But did you know Google has its own service, Google Play Movies and TV? What about Google Music? They actually exist, but almost nobody uses them.Īnnoyingly, they're front-and-center along with YouTube on the Android TV interface. When most people I know actually rent or buy an individual movie, TV show or album today, it happens on one or two platforms: iTunes or Amazon. Sarah Tew/CNET Interface pushes Google Play services For now, however, the Amazon Fire TV offers better sideloading potential. I'm sure there will be plenty of hacks available soon to open up more apps, via the Play store and otherwise, for intrepid users. I assume it will arrive soon Google's rep didn't provide any more information when I asked about this issue. Most we tried are not compatible (the Nexus option is grayed out), but at least one, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, was able to be downloaded and played fine, even though it's not listed as an option anywhere on the Android TV interface. Ones that are compatible with the Nexus Player can then be pushed to the device, as long as it's associated with your Google account. I tried one such early solution, Sideload Launcher by Chainfire, but couldn't find any compatible apps, or ways to get them onto the device.Īside from the main Android TV menu, you can also access apps from the Google Play store - another kind of sideloading or at least "stealth" availability. Like Android for phones and tablets Android TV is "open," creating the possibility that developers (official and otherwise) will come up with ways to augment the app selection more quickly than Google itself. Via Fire TV or Roku's Amazon app, it looked pristine. I watched "The Hunger Games" on Amazon Instant, for example, and although it did play, the image was quite soft and subject to stutter and hitching motion during camera movement. Web pages loaded fine, but with video I often experienced sub-par quality even with a powerful computer and a fast network. TabCasting using a Windows PC and Chrome browser worked just as well as via Chromecast. Nerdier tests: TabCasting and sideloading I asked Google's spokeswoman about future app plans and was told, "We look forward to working with developers and content partners, but have no new plans to announce at this time." She cited the open Android TV software developers' kit (SDK) for new apps and games. That's easy enough - provided your device is within reach, charged (NOT plugged in, charging in another room) and you don't have to sign back into the app (an issue I've run across many times, especially with HBO Go on Android) - but for most of us it's still less convenient than using the dedicated physical remote that's already in-hand. The problem is you have to pull out your phone, tablet or PC, unlock it, navigate to the app and engage casting before the video begins playing on the TV. There was no notable difference between the Casting performance of the Nexus Player and Chromecast in my comparisons-both worked great. I was also able to Cast from compatible browser apps, like Netflix, via both Windows and Mac Yosemite computers. I watched HBO Go, Watch ESPN, Bloomberg TV and Vudu, all Google Cast-compatible, without any problems using my phone and the Nexus Player. You can get access to many more apps using Google's Cast technology, the AirPlay-like system that debuted on Chromecast and is now compatible with numerous other devices, including Roku, WDTV and plenty of smart TVs.
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