Where is AndroidTV? We have Shield, Mi box and the old Nexus Player. In addition Sony TVs and cable TV set top boxes. Is this where Google wanted AndroidTV to be by now? If not, why is it not more popular? Is this a platform with a future? If not, what is? I am puzzled why we don't see more models on the market...
I think it's pretty clear they want it to be an OS for STB OEMs--I think it's one 20+ STBs. Just like normal Android is for phone OEMs. That's fine with if it keeps the platform alive.
There seriously needs to be a Pixel TV Player. There needs to be one for developers to take the platform seriously even if there are a squillion cable set top boxes out there. I've been hanging out for the Foxtel Now box here in Australia. Built on Android TV, supports 4K, Chromecast built in, antenna input for live TV.. just $99, sounds perfect! One issue. Doesn't support the nextflix app. Not even through Chromecast. What the fuck man?
You have been looking in the wrong places. The worldwide tv carrier uptake on AndroidTV has been phenomenal.
Current end user sales velocity has been growing consistently.
The Air TV is out as well, and Channel Master has a DVR coming next year that runs it. Additionally, a lot of the next-generation cable boxes are running it. I don't think it's in danger of dying out any time soon.
I do find it baffling that there is no replacement for the Nexus Player even now, though.
Excluding the Nexus Player - the major problem with Android TV is Google do not control the whole vertical integration of the ATV experience. They really need to have a flagship Pixel type media player.
For example Apple with their Apple TV line of media players - control the Hardware, Operating system, Firmware, and tightly control Apps coding standards before Apps store approval so everything usually works nicely together.
Good example with their recently released tvOS 11.2 Firmware on the Apple TV 4K that has frame rate matching and dynamic range matching that works Operating System wide for all (HDR) Apps. It's a hands off experience. No need to fiddle continually with device settings.
If we look at something like the NVIDIA Shield, powerful hardware and the best expression of Android TV IMHO - BUT NVIDIA have to wait for Google to bug bust the Android operating system and even then most Apps do not play 100% nicely with Google's API's (eg. frame rate matching & dynamic range matching) because Google are not strict enough with Android TV Apps developers before they approve Apps for the Playstore.
Having an Open system has it's drawbacks too, you end up with holes and App integration issues long term.
In the end market Share dictates where App developer resources are directed to and Android TV is not No. 1 No. 2 No. 3 or even No. 4
Like ChromeOS its a lot worse then it has any reason to be. Its two things that are semi ignored by Google. They do just enough to get by and develop it at a glacial pace.
Something like Universal Search, thats a central part of a streaming platform. And its god awful on Android TV.
No one 'smart tv' platform will ever be able to take off due to the way content providers refuse to be platform agnostic. In the end it just creates more hoops for consumers to jump through to get to the content they want to watch. It is easier to pirate these days than it is to willingly pay for content.
I think instead of making Pixel TV player, Google should make new generation of Chromecast running Android TV. That way could have both streaming and local interface. Then, would be the same size and price as Roku or Fire TV. Might also make sense to sell versions with and without remote. For without remote, they would need to improve the phone remote or have some voice control.
You're forgetting Philips and it's Android TVs. Not to mention all the others. Maybe they are just not available in your country
At least it's a more developed ecosystem than GoogleTV... an absolute nightmare after they pulled the plug on core services.
Let's be honest, Android TV has so much potential, but Google has done a bang up job in the last year. There is no alternative as far as I'm concerned, but man have they lost momentum in the US. I know they are licensing it all over the world, but I couldn't give a rats ass about that. New boxes coming out from providers with two year old technology. Good grief. Live Channels was one of the most promising apps I have seen, but it has not improved in any way in the last year, it has gotten worse.
Wasn't there a new UI coming out for Android tv showcased at the last Ces ?
Anyway, in regards to shield. It is one of the best, but their limited tuner support and their love for the Plex membership is absolutely crap.
Razer Forge. Stuck between the Nexus and the Shield.
https://www.amazon.com/Razer-Forge-TV-Bundle/dp/B00V0K291W#customerReviews
Lots of problems with this device, read the user reviews.
Probably the same place as AndroidWear. Nowhere fast ☹️
You won't get an answer from the Stockholm Syndrome types here. It's like asking the state of North Korea on /r/Pyonyang
A state of unconsciousness. Replacing apps with web wrappers. Pulling support for the only first party devices with no replacement. I expect it will be moving to the state of oblivion soon.
Self promotion but check my website, it's in use by 40 pay TV operators at the moment with 40 more coming in 2018 (announced by Google at IBC2017). That's Google main focus right now.
https://sites.google.com/view/droid-tv/