Your complaints/criticism in your 3rd paragraph are valid, but we use a Smart TV (Samsung) and it does simplify the process of watching Hulu, Netflix, Amazon or HBO on our screen without any wires or setup other than username/password. Definitely passes "the grandma test" in useability and value. Never had an issue with the software or anything .. if we did, I would definitely be upset with it, but I'd want to recreate the experience with a better Smart TV, not go backwards and have to fiddle with extra wires/devices.