Sony Android TV : Australia

Sony Android TV : Australia

Android on the big screen is coming of age with Sony's latest Smart TVs.
Running Android on a television or set-top box is one of those ideas which looks great on paper but generally fails to live up to expectations.

Sony's latest effort, available on most of its 2015 range including the 75-inch Ultra HD model I looked at Monday, offers the slickest Android television implementation I've seen yet, but it comes at a price.

We're not just talking about a re-skinned version of Android as you see on many home entertainment devices. Android TV is a flavour of Android 5.0 Lollipop designed from the ground up by Google to run on a Smart TV.

This means that the interface and apps are all customised for a 10-foot user experience from the couch and they play nicely with the remote control. It also means that you don't get dumped into clunky phone-style Android menus as you delve into the advanced settings.

The trade-off for this elegant user experience is that you're limited to a small corner of the Google Play App Store which offers apps optimised for Android TV.

It's an understandable restriction when you consider that it's intended as a form of user experience quality control, but it's still frustrating if you're under the impression that any old Android app will run on the television.

Keep in mind that even the apps available for Android TV might lag behind the mainstream Android app version when it comes to updates with new features.

Entertain me
Living within this app ecosystem might not bother you, depending on why you want your television to run Android. For me it's all about content and media players and here Android TV excels.

I'd say tight access to Google Play movies, TV shows and music is the number one reason to embrace Android on your television. All you content purchases, rentals and subscriptions are at your fingertips without the need to reach for a mobile device and mess around with local streaming – it's the equivalent of what iGadget owners enjoy via the Apple TV.

It's also great to see a wide range of third-party Android local streaming media player apps like Plex, VLC, MX Player and Kodi (formerly XBMC) all optimised for the television and remote control. If you use these apps on other devices then you'll feel right and home and Android TV might let you retire your media centre PC or streaming media set-top box.

To top things off, the television's built-in media player apps also support DLNA. You won't find any of these great local streaming features on an Apple TV, not without hacking it.

Get Smart
Scroll through the slick Android menus and you'll also find standard Smart TV apps such as FreeviewPlus, Netflix (with Ultra HD support and an HDR update on the way), Quickflix, iView, SBS, Plus7, Crackle, YouTube, Pandora, TuneIn and others.

The television's new X1 processor keeps everything smooth and responsive. You can also tap into a limited range of games, with the option of connecting a PlayStation or third-party controller.

There's a reasonable range of titles catering to casual gamers, although it's hard to see people getting too excited when these games are available on other devices. Serious gamers will find a few titles to grab their attention, but I don't see why you'd bother paying again for a limited copy of a game you already own on another platform.

Unfortunately there's no support for PlayStation Now game streaming service in Australia, which is the feature serious gamers are likely looking for from a Sony device.

If you want to use Android apps that aren't available for Android TV, the television supports Chromecast streaming and screen mirroring. This gives you the best of both worlds and might help overcome your frustrations over the limited number of Android TV apps.

So what's the verdict?
Think long and hard about what you want to do with Android on this television and whether it's worth the expense if you won't find the apps on you want in the app store.

In theory just about everything you can do in Android TV on this television, apart from gaming with a PS controller, you could do on your television using an Android smartphone or tablet via screen mirroring.

The beauty of Android TV is that it cuts down on your reliance on mobile devices for some tasks, particularly when it comes to multimedia. Now you can just flop down on the couch with the remote and watch your digital content the old-fashioned way.

If this sounds appealing then Android TV might be for you. Even if you're happy to drive your television from your phone or tablet, Android TV might appeal to members of your household who aren't.

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Android TV : More Than 600 Apps

Google's Android TV

Google's Android TV Box streaming platform, usable on devices like the Nexus Player, hasn't exactly made waves, but a new update that adds hundreds of new apps might just do the trick.

An update to the Google Play Store for Android TV Box this week now allows users to browse and download more than 600 apps. The update lets users browse through all apps or view 20 curated app collections to make finding new apps even easier.

