In the wake of recent Chromecast announcement, Wall Street Journal is reporting that Google is also working on an Android-powered set-top box, which works like Apple TV and Roku. A prototype of this device was reportedly shown at Consumer Electronics Show 2013 in a closed-door meeting to select people.
WSJ writes quoting sources familiar with this Android set-top box:
Andy Rubin, a Google executive at the time, led the demonstrations of the set-top box, which was powered by the company’s Android operating software and had as a core feature Google’s video-conference service, Hangouts. The device as demonstrated had a video camera and motion sensor.
The current state of this device is unknown and some suggest that it might have already been shelved for Chromecast.
This particular device was said to different from Chromecast and had more features than the $35 Chrome OS powered dongle launched by Google on July 24. The mystery device allowed people to stream YouTube videos, TV shows/ movies from Google Play, and even access normal Android app and games including the likes of Amazon Video or Netflix.
As it was being expected to be launched at Google I/O but that did not happen. We can only wait and watch whether Google brings this rumoured device in some form.
