directv box

Nope. Been discussed and they state it can but I know of no one that has been able to utilize the device if not subscribed.

Sorry, no. 

From what I understand as long as you stay signed into your former account you should still be able to access the apps.  This is what I was told by a Directv Stream employee but who really knows as I have heard people say they cannot once they are no longer a subscriber.  If all you want it for is the apps then I would get a Roku or a Fire Stick for the apps it would be a lot cheaper than getting a box unless you already have one.

If that's true then show us how to do it. I know of no one that has ever been able to use the device if they were not an active subscriber.

@DIRECTVhelp 

Agreed. Please let us know how you can use the DirecTV Stream for other streaming services without a DirecTV Stream account. Many folks have posted that it won't work.

Is it true that there are credible reports that it doesn't work?  The device's Terms of Use section 3 is a bit contradictory (sentence 1 seems to contradict sentence 3, but there would be no reason for sentence 3 at all unless they intend that it should work).  My take is that you must have had an active subscription for the device to become active, but subsequent to that, it should continue to work after your subscription ends.  The text:

Use of Device. Your access to and use of the Device requires You maintaining an active DIRECTV STREAM account. You may access the Device by entering the user ID and password associated with your DIRECTV STREAM Service. If you cancel your subscription to the DIRECTV STREAM Service, you may continue accessing the Device without an active DIRECTV STREAM account using the same or other valid DIRECTV STREAM user ID and password.

So per that, it would seem they are obligated to make it work (since people potentially bought it based on that document) and if it doesn't work, it's a bug that needs to be fixed.

So per that, it would seem they are obligated to make it work (since people potentially bought it based on that document) and if it doesn't work, it's a bug that needs to be fixed.

Agreed. Hopefully we can get someone from DirecTV to weigh in on this issue. Lots of folks have reported that the box becomes a boat anchor once they cancel service.