For example, one app collection may feature all of the best sports apps, while another may highlight the most popular news apps.

Devices running Android TV Box can also play games, so a number of new titles have been added to the store as of the update as well.

The ability to browse all apps and curated app collections are a definite improvement from what users had to experience not so long ago. Android TV  initially only highlighted a limited selection of apps in its app store, making finding new or related apps difficult.

This update comes shortly after Google's I/O press conference, where the company announced a number of new features that would be making their way to Android TV Box in the future.

One such feature is the ability for app publishers to create their own TV channels and have their shows premiere live right alongside big-name broadcasters like ABC. TED, Vevo, the Huffington Post and more will support the new Android TV  Channel feature at launch.

While Android TV Box now features more than 600 apps to choose from, it is still a considerably smaller selection when compared to other streaming platforms like Amazon Fire TV and Roku, which each have closer to 2,000 apps available to download.

Apple TV, on the other hand, has fewer than 70 apps for users to choose from, as Apple has so far only invited an elite few publishers access to the platform.

Cr.Techtimes, 

Apple TV & Android TV ? Massive Overhaul

Apple TV  & Android TV ?  Massive Overhaul

The Apple TV remote may be getting a redesign in the near future to include a trackpad type input method rather than the three buttons that it currently uses.

Apple has long suggested that traditional TV remotes are too complex, touting its simplistic design, however, many suggest that Apple's remote is a little too simplistic.

Apple is set to unveil an updated version of the Apple TV at WWDC in June, an update that is a few years overdue. It is likely that Apple will give the device better specifications along with the slight redesign. Some suggest that the company might even unveil its own TV streaming service, but this is largely speculation so far.

The trackpad on the Apple TV remote would be similar to that found on Apple's MacBook computers and would likely add to the thickness and weight of the remote as well. Apple has been developing its trackpad technology over the past few years, adding "force touch" functionality, which was developed using technology found in the Apple Watch.

Some suggest, however, that a trackpad might not be the best input choice for Apple. Google has taken to using voice control in its remote for Android TV Box, a feature that has been largely well-received. Not only that, but Google also offers users of Android TV Box a gamepad for gaming with Android games. Apple users would not really be able to game very easily with a trackpad.

Of course, some rumors suggest that Apple will be including Siri support, meaning that it may include voice control support as well. This would likely be a very welcome addition to users of Apple TV.

The addition of a trackpad would also bring Apple TV in line with every other major Apple product currently available, with touch control being a theme in computers, phones, tablets and watches.

Now, of course, there is something to be said for the fact that Apple isn't really going after the gaming market in the same way that Google is. However, it does point to the fact that simply adding a trackpad won't necessarily make for a much better user experience.

Of course, the redesigned remote might make more sense in the context of a new Apple TV, complete with new features and a new interface. Many suggest that the update will be one of the biggest to the Apple TV since its release in 2007.

Cr.Tech Times

Internet TV across Canada

Internet TV across Canada

VMedia, which operates an internet-based TV service (internet TV) in Ontario, has been approved to offer the same service across Canada.

The Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission has awarded VMedia four licences for TV services across Canada.

VMedia is an internet service provider and provides access to television signals through an settop box such as  Android TV Box etc.

CRTC rules cable companies must offer pick-and-pay channels, $25 basic package

In Ontario, it provides a basic package of 50 channels starting at $30 a month, and a premium package of 70 channels for $45. It could take three to six months for the service to roll out in other provinces.

The packages have all the major Canadian and U.S. networks and a selection of specialty channels, making them a close match to the new criteria for cable bundling set out by the CRTC earlier this year.

VMedia launched two years ago in Ontario, offering TV channels over the internet and will be the first ISP to begin providing internet TV across Canada as a full alternative to cable.

The Internet TV signal comes over a  home internet connection instead of cable or satellite.

The set top box also provides access to  online content – such as Netflix, YouTube, games, music, social media and IOS &  android apps such as Android TV Box, IOS TV Box  etc.

