Learn about what Android TV boxes are and why they’re great
In this day and age, it’s all about watching what you want when you want. It has become more often that people turn their back on cable & satellite TV plans, ultimately replacing them with TV boxes. Android TV boxes have completely revolutionized the way we can use our TVs, offering a ton of cool features & benefits.
A big selling point of these boxes is that they are a one time purchase up-front rather than the seemingly overpriced monthly plans typically offered by cable & satellite providers. Making the switch is financially beneficial while offering a ton of flexibility in terms of the content you can consume, hence why these devices are rapidly rising in popularity. Can be found more information here.
What is an Android TV Box?
You may have heard of a Roku, Apple TV, or Kodi Box. An Android TV box is essentially the same thing. If you have a TV and an internet connection, one of these devices can transform just about any TV into an Android operating system, opening a door of possibilities in terms of user customization and flexibility.
How Does it Work?
An Android operating system offers the ability to install a bunch of different TV-compatible apps through the Google Play Store. You can watch YouTube videos, Netflix movies, Twitch livestreams, listen to Spotify music, and even SmartCast directly from your smartphone or laptop – and that’s not even all!
Some other things you can do on your Android TV include:
- Playing games
- Checking the weather
- Create documents
- View photos
- Browse the web
The interface is fairly simple and may vary depending on the manufacturer. It can also be modified in the settings to suit your personal preference. You can go a Netflix-type display, Windows 10 layout, as well as a basic display of apps similar to the way they appear on your smartphone.
If you’re wondering how you would control this system without a touchscreen, there is no need to worry. Each Android TV box comes with a basic remote for easy navigation. Other options to navigate around are to download an app on your phone to turn it into a touch-screen mouse cursor, gaming remote control, and connecting a wireless keyboard and mouse.
Benefits of an Android TV Box
There are many advantages of owning an Android TV box. The most common benefits include:
- Monthly savings when switching from cable or satellite
- High customization capabilities with downloadable apps
- Ability to watch livestreams, YouTube, & more on your TV
- SmartCasting or ChromeCasting from your phone & laptop
- It’s compact and easy to move while traveling or moving to a new home
- An extremely basic interface, especially if you’re already familiar with Android devices
A Comparison with Other Types of TV Boxes
Similarly to other tech available in the market, you can find Android TV boxes offering different features for different prices. Choose a low-cost option if you’re not too picky or go with a high-end unit for the best hardware, graphics, technical support, 4k streaming, included wireless mouse & pad, and more.
If you choose a cheaper option, you may not be able to enjoy everything a more expensive box has to offer. HD streaming may not be included, there will be less storage space, you may experience more bugs or buffering, and you won’t have technical support if you’re having trouble with something. Luckily, a problem can easily be solved by searching up a YouTube video on how to properly set up and use your device.
Common Features of Android TV Boxes
- SD card slot
- Micro-SD card slot
- USB ports
- HDMI port
- Ethernet connection
- WiFi connection
- Local storage
- Cloud storage
- BlueTooth
Conclusion
With Android TV boxes in the market, there is really no reason to keep paying for your regular TV service. Make the switch and your TV experience will be turned upside down. It’s extremely satisfying to have so much control over what you can watch and do for such an amazing value. So what are you waiting for?