Google just might power the streaming box of your dreams in 2019

by 513
PalebloodSky

Nvidia Shield TV is already the streaming box of our dreams. It's incredibly fast, updated regularly and compatible with all apps and controllers.

Nothing more I could want, other than a decent remote with reliable volume control.

arghness

I just want better "generic Android TV" support from platforms in the UK. I still can't believe BBC iPlayer isn't available on it, at least (only custom versions for Shield / Sony TVs, not a generic platform independent version from Play Store, not even a web wrapper).

I guess Android TV is just too small a platform over here (it seems a lot of the US usage of Android TV is from cable providers -- I don't believe that use case is popular over here).

ALeX850

The goal is, how do we get the user to the content that they want

Govil-Pai said the result will involve more personalized recommendations

why do I feel like they think just one person watches TV in the household?

adrianhughes1998

FFS another redesign?

Freon424

This article should never change and they should just republish it annually and update the year. I've heard this for a long time. Still no support. At all. I'm still using my Shield TV in the living room, but every other TV in the house is on a Roku now.

Banzai51

I want to believe!

akisnet

No another redesign.

sendmehatemessages

single sign on for cable subscribers please like on Apple TV and Roku. Is that too much to ask for? Don't make me beg and cry please.

BiggussDikkuss

So Google decides to introduce 4K HDR Content to Play Movies. And what do they decide is a good video encoding standard to use, their own VP9 Profile 2.

Why? Because then no royalties have to be paid to encode in 10bit HEVC, like everyone else in the 4K video streaming world do to ensure maximum hardware compatibility across media player platforms.

So now you have the ludicrous situation that the flagship Android TV 4K HDR media player the NVIDIA Shield cannot playback Google’s own VP9 Profile 2 encoded content.

So thanks Google for fragmenting the Android TV market even further all to benefit your own Google Chromecast Ultra platform and favouring VP9 Profile 2 capable, modern smart Android TV’s instead. Most of which use pathetically underpowered old chipsets.

Way to go - Google for remaining laser focussed and providing great support to the entire Android TV ecosystem of users ! (Sarcasm)

You will NOT be powering my dream box in 2019 !

VrecNtanLgle0EK

I doubt it.

zoopz

God not again

DrewBerries

I'd settle for Google providing updates for all Android TV devices (within reason)... Imagine if Microsoft made every computer manufacturer provide their own updates and security patches.

Greylights888

They need to let go of this idea of getting users "to their content as fast as possible". You are sitting on a couch with a remote in your hand, speed is not a priority. Advanced algorithms to instruct me what to watch are not a priority.

An appealing, simple design that is comfortable to use is a priority.

Having a full range of apps is a priority.

Having a remote that adjusts volume and switches the TV on and off is a priority.

Google (and Apple) have been over-engineering everything for a few years now, nothing ever seems to meaningfully improve. We just want the basics, done well.

nodeofollie

So they completely kill their Nexus player just to bring a new device in a few years later? Sounds like Google to me

fookineh

*Govil-Pai describes this as a chicken-or-egg problem, with not enough users to justify developer investment in Android TV apps. *

Is she for real?! How are the users supposed start using Android TV when the app store looks like it escaped from the 90s?

Such a load of bs.