We recently heard that Google TV will be rebooted as Android TV, and ETnews reports that Android 4.4 KitKat will focus heavily on a new, revamped TV platform as well as mobile integration with TV.
Android KitKat to focus on TVs
The Google TV platform was never a success, so Google intends to reboot their efforts as Android TV, indicating that it will be more aligned with its smartphone and tablet plans.
Continuing the candy naming tradition, the next will be called Android KitKat in a sponsor deal wth KitKat
Korean ETnews claims to know that Google with Android 4.4 KitKat “will try and become the dominant platform provider in the TV market”. Google is said to greatly improve the user interface and the user experience, as well as the app development environment for the TV platform. Google is also said to be working on tight integration between the mobile devices and the TV, most likely through Chromecast.
The report says that LG has received the guidelines for Android TV, and they are believed to be a launch partner. The report also mentions Sony, but it is not clear if Sony will launch Android TV devices. However, Samsung is specifically ruled out as a partner, and is instead believed to go head-on-head with Google. Samsung hopes to push the Tizen platform as an open-source alternative to Android.
Lastly, the report cites “the industry” as saying:
- “Having confirmed the potential of the TV market with Chromecast, Google is more likely than not to develop its own TV set”
We will know more when Google officially announces Android 4.4 KitKat. Rumors say that Google has scheduled an event for October 31, but Google has yet to send out invitations.
- Source: etnews
Google's Android KitKat to focus on TVs, sources say
