Google is expected to unveil its new Android TV platform at its upcoming annual conference later this month.
Android TV will be a platform for TV manufacturers rather than something you connect to a TV with, such as its successful Chromecast TV stick.
According to reports from Gigaom, the search giant will put more emphasis on content with Android TV rather than apps. The platform will also have a major gaming element to it as well.
The platform will be powered by a new user interface, internally referred to as Pano. This will let viewers go straight into movies, TV shows and games without first going into an app.
This content will be shown as a series of cards that can be browsed, with links back to publisher apps.
“That’s different from the traditional smart TV experience, where users generally first have to launch an app from a publisher, and then browse that apps catalog before they can play a title,” writes GigaOM’s Janko Roettgers.
This interface and the underlying platform is also said to be compatible with Chromecast, according to the report. Leaked Android changelogs contain references that suggest the platform will work with Chromecast.
Google is said to be in talks with several companies about participating on Android TV with the likes of Netflix and Hulu making an appearance on the platform at launch.
At present, there is no word on hardware partners for the platform but top candidates are said to be Sony and Vizio as well as Chinese firm Haier.
Google I/O takes place on June 25 and 26.
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