Google TV vs. Apple TV - a comparison
Google TV and Apple TV are to revolutionize television: The set-top boxes of the companies of the same name focus particularly on online services. We will show you the special features of the two smart TV concepts.
Google TV focuses on freedom - Apple TV remains manageable
The concepts of the smart TV competitors differ in essential points: While Apple TV particularly focuses on an easy-to-use interface, Google TV wants to bridge the gap between television and the Internet.
- Apple TV focuses on entertainment. You can borrow films via iTunes and play them from your media library. In addition, other channels are integrated into the interface: in addition to YouTube or Vimeo, sports, news and feature film portals await you. The offer currently comprises 30 external channels - and the trend is rising.
- Google also follows the video-on-demand concept and currently offers over 100, 000 feature films for rental. In addition to videos and music, the internet giant also offers apps for the TV: Google Play provides you with applications that have been specially redesigned for Smart TV. A special feature is the integrated web browser - with Google Chrome you can surf on your TV and have access to the entire web.
- The big advantage of the Apple TV is its compatibility. While you can connect Android devices to Google TV using WiFi Direct, the iOS competitor uses Airplay: As long as your devices are in the same WiFi network, photos, videos, music or games can be synchronized in real time with iPhone and iPad. With both Smart TV providers, however, it is possible to use your smartphone or tablet as a remote control - Google Play offers the "Google TV Remote" app, while the application on iTunes is simply called "Remote".
- Google also advertises its smart TV's ability to learn: Similar to the concept of Google Now, the set-top box records your television habits and gives you personal recommendations.
Apple TV vs. Google TV - the cost point
- You can get the Apple set-top box from retailers for around 100 euros. With the HDMI cable, Apple's Smart TV package comes to your home for around 107 euros.
- You can use Google TV with the Sony NSZ-GS7 Internet Player. This is available for around 190 euros in stores. With this set-top box, you also have to get an HDMI cable, which brings you to the total sum of approx. 197 euros.
Chromecast - Google's renewed push
In addition to the set-top box, Google is also bringing its smart TV range into the living room in a different way: With the "Chromecast" streaming stick, you can watch content from the Internet on the TV, as it were. The new synchronization service is also compatible and controllable not only with Android, but also iOS devices. Basically, the stick combines the core functions of Google TV and costs just 39 euros.
There are many blockbusters to be seen not only on Google TV and Apple TV - video-on-demand has been on the rise in Germany for a long time. We present the three most important streaming services in this practical tip.