Cr.CBC News

Sony : 4K Android TV

Sony : 4K Android TV

Sony debuted its new XBR-X850C series of 4K Ultra HD TVs with Android TV Box OC today at VAC’s Santa Monica showroom. On hand for the event were, from left, VAC principal Joseph Akhtarzad; Sony's Connie Schmidt and Philip Jones; and VAC's Tom Campbell.

Santa Monica, Calif. — Sony Electronics will debut its first Ultra HD TVs with Android TV OS at a Video & Audio Center (VAC) store here today.

 The Southern California A/V specialty chain, which has become a de facto launchpad for UHD technology, will preview three 4K models from the new LED LCD series at its Santa Monica showroom this afternoon, and will offer them for sale tomorrow at each of its three stores.

The Android TV line goes on sale nationwide next week.

On display today at VAC are the 55-inch XBR-55X850C, the 65-inch XBR-65X850C, and the 75-inch XBR-75X850C.

Retail pricing begins at $2,199 for the edge-lit 55-inch model, and steps up to $3,499 and $4,999 for the larger stablemates, which both feature direct LED backlighting.

All three models feature Android TV Box OS and Google Cast. Android TV is designed to deliver a simpler user interface and offers the ability to download 300 streaming Android apps from Google Play and use Google’s voice search from a microphone-equipped remote. Android TV also delivers a user interface similar to that of Android tablets and smartphones to deliver a consistent UI experience among Android devices, Sony said.

The onboard Google Cast function can stream content from Cast-enabled audio and video apps on mobile devices to the TV from the Cloud, preventing interruptions from incoming calls and letting consumers use other mobile-device apps while streaming.

The sets also stream 2K and 4K DirecTV programming without a satellite-TV box if the user installs a Genie DVR/server.

The 4K sets also feature MHL 3/HDMI inputs and Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac.

VAC will add two more models next month, the 65-inch XBR-65X930C at $4,499, and the 75-inch XBR-75X940C at $7,999, which will support high dynamic range (HDR) video conforming to the UHD Alliance single-layer HD specification, following a planned firmware update this summer. The TVs will then be capable of displaying HDR video that is expected to be available this year through Netflix and Amazon.com.

All of Sony’s new 4K TVs feature an X1 processor to significantly increase contrast, clarity and color from last year’s models, the company said, while the VAC-displayed models also offer the latest Triluminos technology to provide the widest color range ever on a Sony display, along with dynamic color correction to ensure consistent and accurate colors.

Philip Jones, Sony’s sound and home entertainment technology and training manager, said Triluminos delivers the color gamut of quantum-dot technology without sacrificing brightness and without adding depth to TVs through the addition of a layer of quantum dot crystals.

Jones, who will be on hand for today’s preview, said the Android TV OS  will simplify the user experience through their familiarity with the mobile platform, and cited IDC data showing that Android commands 82 percent of the mobile market.

Tom Campbell, VAC’s spokesman and advisor and a Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) Hall of Fame inductee, said the chain is “very excited” that Sony chose to debut the new series in Southern California via Video & Audio Center. “It provides connectivity like I’ve never seen before, he told TWICE. “If you can use an Android phone you’re ready.”

Campbell added that VAC enjoyed “a very, very strong first quarter” and that “4K UHD TV was a major contributor to the sales increase.”

The 32-year-old Hollywood-area business, led by brothers Joseph and Mayer Akhtarzad, has long been the go-to showplace for CE introductions, and over the last two years has been selected by Sony, LG and Samsung as the launchpad for UHD displays — including last October’s debut of the first 4K Ultra OLED TVs, by LG.

VAC was also recognized by DEG: The Digital Entertainment Group, an industry promotional group for A/V hardware and software, as Hardware Retailer of the Year at a 2015 International CES ceremony in recognition of its role as a “common launch point for new technologies as well as a respected leader in showcasing it.”

