If you’re in the market for a new TV, you’ve probably come across plenty of models with the term smart TV in their descriptions.
But what does that mean? And what exactly separates an Android TV from another smart TV?
In this article, we’ll go over the key differences between these two forms of TV, so you can make the best purchase decision possible when it comes time to upgrade your living room setup.
Read on to find out how Android TV and smart TVs differ!
Nowadays, we are faced with two options when it comes to televisions; Apple TV or Android TV. Some people argue that Apple TV has an advantage because of its simplicity in design and ease of use while others believe Android TV is superior because you can do anything on the internet right from your couch without having to deal with any buffering issues - but these arguments can go back and forth forever. With new television technologies coming out at a rapid pace, you might find yourself struggling with choosing the best one for yourself.
Some modern televisions can connect to the internet and run apps. They're also capable of playing videos from YouTube or Netflix, while you eat popcorn in front of them. However, this is not what makes these TVs smart. So called smart televisions have artificial intelligence built in that helps improve picture quality or recommend new content that might interest you. For example, if you love watching shows about medical drama, chances are your next recommended show will be something along those lines.
Some manufacturers use their own proprietary operating system such as LG's WebOS and Samsung's Tizen OS for example which allows for greater control over the whole experience but limits what software can be installed on the device.
What makes an Android TV different from other Smart TVs out there?
Well, while they both may offer YouTube and Netflix (and maybe even Hulu), when it comes to the rest of your applications - such as Snapchat or Instagram - you can only find them on an Android TV. This is because these two types of televisions are built differently.
For example, if you were looking for an app like Snapchat or Facebook Messenger on a Tizen OS television, those won't exist because both of those operating systems do not have third party app stores. This means that when updating an application there's usually much less work required since developers don't need to worry about getting authorization from the company hosting the update - they can just push one with whatever they want!
Android TV is better than a smart TV in terms of upgrading applications and media streaming resources because development is quite active and developers routinely push new updates to various applications. Furthermore, while connected to WiFi, Android TV allows for automated application upgrades, whereas smart TVs find it difficult to do so.
Voice Assistant.
The built-in Google assistant helps Android TV stand out in terms of functionality, allowing users to easily switch channels and search for shows using voice control without the use of any input device. Smart TV users, on the other hand, must enter content using a full-size keyboard because voice control is not available. The Formuler GTV is a model that includes Google voice by default.
Screen mirroring
You'll need a TV with Google Assistant, which means if you're going to use it for streaming content, then go ahead and invest in a Chromecast or find some other way of casting it. The Formuler GTV is a model that includes ChromeCast by default.
Don't be fooled by appearances alone with Smart TVS.
Yes, Android TV boxes offer plenty of neat features; however, those are often just icing on the cake when comparing prices between the two types of TVs. Smart TVs may look or act plainer or less exciting at first glance; they offer a lighter interface that is easier to navigate through and still allows for full access to apps and streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video etc.
And as far as performance goes?
They tend to run significantly smoother than Android TVs because there are fewer application launches happening every time you switch channels or open up Netflix for instance.
The conclusion
In the end, there are few differences between these two televisions systems, Android TV and Smart TV.
Both offer unique features and functionality depending on what you're looking for; an Android TV delivers more auxiliary features while a Smart TV comes with a simpler UI that loads quicker because it has less apps to boot up.
For people without a Smart TV, the right choice in term of budget would be to add an Android box such as the Formuler products to their existing television set. You can also plug a Formuler box to an existing Smart Tv to even add more apps.