Read the review about which applications for Android TV you simply must have installed. To watch TV channels, movies and much more.
If you have a TV with support in your apartment, then it's time to install additional applications. As a result, you will significantly expand the functionality of the device. In this article we will talk about those programs that are designed for the Android TV operating system. Relatively inexpensive TVs are equipped with it. Also, some smart ones operate under the control of the “green robot”.
The best apps for watching TV online
Don't want to connect cable TV? Don’t even have a regular terrestrial antenna at hand? Then install the SPB TV application on your TV. In free use mode, it offers several dozen Russian-language TV channels. They can be viewed using an Internet connection. Any channels can be added to “Favorites”, which allows you to access them much faster.
The main advantage of SPB TV over its competitors is the recording of television broadcasts on the developers' servers. You can start a broadcast at absolutely any time, which is no more than one week old. The “Broadcast on pause” function works on the same principle, when you interrupt the show for several minutes or even hours.
Only occasionally appearing advertisements can cause some irritation for the user. However, you can turn it off for 99 rubles per month - at the same time, such a subscription will open up additional functionality. The application also includes other types of subscriptions that open additional channels, including children's and sports. In short, SPB TV may well replace cable television.
This application was created for our readers living in Ukraine or missing their homeland. Ukrainian TV channels are broadcast here. This is done completely free of charge, the utility doesn’t even have advertising!
In total, the application offers to watch about 50 TV channels, 10 of which broadcast in HD format. There are many filters here, thanks to which you can always find something interesting for yourself. A detailed guide to the program schedule has not been forgotten either.
Unfortunately, there are no paid Ukrainian channels here. It is possible that in the future the developers of Lanet.TV will implement the ability to view them by subscription.
Best apps for watching IPTV
An excellent option for those subscribers whose cable operator broadcasts via IPTV. However, using this technology you can watch TV channels without connecting to cable TV - you just need to find playlists. However, remember that you will hardly be able to watch paid channels this way - they regularly change their address, and it is illegal to do so.
IPTV Pro differs from many analogues by supporting the auto-connection function. This is very important, because disconnections may occur from time to time. There is also an enlarged playlist history. The application also supports the program guide if it is created in JTV or XMLTV format.
There is a free version of this utility. But we recommend spending 79 rubles, forgetting about any restrictions and advertising. Overall, this is the best way to watch television as almost all channels will be broadcast in better quality. But you will have to spend some time searching for a suitable playlist somewhere on the forums.
Best media apps
Any TV that supports Smart TV can work with multimedia files by default. But if you want to expand the functionality in this regard, it is recommended to install the Kodi program on Android TV. This is a kind of media browser that divides the contents of a USB drive into categories. But this is not the main advantage of the program. The Kodi application is capable of using hardware acceleration, thereby improving video quality. This applies not only to content contained on external media, but also to all kinds of online videos - for example, full support for YouTube has been introduced into the application.
If you get used to this program, then there is a high probability that every launch of your TV or set-top box will start with Kodi. It is important that the application is distributed free of charge and is almost completely devoid of advertising.
There is a high probability that you will regularly connect an external drive containing video files to your set-top box or TV. To view them on Android TV, it is recommended to use MX Player PRO. This is an excellent video player that understands most codecs, including audio ones. The application consistently remembers the place where you stopped. The program is also capable of recognizing subtitles, which is especially important for watching, say, anime that does not yet have a voice translation.
This application is sold for approximately 350 rubles. There is also a free version of the video player, but it regularly displays advertisements and has less functionality. Please note that the program supports hardware acceleration, thanks to which even videos with very high bitrates can be played.
The best apps for listening to music
Oddly enough, radio is not dead yet. Motorists still listen to it, and some still have a radio at home. But it should be noted that radio is gradually “moving” to the Internet. You can listen to a specific radio station on the official website. However, it is much easier to use a special application containing links to playlists of thousands of radio stations from around the world. The name of this application is TuneIn Radio.
The program gained worldwide success, as a result of which it was ported to many platforms, including Sony game consoles. The version of the application for Android TV will delight you with a user-friendly interface and a wide selection of radio stations. Almost all playlists are working, and access to them is provided for free. You can start recording the broadcast at any time. There is also a “Favorites” section, thanks to which you can access your favorite radio stations in a few seconds. For some time now, TuneIn Radio also allows you to listen to podcasts. However, the program copes with this matter a little worse than those applications that were originally created to solve such a problem.
If you have a subscription to the corresponding service, then you simply cannot bypass this application. Until now, you listened to music only on your smartphone or tablet, but now you can do this on your TV. This is especially true for those users whose sound is output to speakers.
