Review on FORMULER Z8 GIGABIT DREAMLINK Magnetic by Patrick Goodrich

This box uses the phone version of Android, not the TV version of Android. This means when you try to select something, there is no on-screen indication of where your selection is most of the time. I resorted to connecting a USB mouse to be able to install and configure applications. Remote control: The remote control has very poor reception. The box came with a receiver and the box itself can receive IR signals. If you are not within 2 feet of the receiver, it will not receive a signal. At the same time, my TV, CD player and other devices allow me to point the remote almost anywhere and it always responds. Doesn't sound bad, but will annoy you. This defeats the purpose of the box as you have to be standing next to it for it to work. Or you have to buy a very long HDMI cable instead of a 3ft cable and put the box right next to you. Nevertheless, the reception is very bad. I tried the batteries that came with it and bought new ones. Both had very poor reception. User interface: All marketing materials for this device show the Android TV variant, but the phone version is used on the packaging. It is extremely difficult to operate with the included remote control. Browsing apps is counterintuitive as you can't see the on-screen cursor or tell what's selected. Antenna: The supplied antenna is not compatible. You cannot use the antenna without a separately sold USB adapter. This was one of the reasons I bought these. What's the point of including it in a product if it's not compatible? Also, the USB antenna adapter is expensive, more than 15% of the basic cost of the whole box. Please consider another product. Especially for an older person. I bought this for my elderly relative and they are really struggling with the UI.