Buzz
In the realm of Smart TV operating systems, Android, Tizen, and WebOS reign supreme. While Tizen and WebOS are the exclusive choices of the giants Samsung and LG, Android is the favored option for various renowned names like Sony, Toshiba, Sharp, and more. This article focuses on dissecting the advantages of Android compared to the other two OS on Smart TVs.
1. What Makes Smart TVs with Android Stand Out?
In the realm of Smart TV operating systems, Android, Tizen, and WebOS dominate the landscape. While Tizen and WebOS are exclusive choices for Samsung and LG, Android is the preferred option for several renowned brands like Sony, Toshiba, Sharp, and more. This article focuses on examining the strengths of Android compared to the other two OS on Smart TVs.
In reality, the landscape of Smart TV operating systems became clearer like this since the beginning of 2015, when Samsung unifiedly chose Tizen as the official platform for its new smart TV products. Similarly, Sony and Sharp made similar choices with Android, while LG stayed loyal to WebOS. Before that, the mentioned manufacturers were lost in developing and using operating systems and app stores for smart TVs without a unified standard. In contrast to the consistency of operating systems on mobile devices, at that time, each TV manufacturer was developing its own platform without adhering to any common standard.
CES 2015 is considered a milestone for the more unified development in the world of Smart TVs, as the three operating systems were identified as the future trend for Smart TVs and were officially introduced. CES 2015 indeed contributed to emphasizing the more unified direction in the world of smart TVs.
The three-legged balancing act
LG laid the foundation for Web OS for smart TVs in early 2014. Originally a mobile platform used by Palm on smartphones, it was later acquired by LG for its large-screen Smart TVs. This move is considered a decisive factor in the global success of the company's Smart TV segment.
On the other hand, Tizen is viewed as Samsung's new platform, designed based on the open-source Linux operating system. This OS is employed across all smart devices, including Smart TVs, smartphones, tablets, computers, smart cameras, smartwatches, home appliances, and even in-car infotainment systems. Tizen made its debut on Samsung TVs since early 2015.
Android on TV, unlike other TV manufacturers, is not created by the TV manufacturers themselves but comes from a third party - Google. This platform inherits the advantages of Android on mobile devices and adds new, appealing features. Hence, many major manufacturers like Sony, Toshiba, Philips, TCL, etc., choose to incorporate it into their Smart TVs.
What sets Android on TV apart?
Android TV was officially introduced in October 2014 through products like the Nexus Player set-top box, produced by Google and Asus. Subsequently, it was adopted by manufacturers like Sony, Sharp, and Philips for their latest TV models released in 2015.
The advantage of Android TV over Tizen or WebOS lies in its operating system, which is already familiar to users of smartphones and tablets. Sony's TV operating system is based on Android 5.0 Lollipop's 'UI leanback,' customized for TVs to prioritize entertainment content. On the main interface, Android TVs feature tabs representing content and applications: movies, TV shows, apps, web browsers, and games.
A notable difference with Android TV, compared to the flood of Chinese-made Android TV boxes on the current market, is the distinct user experience. Many boast about turning regular TVs into Smart TVs, but these Android TV boxes simply replicate the smartphone's Android interface onto the TV screen. As a result, apps are not optimized, leading to uncomfortable user experiences with either too small or too large displays. Additionally, these Android TV boxes often lack software updates, especially for newer Android versions, leaving users stuck with the version they purchased.
What makes Android TV great?
As mentioned, applications on Android TV are optimized for TVs. Users can navigate through various content types using the TV remote's directional buttons. On the main screen interface, users can quickly adjust and select input connections or connect to peripheral devices. Notable features include Google Cast - mirroring the entire smartphone or tablet screen on the TV, accessing the Google Play app store, and voice commands. However, hardware devices must integrate a microphone for voice recognition. Currently, both the Nexus Player and Sony One-Flick remote controls come with integrated microphones.
At present, the Android TV app store has over 2000 different applications and receives continuous updates as Android is an open platform. Users can find familiar apps and games from Google Play, such as Skype, ES File Explorer, Asphalt 8, Modern Combat, etc. Of course, for the best experience, users may need to purchase additional accessories like a wireless keyboard with an integrated touchpad, or a game controller.
Apart from common apps from Google Play, for Android TVs in the Vietnamese market, Sony has collaborated with app developers to integrate familiar entertainment content apps for local users: Yan, ZingTV, and the interactive multi-platform FPT Play TV app. With the integrated FPT Play service, Sony's Android TV can stream live content with over 100 local and international channels, including top European football leagues.
