All articles tagged with #android tv
A developer successfully used Anthropic's Claude to remove bloatware from an Android TV, but experts warn that granting AI agents full debugging access risks system instability and security vulnerabilities.
Roku’s price hike to $150 for the Ultra fuels a look at cheaper yet capable rivals. The list ranks affordable options by price: TiVo Stream 4K at $29.99, Onn 4K Plus at $49.98, Roku Streaming Stick 4K at $79.99 (or $99.99 on Amazon pre-hike), Xiaomi TV Box S at $96.99, Xiaomi TV Stick 4K at $86.99, and Google TV Streamer 4K at $99.99. While Nvidia Shield TV and Apple TV 4K remain pricier, these devices offer 4K, broad app support, and smart-home compatibility, giving buyers strong alternatives to the Ultra after the price increase.
Since 2015, Nvidia has kept Shield TV alive with ongoing updates and DRM/security patches, turning a gaming-focused box into a premium Android TV device. After a 2023–24 lull, the 2025 9.2 update delivered a major DRM security fix for 2015–2017 units, exemplifying Jensen Huang’s pledge to support devices “for as long as we shall live.” Nvidia continues to iterate the Tegra X1 platform, keeps older Shields running, and is eyeing future Shield TV upgrades (new codecs, HDR formats) and a smaller Netflix button, with sales remaining steady and no imminent hardware replacement.
Google has introduced a new 'Free' content tab on Android TV, replacing the previous 'Discover' tab, to help users find free movies, shows, and channels more easily, although its rollout appears limited and primarily relevant to older Android TV devices.
SmartTube, a popular YouTube app for Android TV and Fire TV, was compromised when its developer's computer was infected with malware, leading to some official APKs being released with malicious code. Users are advised to update to the new, secure version 30.56, factory reset affected devices, and review account permissions to mitigate potential risks.
Google’s TV Streamer 4K, a versatile device that handles streaming and smart home control, is on sale for $79.99, its lowest price since May, offering excellent features like 4K HDR support, Ethernet, and Google Assistant integration.
YouTube has rolled out a new UI for its Android TV app, featuring centered pause/resume controls and separated interface buttons, aiming to improve navigation and access to features like comments and channel info, with the update now available on various Android TV devices.
The FBI warns that over one million Android devices, including smart TVs and tablets, have been hijacked by malware through the BADBOX 2.0 operation, allowing remote control and criminal activities. Users are advised to disconnect suspicious devices, monitor network traffic, avoid unofficial app marketplaces, and keep software updated to protect against these threats.
The NVIDIA SHIELD Pro Android TV player is on sale for its lowest price ever during Prime Day, now available for $169.99, down from $199.99. The device features 3GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, Dolby Vision, AI-enhanced upscaling, and built-in Google Assistant. The standard NVIDIA SHIELD is also discounted to $124.99.
Amazon is offering a $700 discount on the Xgimi Horizon Pro 4K projector, bringing its price down to $999, the lowest ever on the platform. The projector boasts 4K resolution, HDR support, 1,500 ISO lumens, auto keystone correction, autofocus, and built-in Android TV and Chromecast support. Additionally, the portable Xgimi Halo Plus 1080p projector is available at a 23% discount for $650, while the Xgimi MoGo2 is priced at just $250. If projectors aren't your preference, there are also great deals on OLED TVs.
YouTube for Android TV has been displaying the "Ambient Display" screensaver more frequently, showing content recommendations when video content is paused or left inactive on the homepage, with the time for the screensaver to kick in being drastically reduced to as little as 3 minutes. This feature, visually similar to Chromecast's "Ambient Mode," lacks settings to configure or disable it within the YouTube app on Android TV and other platforms, prompting user feedback on the increased frequency of its appearance.
Walmart is reportedly gearing up to launch a "Pro" Google TV streaming device, as indicated by a listing for an "Onn 4K Pro Streaming Device" with Google TV at the Bluetooth SIG. The new device is expected to offer enhanced capabilities compared to existing models, potentially featuring more RAM, storage, and input ports. While the release date remains uncertain, Walmart's current FHD and 4K Google TV streamers are available for $15 and $20, respectively.
The NVIDIA Shield TV Pro, introduced in 2019, continues to be the best streaming device in 2024, offering powerful hardware, minimal Android TV interface, and continual updates that keep it running smoothly. Despite some minor issues, its performance remains strong, and its exclusive features like GameStream and AI upscaling set it apart. While a newer variant with updated features would be desirable, NVIDIA's current focus on AI business may delay its development.
Google TV is introducing support for "Call notifications," allowing select apps to send calls to the TV. The feature, currently available for Google Meet, can be toggled on and off in the Settings app, with potential for other apps like Zoom to utilize it. While the functionality is not fully operational yet, it is expected to become functional in the future. This update is part of Google's efforts to enhance the capabilities of Google TV and improve user experience.
Google announces new features for Chromecast devices at CES 2024, including TikTok content beaming, support for live TikTok videos, Chromecast capabilities on upcoming LG, Hisense, and TCL TVs, and the ability to transfer Spotify or YouTube Music playback from Pixel phones to Pixel tablets. The company also reports over 220 million active devices running Android TV and Google TV software platforms, making Chromecast one of the most widely supported ways to stream audio and video to large-screen TVs.