Is there away to upgrade the android version or install a different firmware, so the box can be used easily?
That is an insult; You simply don´t like it. Say so please. You could get an Amlogic based SOC and run Openelec on it as a 2nd OS. https://www.dune-hd.com/collections/frontpage/products/homatics-box-r-4k-plus#specifications Just a great example. The Dune App on it is nice and very stable and so is the box itself for streaming video services. A pity DVD/BD menu got stript as Google does not allow it it seems.