Nvidia and Razer were the first two companies to create game consoles based on Google’s Android TV operating system but Razer’s Forge TV box failed to excite and is no longer on sale. However, the company is far from done with Android TV.
Razer Forge TV
Logitech lost over $100 million when it decided to launch one of the first “Google TV” based media boxes. Today, 3-4 years after Razer has been facing its share of problems when it decided to launch a game console based on Google’s new “Android TV” operating system. The box has been pulled from stores after only months in the market.
This time things are different. Google TV was a mess and Google was responsible for the failure. This time, even though Android TV has had a slow start, Razer – not Google – is to blame. Nvidia has seen more success with its Shield console that is also based on Android TV and has released a range of updates, whereas Razer has largely ignored its customers. The Forge TV also lacks Netflix even though the app is available for Android TV.
But Razer is not done. In fact, the company has told Engadget that it is “doubling-down" on its plans to make a game console for the living built on Android TV. The company recently acquired OUYA, another company with living room gaming ambitions, and intends to integrate OUYA’s technology into its Forge products.
Maybe we will hear more at CES 2016 in January, maybe even before.
- ”Following our acquisition of OUYA, we've been focused on integrating the content we inherited and building a spiritual successor to OUYA with the Forge TV. We're doubling-down on Android gaming in the living room and looking forward to producing the world's largest library of Android TV games, from AAA to indie. Concurrently, we are working to ramp-up production to address present demand and should have more news to share soon.”
- Source: Engadget
