Google readies Android TV for launch – report

Not a week after Amazon unveiled its Fire TV set-top box, it looks as though Google is set to launch its own device.

The Verge reports on Google’s latest swing at the living room with Android TV, yet another hardware offering similar to Apple and Amazon’s TV-connected devices – along with microconsoles such as Ouya.

Android TV will allow users to play movies, shows, games, and other apps. A shot of the initial games library shows what appears to be several mobile game ports – including Plants vs Zombies 2, Where’s My Water, and Temple Run. That said, the company apparently doesn’t see gaming as a primary focus for the hardware.

The device will of course carry Google Search as well, including support for voice search across all apps.

"Android TV is an entertainment interface, not a computing platform," the company stated. "It’s all about finding and enjoying content with the least amount of friction." It will be "cinematic, fun, fluid, and fast."

Chromecast, Google’s $35 HDMI dongle and other current TV-connected device for sale, will continue to be offered after Android TV’s release.