Rumor: Google will soon release television software Android TV

Google is said to be planning to release a version of Android intended for use on televisions soon. The operating system is called Android TV and should probably be a successor to the flopped Google TV.

According to documents obtained by The Verge, Android TV will be an “entertainment platform” and not a full-fledged operating system like on the smartphone or tablet. Several content providers are said to develop applications for Android TV. The intention is that the apps with a simple interface so that Android TV is easy to operate. For example, Google wants users to be able to start a movie with a maximum of three clicks.

Google brings voice control and notifications to the TV operating system, among other things. Developers should only be allowed to give a notification in a few cases, probably to prevent TV viewers from being constantly disturbed. There will also be support for games. There will be no features that use a telephone connection, camera, touchscreens and NFC.

The documents that The Verge has at its disposal show that Google is bringing its own services YouTube, Play Movies and the chat service Hangouts to Android TV. In addition, there will be apps from content providers Vevo, Netflix, Hulu and Pandora.

It is not the first time that Google has come up with software for televisions. Earlier, the company came with Google TV, which is also based on Android. However, this was not a success so far. With Android TV, the internet company seems to be making a second attempt. It is unclear when Android TV should be released, but according to The Verge it should be soon.