Google TV dongle leaked: Look out Amazon, Roku!

Today plans for a next-generation Android TV device (or Google TV device, depending on future branding) was revealed in a leak. The leak suggested that the dongle would address the missing piece of Google’s smart TV lineup – the tiny, easy-to-use smart TV dongle that sells in massive amounts with Amazon and Roku, the “stick”. Google already has a sort of dongle device in the Google Chromecast – but it’s just not the same as the Fire TV stick – and not nearly as simple to understand right out the gate.

Per a report on Protocol, Google’s next device would put more emphasis on individual TV shows and movies, rather than channels or apps. This would be a big change in the way smart TV systems work – and it might be a big mistake. If individual programs are the only focus, streaming service might be pushed to the back.

But if Google sets the biggest programs up front WITH the branding of the streaming services, they might have a winner on their hands. Imagine a smart TV system where the user has their favorite TV shows and movies all in a row up top, followed by streaming services below. Each individual program would potentially (simply) be a link to the program’s streaming page inside its associated streaming service app.

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