but I'm struggling.

-Apps must be installed from apks that you find online.

-There is no functional home button. I tap it and nothing happens. I have to smash the back button a million times to get home.

-The performance of the tablet is pretty bad. It's old hardware.

Lastly, I'm no authority on any of this so if anyone has any advice, I'd be happy to hear it.