Thanks for the advice! I imagine I'll get a better idea on what to scrap and start over after a few fixes. But I'll try and keep this in mind when planning. And double thanks for the channel recommendations! Looks like a lot of good content to binge :)

Architect! That sounds more like what I'm wanting. I'll search around for one, thanks!

Assuming your smart TV is android, project ivy is my favorite.

This post made me try again to find a solution, and maybe a USB extension cord with a on/off switch could work. It's not automated but would be more convenient than removing the dongle each time. I'm thinking something like this

I have this exact same problem, but with a Chevy bolt. Some cars USB ports are "always on" and some aren't. Might be worth trying different ones and see if there's a port that doesn't power on randomly. This didn't work on my car, but it's a common solution I came across when I was trying to figure it out. For now, I've just reverted back to wired AA.

Apparently there's only 10 or so Vaquita's left now. :( https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/vaquita

"Problem" is probably a stretch lol. It just looked sloppy before IMO

There's F3. I've never used it but it looks decent. https://www.linuxbabe.com/command-line/f3-usb-capacity-fake-usb-test-linux

These still exist, for now at least. Just not any flagship phones. My Oneplus nord n30 has all of this (well idk if the fingerprint sensor is ultrasonic, it's on the side and fast though). And I'm pretty sure a lot of Motorola phones have these as well. Only downside is not the best processors or cameras, but are good enough for me at least.

I have a kobo libra 2, but have had kindle paperwhites in the past. The kobo is the better experience IMO, for 3 big reasons. 1, physical buttons. The buttons on the side also mean there's a good place to hold the device, where on my old paperwhite I would accidentally skip to the next page constantly. Someone with smaller hands probably won't mind as much though. 2, easier to get library books. Overdrive is built in, so I don't have to go find my phone to search for books. 3, more customizable with the fonts and layouts and I can load in custom fonts really easy. That being said, my partner has the newest Kindle, and she adores that thing and hates how big the kobo is.

Basically all tracking is done by Google ads. It checks at start up if you have purchased ad free or not. If purchased, launch app without ad library, else launch with ads. It has to be in the code because (according to the dev) Google is cracking down on similar apps, ie a pro version and a free version. So ad library has to be included, and it just won't use it if you pay for pro

100 bucks is only for the extra features. Just to remove ads is $20, which is admittedly still high