Driven by growing consumer popularity, the ability to provide additional rich and user friendly features and access to a wide range of apps, Android is rapidly becoming a very desirable operating system for hybrid STBs. Thus, hybrid STBs based on Android OS and Android TV are becoming increasingly attractive for pay-TV operators looking to enhance a combined broadcast-OTT service offering consumers a wider range of entertainment services. Android OS As of 2015, Android has the largest installed base of all operating systems. According to an estimate by Statistica, Android smartphones had an installed base of 1.6 billion devices in 2014, 75 % of the estimated total number of smartphones worldwide. Android’ s popularity is based on its ready-made, low-cost, and highly customisable design. Its open environment enables developers to use the source code to design new and advanced features and functions, or to bring Android to devices that have
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traditionally used other operating systems, such as hybrid STBs.
Android TV Android TV, a platform for smart TVs based on Android 5.0(‘ Lollipop’) mobile operating system, is specifically developed to provide a full Android experience on TV devices. In other words, Android TV is Android OS enhanced with basic middleware and a full user interface for smart TVs, game consoles, and hybrid STBs.
Developed to meet the growing demand for easy‘ one stop shop’ access to entertainment and gaming with excellent user interface on TV devices, Android brings a streamlined user interface to TV devices, putting the focus on content and usability. Users can view content from a variety of providers such as Google Play, Netflix, and YouTube, as well as play a variety of Android games.
The benefits of Android in hybrid STBs Some key examples of growing pay-TV operator interest in
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Android-based STBs:
Popularity: One of the greatest motivating factors for using Android-based STBs is consumer popularity. Savvy consumers are already familiar with Android mobile touchscreen devices, making it easy to adapt to, use and operate Android STBs. It could be said that the Android name alone is enough to attract consumers. Thus, offering Android-based OTT services can provide operators with a competitive edge.
Apps: Today’ s consumers are hungry for a wide range of apps- the key benefit for deploying Android. Android offers the Google Play Store, the largest app distribution system available. Google Play Store officially reached over 1 million apps in July 2013, surpassing Apple App Store’ s 900,000 and app downloads grew to over 50 billion. Operators can develop their own‘ operator apps’ to offer enhanced services to both existing subscribers as well as reach out to consumers outside of their
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existing service region, potentially tapping new revenues and competitive awareness.
High operational benefits: Android provides operators with a stable, consistent middleware architecture, high system integrity, unification of features across devices, and quick and iterative deployment of new features. In addition, Android OS is non-proprietary, reducing costs.
Android OS essentially create a‘ smart STB’ – an STB that enables TV devices to be‘ smart’ without actually being a Smart TV. Android OS can provide linear channels, standard broadcast services such as on demand services and features and exclusive live events; enabling operators to offer consumers the best of both worlds.
Open, flexible support for rich TV features and functionalities: Android is open and flexible, and highly adaptable to changes, allowing operators to customise user interfaces and design customised features and functionalities specific to their operations. The openness of Android also enables adaptability to most hybrid STBs.
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