For beginners, some explanation is required. Google Play Music is a special service that provides access to millions of tracks from all over the world. You can listen to both individual songs and playlists created by other users. Access to music is provided by subscription - it costs approximately 150 rubles per month.
A rare cloud music service that can be used for free. However, it should be understood that famous compositions rarely appear here. The service operates according to a rather unusual principle. It tries to find music that perfectly suits your current mood. SoundCloud also selects music similar to your favorite songs.
In the application you can listen to tracks of various genres. You can subscribe to each musician and then receive notifications about his new compositions. The service also publishes podcasts and news. In short, you should definitely try installing this application on your Android TV, since it is an audio analogue of YouTube.
The best clients of online cinemas
Photo: HD VideoBox Owners of online cinemas are most happy about the popularization of Android TV. After all, most often you want to use the TV specifically for watching movies. At the same time, a rare user will want to bother with a torrent - it is much easier to launch an online cinema client, select a movie and start watching it. And it’s not scary that you will need a certain amount of money to watch some blockbusters - but you definitely won’t be accused of piracy. In a word, the best applications for Android TV cannot but include the creations of online cinemas. In particular, many users recommend installing HD VideoBox.
The application contains a fairly large catalog of films. Each name is supplemented with a detailed description. The library is regularly updated with all sorts of new items. All films are of at least HD quality. It’s interesting that anime is included in a separate category. There really is a lot of it here, which should certainly please fans of this animation genre. In the application you can also find sections “Favorites” and “History”, which make it easier to find something interesting.
Okko
An online cinema containing more than 4,000 films. You can watch them all completely free for the first 7 days. Then the list of free movies is greatly shortened, and advertising is displayed before watching them. However, no one prevents the user from signing up for a subscription, thanks to which all new products become available. In total, the application contains 10 types of subscriptions based on movie genres.
Almost all films and TV series in this online cinema have high picture quality. The choice is made easier due to proper sorting by genres and some other parameters. The “Recommendations” section also helps. Download the application not only on Smart TV, but also on a smartphone - the image is transferred to the TV with one click of a virtual button.
IVI
One of the oldest Russian-language online cinemas. For quite a long time it has been present not only on the standard “green robot”, but also on Android TV. Unlike competitors, IVI does not constantly remind you of the existence of paid subscriptions. However, they are here - by signing up for a paid subscription, you get access to the latest films.
This online cinema also focuses on classic films. In this regard, the number of films present here is incredibly high. IVI also has some popular TV series. As for sorting, it is carried out not only by title, genre and country, but also by many other parameters - for example, by year of release or even rating on Kinopoisk. Children will also like IVI - for them there is a huge number of cartoons and animated series.
Best system apps
Free TV apps for Android cannot fail to include at least one file manager. It is with its help that the easiest way is to view the contents of a connected USB flash drive or even an external hard drive. This application also allows you to see the network drive - HDD connected to your router.
The program, as mentioned above, is free. However, it does display ads from time to time, which may not be to everyone's taste.
A special Internet browser designed for use on a TV. With such a browser, you will not complain about the remote control, with which operating some Google Chrome turns into torture. At the same time, TV Bro cannot be called low-functional. There are tabs here, and the download manager is not forgotten. If the remote control or set-top box has a microphone, then voice search becomes available.
This browser supports changing the User Agent. This is especially true in cases where for some reason the mobile version of the site opens, which does not look the best on TV. The application is distributed free of charge - this is another advantage.
An excellent replacement for any torrent client. With this application there is no need to download anything. Instead, the program acts like a video player, allowing you to watch TV channels and movies using ACE Stream Engine technology. Please note that the application itself is not capable of playing video - it only generates a link to the online stream, which you then need to open using some kind of video player.
The program is distributed free of charge. However, Google recognized it as pirated and removed it from its online store. In this regard, installing the application on a set-top box or TV may cause problems for an untrained user.
Best games for Android TV
You can kill your free time not only by watching TV channels or movies. Many people use Android TV for gaming as well. However, it should be remembered that they will require a gyroscopic remote control or even a joystick. Controlling a regular remote control in many games is impossible.
Nowadays, it’s a rare person who installs “angry birds” on his smartphone. However, downloading this game to your TV or set-top box will not hurt. Completing one level takes approximately the same time as the next advertising block lasts. Try to complete this game completely! You will be surprised, but this is very difficult. Destroying real fortresses with a limited number of birds will make you sweat.
An excellent racing game that tests the power of the hardware of a TV set-top box. This simulator was developed many years ago, but it cannot be said that it has outdated graphics. The game should also please you with a variety of cars, which you can change at least every race.
Unfortunately, you won't be able to control this game with a remote control. You will have to stock up on a joystick that connects to a TV or set-top box via Bluetooth.
