Batocera works really well, has a 10ft UI, and includes:

• Kodi to stream local media and can act as an Airplay receiver. I use Jellyfin as a server but I bet Emby would work just as well.
• the ability to run Flatpaks
• a nice 10 ft UI as the default and allows for customization
• emulation backends and moonlight game streaming
• the ability to pair Xbox, PlayStation, or any other Bluetooth controllers

Get a usb IR receiver like FLIRC or something similar with HDMI CEC to control everything via standard remote.

This is the first time I’ve heard anyone say Kodi has a learning curve. I’m curious what you found difficult?

The mini pc is the most flexible. Batocera works really well and includes:

• Kodi to stream local media and can act as an Airplay receiver
• the ability to run Flatpaks
• a nice 10 ft UI
• emulation backends and moonlight game streaming
• the ability to pair Xbox and PlayStation controllers

Get a usb IR receiver like FLIRC or something similar with HDMI CEC to control everything via standard remote.

Firefox + uBlock Origin + arkenfox user.js gives you privacy, security and anti-tracking. The only way to fly IMO.

I like Miniflux and there are several apps you can use to interface.

Per one of the Arkenfox maintainers: “There’s nothing wrong with mozilla’s telemetry - it uses PRIO, and it uses GLEAN, and it doesn’t collect any PII, and it helps decisions upstream (and I’m not talking pedantic UI changes) that benefit everyone. Opt-in doesn’t work. I’m sure you can google why. There is no reason to distrust Mozilla here - you’re using their product” https://github.com/arkenfox/user.js/issues/1659#issuecomment-1518353397

That being said, if anyone wishes to block the telemetry you can do so by following the Arkenfox recommendations and setting up uBO: https://github.com/arkenfox/user.js/wiki/4.1-Extensions And/or a network wide DNS blocker (which OP did).