Now Playing: The Unstoppable Piracy Apps of Android, iOS

metanoia (45)in #technology • 8 years ago (edited)

In case you didn't know, there are a whole world of apps outside of the official app repositories held by Apple, Google, and... well, I guess Microsoft, but those are slim pickin's and I don't even think they have the ability to go outside of the official stores... Do they, don't they? Who knows, but good luck getting there on the Edge browser, in case you find yourself in the small minority of Windows phone owners. Apple fans also have a bit of trouble getting going in the realm of gray and black market apps. However, it's still doable if you spend some time researching. All the action is really in the Wild West of Android, where users can load up questionable apps just by performing a few taps. We get away with a lot on Android...

A Smartphone Without Content Is... Stupid

Whoever the makers of apps that stream obviously pirated content know this. Content is king in the cyber world. That's why we're here on Steemit, right? Without content on that gorgeous screen your smartphone would basically be a PDA with some information provided by sensors that only a boyscout would want. WE want videos, music, and movies and one brazen app tried to give all this content to you for FREE! That app is known as Showbox on Android and Moviebox on iOS. Yes, others have tried to get in this game: Viewster, Hubi, TubiTv, Flipps, PlayBox HD, Movie HD, Megabox HD, Sky HD, Popcorn Time, Hub App, Cartoon HD are some of the lesser known, but SHOWBOX is what everyone knows. Just like everyone says Google instead of "internet search". Showbox is the go to app because of the content they host. Almost all the best shows on cable, some of the greatest movies of all time and new releases still in theaters. They even had a Spotify-type of clone that enabled user downloads for awhile, but the record companies shut that down. So, why hasn't Hollywood followed suit? Let's talk about that...

Definitions Are Definitely a Problem

Showbox has been around since 2014. Yup, almost three years. How do they do it? Showbox operates in a gray area and doesn't have a server in the US. Knowledge of the theft of intellectual property gives pause to some turned on to the application by others, but the icy reception by potential users with ethical and legal concerns is thawed once they see all that beautiful CONTENT! So gorgeous on their 4K curved screen UHD TV at home and their edge-screened Samsung's when they're in the waiting rooms. Who could resist? Oh, you didn't know you could watch it on your hugantic-mega-ginormous screen TV?? Let me get you up to speed...

Everybody probably knows about DLNA technology and Miracast, right? Riiight? Ok, briefly for the guy in the back on his iPhone. DLNA/Miracast is a generic code for casting to a multitude of devices across a few platforms. Like your AirPlay, but I didn't have to buy another gadget. This feature is built into most flagship and midrange Androids. Once enabled and set up properly it surpasses AirPlay in features because there are no restrictions on what is cast. An identical mirror of your screen is created on your TV. Don't be envious iPhone guys. You can get all this CONTENT with a small investment in an Android TV Box like this one, or by using a modified Amazon Firestick.