Google launches Android TV operator dongle

Google has unveiled its operator tier dongle.

The customisable unit features a new design that allows operators to quickly deploy Android TV to customers.

Speaking at IBC, Android TV head Shalini Govil-Pai and group product manager Vince Wu presented the 4K streaming device that was developed with an OEM – reportedly Askey. 

The hardware is basic with room for branding on both the remote and the box itself. Specs-wise, the dongle is equipped with USB-C, a quad-core processor, dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0.

Wu added that the device is being designed and developed by Google with standard software updates, and that it comes “pre-certified with popular OTT services” such as Netflix and Google-owned YouTube.

The device also supports voice with Google assistant. 

Also during the presentation, Google showed off a new hybrid-STB reference design. 

This production-ready board is, according to Wu, designed to “standardise the form factor to ease upgrade efforts”. It has an Amlogic CPU and includes a Bluetooth remote.

While both are designed to improve an operator’s speed to market, the hybrid-STB reference design enables more flexibility for a full STB, but requires more work on the part of the operator. 

During the conference, Govil-Pai added that Android TV is seeing a great amount of success with over 1,000 streaming content providers and partnerships with over 140 operators in more than 60 markets.