With the exception of LG and Samsung that continue betting on their respective Smart TV platforms, although some manufacturers have joined this idea, the rest of the brands are moving between very basic solutions and Android TV. Google’s operating system gains more presence in the television market and it is not for less. Although if you want to know what you will find according to the brand of your television, read on.
A matter of options and resources
When a television manufacturer decides to opt for one or the other Smart TV platform, in part it all comes down to a simple matter of resources and options. Because developing a proprietary system is not easy . What’s more, not even some of the big brands that do have it today did it from scratch. For example, LG bought WebOS.
When you do not have the economic resources to face your own development or you are not interested, because what you are looking for is to offer the maximum number of options to your users is when you decide to bet on solutions like Android TV. And that’s what more manufacturers do than you might think. Although it is not the only licensed operating system that you are interested in knowing. There are also those of Amazon Fire TV or Roku, platforms with many possibilities and a good level of maturity.
Anyway, let’s review the brands and their Smart TV platforms, advantages and disadvantages. So you know what you will find when you bet on one or the other.
Android TV
Google’s operating system for smart TVs is the option that brands such as Philips or Sony, among others, have ended up betting on. A wise decision for many, because until then the experience with previous TV models was quite poor compared to the current ones and even with that offered at that time by LG or Samsung.
The brands that bet on Android TV are: B&O, Hisense, Haier, Iris, Philips. LeEco, Sharp, Sony, TCL, Toshiba, Grundig and Beko. Here also mention other brands such as Xiaomi or OnePlus that although they use Android TV (or Android AOSP if we want to specify a little more) take the opportunity to put their own application or Launcher.
All seek to take advantage of the benefits Android offers on the TV, ranging from support for Chromecast to Google Assistant, access to the Play Store, etc.
The best
- Variety of applications
- Google Assistant
- Integration with Google home automation
Worst
- Interface can still improve
Amazon Fire TV
Amazon Fire TV is the Amazon platform that we can see on their Fire TV devices, but over time it began to license other brands to integrate it into their proposals. So manufacturers like Toshiba use the Amazon operating system.
The best
- Wide variety of applications
- Integration with Alexa
- Miracast support
Worst
- Not all apps available for Android TV
Roku
In the American market, the Roku platform has a large number of users. And it is not for less, along with some of its own services, what this system provides is quite interesting for the user. Too bad, indeed, you have to live in the US to take full advantage of it.
To give an example that surely will be more familiar to you, it is something similar to what happens with Apple TV. The company launches services and offers that make sense in the US, but not so much here.
Roku licenses its system in the same way that Amazon and brands like Hisense USA, Philips USA, TCL USA and Sharp USA use it. Other brands where you can also find it are Hitachi, RCA and Haier with models until 2017.
The best
- User interface
- Services (USA)
Worst
- Limited outside the US
Tizen OS
Tizen OS is Samsung’s operating system, it is based on Linux and you can only find it on their televisions and other devices such as Bluray players of the same brand. With applications for all content platforms via streaming, support for Smart Things Hub and great integration with brand phones, it is a great option with an attractive and interesting interface.
The best
- Integration with brand devices
- Performance and interface
- Supported applications and services
Worst
- Integrated ads in the latest versions
WebOS
WebOS is the proprietary proposal of LG and like it happens with the one of Samsung, only in its devices you will be able to find it. It is an operating system with a very attractive and easy to use card-based interface. A very good option that adds value to your televisions and that also has support for all content platforms and even AirPlay 2 as well as Apple TV + (just like Samsung).
The best
- Interface
- performance
Worst
- Number of applications compared to Android TV
My Home Screen
My Home Screen is the proposal of Panasonic, a “platform” based on Firefox OS that despite its advantage when consuming few resources, it is true that it falls short in other aspects and does not reach the level of Tizen OS or WebOS.
The only justification here is that Panasonic ensures access to the most popular and popular content platforms. That is, Netflix, HBO, Hulu, etc., but if you want to go further you will have to get a set top box.
The best
- performance
Worst
- Few options in apps and services
Harmony OS
Harmony OS is one of the last operating systems designed for televisions to reach the market and it does so from the hand of Huawei. It is the response to the prohibition suffered by the Donald Trumpa government that prevents them from making use of Google services. Therefore, in the same way that it bet on readapting its mobile platform, it also launched to create a system capable of running on different devices, one of them being the television.
Harmony OS is a Linux based system and will take advantage of all developments for phones. So if an app is available for a Huawei smartphone, it will also be available for its smart TVs. Here Huawei shows that it has the economic potential and resources to start practically from scratch, in addition to the need to do so.
The best
- performance
- Control over the platform
Worst
- The same possible limitations when not being able to use Google services
What is the best Smart TV platform?
These are the Smart TV platforms and the manufacturers that are betting on each of them. You’re probably wondering now which is the better option. Here again we have to say that everything will depend on your needs.
It is true that the first thing you have to assess is the image and sound quality, which is what really matters in any television. Then, if there are two models tied, your Smart TV can help you choose.
By options and potential it is true that Android TV gains an advantage over the rest. However, the ability of Samsung, LG and now Huawei to fully optimize their platform is very interesting. In addition to being giants that can make significant investments to give it more presence.
Anyway, you must value. For versatility Android TV wins, for performance LG’s WebOS has always shown to be at a great level. But don’t miss out on what Amazon or other Chinese brands offer by adapting Android TV to your own experience like Xiaomi or OnePlus does.