The company operates three main Los Angeles showrooms, located here, in Lawndale and in Agoura Hills, and last year took up residence in a former Sony Store in Westfield Century City. VAC is also busy building a major new concept store that will feature such next-gen CE as robotics, drones and wearables.

Cr.Twice

Android TV: Sideload Apps To Nexus Player

During our coverage of Android TV box, the one continuing problem which seems to persist, is the availability of compatible apps for the platform. While the number of apps is being continually added to, and taking into consideration, the young age of the platform, it is understandable that the number of apps would be limited. However, that does not make life for the early adopters of Android TV any easier. Not to mention, a number of the apps which do work with Android TV box remain unknown to most users, due to lack of a standardised way to find out what apps can (or will) work on the latest android platform.

As such, a few weeks back, we discussed how to sideload apps onto your Nexus Player. The idea behind this is that a number of the more popular apps and games will work on the Nexus Player, in spite of their Play Store listing, detailing the Nexus Player is not compatible. By sideloading the apps, the user can take advantage of a wider selection of content for their Android TV  experience.

There is one issue with sideloading though. That is, the ability to easily navigate and access sideloaded content is much longer than normal content. As Google Play does not ‘recognize’ sideloaded apps as Android TV box compatible apps, the information on the apps (logos, icons, etc) are not displayed on Google’s native launcher on the Nexus Player.

Due to this, those who sideload apps to the Nexus Player normally have to go through a much longer process of navigating down to ‘settings’, then to ‘apps’, then finding the app, clicking on the app and then finally clicking on ‘open’, all just to launch the app.

In contrast, the other ‘recognized’ apps simply display on the homescreen. Click the icon and they open. Well, this does not have to be the case. Chainfire is a rather well-known app developer and especially for his contribution to the rooted community. One of his app options available on the Play Store is Sideload Launcher and this is specifically designed for Android TV box. In particular, the ADT-1 and Nexus Player. Now, those of you who follow android news closely, will know that Chainfire actually released this app back in October of last year.

However, at the time the Nexus Player had not even been released and with the device getting into more and more people’s hands recently, it is worth pointing out again that this app does exist. For those who do sideload apps to the Nexus Player, this app is simply a must-have.

In short, the Sideload Launcher provides instant access to your sideloaded content. First off, this is just an app and therefore, no extensive knowledge, skills or rooting is needed to install the app. It is available via the Play Store (link at the bottom) and can be sent to the Nexus Player directly from Play. As this is a compatible Android TV app, the app itself will display a logo icon on the main launcher screen.

This is where the clever bit comes in. As the app displays on the main screen, it provides a shortcut to your sideloaded content. Once opened, the app recognizes all of your sideloaded content and displays them in a launcher form. In short, displays all of their icons. From here, any sideloaded app can be accessed and opened like any normal loaded app. This makes the process much quicker even for one sideloaded app, although, the more apps you sideload, the more use you will find for Sideload Launcher.

Again, as this is just an app, you can always press return to head back to your main and ‘normal’ launcher. There are no real settings for the app and as such, no ability to configure or customize. Instead, this is just a shortcut for sideloaded apps and games. That said, it does work extremely well and will congregate your ‘other’ content in a really neat and accessible way. If you have ever sideloaded any app to the Nexus Player, then make sure to download Sideload Launcher.

Cr.Android Headline

Android TV Web Browser App Now Available

Android TV Web Browser App Now Available

There are a number of reasons why you might buy an Android TV device like the Nexus Player. Some of the benefits include the ability to have an android platform on your home TV, the ability to sync media like your music, games and movies and the ability to play android games on a much bigger screen. However, there are also a number of reasons as to what you might want to wait before picking up an Android TV device.
One of the biggest reasons that you might opt to wait is the infancy of the platform. We have already reported how the availability of compatible apps is limited, with only a small amount of apps being ported over to work on Android TV devices. Well, a prime example of one of the type of apps which is missing suitable compatibility is web browsers. Even Google’s Chrome has not yet been optimised to work on Android TV. Of course, you can simply sideload a browser app like Chrome to your Nexus Player. However, the lack of compatibility means it will be limited in a number of respects. Not to mention, likely to be unstable and buggy resulting in stalls and force crashes. Well, this week saw a new app being released specifically for Android TV.
‘Web Browser for Android TV’ is exactly that, a web browser for Android TV. As its functionality is designed to work on the big screen, it won’t be a surprise to learn that it does work better than the other side loaded alternatives. That said, it is still not the easiest app to navigate. Web Browser does allow for basic navigation of the internet and does employ the use of mobile and desktop websites. The app also supports video playback, as well as being able to store favorites and backtrack through your history.

