I have a few different android tv devices but I don’t understand why some apps are missing from certain ones? My Phillips tv runs android but doesn’t have Prime Video, my nvidia shield has everything, and my epson projector has built in android tv but no Netflix? I’m not sure I understand why they don’t all have everything? Isn’t the licensing for android itself not the device it’s installed on? And is there a way to side load these missing apps?
You say certain apps but you mention only two, the two most controversial ones on Android TV, Netflix and Prime Video.
What happens is, Android TV devices that have the Netflix app belong to something called "Project Hailstorm", which allows the app to come preinstalled, meanwhile Amazon is more flexible and it certifies a wider range of devices to include the app as well.
Some devices are later certified by both but I've seen very, very few having both apps included in a firmware update due to the certification.
The rest of apps don't need any certification but they need to be optimized to work in the platform correctly.
Wow, had this Phillips TV for almost 4 years and never noticed it didn't have Prime. Of course it's had a Shield on it the whole time.
There is a further consideration regarding Netflix. There are modded versions of the apk available that can be sideloaded on many tv boxes but , in many cases, it will only allow streaming at 480 resolution. Netflix is serious about protecting their content and DRM is but one factor in their decision.