Agora Media Group Innovation Blog

The first Android based television is presented by People of Lava from Sweden and  it’s an Internet-connected TV from a country that will launch its first television device in decades.

The two questions that need to be asked and answered, correctly pointed out by Wired also, are the following two:

* What is the point of some of the services that are being offered through the Android TV.
* Web-TV is the future, but simply replacing a screen (laptop for TV) is not the way to go.

With regard to the first question, I think it’s a matter of comfort, new/enhanced experiences made possible by the TV screen instead of the laptop screen.
Video calling with Skype on your TV is the same kind of starting point in finding a solution for a need.

The real challenge is the control part. For services on the Android TV, a keyboard is needed, the perceived risks or transition risks can be too high for many, willing to make the trade off between a better/new experience (Web TV) and a known device/process (Laptop). Why choose for a TV+Keyboard when there is the much used laptop?

This challenge relates to the second question, a replacement of screen is not the the long-term sustainable solution, from the user point of view it adds only a new device for the same needs, which could complicate usage or offer too much choice.

Researches have pointed out to the fact of multitasking during the (passive) TV experience. The new TV experience is dynamic, reciprocal and certainly not passive, but combining the laptop and TV in media consumption without the burdens/difficulties of usage, can be a relevant middle-way to change TV behavior without being too disruptive.

From an application point of view, the Android TV will be interesting if the portfolio of applications is broad. Will this be a chicken-egg scenario?

People of Lava can tap in two applications sources, their own and of course the Open Source Android platform. Their own app store can be relatively extensive, but real power of such a device -and future Android TV devices- will be reflected by the community efforts/applications.

Below you’ll find specifications and a couple of images which can be found on the People of Lava website:

Scandinavia – Window to the World
TV, Internet, Multimedia, Internet and Social Media – all interconnected.
Finally, it´s here.
The Android(TM)-based (or Google TV as some call it) television from People of Lava.
Watch TV, chat with your friends, play Youtube-clips, surf the net.
This is your window to the world!

Apps, apps, apps!…
Out-of the box – your Scandinavia Window to the World comes pre-loaded with your favorite applications. YouTube, Google Maps, Weather, Time, Calendar and Internet Browser! But this is just the start. From the Lava App Store new applications will become available, both free and payed! From the start there’s Facebook, Twitter, E-mail and more!

Surf the net
Your Scandinavia Television has a built-in web-browser, based on Webkit (the foundation of many current web-browsers. So surf the web like you are used to!

Facebook(TM)
We all love it, don’t we? Facebook! Your Scandinavia MediaTV has Facebook, ready to go! Read more about Facebook here http://www.facebook.com.

Youtube(TM)
Youtube, yet another brilliant platform from Google. Watch your favorite clips, and let your video-world come alive!

Google Maps(TM)
No further introduction required. Google Maps from Google is just the best way to map your trip, check how close that hotel is to the beach, or just zoom in on your own house!

Mail
Why use a separate computer for your emails? With the build-in mail program, use your Scandinavia to check your emails!

Twitter(TM)
Another great application with no further introduction required. Your Scandinavia television comes with Twitter available. Read more here http://twitter.com/.


Open Source
The Scandinavia television from People of Lava is based on Google’s operating-system Android(TM). Read more here http://www.android.com. This is a small, efficient, fast, power-saving operating-system. And it´s “Open Source”, which means that 1000’s and 1000’s enthusiastic skilled developers around the world will make “apps” (applications) for the TV. Apps that you can download and install! And so will we – So expect a continuous flow of new cool apps to give you even more to view through your window!

Keyboard
+ Wireless keyboard with pointer/mouse, in the box

Your window
Finally, it´s all about you. Your time, your content, your friends.
Your window to the world.
Welcome!

Overall, what do you think of the Android TV?

What do you think the primary challenges will be in order to set off the adoption and usage of such a TV?