Many of us are waiting patiently (or impatiently) for Google to announce their new Nexus device(s) and the new iteration of Android, Android 4.4 KitKat. For the past month or so, there have been a seemingly endless number of leaks of the device(s) and rumours about the new version of the OS. Today we get another rumour about the OS, but this one is a little different than what we’ve been hearing up till now.
According to the Korea website ETNews, the next version of Android will actually focus a lot on TV’s. Sure there will be some new stuff for mobile devices and what not but according to their sources, TV’s is the main focus this time around. Here’s what “a number of industry insiders” have to say:
“I heard Google say ‘the next OS has greatly improved its utilization in TV. In particular, there will be many changes in the interface between smart devices and the TV.’”
Google is already a player in the smart set top box/smart tv market with Google TV, but the experience is, well, lackluster at this point. The UI needs some work, the UX needs some work, there’s limited apps… Basically everything could use an upgrade and with Android 4.4, we may see just that.
In addition to the update in the OS, Google is apparently planning to rebrand Google TV by calling it Android TV. Apparently LG has already been contacted about the new branding as they are one of the manufacturers actually utilizing Google TV at this point. Samsung is said to be taking a wait and see approach at this moment. They have been working hard on their own OS, Tizen, but if Android TV is well received (assuming it does come), I’m sure they’ll jump on board at least a bit.
As with all of these reports and rumours, take this with a grain of salt. Hopefully we won’t have to wait too much longer to know the truth about Android 4.4.
[ETNews]