Google and Smart TVs – New offensive in preparation for Android TV

A Mountain View show attention to the set-top-box and smart TV for a long time. The first approach dates back to 2010 with Google TV, based on Android 2.2 and then able to offer multimedia search and apps. Over time, the company has tried to improve its product, updating both behind the scenes before the 3.x and then to 4.2.2 in both the most visible interface with more modern and friendly.

Nevertheless, the platform has not caught on, not so much clashing with the so far limited to Apple TV, as rival systems with the greatest potential as Roku and Samsung Smart TV. Especially the Korean company, one of the architects of the success of Android on smartphones and tablets, is among those who most took advantage of the weaknesses of the group as part of Larry Page.

And the situation is only going to get worse. With that LG is ready to return to the game webOS, Amazon Fire TV, the ” handyman ” PS4 and Xbox One, space for Google is shrinking more and more. Chromecast is a good step, but not enough. It is a device independent and is always in need of a phone / tablet / computer on which will deliver the content. They have to get out of this state of lethargy media as soon as possible, before the other bear sleeping in Cupertino decides to pull out of the cave and paws (read fourth-generation Apple TV). From The Verge signals are positive, with detailed information on the next version of Google TV, which will change not only in the experience of use, but also in the name: Android TV.

The name Android TV is not completely new. They had talked about at the end of October on GigaOM, without further development, though. It is now the head of Joshua Topolsky to take up the subject, by obtaining documentation of the platform under development. The starting point of Android TV is the failure of the current iteration: what are wrong with Google TV? Essentially, it was an attempt to turn the TVs in large tablet, retooling the classic interface of Android rather than making it a truly dedicated; although then the shot was partially correct, the damage had already been done. Android TV will be a platform for pure entertainment, with a simplified use and nice content. Or, if you want to use the words of the leaked documents, ” the film, fun, fast and fluid ” (the last two words, now, I’m pretty used to the nausea, especially from Microsoft, but in some cases also adopted by Apple).

The new UI, in its main screen you can see above, follows the pattern of ” cards ” used first in Google Now and then extended to other parts of Google’s software. Movies, TV shows, music, apps and games; in each screen will meet these coupons with a preview of the content retrieved. On the home there will be some advice on new products to try, on the basis of personal taste and what has been seen / heard / played. Also present were the contents of which the use was initiated on other devices but then stopped: in this case Android TV will propose the immediate recovery from the exact point where you left off.

To move within the graphical environment is provided for the use of a remote control with the directional pad. Up and down to scroll through the different categories, left and right to scroll instead of the present proposals in a single category. Enter to confirm, Back to go back home to go directly to the initial view. It will be available also a search feature. It is universal to both internal apps, to be invoked through the Search button. You can also use a controller to play, as well as use voice commands. Android TV also provides a notification system, albeit from a limited purpose, especially to inform the user of additional content available.

The development would be at an advanced stage, already involving a wide range of third-party developers. Like Google Play, YouTube and Hangouts, we find many famous names like Netflix and Vevo, as well as very popular games, such as Gameloft’s Asphalt 8 and ” Where’s My Water? ” Disney. All that will have to answer a user experience specifically designed for use with the TV remote controls and joypad.

Android TV will be the death of Chromecast? No, because they are different products that propose different scenarios with different needs equally. Coexist peacefully, in a similar way (and maybe even better) to Android and Chrome OS. We’ll see how and if it will attract hardware manufacturers in this new challenge. LG and Samsung have their own platforms; Sony seems to want to centralize its electronic lounge PlayStation ecosystem.

This does not prevent them to diversify, of course. The Samsung itself is a prime example. In computing alternates between Android / Chrome OS and Windows / Windows Phone, while on smartwatch recently switched to Tizen is yes, but at the same time she got on the bandwagon Android Wear. The outlook seem to turn, at least for now, on a solo game by Google, with a Nexus TV, which could be an external box as much as a TV itself, if not both, so as not to miss anything.

Predictably, the company has not commented on the rumors of The Verge. The impression is that they miss so much: what better setting of the conference I/O to the end of June to show the next new jewel in the crown? With the approval of the ill-fated Nexus Q, which will finally rest in peace knowing that you have a much more comprehensive and promising successor.