One of the criticisms of Android TV is that there is not enough of a selection of devices currently available on the market to chose from. While this might be somewhat true and while Google did confirm at this year’s Google I/O event that more options will be arriving soon enough, there are many countries which have yet to see the platform become available in any capacity, let alone an actual selection of devices developing. Italy is one of those countries. While consumers can purchase items like the Nexus Player or the SHIELD and use them in Italy, the actual platform has not officially launched in the area. Although that has now changed as the Android Twitter account earlier today confirmed the arrival of the first Android TV device in Italy. In fact, not only is this the first Android TV device to arrive for Italy, it is actually a completely new Android TV device.
TIMvision is an Italian television broadcasting service and provider of on-demand videos and they are the company behind the TIMvision Android TV digital decoder. Unlike some of the already-established Android TV options, this one comes heavily-designed with TV services in mind and provides device owners with access to TIMvision’s back catalog of 8000+ on-demand videos, although a TIMvision subscription is needed to access the full extent of the content. Other than that, the TIMvision Android TV decoder also makes use of Google Cast technology and is capable of 4K Playback.
At the moment, details on the actual hardware specs are a little limited and as such it is unclear of what the full spec lineup reads like. However, TIMvision has confirmed via their site that the processor powering the TIMvision Android TV decoder is the Marvell BG4-CT quad-core processor. As to be expected with this being aimed at the Italian market specifically, it does seem unlikely that the TIMvision Android TV decoder will become available in other regions or countries. However, those based in Italy (or those just interested in finding out more about the latest Android TV arrival) can head through the link below to check out the TIMvision Android TV decoder in more detail.
