After the debacle that was Google TV and the aborted Nexus Q sideshow, Google bounced back nicely with the inexpensive and effective $35 Chromecast streaming stick. Not content to leave well enough alone, Android TV was announced at Google I/O and the Asus Nexus Player recently hit the market ahead of a revised, second generation Chromecast. And, as these two new products ramp up while project management fails to present a clear vision, Google has hedged their bets… by launching their Google Play video store on Roku. Given Logitech’s abandonment of Google TV and ASUS’ prior streaming efforts, Amazon Fire TV is the “Android TV” I’d go with or that aforementioned Roku for those deep into Google’s ecosystem. While Amazon similarly provides its video service to competing devices, including TiVo, the retailer’s business model and approach is better defined.
Ahhh, I don’t think it goes that way. I (optimistically) see it as Google acknowledging what I already think — I’m not going to buy a movie on a store that’s not available on all/most devices I own. I’m not ready to bet on Amazon having better dev support for the Fire TV going forward.
While I agree with Richard to a point, Google does have a bad track record of killing off things in TV space.
I dunno… as we see with many Android phones poorly supported in regards to software updates (and Google history in this space), I just wouldn’t mess with Android TV. Roku, Apple, Amazon supply both the hardware and OS (as does Google with Chromecast) which changes the dynamics. Also making me uneasy… Google’s reference hardware given away at I/O looks to have been destined for retail, yet obviously never ended up on store shelves (or Nexus sites). suggesting another pulled plug.
This is interesting, but I agree with Richard. More outlets means more revenue, sort of like what Amazon is doing.
I also agree with Dave. Google has messed this up before and there’s no reason to think the Android TV platform will do any better. However, I am cautiously optimistic and still may pick up the the Nexus Player despite Dave’s dire warnings. :-)
Don’t do it, Joel! How about I sell you my Fire TV at an amazing price to spare you pain and disappointment down the road? :) By the by, I think I’m most excited about Fire TV Stick getting some sort of browser capability to sign onto guest wireless networks… like hotels. It won’t work everywhere, but it may just be enough. (Hopefully Google does similar with Chromecast in the bear future – these devices are MEANT to the traveled with.)
I am just a little crazy, I’ll admit it!
I do have a Fire TV stick on order. The browser capability is intriguing. I was talking with a friend who had the idea the Fire TV stick would be great for travel–then I mentioned the hotel WiFi login woes. If they can actually finally have a solution for that–boom!
I have the ADT-1 — that was not a built-for-retail device.
Given the hardware manufacturing and FCC filing… I kinda feel that it was. Does the label on the bottom say 2013?
Travel router works to get the chromecast by the hotel login page. Its not 100%, but I have gotten it to work a few times.
If they add a browser to these devices will it be full featured and receive updates, and will content providers start blocking these devices like they did with the Logitech Revue?
Is the hardware cost of these devices being subsidized by the subscription fees paid by the user for the various streaming services? If it is, then I would suspect that browser functionality will be limited so the user can’t watch free videos.
My litmus test for these devices would be a fully functioning browser with unfettered access to the internet. If they start playing games by restricting access to certain internet sites, then I’m not interested.
@shwru980r Yeah, hopefully content providers like Hulu and CBS don’t block these if a fully featured web browser is added. I suppose we’ll see whether licensing agreements have changed enough yet or not.
As far as I know, only Vudu seems willing to take a gamble on making streaming devices that don’t support Netflix at all (however, the latest WD TV model doesn’t have a Netflix channel currently). Most streaming media players seem to support Hulu Plus as well. Apple, Amazon, and Vudu all have their own branded devices, so why would any company which offers streaming video services subsidize the manufacture or distribution of such devices? (I’ve heard that M-Go has a deal with Roku, giving Roku a cut from purchases and/or rentals on Roku devices.)