I've read that the play store sucks for Android TV. What are the upside to going with "TV"?
I've read that the play store sucks for Android TV. What are the upside to going with "TV"?
Er, the TV interface?
If it was normal Android i'd have to deal with, and teach to the family, the workaround for getting <app> to work without a touchscreen. The ATV interface works fine - nobody complains.
It's basically a set-top box that's better than any provided by your TV company, hence why some of them have started using it themselves.
With sideloading, you can literally sideload anything from the regular Play Store. The app store on the Android TV device is limited to specially catered apps that were optimized for Android TV so you don't find yourself just downloading everything you have on your phone which was designed for a touchscreen.
The main thing is that the apps are actually designed to be used on a TV, and you're not going to have to fart around with a mouse pointer to get things done.
And the app selection is getting a lot better on Android TV, though discoverability is still an issue.
It's all about the right tool for the right job.
Android TV is geared for a remote and not a touch interface. All the apps made for Android TV are made to work with a remote. Vanilla Android and its apps are geared for touch. Yes you can use controllers, keyboards, remotes; But the apps are made to interact with your fingers.
I get the argument to use a regular android on a TV, but I think it's weak. Most games that are touch, require quick interactions that doesn't exist without the proper interface. Using a mouse, keyboard or air mouse to control Netflix is a pain after you use the remote control version of Netflix. In fact if you look at forums for Android boxes you'll always find someone asking how they can get the Fire TV or Android TV version of Hulu and Netflix.
On top of that you are going to find if you use vanilla android on a TV, you are going to want to use a remote controlled launcher for the device anyways. Either Kodi or the other launchers out there that exist.
As for the Play Store it's only filtering the results. Even with vanilla android your results are filtered based on OS version and what features the app require. Plus if you can get the apk, you can sideload almost any app on any device. Doesn't mean it will work but you can.
Funny thing is no one says Play Store sucks because they can't install Borderlands 2 on their Galaxy S7 phone.
I have one of each. MiBox and an Android Box. I like both. One is simple and the other can be used for more technical root stuff.
Android TV has license deals with Netflix and others for HD and 4k support. Most Android boxes Netflix are SD, or include a hacked Netflix app preloaded that'll eventually break or requires a mouse to use.
You can voice search every app at once with the remotes, and use voice search in other apps like SPMC.
Everything else like tv interface timely updates support from <streaming service>
Theres also sideload launcher and Play store patchers which will allow non TV apps to install and run.
Right tool for the job.
Android TV is designed around controller/Remote. It hides games that don't support it (or claim not to support it) from the user so they don't accidentally get a game or something that requires touch.
On the other hand, you can sideload any app (android ones). So you aren't really stopped from having android apps.
I sideloaded some apps like Folder Sync and chrome.
Unless you care about drm apps like Netflix, there is almost none, if your device also supports the play Store.
The only other advantage is casting, but if it was today I would buy a normal android box and a chromecast, android TV is so limited for a poweruser.
Having Kodi/Netflix/Hulu update automatically. Being able to use apps meant for a TV interface. A remote that works perfectly without dongles or workarounds. Just not having to piece everything you want to do together yourself, it's all there just waiting for you to search for it. Sure the play store can be a pain at times, but it does work for basic TV stuff most people need.