Google announced Android TV a few days ago, and distributed ADT-1 hardware development kit to application developers during Google I/O. I could not find much details at the time, except it was powered by Nvidia Tegra processors. I’ve now noticed some developers have posted a few pictures and the device, Phandroid has posted the specifications, and I’ve found some interesting hardware limitations for Android TV decided by Google that kill some potential applications for the TV.
Here are known hardware specifications for ADT-1 devkit:
- SoC – Nvidia Tegra 4
- System Memory – 2GB RAM
- Storage – 16GB flash
- Video Output – HDMI
- Connectivity – Ethernet, 2×2 MIMO dual-channel WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0
- USB – 1x USB host port, 1x
micro(custom?) USB port for power and ADB (via an Y cable provided with the kit) - Dimensions – Small 🙂
This Android L Android TV box looks tiny and comes with G1 Gamepad as demonstrated during Google I/O, that is powered by 2x AA rechargeable batteries, and well as a power adapter, and cables.
More pictures and short videos can be found on Zach Pfeffer G+ account, as well as on Reddit where you may want to go through the comments section for specifics. If you were not at Google I/O, and are an application developer, you can still apply for ADT-1 devkit online. There’s also an “ADT-1 FAQ” that’s mostly interesting / useful for people who already own the kit.
As I look for more details, I also went to Android TV developer’s page, especially the hardware features section, where the following features are said to be disabled in Android TV:
| Hardware | Android feature descriptor |
| Camera | android.hardware.camera |
| GPS | android.hardware.location.gps |
| Microphone | android.hardware.microphone |
| Near Field Communications (NFC) | android.hardware.nfc |
| Telephony | android.hardware.telephony |
| Touchscreen | android.hardware.touchscreen |
If you planned to use your Android TV Box and connect a USB webcam to use Skype or Google Hangout, or expected some Android L TV boxes with a built-in camera that can be placed on top of the TV, sorry, this won’t be possible because camera and microphone support are not available. The other features make sense, although for digital signage applications GPS, telephony, touchscreen, and NFC may also be useful, but I understand that’s not what Android TV is all about, and it’s focusing on the consumer market.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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It would be interesting to know if it supports HDMI 2.0 or not?
I just assume that Android TV OS supports HDMI 2.0 and the Ultra HD specification?
Btw, “Ultra HD” is now the official name for 4K http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/20/cea-officially-brands-4k-as-ultra-hd-gets-ready-for-a-flood-of/
@Harley
Not sure about the HDMI version in the devkit.
Good to know about ultra HD, so we have
* 720p – HD Ready
* 1080p – Full HD
* 4K – Ultra HD
That’s useful when buying a TV. I did not know about HD Ready and Full HD when I bought a TV a few months ago, and that’s all the sellers were talking about :p
I guess Microphone support would be there…
As in the I/O demo by Google employees, they were performing “Voice Search” in the Android TV using the Gamepad, mobile(?) …
If in case camera is not supported, then I’ll have to choose the traditional Android Mini PCs we have had so far…
@Anand
They used the microphone of the smartphone, and sent the data via the network.
I vé read that it s possible tout use the camera on art but you have tout détecté it manually. Check on Android dev website
@ekimia
Right, but Google specifically disabled camera support for Android TV, as mentioned in the dev site. I understand It’s possible to access the camera but only on mobile devices, and wearables.
Any one have 1 there looking to sell let me know please… johnsandlin09@gmail.com
any one know where i can get a dev cable i lost mine