Has Google forgotten it made a TV OS/Interface? A deeper look at what Google is not telling us.

by jtwizzy

So the Google event has came and went and I cannot help but think that Android TV was completely forgotten and will be discontinued soon.

There are 3 options today, Nexus player, Shield or builtin.

Google has already discontinued the Nexus lineup and then removed the shield from their online store.

Google today does not carry Android TV in their online store, they even are competing against the new MI box that is coming out this month with their Chromecast 4k.

http://www.mi.com/en/mibox/

So this is a new 4k Android TV device. No Ethernet ports.

https://store.google.com/product/chromecast_ultra

and this is a new 4k Chrome Device, has Ethernet ports.

These devices are priced the same, so ask yourself why is Google releasing two products in a short time span that fill a similar need? It is confusing to end customers. What is chrome v android tv? why are they the same price?

I believe this is clear direction Google is taking their company getting rid of the nexus lineup and not refreshing any hardware on android tv , instead dropping in favor of chromecast because the adoption rate is much higher for chromecast than nexus player.

Thoughts?

betam4x

Google isn't releasing the Mi Box, Xiaomi is. Android TV is made for OEMs. The Nexus player was just a reference model.

Andrroid

It took way longer for an android tv doom and gloom thread to be posted than I anticipated.

koshergoy

Google has an insider at a leadership position for Xiaomi. Why do you think Xiaomi decided their first international TV box would, coincidentally, be based around official AndroidTV? Xiaomi is a powerful ally for Google, posessing a huge and skillful manufacturing prowess. They are poised to be a major player promoting AndroidTV worldwide. The follow up to the Mi Box is already well into its development cycle at Xiaomi.

Andrroid

So were you in a coma during Google I/O?

Mr_You

My wild guess is Google is waiting for the FCC to make a decision on the "open cable box" rules before really pushing Android TV.

ludist210

Chromecast is a completely different animal from Android TV (even if it does encompass the TV), and it fits a different niche.

If Android TV were dead, they wouldn't have spotlighted the Mi Box at i/o and just launched it (or are launching it in a week, depending on who you ask). You wouldn't have manufacturers like Sony, Phillips, Sharp, RCA, and more running Android TV.

I wanted more Android TV announcements too, but yesterday was about Pixel and Home. While ATV works with Home, that's not where any current devices fit right now. It's not dead...just laying low.

osiris355

Have you even used Android 7? Google did a ton of nice updates and the entire Nexus line us dead.

A Pixel TV is most likely coming next year. Things take time to develop.

sodsavage

You're not alone, I also find it odd/discouraging they did not announce their own set-top box as well. Hopefully one is in the works. It would just be odd if Google is trying to build all their own hardware around their software now and they leave Android TV behind. But that's Google for you. Maybe this will come with a Made by Google Tablet and Laptop as well in the future. Who knows. I do find it encouraging that some popular apps were just released for the platform so I think it's a bit premature to think it's going to be abandoned in favor of Chromecast in the near future. And anyone find it strange that they did not change the name of Chromecast to Google Cast? They seem to have a tough time coming up with a coherent name for their product lines. I see now that the Google Cast app has been renamed Google Home? And I'm sure they wish that Android TV could be named Google TV once again to match up with everything as well but they already burned that bridge.

fleker2

Google just worked with Xiaomi for their Mi Box, Nougat on Android TV gets PiP and DVR and recent apps and more useful stuff. Google Home will work with Android Tv for casting.

Google has continued to pursue both platforms based on user feedback. Chromecasts are great, cheap ways to upgrade existing TVs. However, many TVs are coming with smart technology built in and thats what Android TV is targeting. Just buy an Android Tv set and it just works.

bartamus4

Based on Google TV, we've got about 4 years. Based on the Nexus 5x and 6p, about a year. :) Nothing's Guaranteed in the Googleverse, good or bad yes?

Edit: Just hooked up my Mi Box a couple of hours ago. For 70.00 not too bad of a device. I don't mind tying myself to a product but my experince with Google has made me realize that I can't blindly expect their products to be around just because we like them or even if they are successful. #RIPGoogleReader

BobbyD84

Honestly, the could abandon the platform today and it wouldn't really mess me up.

Chjapa

Aband-droid. Par for the course.

-sent from my Ipad Pro because my Nexus 9 sucked so bad.