Android Televisions
LG Google TVs to get Android 4.2.2 update in Q3
After Google announced that it is updating the Google TV platform to Android 4.2.2 and bringing it in sync with the normal Android release, LG has now confirmed that its Google TVs will get the update in third quarter.
The company was not any more specific than Q3, so we will just have to wait and watch. The Korean manufacturer has however shared some details on this update, which were surprisingly missing from the Google’s little note about the update on Google+.
Read the rest of this entry »
Google TV updated to Android 4.2.2
Chrome for Google TV now at par with desktop version
Google TV might have missed a chance to be on stage at Google I/O 2013 keynote but that does not mean, it is missing in action. The official Google+ page of Google TV Developers has announced that Google is now updating Google TV to Android 4.2.2, which is the latest version of the platform available right now.
Google has also revealed that it has changed the latest Google TV version to make it easy for the OEMs to push updates faster than ever.
Read the rest of this entry »
Amazon Kindle TV set-top box incoming, based on Android?
With Amazon’s hardware portfolio already housing tablets, e-readers, connected TV set-top boxes seem like the right extension for the company. After all, living room is going to be the next battle-ground for smart devices. Apple already has Apple TV box and is rumoured to be working on a smart television for a long time, Google has Google TV boxes and then there are plethora of other set-top box makers. So, why shouldn’t Amazon be present in the arena, it has the video content and now it is even developing original content. Well, it is happening. Amazon is working on a new device that will stream video content over the internet to the televisions, reports Bloomberg.
A Samsung Smart TV running Amazon Instant Video. Televisions connected to rumoured Kindle TV set-top box might look like this.
According to Bloomberg’s Brad Stone, three people familiar with Amazon’s TV plans have told him that this upcoming TV box will plug in the televisions similar to other set-top boxes and will stream Amazon’s increasingly growing portfolio of video content.
Read the rest of this entry »
Sony working on NSZ-GS8 Google TV device; gets Wi-Fi certification
Looks like Sony is working on a new Google TV device that might debut at the upcoming Google I/O dev conference. Dubbed as NSZ-GS8, this Sony Internet Player with Google TV was spotted on Wi-Fi certification website and will succeed the company’s existing NSZ-GS7 Google TV player.
There are no details available right now, but we can expect it to come with the latest Google TV version.
Read the rest of this entry »
Asus Qube renamed to Cube, now on pre-order at Newegg for $140
Ships on April 24
Looks like Asus has decided to rename Qube to Cube before the official availability. Originally announced at CES earlier this year as Asus Qube, this Google TV device was spotted on Newegg as Asus Cube.
The retailer has also posted images of the actual retail box of the device, which further confirms that it is not a stupid spelling error, but the company has actually changed the name of the device. We have contacted Asus USA and will update the post as soon as we hear from them.
Read the rest of this entry »
Asus Qube Google TV box to launch on April 23 for $129: Report
Remember, Asus unveiled a Google TV box ‘Qube’ at the Consumer Electronics Show earlier this year, well it is finally launching in the United States. The company confirmed to GTVSource that Asus will start selling Qube in the country on April 23.
The Google TV box was earlier supposed to become available in first quarter, but it seems to have been delayed for unknown reasons. Asus Qube will be sold for $129, which is less than $150 price-tag that we are heard during CES.
Read the rest of this entry »
Huawei to launch MediaQ M310, a quad-core set-top box, for $80
Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei is not just eying smartphone market with its cool new devices, but also seems to planning to join the Android set-top party as well. A device dubbed as Huawei MediaQ M310 has come to light, and is reportedly going to be launched in the coming three months for around $80.
This Android powered set-top box is not a Google TV product, but packs Android as the operating system with Huawei’s own TV-specific UI atop. This is clearly not the first product in this segment, but it is certainly showing a big trend among Chinese manufacturers, who are launching affordable Android powered TV boxes every day.
Read the rest of this entry »
Asus Qube Google TV box to cost $150, launching in March
When Asus announced its first Google TV device “Qube” yesterday, it did not reveal the pricing or availability details of the device. Now, The Verge is reporting that Asus Qube will be released in the US this March for a price tag of $150. There is still no word on availability in other markets.
While, the price tag seems a little steep compared to other Google TV boxes from Vizio or even Netgear, there is still lot unknown about the Qube including the Qube UI, which will be present on it. So, we are reserving our judgement for the time.
To remind you, Asus Qube is a Boxee like looking Google TV set top box, which comes with all the Google TV features like voice search, new YouTube app, and support for multiple streaming service including Amazon. It also comes bundled with 50GB of cloud storage via Asus WebStorage service.
While many were speculating Qube to be a Nexus branded device, it hasn’t tuned out to be like that and we might to wait for ‘may be’ Google I/O 2013 to see a Nexus Google TV box.
LG to launch Google TV sets in more sizes in 2013
LG might have been conservative with Google TV devices this year, but that is going to change in 2013. The Korean manufacturer has announced that it will be releasing Google TV sets in 42/47/50/55/60” display sizes unlike just 47/55” Google TV sets available this year.
The company will also bring zero-bezel screens and new stand design for Google TV devices. The 2013 LG Google TV models will also have Google TV 3.0 software built-in along with Onlive cloud gaming.
LG’s Magic Remote will also be a part of these television sets, but other details are still unknown. LG plans to make the information public at CES 2013; however it still revealed that new Google TV devices will be released in the US in first half of the next year.
More details in the press release below:
Read the rest of this entry »
Woxi Media, Amkette launch Android-powered TV companion devices
Google TV might not be coming to India anytime soon, but suddenly there are a lot of Android-powered TV companion devices available in the country. Computer peripherals maker Amkette and US-based electronics maker Woxi Media both have introduced new smart TV boxes in the last 24 hours.
Talking about Woxi Media first, it has launched SmartPod for TV, which is an Android running TV companion box that allows you to browse internet, runs apps or play games right on your television set. Priced at INR 9,499, the SmartPod comes with along with Magic Motion RF Qwerty remote, an HDMI cable, and an AV cable in the box.
It runs on Android 2.3.5, which is a dampener. Other features include dual-core processor, 2 USB ports, HDMI out, standard AV out, DLNA support, Google Play support and Wi-Fi as well as Ethernet connectivity.
Coming to Amkette’s EvoTV 1GB, it is the successor to company’s original offering EvoTV. There are several improvements over the original including the presence of Android 4.0. Company has priced it at INR 11,495 and it will be available starting December 15 in the country.
Similar to Woxi Media’s SmartPod, EvoTV also allows you to surf internet, run Android apps and play games on your TV. It features 1GHz processor, 1GB RAM, 4GB of internal memory, three USB ports, SD card slot, DLNA connectivity, Wi-Fi, Infrared and support for Google Play.
EvoTV 1GB also integrates XBMC Media Center for Android, which is an open source media player and entertainment hub.
