When AndroidTV isn't AndroidTV

by bigduffeye

Is anyone else concerned that most consumers can't seem to tell the difference between an AndroidTV box, and a box that runs android that you plug into your tv?

I have had to correct folks a few times on the G+ forums for construing the cheap Chinese boxes as AndroidTV. We have also had a few cases in here where people have thought that they have an AndroidTV box when they do not.

Is anyone else annoyed by this? Or am I just being a pedant? In the long run I see it harming the AndroidTV brand and it confuses the hell out of the consumer.

traCkready

This is a prime example of Apple's success. The "average consumer" is just not very observant to these things. They are very easily confused and are willing to do little to no research beyond what someone at the BB counter tells them. This is the main reason IOS has barely changed since its inception, they don't want to alienate the very customers they won over by the "rock dumb simple" philosophy. I am obviously generalizing here, but there is no doubt this is the most common scenario. This isn't to say these people aren't intelligent, they just are interested in other things. I will say, either way this is frustrating. Mostly because like it or not these same people interface with these devices day in day out.

JimboLodisC

I agree completely. But it's technically correct of vendors to list their product as an "Android TV box" since it's a TV box with Android, even though it doesn't run Android TV.

It's just a problem with the name "Android TV". It consists of two keywords that can mean something else. I don't know what else they could call it, though.

hosemaster

Seems every other week there's a "Sorry if this is the wrong sub.." post on here.

pawdog

It's not hard to confuse the hell out of consumers is it? I have started trying to say Google's Android TV as a differentiator.

fudsak

It's been very confusing trying to explain to my parents what "that" is. It's sort of like trying to convince them every console is not a Nintendo.

inwats

I posted just yesterday to /r/androidtv after looking to discuss Android-based set top boxes. I'll admit I'm kind of ignorant when it comes to some areas of technology (in this case smart TVs), but in my defense the name is a little generic if you're not exposed to the right technology news. It does annoy me. "AndroidTV" could be a set top box, an Android app that streams TV shows, or of course a smart TV with Android built in. I'm no marketing expert, but "Android SmartTV" might've been a better way to go.

For what it's worth, I just created a sub for Android TV Devices . I'll see if some of the other Android sub mods want to join, link, and help out. Maybe it'll catch on and clear up some of this confusion.

-Reo

there could at least be a sticky or something in the sidebar about it.

the_dingding

though it is less powerful, i prefer my tv box over my shield tv. at least i can change the default launcher and get my remotes to work. root support is better for generic boxes. android tv isn't android enough. not even as much a custom wallpaper is supported. i say save your money, go for the mbox.

the_dingding

someone tell me why they think Android TV is any better.

edit: im stumped, no launchers, no wallpapers, little support, whats the edge over a rotm set top?