- Android TV, a new TV/set-top platform meant to take the place of the struggling Google TV, will launch at the June 25-26 Google I/O (GOOG) conference, GigaOm reports.
- Compared with Google TV, Android TV will feature a simple UI meant to enable fast access to media content. Apps will reportedly be able to provide one-click access to "individual pieces of content" on the home screen.
- Not surprisingly, Android TV will (aided by Android's large game developer base) also support casual gaming. Google has been rumored to be working on a streaming/gaming set-top for some time.
- Amazon recently launched its $99 Fire TV streaming/gaming set-top, but is charging $40 extra for a dedicated game controller. The next Apple TV is widely expected to support gaming, along with access to the content of select pay-TV providers.
- Google's $35 Chromecast HDMI stick has proven a hit, but as a PC/mobile streaming solution, its feature set is much more limited than the one Android TV reportedly provides.