Google Coming To The Living Room: Launching Android TV


GoogleTvConsidering Google's recent rumors of launching its very own wireless cellular service, is it surprising to hear of Google taking over the living room with a new set-top television box? Is the company not content with the millions of Chromecast dongles they have sold so far? That probably isn't true, but that isn't going to stop Google from taking on Apple TV, and Amazon TV with its own Android streaming platform. The decision to re-launch its ambitions for the entertainment interface is already being described as “fun, fluid, and fast”. Google TV has a history of attempting to launch the service, three in fact, with the first being back in October 2010.

GoogleTv1Already in the works, expect Google's Android TV box to be similar in working form as Roku, Amazon Fire, and Apple TV; in that the interface will offer a “developer friendly” app building platform. Described as “an entertainment interface, not a computing platform”, Android TV will be presented with scrolling cards. Each card will have the visual feature of either a movie poster, television show logo, game, or app; all for easy and quick picking. A four-way directional pan on a remote control will allow the user to choose what they want, with “optional” game controllers being launched at a future date.

GoogleTv2Focusing on simplicity, a reason reflecting why Google TV wasn't widely adopted by consumers in the past, it is “moving forward in a good way”, says Chrome and Android chief Sundar Pichai. Documents foretell that unnecessary features are being stripped. These include cameras, touchscreen support, telephony, and near-field communication. Recommended content will be provided for users as soon as the set is turned on. Rumors also note the ability to resume content that was being watched on a smart device, such as a smartphone, or tablet. App developers are currently creating content for Google TV, yet Google denied any public response to these allegations, and has yet to officially announce its Android TV.

Topics: Technology News Display Screen Technology Gadgets & Peripherals Inventions & Innovations

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