I’ve recently been told that DIRECTV’s Gemini is now officially among the hottest selling products on SolidSignal.com. Whether you choose the Gemini for Satellite or the Gemini Air for streaming customers, getting one from Solid Signal means you’re one of the many folks who really appreciate the latest and greatest technology. With Gemini, you get live TV as well as thousands of apps from the Google Play Store. But, it turns out, you don’t get all the apps. There are a very small number that you can’t get.
The apps you can’t get with Gemini
This list is a lot shorter than it used to be. At launch, I was blocked from loading more or less any app that offered live TV channels to compete with DIRECTV. However, on my Gemini for Satellite, I have since been able to load DISH Anywhere, Sling, YouTube TV, Hulu (including Live Channels), Tubi, Pluto, and others.
However, I still have not been able to load the Xfinity or Spectrum apps which would allow me to watch live TV from those services. (Note that for the purposes of testing I did ask people who legally have those services to come over and use their credentials. I then deleted the credentials when they left.) That means there are still a few blocks out there, and I am guessing that smaller services like Windstream and Optimum, if they have apps, are probably also blocked.
It’s also true that you can run the DIRECTV app on the DIRECTV Gemini, but it doesn’t work quite right. This is one app that I’m surprised they allowed, because clearly you already have all that function if you have a Gemini. You don’t need to load an app to make it work.
Why does DIRECTV do this?
It’s been very common for these provider-locked boxes to stop you from using competitor apps. When DISH launched their AirTV product in 2017, you couldn’t use any live TV streaming apps except their own Sling app. You couldn’t even load apps that linked to other services even if they didn’t stream video. I’m told that other cable providers do the same thing with their Android TV boxes.
With the Google Play store, it’s very easy for a developer to say which devices are specifically supported or unsupported. In fact I think it’s mandatory when you’re submitting an app. Someone, probably someone’s lawyer, thought this was a good idea.
Of all the pay-TV providers, it really seems like DIRECTV is the most generous. No, they don’t allow the two largest cable company apps. But, they do allow the apps from their competitor in the satellite space.
I’m hopeful that at some point DIRECTV will allow all provider apps on their devices. I’m also hopeful they’ll allow their devices to work as Android TV boxes if you don’t have a subscription. Right now, though, those devices are firmly tied to DIRECTV. Without an active login, you can’t use them.
There is a workaround– and it does work
The Gemini runs the Android TV operating system. That’s a real benefit. It means you can cast to it from any Android device as well as certain PCs. So it’s quite easy to load whatever app you want on your phone and send it up to the TV. That’s a decent workaround for those few apps that won’t run natively.
If you still haven’t gotten your Gemini, now is the time! Shop at Solid Signal or call the experts at 888-233-7563. We’re here for you during East Coast business hours and we’ll happily answer all your questions. If it’s after hours, just fill out the form below. We’ll get right back to you!
