Cheap tablet/phone as Chromecast server...

[tbayrgs]

A little background--I had originally considering cutting the proverbial TV cord about 1 1/2 years ago but ended up being able to add a minimal TV package through our cable provider via a promotion that was cheaper than not adding any TV (they're also our internet provided). That promotion is due end in January and as streaming choices have improved, I have every intention of fully cutting the cord.

The limited package we received didn't include any DVRs so I've moved a great deal of our viewing to streaming solutions (Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Prime, test drove both Sling TV and Playstation Vue). We have both Apple TVs and Chromecasts. I personally prefer using the Chromecast but having a stand alone remote is a better solution for my family and the rest of my family uses iPhone/iPads. That is, until I remembered about my wife's Nexus 7 (2013) that she was no longer using. I repurposed it as a Chromecast server in our living room--basically it's the dedicated remote for my family to use, sits on a dedicated wireless Qi charger so it's worked out great.

I'm looking to replicate the same setup for at least one other TV, possibly 2, in our home in the coming months and first thought was to pick up another used Nexus 7 (going for $100-125 on Swappa) since the form factor is great, they're on Marshmallow and the wireless charging is key as it means my family can just drop in on the pad vs. remembering to plug it in. My concern is these are 3 year old tablets that won't see anymore updates.

Can anyone think of another cheap phone or tablet that fits these requirements?

 

[gotluck]

eek, wireless charging + system updates is going to be real hard to find

I can't think of anything at the moment - the next nexus 7 perhaps?

if you are okay with dropping updates, there should be more choice, but I cant even think of any recent tablets that support wireless charging. Should be able to find some phones, but I wager the nexus 7 remote experience would be better

you didnt end up keeping ps vue? I re-upped with uverse for tv+ internet for one more year a couple months ago, but after this year, I'm pushing my wife to go ps vue + antenna (maybe hulu instead) for local channels (our area doesnt have local over ps vue) and we'll switch back to brighthouse for internet

 

[tbayrgs]

eek, wireless charging + system updates is going to be real hard to find

I can't think of anything at the moment - the next nexus 7 perhaps?

if you are okay with dropping updates, there should be more choice, but I cant even think of any recent tablets that support wireless charging. Should be able to find some phones, but I wager the nexus 7 remote experience would be better

you didnt end up keeping ps vue? I re-upped with uverse for tv+ internet for one more year a couple months ago, but after this year, I'm pushing my wife to go ps vue + antenna (maybe hulu instead) for local channels (our area doesnt have local over ps vue) and we'll switch back to brighthouse for internet

Thanks. I don't care so much about updates..that's more of a nice to have. I wasn't sure if any of the older Moto G's had wireless charging...figured those could be had very cheap as well. I'll likely just keep an eye out for another Nexus 7 tab since really don't need much horsepower.

And I didn't keep the PS Vue service now only because we don't need it as our cable service is until Feb 2017---test drove it for a week to have streaming access to some Euro soccer matches last month for my boys. It's what we'll likely return to--would be near perfect if it had local channels for my metro area but only On Demand for the moment. If they add that, it'll be an ideal solution for us as it has its own DVR functionality baked right in.

 

[gotluck]

Thanks. I don't care so much about updates..that's more of a nice to have. I wasn't sure if any of the older Moto G's had wireless charging...figured those could be had very cheap as well. I'll likely just keep an eye out for another Nexus 7 tab since really don't need much horsepower.

And I didn't keep the PS Vue service now only because we don't need it as our cable service is until Feb 2017---test drove it for a week to have streaming access to some Euro soccer matches last month for my boys. It's what we'll likely return to--would be near perfect if it had local channels for my metro area but only On Demand for the moment. If they add that, it'll be an ideal solution for us as it has its own DVR functionality baked right in.

Don't quote me but I think that's a no for moto e/ G

We are on demand here too. Live local channels would make PS Vue totally ideal for us too. If we go the antenna route for local then some kind of hdhomerun prime device is required and it clunks up simplicity :-/

 

[tbayrgs]

Don't quote me but I think that's a no for moto e/ G

We are on demand here too. Live local channels would make PS Vue totally ideal for us too. If we go the antenna route for local then some kind of hdhomerun prime device is required and it clunks up simplicity :-/

We rarely watch live network TV--find it more confident to just catch up on Hulu. Biggest issue would be NFL football but I have until autumn 2017 to figure that one out.