How to Create an Android TV App?
The advent of technology has opened up countless market opportunities. With the popularity of android apps, don’t overlook TV applications and their immense potential. About 40% of TV users use Android TV worldwide. For entrepreneurs like you, Android TV Application Development unlocks many options, like streaming videos, playing games, browsing social networks, and remotely controlling and monitoring all your systems across compatible devices with a single app. Apart from that, it helps reach a specific target audience easily.
First, let’s see the statistics here:
- Despite Amazon and Roku’s continued dominance in the Android TV market, Google’s Android TVs are gaining popularity. Last year, the OTT platform reached 100 million total user milestones.
- Google TV and Android TV currently have 110 million monthly active devices.
- User penetration will be 42.9% in 2022, rising to 53.0% by 2027.
- As high-speed internet has become more affordable, viewers/audiences who prefer high-quality video choose Android TVs over traditional television systems.
As people watch more video content through OTT services, Android TV is getting more popular. The simplicity of use and quick access to content via Android TV apps provides Android TV an advantage over competitors. However, having a customized Android TV app allows you to reach a larger audience as a video content developer.
When you develop or create Android TV apps for the Google Play store, you can easily make your content available to Android TV customers worldwide.
So, What Exactly Is An Android TV App?
Android TV apps are software that can get downloaded and installed on Android TV devices, allowing users to access video-on-demand content and stream it directly to their television. To put it another way, it’s an app that users can use to access your OTT video service through their Android TV.
Android TV apps allow you to access a significant portion of the Smart TV audience because several leading manufacturers use Android as their OS, like:
- Sony
- Philips
- Sharp
- Hisense
In fact, most streaming and music applications are easily accessible via the Play Store on Android TV. Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Spotify, and many other services are included. The applications worth installing on your Android TV are now available on the Play Store, so you will not miss any fun.
Furthermore, Android TV, like other Android devices, has Google Assistant. You can talk to your gadget, give it verbal commands, or ask it questions, and Google Assistant will take care of the rest.
What Qualities Distinguish a Good Android TV App?
Here is a list of features to integrate into Android App Development to make an Android TV app.
# Content Accessibility
Imagine how you watch content on your television.
When you turn it on, you’ll be able to choose anything you want to watch by scrolling through the channels or streaming options. A great Android TV app should be easy to use and allow users to navigate through content — Netflix is well-known for delivering an outstanding app experience.
Content Accessibility is a vital aspect of any app, and the Android TV App is no exception. Whether you want to build TV apps or upgrade an existing one, you should assess content accessibility. However, by integrating accessibility features and services, you can enhance the usage of your app, especially for users with disabilities. On the whole, applications that are inaccessible or only partially accessible are a barrier for both individuals and businesses. So, always make sure you have included this feature in your Android TV App.
# Intuitive and User-Friendly UI
The user interface of an Android TV App should be simple with a touch of sophistication. Creating shortcuts for crucial functions would also be beneficial. Also, ensure that the app’s functioning is intuitive and user-friendly, which means that anybody, even those with no prior knowledge of android phones, can use it with ease.
With the constant change in Android TV App Development trends, gesture control has become one of the most vital parts of the app, allowing mobile app developers to design the blocks, including introducing new functionality. This, in turn, enhances the user experience.
# Easy Navigation
When developing an app for Android TV, keep in mind that users must be able to navigate the content with their remote.
Thus, it’s critical to stick to the following easy rules:
- Avoid the usage of drop-down menus and action bars.
- Make clicks more intuitive.
- Enable navigation via D-pad arrows.
- Split texts into sections and make them readable.
Also, decide what features you want to see in an Android TV app and what features you want to avoid. If you want to create something unique, consider viewing your application through the eyes of a future user while imagining what a superb video streaming app may seem like for you.
Android TV App Development: A Step-by-Step Guide
To create an Android TV app, follow these simple steps:
# Use a Unique and Branded Over-The-Top Solution
Signing up for an over-the-top (OTT) solution is the easiest way to create an Android TV app. OTT platforms host your apps and serve as a distribution channel for your content. OTT apps handle the entire process from start to finish, eliminating the need to create an app from scratch or spend time building a template.
Not only does OTT make it simple to edit your app, but there’s also a backend with detailed analytics to help you learn more about your users. It also handles the important stuff, including user experience and navigational features, to ensure they fit perfectly on everyone’s TV screens.
# Upgrade Your Existing Android App
Android TVs differ from Android smartphones in appearance and functionality. However, if you already have an Android video streaming app, you can update it to an Android TV app. Android’s official developer guidelines allow you to do so.
If you hire a developer having experience creating TV apps, the process may get completed quickly. Apart from the difficulty of choosing the right one, you will need a developer to upgrade and manage your TV app. As your audience expands, you may come across scalability issues.
# Create an Android TV App With the Help of a Developer
Hiring a developer is the simplest way to build and launch an Android TV app. A developer can create an app from scratch and tailor it to your specific needs. Choosing a developer also provides you greater control over the user interface, navigational controls, and even minor features like text sizes.
# Lease a White-Labeled Android Streaming App
Leasing is the most efficient and cost-effective method of developing your Android TV app. There are several solutions available, such as android tv app maker, android tv app builder, and android tv app templates, to easily create and launch your OTT TV app.
# Buy a Ready-Made Android TV App Template From a Marketplace
If hiring a developer is highly expensive, there are Android TV App Templates that you can update yourself. Android TV app templates are ready-made source-code templates that provide a basis for companies with limited budgets. Although this option is less expensive, it limits how much of the app you can edit and customize. There are, however, certain drawbacks to adopting Android TV app templates, which are as follows:
The Downsides of Using Android TV App Templates
Using ready-made templates lessens the burden of development. It also saves you from the burden of correcting critical code bugs and maintaining the code in the future. However, using templates has certain drawbacks:
Limited customization — you may be stuck with elements that impact the user experience, such as fonts or notifications.
Customer service can be poor — Keep in mind that developers of such apps often handle hundreds of similar requests every day and might not respond as quickly as you’d expect.
Wrapping Up
With Android TV applications, you can get your video content in front of the world’s largest video market. When it comes to Android TV App Development, choose a method that makes sense for you and your audience.
