Can't download Lightbox onto a Samsung Galaxy tablet

Forums › Sky, Neon, Lightbox › Can't download Lightbox onto a Samsung Galaxy tablet

danepak

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#208297 5-Feb-2017 22:44

Trying to download the Lightbox app onto the mother in laws Galaxy tablet.

When I find it in Playstore, it states that the device isn't compatible with this version. And above this, it says 'Designed for phones'.

She's had it running in the past on the Galaxy tablet, but then it stopped working.

She's updated to the latest firmware as well on the tablet.

Any help is much appreciated.

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#1715890 5-Feb-2017 22:58

What version of Android is the tablet running? The app needs 4.3 or greater. It won't run on my Galaxy tablet which is running 4.2.2

danepak

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#1715893 5-Feb-2017 23:14

MackinNZ:

What version of Android is the tablet running? The app needs 4.3 or greater. It won't run on my Galaxy tablet which is running 4.2.2

Hmm, confused.

I ran the software update, but it still states Android version 4.1.2.

I then tried to run it again, but it said it was up to date.

Is there some magical trick to update to 4.3?

EDIT: Do I need to root the device, to get up to 4.3???

Jase2985

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#1715927 6-Feb-2017 07:16

thats probably the highest version you will get.

if you root the device its unlikely lightbox will work. i think it checks if the device is rooted or not.

the reason it used to work as newer versions of android come out they develop for that and stop developing for the previous ones. basically it comes down to cost.

danepak

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#1715948 6-Feb-2017 08:20

Bloody hell. That's terrible (IMO).
It used to work on her tablet.
So basically Lightbox decides to bring out a new version, which cuts off people with older tablets?
No option at all for her to use Lightbox, without forking out money for a new tablet?
She hasn't got a smart phone or laptop, only the tablet (which serves her well for her basic needs).
(And just to ensure that they totally agree you over, they'll block you from the service, if you root the device.
Great service :-(

Dratsab

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#1715965 6-Feb-2017 09:31

This is digital life. Harsh but the reality is as operating systems and apps progress, older hardware gets left behind. The checks on rooted devices are an effort to stop people downloading and keeping programs.

MackinNZ

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#1715983 6-Feb-2017 10:01

No different to what Apple does with the MacOS.

That's the exact issue I have with my Samsung Galaxy Tablet. 4.2.2 is the latest version I can get but it's too old for several apps, like the latest Sky app.

Only option is a newer tablet.

danepak

1112 posts

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#1715988 6-Feb-2017 10:22

But I'm sure it works on an old Samsung Galaxy S3 phone.
Just don't understand why it doesn't work on her tablet.
Oh well, might as well get her a Kodi box then...

Is it not possible to download an old version of the Lightbox app?

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Jase2985

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#1715990 6-Feb-2017 10:27

its no different to some software on windows.

its not terrible, its business, a small portion of people will be on the older version and it costs money to continue to develop the app for each version of android, the more versions there are the more it costs in development.

it does suck as i have a tablet that is in the same position, but i have a myriad of other device i can use so its not the end of the world.

Jase2985

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#1715991 6-Feb-2017 10:28

you could side load it but whether it will work, only time will tell.

Rikkitic

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#1716002 6-Feb-2017 10:44

Dratsab:

This is digital life. Harsh but the reality is as operating systems and apps progress, older hardware gets left behind. The checks on rooted devices are an effort to stop people downloading and keeping programs.

The stupid, cut-off-your-nose-to-spite-your-face thing about this, is that all it accomplishes is causing problems for legitimate users. Anyone who seriously wants to download and keep something can usually easily do it in several different ways. That is why there are unrestricted pirate links to recent films and TV all over the Internet. I do it all the time. Not for profit or piracy, but for my own private use because my RBI connection is sometimes unreliable and downloading improves playback quality. The sooner the world gets over this stupid self-defeating copyright BS, the better.

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

Junta

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#1716112 6-Feb-2017 17:07

OP amply answered by @Jase2985, @MackinNZ and @dratsab, but just to add that the player we use is provided by a 3rd party - and it is they who have the Android 4.3 minimum requirement.

Stu1

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#1720110 14-Feb-2017 16:30

I'm quite annoyed as well, works with iPlayer I hub, Amazon, Netflix,neon,fanpass and many more but cant use it for lightbox very bad service not everyone can afford a new tablet every 3 years or shouldn't need to either

Jase2985

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#1720231 14-Feb-2017 21:47

Stu1: I'm quite annoyed as well, works with iPlayer I hub, Amazon, Netflix,neon,fanpass and many more but cant use it for lightbox very bad service not everyone can afford a new tablet every 3 years or shouldn't need to either

thats true but given the security issues with a os thats not supported, and that the company that lightbox use for their player doesnt support it what do you want them to do?

Stu1

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#1720729 15-Feb-2017 16:24

Just frustrated really not much they can do just annoying that it works still with the majority of their competition, mabey one of their requirements when they selected their vendor should of been to provide continued support for older versions of android,point is its a competitive market and if your competition provides support for older versions of android and you don't customers will walk.

Brumfondl

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#1720733 15-Feb-2017 17:15

Stu1: Just frustrated really not much they can do just annoying that it works still with the majority of their competition, mabey one of their requirements when they selected their vendor should of been to provide continued support for older versions of android,point is its a competitive market and if your competition provides support for older versions of android and you don't customers will walk.

Blame Samsung for not supporting the tablet...

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