What's the deal with the lack of AndroidTV apps and devices

by PensivePengu

Probably going to get downvoted to hell, but oh well.

What's the deal with the actual lack of androidtv devices, here in Europe for example, the only choice of AndroidTV device that we can buy and receive within a few days is the Shield. The MiBox isn't available without importing in the UK, whilst importing isn't a huge issue, it takes time to arrive.

There just no sort of range to choose from. Either than Shield or MiBox. The MiBox Probably going to get downvoted to hell, but oh well.

What's the deal with the actual lack of androidtv devices, here in Europe for example, the only choice of AndroidTV device that we can buy and receive within a few days is the Shield. The MiBox isn't available without importing in the UK, whilst importing isn't a huge issue, it takes time to arrive.

There just no sort of range. Shield or the MiBox, the MiBox is buggy, the shield is expensive.

Let's move onto apps, in the UK, the only catch-up app available is the ITV player. No BBC iPlayer, no all4, no UKTV catchup.

When we compare the other competitors. Such as the Roku, firestick or nowtv. The app range and support is a lot better. Good luck getting support from Xiaomi for the MiBox.

Just what's the deal?

blondedre3000

What about a amazon fire stick? It’s not android tv but it’s pretty close and can run most of the same APKs and I prefer it to my Mibox.

formidible

You can sideload most Android apps. Install Halauncher from the playstore on both TV and phone. In the Launcher there is a button for transfer apk. You can transfer any Android apk from phone to TV or vice-versa by following the instructions. Once transferred to TV you will automatically be prompted to install. Some phone apps work fine on the android TV, some don't. You can experiment. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.i.akihiro.halauncher

DanielErikson

here in Europe for example, the only choice of AndroidTV device that we can buy and receive within a few days is the Shield. The MiBox isn't available without importing in the UK, whilst importing isn't a huge issue, it takes time to arrive.

Have you checked Amazon? Amazon UK has MiBoxes, dispatched either from the UK or other EU countries. So do Amazon ES, DE, FR, IT, with Prime. I got mine in 2 days, which was pretty quick.

BiggussDikkuss

In Australia it's similar but this time with the Apple TV 4/4K getting the full suite of Apps from TV station IPTV providers vs Android TV.

But with such tvOS Apps the IPTV providers also integrate watched status, resume and upcoming content from those Apps into own Apple's "TV" App, which is very very convenient for the end user.

Voice content searching across the whole suite of tvOS Apps is also outstanding. Something that should not be easily dismissed.

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Google's Android TV OS has some way to go yet. I find it's very North American centric.

We have not even talked yet about Kodi / Plex type - auto Frame Rate Matching Functionality for other Apps like Prime Video and Netflix when used with Android TV. It's simply not available.

Ultimately all this lack of developer / Android TV Apps support outside North America comes down to media player market share - with Android TV lagging quite a way behind. (It's slowly getting there - very slowly)

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It's OK having Android TV flexibility - but Plug n Play media player users also want direct Playstore install Apps availability and support.

nextapp

The apps are there they just don't show up unless you are searching for them idk why but Google don't seem to display all the apps in the ATV play store

flokkki

Enjoying Luther, UHD Dynasties on BBCi, Gogglebox on All4 and so many others using my Fire Stick. Would never go back to AndroidTV.