Android TV Box : Menu

The app also works reasonably well with the remote control, GamePad and the Remote Control App with a movable mouse cursor which is present on the screen.

Android TV Box : App on Google

However, after first downloading, the URL bar only seems to accept the Remote Control App as a means of input, as default. Therefore, when you try to navigate to the address bar with either the physical remote control or GamePad, you are prompted to “use phone keyboard to enter text” as default.

Android TV Box : Use Phone Keyboard

There is a couple of ways to circumvent this issue though. The first is to simply download the app. Once you do, the navigation is fine and all text can be inputted. What’s more, is that a neat workaround (if you do not want to keep using your phone as the remote control) is to use the phone control to go to Google. Once there, bookmark the page. From then on, Google will appear on your homescreen and this can be clicked through using the physical remote control and GamePad. Once you make you way to Google from then on, the Google search bar will automatically activate the onscreen keyboard.

Android TV Box : Setting onscreen keyboard

Alternatively, if you head up to the menu in the right-hand corner and click on “Settings”, there is an option there to activate the “Soft keyboard” which will then allow direct interaction with the URL using the physical remote control and GamePad.

Android TV Box : Soft keyboard setting

Otherwise, if you have been waiting for a better web browser than the sideloaded options then maybe you will want to give this one a try. Until Chrome becomes more naturally compatible with Android TV, this might be your best option. If you are interested in giving this third party option a try, then hit the link below.

Cr.Android Headline,กล่องแอนดรอย

HBO Now !

HBO Reminds You That HBO Now Works Better

As promised, HBO has rolled out HBO Now, its $15-a-month streaming service, in time for the new season of “Game of Thrones,” which debuts Sunday.

But if you use HBO Now to stream “Game of Thrones” on Sunday, just remember that you — and lots of other people — are going to be watching TV on the Internet.

And watching TV on the Internet can be a problem when lots of people are watching TV on the Internet.

We were reminded of that this weekend, when Sling TV struggled to stream the March Madness college basketball semifinals. And HBO is already anticipating scenarios where people have issues streaming its stuff at certain times. Like when a lot of people are streaming its stuff.

An entry in the “help center” of HBO Now’s site suggests that HBO thinks some users could encounter problems when they stream its stuff at night and other times when service is in high demand. Here’s the title of the page: “Why does HBO Now frequently pause to buffer during video playback at night, but not during the day?”

HBO’s answers:

    Your broadband connection might not be fast enough.
    Your broadband provider might not be good enough.
    There might be too many people trying to watch HBO Now.

Here’s the full response: “Frequent buffering is usually a sign of insufficient download speed from your broadband connection. HBO Now requires a reliable, high-speed Internet connection (3 Mbps or faster) while streaming video. The video player may need to buffer data if your connection speed is interrupted or dramatically slowed, even momentarily.

“If you notice consistently different playback performance at different times of day, it may be a sign of the usage patterns of other people connected to your broadband provider or to HBO Now. Some times of day and days of the week are more popular than others for watching video on HBO Now and other streaming video services. Contact your broadband provider if you continue to experience frequent issues at certain times of day. If you have consistent problems with particular HBO Now videos, please contact HBO’s customer support.”

In other words: It’s the Internet. Sometimes you’re gonna have problems when you want to watch something.

