Android TV lands in more TVs, adds HDR support, snags lots of new apps

By Caleb Denison Published June 20, 2017

android tv new tvs apps bravia meets realapps — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Android TV didn’t get much stage time at Google’s I/O 2016 keynote Wednesday, but according to the official Android blog, Google’s TV OS and streaming TV platform is expanding its reach into some more TVs and set-top boxes, and has gained an impressive array of new streaming app partners.

For televisions, Sony will continue to use Android TV as its OS of choice for its 2016 Bravia TV line. Sony will soon be joined by RCA, which is expected to introduce its first Android TV models to U.S. customers later this year. In Europe, Beko, Grundig and Vestel will introduce Android TV models in June.

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For set-top boxes, Sharp’s NetPlayer, as well as Chinese manufacturer Xiaomi’s mysterious 4K set-top box, will run the Android TV platform.

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Google has also added some key streaming service apps, namely CNN, Comedy Central, MTV, Freeform, Nickelodeon, Spotify, Starz, WATCH ABC, WATCH Disney Channel, WATCH Disney Junior, and ESPN. The addition of Starz was noted earlier Wednesday, when it was also learned that Starz would launch HDR programming through its over-the-top app first.

One might hope that would mean Android N would then allow Android TV to support HDR, and, indeed, it does. Other new features coming to Android TV include picture-in-picture for browsing around while a video plays in the background, and recording APIs for recording live TV programming.

Google Cast is also making an expansion. The system, which allows users to “cast” content to their TV without the need for add-on hardware like the Chromecast, first appeared in Vizio’s lineup of P-series televisions. Now, Google Cast will reportedly be coming to Magnavox, Philips, Polaroid, Toshiba, and Westinghouse televisions, thus putting some pressure on Roku-enabled TVs.

With Google Home on the horizon, Google is building a pretty compelling case for its home entertainment ecosystem — and a strong alternative to Amazon’s Echo speaker — by allowing users to launch programming on their televisions or set-top boxes using voice commands. What is not clear is whether Google’s new digital assistant will ultimately end up enabled on the televisions themselves, or if users will have to invest in a Home speaker.

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You Asked: soundbar space woes and best big TV bets

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On today’s You Asked: What if your soundbar blocks the bottom of your TV? What’s the best, biggest TV I would personally buy for $5,000? What’s the best-sounding bedroom TV for dialogue clarity?
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Peter from Prague currently has an older 32-inch TV with a central pedestal stand sitting atop his Blu-ray player. That arrangement allows for the five inches of clearance needed to accommodate their 5-inch-tall soundbar system. Peter is looking to upgrade their TV and has noticed that most stands don’t leave much clearance between the bottom of the TV and whatever it sits on. What are his options?

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Apple CEO Tim Cook recently sat for an interview with Wired and dished on Apple’s focus in the foreseeable future. Health and wellness stood out as a recurring element. AirPods, which recently landed a hearing assistance facility, are visibly at the center of those ambitions. Now, Bloomberg reports that the earbuds will soon add cameras and health sensors to their arsenal.

At one point in time, Apple was reportedly working on integrating cameras into the wireless earbuds, but the project was put on ice. It seems that the recent explosion of AI-based workflows across nearly every product category inspired Apple to revive the endeavor.

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LG for the holidays: Take $400 off the 77-inch LG C3 OLED TV

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With Christmas nearly here, we’re guessing there’s at least a handful of shoppers running around stores, scouring aisles for TV deals. And while most of the smaller TVs are at astronomically low prices, the larger, more advanced sets are often still expensive. This is why it’s a great idea to take a look at markdowns on slightly older TVs that are still sold brand-new, like this fantastic LG offer:

For a limited time, when you purchase the LG 77-inch C3 Series OLED through Best Buy, you’ll only pay $1,900. Mind you, this TV once cost $2,300 at full price. We reviewed the LG C3 Series back in 2023, and editor at large Caleb Denison called it “a stellar TV.”

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