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Is Google TV rebranded Android TV?

benjaminl 6y ago
The tech specs say it is running “Android TV OS”. It is a rebranding and the new direction of Android TV. (https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2020/09/google-merges-chromecast-and-android-tv-with-the-chromecast-with-google-tv/ https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2020/09/google-merges-chrome...) > “But while Android TV is the foundation of the new Chromecast, the whole experience feels very new. Because unlike TVs from Sony and set-top boxes from Nvidia and other brands that run the traditional version of Android TV, Google has created a new “Google TV” layer atop the operating system that completely replaces the old home screen experience.” From https://www.theverge.com/2020/9/29/21494298/chromecast-google-tv-preview-android-features https://www.theverge.com/2020/9/29/21494298/chromecast-googl...
actuator 6y ago
I think Google TV is the name of the device. From the launch livestream it looks like the same software will come to other Android TV devices as well.
- josteink 6y ago
  So Google TV is a device which runs Android TV, which obviously supports Chromecast, because any Android TV device supports that, and lets you run apps such as YouTube and consume a US-only service called YouTube TV, just like any other Android TV device. What’s unique about this? It sounds entirely underwhelming. And I especially say that as someone who enthusiastically bought a Nexus Player, only to get rid off it a few weeks later.
Klathmon 6y ago
It looks like it's the rebranded version of "Play Movies & TV" based on the android app's title: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.videos&hl=en_US https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.and...
amaccuish 6y ago
That you have to ask this question. Google naming is terrible.
ignoramous 6y ago
"Android TV" is literally any smart TV that runs Android with Google's blessing. Analogous with "Android phone". Chromecast with Google TV is more in line with Apple TV, FireTV, and the now discontinued Nexus TV.
- cobookman 6y ago
  I'm totally confused. So I have an Nvidia Shield that I bought a few years back. How is this different?
  - ignoramous 6y ago
    Nvidia Shield is in direction competition with Chromecast with Google TV. Usually, the actual TVs that run Android are marketed as "Android TVs". It looks like streaming devices like Nvidia Sheild do so too when they're in fact not "Android TVs".

The tech specs say it is running “Android TV OS”. It is a rebranding and the new direction of Android TV. (https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2020/09/google-merges-chromecast-and-android-tv-with-the-chromecast-with-google-tv/ https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2020/09/google-merges-chrome...) > “But while Android TV is the foundation of the new Chromecast, the whole experience feels very new. Because unlike TVs from Sony and set-top boxes from Nvidia and other brands that run the traditional version of Android TV, Google has created a new “Google TV” layer atop the operating system that completely replaces the old home screen experience.” From https://www.theverge.com/2020/9/29/21494298/chromecast-google-tv-preview-android-features https://www.theverge.com/2020/9/29/21494298/chromecast-googl...

actuator 6y ago

I think Google TV is the name of the device. From the launch livestream it looks like the same software will come to other Android TV devices as well.

josteink 6y ago
So Google TV is a device which runs Android TV, which obviously supports Chromecast, because any Android TV device supports that, and lets you run apps such as YouTube and consume a US-only service called YouTube TV, just like any other Android TV device. What’s unique about this? It sounds entirely underwhelming. And I especially say that as someone who enthusiastically bought a Nexus Player, only to get rid off it a few weeks later.

Klathmon 6y ago

It looks like it's the rebranded version of "Play Movies & TV" based on the android app's title: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.videos&hl=en_US https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.and...

amaccuish 6y ago

That you have to ask this question. Google naming is terrible.

ignoramous 6y ago

"Android TV" is literally any smart TV that runs Android with Google's blessing. Analogous with "Android phone". Chromecast with Google TV is more in line with Apple TV, FireTV, and the now discontinued Nexus TV.

cobookman 6y ago
I'm totally confused. So I have an Nvidia Shield that I bought a few years back. How is this different?
- ignoramous 6y ago
  Nvidia Shield is in direction competition with Chromecast with Google TV. Usually, the actual TVs that run Android are marketed as "Android TVs". It looks like streaming devices like Nvidia Sheild do so too when they're in fact not "Android TVs".