What Is Android TV? How Does It Work?

Google TV was shut down by Google a few years back. It was replaced with Android TV – enter Freedom-Stream.com

Both manufacturers and developers have been very happy with it.Google TV was lacking in apps. However, Android TV has easy access to the Play Store so that developers can make modifications to create an Android TV app. Android TV also supports Google Cast. Android TV is basically optimized for big screens.

It is easy to operate, can be controlled via voice using the Google Assistant, and has some decent apps. This article will explain everything about the Google Assistant, including how it works and when it can be used.

What is Android TV?

Android TV, as its name suggests, is designed to allow you to enjoy the same things on your smartphone and bring them to your TV.It doesn’t necessarily mean that you will be able to make calls from your TV, or scroll through emails. But it is about easy navigation, entertainment, and interactivity.It’s all about making your TV smarter and creating an interface that is easy to remember and use.

It offers voice control thanks to the integration of Google Assistant and gives you control across other devices, like your Android phone and WearOS watch.It works in a familiar manner, so it is easy to access the information you need without having to navigate through a complicated menu system.

There are essential entertainment apps available. Android app developers have the chance to adapt these apps for big screen viewing. This could include information services such as weather or gaming.Android TV allows you to quickly customize the content of your TV.

It is a unique advantage for TV manufacturers: Why design your own smart TV platform when Google has done it? It is a waste of time to create your own apps when there will be many developers for Android TV.Android TV has Google Play, so why have your own app store? It offers Google a unique advantage: Android TV puts Android on your big screen and gives you another way to access its content.

What is the working principle of Android TV?

Discovery

Android TV is easy to use and learn. You’ll see your main screen/home screen when you turn on your set-top box or television.The Content Discovery bar is located in the top row. This highlights recommended content from popular apps.Tutorials from YouTube  may be displayed.

Voice search

The search utility powered by Google Assistant is located at the top right of the interface. Android TV can accept voice commands provided you have the hardware necessary to allow Android TV hear you.The entire interface is voice-activated, and you can access it through one-click remotes that have a mic built in.To start your search, simply click on the icon.

You can use voice commands to simply say a videogame title, or for more complicated searches such as “All Oscar-winning movies starting in 1989”.Android TV will show you results from Netflix and Hulu when you ask for a search. You’ll find the following cards as you scroll through your results.These cards contain useful information such as who’s who in this movie, popular titles by the game developer, YouTube clips featuring the actor, and so on.

Apps and Content

Back to the vertical rows of the home screen. The second row displays a list featuring apps such as Netflix, Amazon Instant Video and BBC iPlayer.You may also be able to see the apps of your manufacturer on select TVs or devices.

A vertical row will be displayed for TV inputs like HDMI 1 or HDMI 2. This allows you to control and switch between inputs easily. The vertical row below showcases apps that you have downloaded or have on your device.To browse or find more content, click on any one of these apps.

Gaming

Below the Apps row you will see a list all of the games that you have downloaded. Android TV supports offline, online, single-player and multi-player gaming.When playing against friends, you can use up four gamepads, Android phones or tablets simultaneously.Google Play Games allows you to save your progress and finish a level on your smartphone.

Settings

You can click through the dedicated area to access settings, timers and help guides. The last row of the home screen is not necessarily a row.You can access the Settings option to see settings for smart TV such as channel setup, external inputs, display, sound, and network and accessories menus for Google Cast and Bluetooth (so that you can add a new device), System Preferences and other things.

Chromecast

Android TV’s best feature is its ability to cast. Chromecast is built into Android TV.

If you don’t own an Android TV-compatible television, but want to cast content from your laptop or mobile device to your television, you need to buy a Chromecast HDMI dongle from Google and plug it into your television. You can still use your Android TV set-top box or TV-powered TV.You can send anything to your TV, including music and even browser tabs.

To play on your TV, simply tap the Cast button in your mobile app.