A very exciting zombie shooter that also requires a gamepad to control. The first-person view captivates you from the very first seconds. As the game progresses, you will unlock more and more powerful weapons. However, there are also more and more dead people, and they themselves are becoming more pumped up. Everything is fine with Dead Trigger 2 and with graphics, which look especially colorful on a TV.
Conclusion
Now you know which applications should be installed on Android TV first. It cannot be said that the programs considered turn a TV or set-top box into a full-fledged computer. Instead, they make the device a real media center, allowing you to play any type of content, including doing it online.
Of course, you can browse Google Play on your own. So you are sure to find a lot of other useful applications. The advantage of this platform is that many of these programs will be completely free.
Do you have a device with Android TV on board? And what applications do you use most often? Share your opinion in the comments.
Recently Droider proved that channels are the least a TV can offer in 2015. We promised that if viewers and readers are interested in the topic of applications for smart TV, then the topic will be developed in other videos.
Asphalt 8
Another famous representative of its class is the race Asphalt 8 from company Gameloft. A lot of licensed cars, a variety of tracks, nitrous oxide and multiplayer are equally captivating both on a smartphone and on a big TV screen.
Space Invaders
The revived classic Space Invaders, which perhaps every geek played. The developer carefully approached the porting of the game and even imitated the interface of the machine in order to squeeze more nostalgic tears out of gamers. The gameplay is simple, and that’s why it’s wonderful: we move the spaceship horizontally, hold down the trigger and shoot the alien invaders.
World of Goo
A puzzle game present on all major platforms, be it Windows, Android, OS X, iOS and even linux. Each level is based on creating shapes using balls. The created models are subject to the laws of physics, which the player must use to move forward.
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars
Game, unlike ports GTA III, Vice City And San Andreas, was developed specifically for mobile devices and debuted on Nintendo DS in 2009. A year later, the showdown in Chinatown reached iOS and after 4 - until Android. Unfortunately, the game passed by OS users from Google, so we remind you about the release. If you have passed the above ports repeatedly, install Chinatown Wars.
Download on Google Play
Android TV's release was exciting. Here was a platform that was more stable than Google TV and the developer community responded in kind by developing some awesome stuff for it. A little time has passed and although the adoption rate isn’t quite there yet, the apps and games available for Android TV have only been improving. Here are the best Android TV games currently available! Please note, you’ll need a hardware controller or at least your Android TV remote for all of these! If you want to see more, you can find.
Bridge Constructor Portal
Price:$4.99
Bridge Constructor Portal is a mashup between the popular Bridge Constructor games and Portal. Most of the mechanics are classic Bridge Constructor. You must build a bridge to make it to the end. However, the obstacles, characters, and theme are all Portal. Thus, the obstacles you avoid are mostly those creepy bots that shoot at you when they see you. The game comes with 60 levels, plenty of clever Portal humor, Google Play Games achievements, and more. It’s pretty good for its price and one of our favorites from the year it launched.
Crashlands
Price:$4.99
Crashlands is one of Android’s best games and it’s also one of the best Android TV games. You crash land on an alien planet and must figure out a way to leave. The game includes a massive open world, tons of stuff to do and craft, and a bit of story line to keep things moving along. There are also some niceties like a self-organizing inventory. This one features cloud saving and cross-platform play with PC and iOS so you can play it on multiple platforms with the same save file. Those who like open world games should definitely try this one.
Crossy Road
Price: Free to play
Crossy Road is one of the most popular arcade games in all of mobile gaming. It’s also one of the best Android TV games. It’s basically this generation’s version of Frogger. You hop across roads, streams, and other places while avoiding obstacles. You lose if you are hit by traffic, fall in water, or other similar fate. This one has both local and online multiplayer. It’s simple enough for most kids and it’s just a good time all-around. It is just an arcade game, though, so don’t expect too much more than that.
Final Fantasy III, IV, V, VI, and IX
Price: Varies per game
Square Enix hit the mobile gaming landscape at a full sprint. They have a ton of games on Android. Some of them are even Android TV games. They include the ports of Final Fantasy III, IV, V, VI, and IX, according to Google Play’s Android TV games page. Other parts of the series may be compatible as well. Each game features 20-30 hours of story line, multiple side quests, good soundtracks, and simple mechanics. The controller support is generally good with all of them as well. They are expensive. However, they are also among the best jRPGs on mobile. Doom and Destiny is another good jRPG on Android TV.
Horizon Chase
Price: Free / Up to $2.99
Horizon Chase is a retro racing game and one of the better Android TV games. The games with right around 100 tracks along with a bunch of cars, various tournaments, and other content to play with. You get retro racing mechanics through and through, although we do appreciate the level of polish with this one. It feels like playing an old racing game for the Nintendo 64 but with better graphics and controls. The World Tour update also added nine new tracks, two new cards, and some extra stuff to collect. Real Racing 3 is another decent option if you don’t mind free to play games.
