While Android is already the number one operating system on the smartphone market, Google is now launching an assault on televisions. The firm has been offering Android TV for years, a version of the mobile operating system designed for connected televisions.
And little by little, Android TV is gaining ground. The OS now has 110 million active users per month. And of those 110 million, 30 million have been added since May. This suggests strong growth for Google’s platform for televisions.
In an interview with the Protocol site, Rob Caruso, director of product management at Google TV, also indicates that currently Android TV has 250 global partners, dot 170 operators. And of the 10 main connected TV manufacturers, 7 are already using the Mountain View firm’s platform.
Google is pushing brands to adopt Google TV, but Android TV will still be around
The official also clarified the difference between Google TV and Android TV. In essence, Android TV is an operating system, a version of Android for televisions. As for Google TV, it is an interface, a launcher, on which the user accesses content and recommendations more easily.
Google TV runs on Android TV. But not all Android TVs use Google TV. This choice is up to manufacturers of products that can use Android TV without integrating the new interface.
“Over time, our bet and our desire is that the Google TV experience will be the preferred choice for us and our partners as we roll out, but Android TV is still here and it’s still being rolled out, and obviously it’s always taken care of”Caruso explained.
Big projects for televisions
Google will continue to develop its platform for television. And according to the manager interviewed by Protocol, one of the avenues explored by the company is the integration of televisions with the controls of the connected home. Google could take inspiration from the changes made to the mobile version of the OS.
Besides that, Google also wants to bring more exercise-related features to TVs (as Apple already does). Google could rely on its Google Fit and Fitbit services. But the firm should also allow third-party services.
On the other hand, the firm also wants people to use Android TVs more for videoconferences and video calls. Currently, the Google Duo video calling application is already offered on Android TV, and Google could also invite applications such as Zoom on its platform.
And finally, Google would like more live TV on its platform. In December, some channels had already been integrated in the USA.
Some of these novelties could be announced within a few months. But for the moment, Google does not yet give precise dates.
The wait shouldn’t be too long for some of these new features, though.
Source From: Presse-Citron
I am a technology author with 8 years of experience in journalism. My writing covers the latest technology advancements and trends, drawing on my expertise in news journalism and social media platforms. I have contributed to major media outlets such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Reuters.
