When Kodi users reported an inability to install the media streaming software on Sony-made Android TV devices, many suspected foul play.
Kodi itself claimed Sony was deliberately blocking the legal software due to its association with piracy, while users also railed against the tech giant and swore off buying a Sony TV
The makers of the software, initially accused Sony of “actively preventing users from installing Kodi on their newer Android TVs”. However, back in January, Sony insisted the problem was down to a bug attributed to a “certain letter combination” in the software’s package ID.
Related: Best 4K TV 2019 • How to install Kodi on a Fire Stick
Sony promised to issue a fix, and that fix has now arrived in a firmware update. The update for models XBR-65A9F, XBR-55A9F XBR-75Z9F and XBR-65Z9F takes care of the problem, much to the delight of Sony Android TV owners. In a support page, Sony says the firmware update “Resolves a condition where you are unable to install the Kodi app.”
Well done @SonyElectronics for actively preventing users from installing Kodi on their newer Android TVs. How grown up of you. Even their firmware in the TVs is broken. Guess we will suggest users to just buy something else that does work.
— Kodi (@KodiTV) January 4, 2019
It appears that it was a software bug in the firmware that caused users to be prevented from installing Kodi on newer @SonyElectronics TVs. This was because of a certain letter combination in our package ID. Sony promised an update will be sent out to fix this problem.
— Kodi (@KodiTV) January 11, 2019
Kodi has consistently distanced itself from makers of third-party add-on developers who have created tools for the illegal streaming of copyrighted media content. The so-called fully-loaded Kodi boxes, which feature an array of working add-ons, have been banned in the UK, but the software itself is completely legal.
Related: Is Kodi legal?
The open source software is developed by the not-for-profit XMBC organisation and is pitched as a media centre designed to harness users’ legally owned music, video, podcasts and games.
The latest version is Kodi 18, which brings support for retro gaming emulators, while there’s are new DRM decryption tools to enable content owners to make their subscription-based music and video services available via Kodi.
Do you buy Sony’s explanation that a bug had prevented Kodi installs on Android TV sets? Or was this an aborted clampdown. Let us know @TrustedReviews on Twitter.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.