Last year, HBO had a couple high-profile outages with HBO Go, the streaming service it provides to people who get traditional pay-TV subscriptions. (HBO Now offers the same programming as HBO Go, but doesn’t require a pay-TV subscription; HBO Go’s help pages provide similar, but less extensive, answers about buffering issues.)
Executives are hopeful that they’ll have better luck with HBO Now, in large part because they’re using MLB Advanced Media, the company that handles streaming for pro baseball, as well ESPN, Turner Networks and several other video companies, to do the heavy lifting.

But as HBO’s pre-written answer indicates, the company realizes that it can’t promise a flawless stream every time. And the odds of a problem increase as usage goes up. So maybe you might want to watch Khaleesi and company this week.

Cr. Recode Post, Android TV Box

Android apps in Chrome on TV

Google Chrome logoGIVEN THAT MOST of this week's Google updates revolve around April Fool's jokes, up with which we shall not put, especially as it's 2 April now, it has been a relatively quiet week for Google news.

However, a quiet week for Google is a busy week for just about anyone else, so there's still plenty to talk about. Coming up: some retro games are coming to Android, every Android app is coming to Chrome, and Chrome is coming to your Android TV Box.

But first, as we reported yesterday, Google For Work products are getting bolstered security including monitoring of events on domain machines and the ability to block features like downloading, sharing and printing.

The company has also banned security certificates issued by the China Internet Network Information Centre (CNNIC) meaning that websites using them for 'secure' credentials will have to rethink, after it was discovered that they may not be as 'secure' as you'd like. CNNIC has branded the decision "unacceptable".
Not strictly Google, but worth noting that a whole bunch of titles are about to get Android ports. Specifically Tomb Raider I, which is available now, and the Nintendo world will be breaking out of its proprietary bubble as the Japanese company confirmed that ports of Mario, Zelda and co are in the pipeline.

While we're off-on Google, another app worth mentioning is WhatsApp, which is getting a full rollout of its VoIP service this week.

Back at Google Towers and there's big news for Android developers as Google finally releases an Android Runtime for Chrome kit, meaning that, for the first time, any Android app can be ported to any operating system capable of running Chrome.

The initial test apps released over the past six months were a little less than inspiring, and there have been many homebrew attempts to introduce other apps to the ecosystem (we successfully got Skype working on a Chromebook), so this should be big news for a lot of brands that want to support Chrome OS without coughing up the extra to develop for it.

To support this, a Chrome Stick has been announced by the good folk at Asus. Quite separate from the Chromecast an the myriad of cheap Chinese Android sticks already on the market, the Chrome Stick will create a full Chrome OS powered environment on any screen with an HDMI port.

Expect to see that later in the year. Before we go, a quick reminder. From 21 April  it is believed that Google will change its algorithm (yes, again) to penalise websites that aren't mobile friendly, lowering their appearance in search results. Web teams, you have been warned.

Finally, it's happy birthday to Gmail which was 11 years old yesterday. You don't look a day over 10.

As part of the birthday celebrations, the Android app has had a tweak which creates a Universal Inbox view across all your accounts, POP3 and native. That's this Week in Google. More next Thursday.

Cr. The Inquirer

Now TV arrives on EE TV today

Now TV arrives on EE TV today

EE has announced that Now TV will be added to its EE TV smart box today. The popular streaming service offers movies, sports and Android TV box sets, as well as access to live Sky entertainment, sports and movie channels.
EE TV already offers 70 Freeview channels and 18 on-demand apps including YouTube and BBC iPlayer. Customers will now be able to watch plenty more - so long as they have a Now TV pass.

Now TV's Entertainment Month Pass is the cheapest package currently on offer. Subscribers get 13 pay TV channels including Sky 1, MTV and Sky Atlantic plus 250 box sets of series like Downton Abbey for just £6.99 a month.

Now TV also has two sports packages: customers can opt for a Sky Sports Day Pass for £6.99 or a Sky Sports Week Pass for an extra £4, which allow customers to watch everything across the broadcaster's seven Sky Sports channels.
A Sky Movies Month Pass is available as well. It provides subscribers with 16 premiere movies a month, more than 1,000 on-demand movies and 11 Sky Movies channels for only £9.99. There are no long-term contracts for any of the Now TV bundles, so it's easy to cancel if you tire of it too.

