Not a dumb question. Many people are confused and its unfortunate that these android "tv" boxes existed before Google decided to rebrand "Google TV" to "Android TV"

Here is Android TV

Biggest difference to me is the UI. Leanback UI is sexy and appropriate for the big screen. App shortcuts are nice big tiles with proper sized font. UI navigation is conducive to using a simple d-pad remote.

In addition to a beautiful 10ft interface, there is global search, which allows you to search apps for content right from the main screen (provided individual apps develop this integration). This global search can be done via voice and is my preferred method of use. Additionally, there is a global recommendations bar on the home screen that shows content from apps that have integrated it. You can select the content from here and jump right into the action.

Theres also a great, highly underutilized app called "Live Channels." The name is a bit of a misnomer. Its not necessarily live tv, but the UI is similar to what you would find in a regular cable experience. With this app, content is aggregated from participating apps to create "channels" and present them in a traditional tv guide UI. Again, the focus here is ease of access to your content.

And the final big feature I will touch on is built-in google cast functionality. Basically, every official Android TV device (none of boxes you see on Amazon) can be used just like you would use a Chromecast device. This is great for apps/developers that have not gotten around to updating their apps to support the Leanback UI in Android TV.

Really, it comes down to it that its just a better, smoother more optimized experience for typical use with a TV.

AndroidTV boxes have also have DRM that has been approved of by many distribution platforms; most notably Netflix.

If you load the Netflix Android app on an Android box, you get Standard Def in stereo.

If you load the Netflix AndroidTV app on an AndroidTV box, you can get up to 4k resolution in DolbyDigital+

other content providers are likely to behave the same or not at all w/out DRM; HBOgo comes to mind.

Google is the difference.

Android TV boxes are to spec and run the full Google stack for TV dubbed "Android TV." The cheapo boxes don't... they run generally an AOSP rip of Android with whatever software/tweaks they put on themselves. Some might have the Play Store hacked on their as well (against Google policy) others have their own store.

I wrote an analysis of the two types: https://androidtv.news/2016/07/android-tv-versus-android-smart-tv-boxes/

Android was made for touchscreens. Android TV was made for the living room.

For more info, check out http://www.android.com/tv

Latching on to this is there a list which states the best and worst android TV boxes and etc?

I am guessing that the nvidia shield TV is the current best android TV offering but I am only assuming and guessing and would like some clarification.

I see that somebody has ported Android TV to a Raspberry PI 3, and also to a PC. What are the chances that somebody could port it to those cheap Android boxes?

Does anyone know where to buy a legit mi box in Canada? Or where to look in the US?

Can android tv remotes simulate a cursor to use with regular android apps? Or would one need to use an actual mouse?

Can Android tv sideload apks?

Just get the Android TV box. I used the MI box last night (android tv) and it worked okay. Moving around was easy but the interface I think still needs a lot of work. Today I went to my sister's place where her husband has a NextD android kodi box and the usage was horrible. The remote was ir and weak. The thing was slow. And worse was that all the apps were in phone/tablet interface. It's so difficult to use it with a remote when you're supposed to be swiping and tapping.

I didn't know any better so I got one of those generic boxes. It has the Play Store and Kodi. Do you know if there's any way to set an app to TV mode? Spotify has a terrible interface and I'd love to use the new TV version.