Google’s footprint in home entertainment continues to grow with Android TV and Google Cast

A few years ago, Google started working on an entry into the home entertainment market that eventually became Android TV. There are good odds that this began as a response to Apple and their Apple TV devices. Along the way a couple developments took place that shook the market – Google introduced the Chromecast device and content providers like Netflix or Vudu discovered they could be more successful by making their apps available on any and all platforms instead of trying to secure exclusivity deals. Now, about 88% of electronic devices purchased by consumers in 2015 were Internet-enabled. These developments put Google in a good position to capitalize on consumers’ desire for easy access to content and platforms to watch movies or listen to music. The Android team at Google announced today that they are ready for more success with the addition of several new manufacturers who will be incorporating Android TV and Google Cast technology into their products.

For Android TV, the market will be growing with the addition of Arcelik, Vestel, RCA, Hisense, TCL and Bang & Olufsen televisions supporting Android TV during 2016. They will join companies like Sony, Sharp and Philips that are already in the market. Even in Indonesia, Linknet will be offering an Android TV solution.

Google Cast, which is the same technology used to power Chromecast and Chromecast Audio devices, will be expanding to be incorporated into hardware from other manufacturers outside of Google’s own offerings. Companies who will include Google Cast embedded in their audio devices include B&O Play, Harman Kardon, Onkyo, Philips, Pioneer, Raumfeld, Frontier Silicon and StreamUnlimited. Sony and LG have plans to update and refresh their speaker lineups during 2016, likely including some models that already support Google Cast.

The Android team also noted that the multi-room synchronization capability that is available for Chromecast Audio devices will expand to include Google Cast devices. This means consumers will be able to mix and match their audio hardware when grouping speakers.