I loved the "idea" of the Chromecast and used them exclusively for over 5 years. However the implementation was always the issue. Phones would always disconnect leading to the inability to control it, and after recent updates, kill the stream mod session.
A hybrid approach is the best IMO. A remote for ease of access and quick things, plus casting for when you alreay have your phone out and want to use the better interface.
Update: I just saw that CrossPoint has has an affiliate link, and that if you buy the reader direct from the manufacture you can still get unlocked USB devices. It's only on the international stores like AliExpress that you may get a crippled version. https://github.com/crosspoint-reader/crosspoint-reader
I was interested in them but all the listings on AliExpress expressly said they didn't support custom firmware. I started looking into it and it seems to be something theu did after they got popular.
Here's some info, but a lot of it is scattered around online communities: https://pocketink.io/blog/xteink-locked-or-unlocked-buying-guide/
But XTEINK is actively working to combat the flashing of open source software. It seems they had a spike in sales and interest due to their affordable hardware, but if they continue to lock aftermaket software out tech savvy people will be looking for different options.
Update: I just saw that CrossPoint has has an affiliate link, and that if you buy the reader direct from the manufacture you can still get unlocked USB devices. It's only on the international stores like AliExpress that you may get a crippled version. https://github.com/crosspoint-reader/crosspoint-reader
For now, yes. Microsoft is already well on it's way to a closed ecosystem where you'll only be able to run signed software on "your" PC.
And with hardware prices being what they are, people aren't going to be investing in PC gaming or new systems. The time is right to gouge and limit freedom.
And while those are cool and all, they have severe limitations due to the frequencies they use and can not scale past a hobbiest load.
If we want what we consider a "full featured" internet alternative, it will have to be built as a layer on top of the existing internet. Similar to the dark web, it'll be sort of a grey web where tech savvy people convene and don't cause enough fuss to be a target for crackdown. So long as encryption remains legal there are no major barriers. If we lose that it becomes much more difficult.
Same. My small town high school wasn't even in a farming community, but no one said anything to the leatherman wave I had on my belt.
I'm sure if In was showing it off or brandishing it around I would have gotten told to leave it at home, but I was responsible so it was never an issue. Got bullied, never once considered reaching for it as a weapon.
We have a societal failing right now where people for some reason think violence is OK. A knife, a gun, a car, or a hammer can do incredible damage and people should treat them all with the respect they deserve. If citizens start thinking about "arming themselves", even when they have easy access to such tools, we've already fucked up.