Google held their annual conference where they reveal their future plans, Google I/O. There they revealed a new TV initiative they call Android TV – a version of Android that is specially designed gadgets that will deliver TV content and gameplay.
Thus they go in the footsteps of the new initiative to commerce giant Amazon, which earlier this year launched a new television program that is also made to be a gaming console. Amazon Fire TV suddenly opens for gaming when you buy the specially designed hand controller, which is not supplied with the TV.
They seem to choose the same solution with its new Android version designed for television experiences, but in typical Google philosophy, the system is used by other manufacturers as well. And here they have chosen to ally themselves with game equipment specialists Razer, known for focusing on core gamers.
- The new widget, powered by Android TV will stream movies and music and have other apps for large screens in addition to having extra focus on gaming, according to the press release of the Razer without explaining what it means in practice.
Almost no details of specifications are revealed but Razer has good experience in both mouse, keyboard and hand control for players. Electronics manufacturers like Sony is rumored to be ready to adopt the system. Sony already has a good foot in the Android system with its tablets and mobile phones.
Google also has even produced a special box that adopts the system, which is intended for developers and is uncertain about to be sold on the open market. It is not unlikely that they choose the same solution with their mobile phones and tablets in the Nexus series.
Small specs are not yet known whether the new devices shall adopt Android TV, but according to reports, Google's own box will have an Nvidia Tegra 4 chip set. This is a well-known graphics processor which is used by newer tablets, and is also used by Nvidia's own handheld console, Nvidia Shield.
Android TV is not the first attempt Google have made to conquer the TV living room – some may remember Google TV, which can not be described as anything but a failure. Right enough, Android TV will be compatible with Google TV, according to Google. Last year they also launched the Chrome Cast – a HDMI stick to stream content to your TV.
The new initiative which uses Android TV will be scheduled for launch in the autumn of 2014.
This is an interetisng product from Google, so expect more news about it in the future!
