Android coming to set-top boxes?

TV Search being tested with US providers

9 March 2010 9:44 GMT / By Duncan Geere

Google appears to be considering expanding its Android mobile platform into the world of set-top boxes, as reports come in that the search giant is allowing its employees to test a "TV search" service with US cable provider Dish Network.

It allows users to access "elements of Google's Android operating system" to run the set top box - meaning that service providers don't have to spend resources creating software that ends up terrible and unintuitive. Users can search through on-demand TV content, as well as web video - which includes YouTube.

However, it'll be slow progress getting into homes - most families rarely update their set-top box, so it'll rely on new subscribers and people switching providers and getting a new box for that reason. There's also no sign of it coming to Britain just yet, but as soon as we hear anything on that front, we'll let you know.

Via: businessinsider.com

Full tags

Home Cinema, Software, Android, Set top boxes, Google, TV