Google’s last play into the television market was the aptly-named, Google TV. Remember it? Not many will because it wasn’t what you could call a runaway success. Such a failure in fact that it was pulled completely and brushed under the rug.
But the company isn’t ready to give up the living room to Apple, Microsoft, Roku, or the many other companies vying to take over the biggest screen in our homes – and understandably so.
First up is Chromecast. Google’s small and convenient £30 ($35) HDMI dongle is gaining support from TV industry heavyweights such as the BBC, as well as from developers for its application and gaming-support.
Next into the ring is Android TV. In documents leaked by The Verge, Google writes it’s aiming for simplicity – removing anything fancy like telephony, cameras, touchscreen support and NFC. This, it is hoped, will allow developers to focus solely on apps to enhance TV.
But is there a world where both exist?
With Google focusing on simplicity, there’s little which an Android TV can do over what can be achieved on the more portable Chromecast. Of course it could be advantageous if Google can convince hardware manufacturers to ship with Android TV built-in – but after the train-wreck which was Google TV; that could be a hard pitch.
Google’s standard hardware partner, LG, for example, is building WebOS into all its own new televisions as DeveloperTech reported in an interview.
To make a success, a product needs to stand-out. How Android TV plans to offer an experience which is unique in a field of more-or-less-the-same competitors – is one we’ll be watching closely. Amazon just announced their ‘FireTV’ box but with the USP of going after gaming – releasing a dedicated controller alongside.
Chromecast, on the other hand, was already unique in its form factor – and continues to be in regards to its simple integration into both Android and iOS. Google looks to have kicked off a trend – with Roku launching a similar device in the ‘Streaming Stick’ for $50.
In the device’s latest update, Reddit user asjmcguire has spotted code which appears to allow for future support of a personalised dashboard. If Google implements this we could see info pulled from your Google Calendar and Google Now feed, and perhaps selected news sources. Come down in the morning, switch on your TV, and see at-a-glance all the info to start your day … That’s a USP.
We’ll continue watching with close interest, but – if Android TV is going with the “simplicity” it claims – there will be plenty who stick to the convenience of their Chromecast.
Do you foresee a world where both Android TV and Chromecast exist in face of competition?