We interrupt your scrolling for some shameless self-promotion!
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NBA Jam
Price:$4.99
NBA Jam is a classic arcade basketball game that was originally released in the 1990’s. This game allows you to play two-on-two basketball where you score baskets, shove your opponents around, and hopefully go on fire. You go on fire by making three unanswered baskets by the same player and you’ll get a sizable stat boost for doing it. The game has online and local multiplayer modes along with a single player campaign. It’s one of the best sports games on Android and it works great on Android TV.
Machinarium
Price:$4.99
Machinarium is one of the classic puzzle games on Android. It received updates a few years ago to make it compatible with Android TV as well. The game revolves around a little robot. He lost his girlfriend and he wants to save her from the villains. You help him solve puzzles and do just that. It’s not an overly long game, but the puzzles are fun and the game design is quite far above average. It’s also a premium game with no in-app purchases or ads.
Oddmar
Price: Free demo / $4.99
Oddmar is a platformer from the developers of Leo’s Fortune, another excellent Android TV game. Oddmar is a disgraced viking who wants to make a name for himself. You help him do that by conquering various levels. The mechanics are simple, the graphics are above average for a platformer, and it comes with modern niceties like cloud saving. You can play a bit of the game for free before you buy the whole thing for $4.99. Leo's Fortune also costs $4.99 if you want that one too.
Orbia
Price: Free / Up to $15.99
Orbia is a neat little arcade game. You shoot little puff balls through obstacles and to the targets. You hit the obstacles and you lose. It’s a fairly basic premise but it’s executed well. The game features colorful graphics, hundreds of levels, various characters, and multiplayer. Of course, it works well on Android TV as well. This one doesn't actually require a hardware controller. Any remote should be sufficient to play this one.
PBA Bowling Challenge
Price: Free to play
PBA Bowling Challenge is one of the few decent bowling games on mobile. It also has Android TV support. The game features above average graphics, simple controls, and more. You get three game modes. There’s a multiplayer mode, a career mode, and a quick play mode along with leaderboards and all kinds of other things. There are also tournaments and special events. It’s a freemium game and that isn’t optimal. However, this is another family friendly game with tons of stuff to do. Plus, it's bowling. Who doesn't like bowling?
PewDiePie: Legend of Brofist
Price:$4.99
PewDiePie: Legend of the Brofist is actually a pretty decent little platformer. It features voice acting from the venerable YouTube star along with cameo appearances from other YouTube stars. The game also requires a bit of skill to play, but you’ll get better as you progress. It features epic boss fights, unlockable characters, some decent retro-style music, and various difficulty levels to keep things interesting. It’s a lot of fun, has no in-app purchases, and more. It’s definitely one of the better Android TV games.
Teslagrad
Price:$4.99
Teslagrad is one of the newer Android TV games on the list. It’s also a fairly decent puzzle-platformer. The main mechanics are platformers. However, as you play, you unlock various powers that help you complete the puzzles throughout the game. It also features very little text so you don’t have to read endless dialog like some other games. Aside from the occasional bug, the game is otherwise quite good.
Thimbleweed Park
Price:$9.99
Thimbleweed Park is one of the more expensive Android TV games, but it’s still pretty good. It’s a puzzle-thriller with a bunch of crazy people and some dark story elements. Your job is to track down the clues and solve the mystery. There are five playable characters, various puzzles, two difficulty levels, a hint system, and voice overs. It’s actually quite modern feeling despite its retro style graphics.
This War of Mine
Price:$14.99
This War of Mine is one of the best Android games available today and was our choice for the best Android game of 2015. In this survival game, you play as innocent civilians caught in the grips of a city at war. Your job is to survive the encounter while losing as few people as possible. The game forces you to make some tough decisions and some pundits have even said the game “isn’t fun”, but totally worth playing anyway. It’s a little expensive, but it’s an unforgettable experience and is among the best Android TV games available, period.
Unkilled and Dead Trigger 2
Price: Free to play
Unkilled is among the best FPS games released in the last couple of years. It’s a zombie shooter which means most of your gameplay will be missions where you must go and destroy some bad guys. It features a ton of bad guys, zombie bosses, and hundreds of levels to play through. Updates in 2016 added in online multiplayer support so you can now get online and play with others if you choose to. The graphics are phenomenal and we all know that first person shooters are better played with actual controllers. It’s a freemium game, but it’s still pretty fun. Madfinger Games’ Dead Trigger 2 is another excellent zombie shooter on Android TV.
If we missed any of the best Android TV games, tell us about them in the comments! You can our latest Android app and game lists!
