With a commanding 40% market share, Android TV stands as a premier smart TV platform. As global internet adoption surges, users increasingly seek smart TVs for seamless online content consumption, with Android TV adeptly meeting this demand. However, amidst this transition, cable loyalists seek clarity on this evolving landscape. If delving into the realm of Android TV intrigues you, look no further. Below, we dissect Android TV, covering its essence, advantages, drawbacks, and prospects.
Deciphering Android TV: Unveiling Its Intricacies
In this article, we cover the basics of Android TV, including its features and hardware requirements. You can navigate to specific sections using the provided link.
What is Android TV?
Android TV, developed by Google, is a smart TV platform enabling internet-based content delivery (IPTV). Internet connectivity is essential for using Android TV. Introduced in 2014 to meet the growing demand for IPTV solutions, Android TV now powers not only TVs but also set-top boxes, digital players, and soundbars.
Prior to 2014, the company launched Google TV in 2010, built on Chrome with a video site overlay for browser-based content playback. However, this initiative failed to gain traction, leading Google to introduce Android TV in 2014, which utilized the Android operating system.
Unlike the Android experience on smartphones, the TV interface differs significantly, featuring a scrollable top-to-bottom interface with row-based menus. Android TV focuses on content discovery by aggregating content from various apps. Now, let’s explore the standout features of Android TV.
Key Features of Android TV
Android TV, being based on Android OS, supports Play Store, granting access to thousands of optimized Android apps for the TV platform. After six years since its announcement, a diverse selection of quality apps now seamlessly integrate with the platform, rendering the need for a web browser obsolete as most streaming and live TV services offer dedicated Android TV apps.
Additionally, Android TV boasts Chromecast integration as its headline feature. With this integration, users can cast content directly from their smartphones and desktops (via Chrome browser) to their Android TVs. Seamless casting of smartphone screens to Android TVs is supported, with some models extending support to casting from Windows 10 devices.
Chromecast employs screen mirroring technology. Google and numerous major developers have fine-tuned their apps to seamlessly integrate with it, offering sound output, background play, high-quality content streaming, and full-resolution display output. If you own an Android TV and smartphone, a separate Chromecast dongle becomes unnecessary for casting your smartphone screen.
Additionally, all Android TVs now include a dedicated “Google Assistant” button. It’s not merely a gimmick but a highly effective feature. Utilizing Google’s Knowledge Graph, Google Assistant delivers precise query results. For example, asking Google Assistant to “play the crown” will display all available streaming options from various sources. You can seamlessly purchase a movie directly on your Android TV.
Lastly, Android TV remotes stand out. Unlike those for traditional TVs and set-top boxes, they’re minimalist, featuring only a few buttons. This design stems from Google Assistant’s ability to comprehend most queries, even in local languages. Expect to rely heavily on the voice assistant if you opt for an Android TV. While there’s an on-screen keyboard for traditionalists, chances are it’ll gather dust.
Hardware Requirements
Android TVs typically require minimal hardware since it’s a lightweight OS. Many Android TVs feature a basic Amlogic or Mediatek processor with 4/8GB storage and 2/4GB RAM. However, some may feel sluggish to navigate with delayed response times due to the low-end chip. Therefore, I suggest opting for an Android TV with a better processor, increased RAM, and seamless 4K content playback.
Nvidia Shield TV is a popular media player running on Android TV, boasting powerful specs. It features Nvidia’s Tegra X1 processor paired with a dedicated 256-core Nvidia GPU. Some Android TVs also support HDR, HDR10, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos, although these depend on the TV manufacturer. Hence, it’s advisable to check for these features before making a purchase.
What About Android TV Updates?
Yearly updates on Android TV vary by manufacturer, typically ranging from 2-3 years. However, this may not suffice given the longer lifespan of TVs compared to smartphones. Google needs to address this update issue more effectively.
Android 11 is the latest Android TV version, but most TVs, including mine (Mi TV in India), still run Android 9. On updates, disappointment awaits after a few years.
Gaming on Android TV
Hardware requirements reveal that Android TVs are not meant for gaming due to modest specs. However, you can play non-intensive Android games from the Play Store. Additionally, game streaming services like Stadia, GeForce Now, and xCloud allow playing high-end titles on budget Android TVs.
Google supports Stadia and plans to integrate it into the successor of Android TV, known as Google TV, in the first half of 2021. Let’s explore the distinctions between Android TV and Google TV.
Android TV vs Google TV
Google’s smart TV platform has undergone a complete rebranding cycle. Initially launched as Google TV in 2010, it transitioned to Android TV in 2014, only to return to the Google TV branding in 2020. Unlike previous significant shifts, Google TV retains the Android foundation while enhancing personalized recommendations and content curation.
Google plans to offer highly-curated content on Google TV, alongside a “Watchlist” menu to access saved movies. Additionally, users can receive smartphone notifications and control IoT devices directly from their TV. Ultimately, Google aims to streamline the viewing experience and provide a more personalized dashboard.
To experience Google TV on your Android TV, follow our guide. While most features work, some are still in development. Google aims to transition all Android TVs to Google TV by the end of 2022, pending updates from manufacturers.
You can officially use Google TV in the US with the new “Chromecast with Google TV” dongle. Google has announced that Chromecast with Google TV will expand to more countries in 2021. Additionally, smart TVs, set-top boxes, and dongles will come pre-installed with Google TV in 2021.
Next year, expect to hear more about Google TV over Android TV. However, note that the difference lies mainly in the user interface, while the core remains similar.
| BRAND | Model Name | Size |
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| Marq (flipkart) | Marq 43AAUHDM | 43 |
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| Marq 49SAUHD/49SAHD-Black | 49 | |
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| iFFALCON 32F2A | 32 | |
| iFFALCON 49F2A | 49 | |
| iFFALCON 75H2A | 75 | |
| iFFALCON 55K2A | 55 | |
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| LLoyd 43US900B | Deciphering Android TV vs. Google TV
