Difference Between Linux And Android Tv

Are you someone who loves to explore the world of technology, staying ahead of the curve when it comes to entertainment options? Are you on the lookout for the perfect operating system to power your smart TV? Well, look no further! In this article, we will embark on an exciting journey into the realm of Linux and Android TV, shedding light on their similarities, differences, and everything else you need to know before making a decision. So, grab your popcorn and get ready to dive into the captivating world of smart TV operating systems!

Linux and Android TV: features comparison

Linux and Android TV are the two major operating systems (OS) for IPTV/OTT set-top boxes. Both are powered by the Linux kernel.

The kernel works as a mediator between hardware and software. To control it, you need a graphical shell and various apps.

Linux is a family of operating systems for various devices, including set-top boxes, servers, PCs, and laptops. IPTV/OTT operators have been using Linux media players since the 1990s.

In 2021, Linux has been one of the most popular software packages for client devices. According to Digital TV Europe, 800 million set-top boxes are powered by this platform worldwide. Linux is a free operating system, which means that you can use it without limits.

Android TV was developed by Google and based on the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) OS. The platform is designed for devices that feature Smart TV: TVs, media players, projectors, and soundbars.

Android TV set-top boxes offer a user-friendly interface and Google Assistant. Also, the devices have YouTube and Google Play Store pre-installed.

The choice of OS depends on what is more important to users: the ease-of-use, availability, and reliability of Linux or the high-quality, comfort, and feature-richness of Android TV.

Set-top boxes powered by Android TV and Linux OS

Users can buy a set-top box themselves or select a model from the devices offered by IPTV/OTT operators. But it may be that operators can provide only one type of set-top box. Therefore, if the device features are unsuitable, it is better to choose another operator.

Android TV

The interface of set-top boxes powered by Android TV is standard across all devices. Google has been developing it for many years to ensure viewers can easily use set-top boxes. As a result, the interface is well-adapted for watching TV and videos.

All Android TV set-top boxes include a standard set of apps and features: YouTube, YouTube Music, Google Assistant, Chromecast built-in, and Google Play Store.

YouTube. The most popular app for watching videos on the Internet. You can view music videos, movies, news, educational programs, and original entertainment content for children and adults.

YouTube Music. A separate app for listening to music, podcasts, and watching music or concert videos.

Google Assistant. A voice assistant and a tool to control playback on a set-top box. It can answer questions, tell the weather, or make it easier to find the movie or channel you want.

Chromecast built-in helps stream content from a smartphone to a TV screen. For example, using an Android TV set-top box, you can show photos and videos to your friends on a large screen.

Google Play Store. An online store with over 7,000 apps: games, content players, file managers, and other helpful tools.

Important! Before buying a set-top box, be sure to check whether the model is on the list of Google partners and the media player is among Android TV-certified devices.

Linux OS

Set-top boxes powered by Linux OS and offered by Switchonshop come with no pre-installed apps other than the standard ones. For example, users have access to a built-in portal—a screen where they can view files, turn on the TV, or launch a browser. There they can also set up access to IPTV/OTT operators’ content.

Linux set-top boxes are easy to use. They do not have unnecessary apps users will have to pay extra for upon purchase. Furthermore, the main pre-installed apps are always compatible with a specific model to ensure a trouble-free experience.

Let’s sum up: which set-top box to choose?

When choosing a set-top box yourself, you should pay attention to the device requirements set by an IPTV/OTT operator. If both the Linux and Android TV set-top boxes meet the specifications, you can focus on the interface.

If you need to have a familiar interface—almost the same as in a smartphone—and wish to install your apps, opt for an Android TV device.

If you prefer a simple interface without unnecessary apps and don’t want to rely on Google services, choose Linux.

Visit our website to check out the device catalog and compare the specifications of set-top boxes powered by Linux OS and Android TV.

1. “Unraveling the Enigmatic Twins: Exploring the Intricate Distinctions Between Linux and Android TV”

When it comes to technology, there are often hidden intricacies that go unnoticed by the average user. Take for instance the enigmatic twins, Linux and Android TV. While both are operating systems, they possess fascinating distinctions that set them apart. Let us embark on a journey to unravel the mysteries and explore these intricate differences.

1. Structure: The foundation upon which Linux and Android TV are built is one of the key factors distinguishing them. Linux is an open-source operating system that boasts a modular structure, enabling users to customize it according to their needs. On the other hand, Android TV is a more refined and specialized platform, designed specifically for televisions. It is based on the Android operating system but tailored to offer an optimized TV viewing experience.

2. User Interface: Another noteworthy difference lies in the user interface. Linux offers a wide range of desktop environments, allowing users to choose their preferred interface. From the visually appealing GNOME to the lightweight Xfce, the options are vast. In contrast, Android TV has a standardized user interface that is optimized for television screens. Its intuitive design facilitates easy navigation using a remote control, providing a seamless experience for users.

2. “Diving into the Technological Maze: Demystifying the Key Contrasts Between Linux and Android TV

Linux is used in servers and desktops, while Android is used mostly in touchscreen devices such as mobiles, tablets etc., Android is also used in watches, TV, Cameras, etc.; while Linux is used in almost all electronic devices.

Android is actually a framework which is developed on the top of a Linux Kernel. A kernel is something which acts as an intermediate between user and system hardware. So, Linux kernel is used in all Android devices but Android is not used in all Linux devices. Linux kernel is used as foundation by all Android devices.

What is Linux?

Linux is a free and open-source operating system created and designed by Linus Torvalds in 1991. Linux is a derived form of Unix. It is free of cost making it available for all users. It is open-source, means that the source code of Linux is available for all users. Users can add additional programs or modify the existing ones so that it can perform various other functions.

Linux is a unitary operating system. A unitary operating system is one that entirely operates from kernel. Linux uses monolithic kernel. It runs both kernel and user services in the same address space. It has many distributions such as Ubuntu, Linux mint, Fedora etc., Linux is written in C language and assembly language. It is more machine friendly meaning that users find it difficult to interact with it compared to other operating systems.

Linux has become the largest open-source software in the world. It provides high security and is mostly used for hacking purposes.

Some of the features of Linux include −

Multitasking
Portability
Security
Open-source

Linux runs on many devices like phones, computers and a variety of embedded systems.

Advantages of Linux

It is an open-source OS, so the source code is available for all.
It is available for free of cost.
It is a safe OS as it provides high security.

Disadvantages of Linux

It can’t run most of the windows programs.
Most of the internet service providers doesn’t support Linux.
Linux is hard to understand and difficult to learn for most of the users. Depending on its distributions, the difficulty level varies.

What is Android?

Android OS is a mobile operating system founded in October 2003 by Android Inc. Their main aim was then to create an advanced OS for cameras. Later it was taken by Google in 2005 and launched in 2008. It is a framework that is developed on Linux kernel. Android has a user-friendly GUI so it is easy to use. Users can download other applications easily and increases the functionality of OS. Android is the most popular and most used operating system now-a-days.

It was created in C, C++, Java and some other languages. Android is frequently updated and every release is associated with a new name. Android systems uses their own virtual machines called Dalvik Virtual Machine.

Some of the features of Android include −

Beautiful and user-friendly interface
Connectivity
Multi-tasking
Multi-touch
Multi-language
Near Field Communication (NFC)

Advantages of Android

It is open-source.
It has continuous feature improvement.
It supports external memory.
We can choose mobiles as there are a wide range of mobile phones available that supports Android.

Disadvantages of Android

It doesn’t provide more security. Viruses and malware can be easily affected.
Coding can’t be performed.