Android TV: TV operating system images and information from Google dives - Android World

In 2010 I came up with a specially customized version of Android called Google TV to televisions. After four years, we can say that Google TV is completely flopped. In contrast, the smart TV dongle Chrome Cast is a great success. This seems to have given Google to venture to conquer the TV market with a new attempt to regain the trust:. Android TV

Google TV

Google TV that never got off the ground has come, has several causes. First, such a system stands or falls with content. In the United States, Google was opposed by almost all television networks and television providers. For example, it was not possible to use Google TV’s popular streaming service Hulu and live streams were blocked by U.S. channels.

It seems likely that Google TV had done when Google already launching content deals a lot better had closed, but that is certainly not the only point where the search giant has dropped. stabbing At the launch of Google TV users were promised that the Android Market and the associated apps and games TV devices would come. Their Google quickly But that lasted for years and were also new software updates sporadically. In addition, the development of apps for the platform, which is based on Android, but not open source is not so simple and the interface is very chaotic.

Android TV

Where Google TV it definitely should not have its simplicity and ease of use, Android TV should offer a solution. Today, The Verge reports that it has received documents containing the description of Android TV in hands

Android TV should be just what Google TV is not:. Elegant, simple and user friendly. When we look at the screenshots that The Verge has managed to secure that indeed seems the case. The interface looks stylish, sleek and simple.

As we saw in the Chrome Cast, smart HDMI dongle from Google, the company has chosen a select group of partners that their applications have been able to adapt to Android TV. On the example screenshots we see games like Plants vs. Zombies, Asphalt and Where’s My Water. In terms of applications appears to be the first charge at least the first content-thirsty “to classes with at least Netflix, Google’s own YouTube, Hulu, Pandora and Vevo. We also see Hangouts pass in the screenshots, which probably indicates that it is going to be (video) calling via Google Hangouts possible. Skype offers various television platforms similar capabilities already.

Simple

Google emphasized in the documents in the hands of The Verge implicit differences with Google TV:

Android TV is an entertainment interface any computing platform. The point of Android TV that you can find content, and can be enjoyed with minimal friction. It is cinematic, nice, smooth and fast.

where Google TV really wanted to bring the full potential of your smartphone or tablet to your TV with Android TV seems not to be the case. The interface is definitely not recognizable as Android, at least: it will consist of a set of maps where you scroll through. These cards are movies, series, apps and games. You use a remote bearing arrow keys (left, right, up and down) to navigate. In addition, there will be found enter, home and back button on the remote control. There will also purchase optional game controllers to be.

Set-top boxes, televisions or sticks?

The question is how Android TV is brought out. In early December we even wrote about rumors about a Nexus TV. Google would release a TV with Android as the operating system itself. However, in July we heard any news about a set-top box Android TV. In January 2013 the then Android Chief Andy Rubin would this set-top box showed. Namely to partners The set-top box would have under other motion operation. The name “Android TV” was called al-specific

It seems that Google is going to apply the company has also applied to Android itself, and more recently with Android wear the familiar strategy. Seeking partners that the hardware develop and care for the software itself. When the first Android device was developed in collaboration with HTC, researchers try with Motorola (the Moto 360) and LG (the G Watch). Wear with Android

Only last year did include television giants Samsung and LG with a Google TV television work, but these devices are hardly available. Although these companies have their own smart TV platform, Samsung Smart TV and LG WebOS, it seems very unlikely that these companies will work with the new Google TV platform. Finally, select Samsung in all other areas, the strategy that it wants to be represented. Anywhere Therefore, the company comes up with devices with (almost) all possible screen sizes, but also all possible operating systems. Or Android TV is completely open source, like Android itself is open to question. The same goes for Android Wear. We expect at least initially mainly set-top boxes with Android TV.

Chrome Cast

The Cast Chrome, Google unlike Google TV to know to succeed. However, the HDMI stick is a completely different caliber than what Android TV will be. The Cast Chrome is really only meant for easy consuming content. The stick is plugged into the TV, the Internet connection is set and the device can be used. Applications can be started only from a computer, smartphone or tablet and run on a web server, not on the Chrome Cast itself.

Android TV appears in that regard between the Cast Chrome and Google TV to fall: it is possible to run applications and games on the system itself but the interface is a lot quieter than that of Google TV . It is not intended to run on the platform, complete apps interfaces apps will need to be modified to run on Android TV drastically. It seems likely that ‘normal’ Android apps can be so that they can provide. An Android TV interface readjusted That way it would not be necessary to develop applications from scratch but that is yet to be seen.

The two platforms, Android and Chrome TV Cast, therefore can certainly coexist: one simple media streamer and the other a full enterainmentplatform. However, it seems likely that the “cast’ button that is now used for the Chrome Cast to send content to the device is also going to work with Android TV. Currently, for example, that button works in Netflix and YouTube apps to play on other devices like the PlayStation 3 videos.

Availability

Android TV is still top secret, and therefore it is still questionable if this new Google project will see the light. A logical place to announce this project to be Google’s own developer conference, Google I / O are. This will be held on 25 and 26 June this year and is usually the place where new Google projects are announced, especially projects where developers can get to work.

Source: The Verge

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