Are there any other companies out there that have set top boxes that use official Android TV besides the usual suspects in the sidebar?
I wish chinese companies that make these boxes would use Android TV proper, as they usually have pretty good specs
It's not up to the companies. The decision is Google's, and they are super strict about who they will even talk to about getting on board with Android TV, let alone becoming officially certified. I've once worked for a company that has been barking up this tree for a couple of years now (I no longer work there). Google won't even consider a company unless certain bare minimal standards are met, such as properly licensing certain audio and video related patients, meeting DRM standards (which require training software engineers in the US at Google's campus), etc..
The truth of the matter is, unless you're a big player like Philips, ASUS, Nvidia, or Xiaomi, then Google won't feel it's worth their time
I'm not sure why Google makes Android TV that hard to get into. Maybe they're afraid of the brand being tarnished by buggy implementations ( cough Razor*cough). Google seems to have a... strange approach to Android TV.
Hey, you can have a look at my website. Most of the STB are now coming from pay TV operators or ISP:
The AirTV is very similar to a combo of Mi Box and Shield.
Android 6.0 Marshmallow (future Nougat upgrade, I don’t see this getting Oreo)
4k and Ultra HD
Optical Audio port
2 USB ports ( one port will be used for the USB OTA Tuner )
The OTA Tuner can be used with the Sling interface or with Googles Live Channel App. (OTA Antenna Needed)
It has 2 user interfaces ( Sling TV and the Android TV Lean Back Launcher)
Google Play Store and all the apps that apply to Android TVs
Google Voice Search (Not Google Assistant)
Remote has Dedicated Sling, Netflix, and Google Buttons. also a Mic.
I have 2 AirTVs. One connected to a Leaf Antenna. The other AirTV I just use my HDHomerun I have connected to my network. Using Plex to view and DVR.
I do have a SlingTV account which makes the Sling TV User interface seamless with Netflix and OTA channels. ( but you do not need an Sling TV account to use the Air TV) there is a dedicated button on the remote (diamond shaped) that gets you to the AndroidTV User Interface (Lean Back Launcher).
You can Buy the AirTV with usb tuner $129.99 or with out $99 with out on their site. Best Buy sells the Combo only for $125
Let me know if you guys have anymore ?????.
I also sent a message to Moderators asking if there was a reason I may not be aware of on why they haven’t included the AirTV in the side bar as an official Android TV.
SDMC OTT TV Box DV8219 is coming out soon I believe
I thought there was news a while back of more Chinese box makers getting Android TV certification?
I don’t know why the AirTV is not in the sidebar as it is an Official AndroidTV. Using 2 of them for the past 6 months with out any major issues. It is Sling TV branded but you do not need a Sling Account to use it. You can now buy an AirTV with USB tuner at Best Buy for about $125. Here are specs from AirTV website AirTV