Google Tackles the Living Room With Android TV

Try, try again.

That should be the motto for Google’s effort to push into the set top box space.

Despite flops with two prior attempts, Google is back with Android TV, another play for the largest screen in the house.

Gaming is a big focus of Google’s latest set-top box initiative. During its Google I/O developer event in San Francisco Wednesday, the company showed off a number of games for Android TV, including NBA Jam from EA Sports.

Another of Android TV’s key features: Voice control. Much like Amazon’s Fire TV, you’ll be able to control Android TV with simple voice commands.

Next year’s Smart TVs from Sony and Sharp will feature Android TV, with boxes coming from Razer, ASUS and others coming this fall. Google is offering developers a reference set-top box, known as ADT1, so they can begin working on their apps.

Built on the just-announced L version of the Android operating system, Android TV won’t require developers to build separate apps for mobile devices and TV.

“This isn’t a new platform,” engineering director David Burke said. “We’re simply giving TV the same level of attention as phones and tablets have traditionally enjoyed.”

This article originally appeared on Recode.net.

Will you support Vox’s explanatory journalism?

Most news outlets make their money through advertising or subscriptions. But when it comes to what we’re trying to do at Vox, there are a couple reasons that we can't rely only on ads and subscriptions to keep the lights on.

First, advertising dollars go up and down with the economy. We often only know a few months out what our advertising revenue will be, which makes it hard to plan ahead.

Second, we’re not in the subscriptions business. Vox is here to help everyone understand the complex issues shaping the world — not just the people who can afford to pay for a subscription. We believe that’s an important part of building a more equal society. We can’t do that if we have a paywall.

That’s why we also turn to you, our readers, to help us keep Vox free. If you also believe that everyone deserves access to trusted high-quality information, will you make a gift to Vox today?

One-Time Monthly Annual

$5/month

$10/month

$25/month

$50/month

Other

$

Yes, I'll give $5/month

Yes, I'll give $5/month

We accept credit card, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. You can also contribute via