Now TV Director, Gidon Katz said: "With Game of Thrones, the world's most talked about show available to watch from the very beginning, there couldn't be a better time for EE TV customers to enjoy Now TV."

The EE TV box is currently free for EE mobile and broadband customers.



Once customer have not wait for long time of this service, they will use Smart Android TV box effectively.

Cr.Broad Band Choices

The million-dollar question about Android TV

 Google's new TV Android Box

The big story out of this year's Consumer Electronics Show is Google's move to bring Android into your living room -- but when it comes to the company's new Android TV ecosystem, one big question remains:

How will software updates work?

Android TV, in case you've had your ears plugged lately, is Google's latest effort at getting its software into your home entertainment setup. At CES this week, Google announced that Sony, Sharp, and Philips all had Android TV-powered televisions in the works for this spring. A set-top Android TV gaming console is supposed to launch next month, meanwhile, and at least one standalone streaming media player is scheduled to arrive later this year.
But with the software coming preloaded on all of those devices, we need to know: Who will be responsible for future OS upgrades? Will Google itself handle rollouts, as it does with its Nexus products and Android Wear watches, or will it be up to each device manufacturer to process every update and send it out to customers?

The questions of how reliably upgrades will be delivered and for how long your TV will receive them are pivotal

As anyone who's familiar with Android knows, it's a critical question to consider. With phones and tablets -- Google's own Nexus devices being the main exception -- the responsibility of OS upgrades falls on the shoulders of individual manufacturers. It's an inevitable part of Android's open nature: Google's approach to the platform means manufacturers can modify the software in any way they wish, which allows for a level of diversity and innovation a closed ecosystem couldn't provide.

But that also means the software has to be handed off to those manufacturers anytime an update arrives -- and it's then up to the manufacturers to modify it as they will and roll it out to users. And, to put it nicely, some manufacturers are better than others at getting upgrades delivered in a timely fashion.

Irksome as that can be, it's par for the course with phones and tablets -- and it's something we've (more or less) come to expect. The same goes for the typical shelf life of a mobile device: Once a phone's been around for about 18 months to two years, you know it's probably not going to get any more major software upgrades. Love it or hate it, smartphones operate under the principle that you're gonna buy a new one every couple of years.

Televisions, though? If you're anything like me, they're a completely different story. Most people I know (myself included) don't buy new TVs terribly often. I've seen some analyst estimates that put the typical TV replacement cycle in the ballpark of once every four to five years, but even that seems a bit on the high side to me.

So with a still-young operating system that's bound to get a fair amount of updates over the months and years ahead, the questions of how reliably those upgrades will be delivered and for how long your TV will receive them are pivotal. If Google puts out a transformative Android TV update in December, you don't want to be waiting six to eight months for it to reach your television.
And if you buy a TV this year, you don't want to find out that it's done getting upgrades two, three, even five years from now. Buying a new phone every couple of years in order to keep up with the latest software is one thing. I don't know that most of us want to be on that regular of a replacement cycle with our televisions, too.

Google has said that all Android TV devices will have a consistent user interface, which gives me hope for a universally streamlined and Google-controlled upgrade system -- but hope isn't the same thing as confirmation. And even if upgrades are guaranteed to be timely across the board, the question of how long TVs will receive updates after they launch still remains.

Maybe an Android TV-based television will be a brilliant way to experience entertainment. Maybe a "dumb" TV with a more easily replaceable set-top box will be the smarter option (better to buy a new $100 box every few years than a new $2000 television, no?). Or maybe sticking with the simplicity of a phone-centric streaming solution like Chromecast will end up being the most sensible solution for some of us.
Popular Resources
  
Here's hoping that by the time Android TV products show up on store shelves, we'll have enough specific and detailed information to make an educated decision.

Cr.Computer World