In a rather surprising move, Google will now be screening Android TV app submissions before they become available to users at the Play Store.
While this seems like a normal move, it is surprising considering the low level of screening that takes place for apps aimed at Android smartphones and tablets.
"Before distributing apps to the Play Store on Android TV devices, our team reviews apps for usability with a DPAD (apps) and Gamepad (games only) and other quality guidelines," says documentation regarding the Android TV app submissions.
It's important to note this screening process is only in relation to Android TV apps, not Android or Android Wear apps. Google will also likely be screening Android Auto apps to keep safety a priority. While anyone can create an Android app and release it to Google Play, the company does have the ability to remove that app if need be.
It makes sense Google would want to ensure apps are compatible with the DPAD and Gamepad. The move should help Android TV avoid the same fate as Google TV, which ultimately died due to a poor selection of badly integrated apps.
In the end, Android TV should be a better user experience with much better apps because of the decision by Google.
The decision also highlights the fact that gaming is such a huge part of Android TV. The Google Nexus Player, which is the first device to support Android TV, can be bought with a gaming controller. If Google wants Android TV and the Nexus Player to catch on, then the user experience must be above par, especially if the company wants people to tell friends about the new platform.
Android TV is based on the newest version of Android, Android 5.0 Lollipop, and is Google's attempt at entering the living room. It is also a rival to the popular Apple TV.
The Nexus Player is a small, circular device that comes with a voice-controlled remote and the ability to connect to the Internet via Wi-Fi and the user's TV via HDMI. The Nexus Player can stream content from Google Play, as well as run a number of apps compatible with the system. Google is pushing the device as a low-cost gaming alternative, able to play a number of games available on other Android devices. The device is largely being hailed as one with a lot of potential, but one that has a number of bugs to iron out.
