Google all set to take on Amazon Fire with its own Android based TV

Ditching the Google TV moniker, Google is all set to return to the television domain if the reports surfacing online are to be believed. And this time around it’s giving the set-top-box a clear Android focus.

As reported by The Verge , Android TV will be simpler in its UI and concept than Google TV, which never really took off for the company. The leaked images show the probable interface, which features a lot of elements one is used to seeing on Android.

According to the report, Google is looking at inviting app developers to create content for Android TV. In addition to apps, Android TV will have familiar Google search, notifications from your services and support for voice input, presumably to control the UI.

According to documents accessed by The Verge  “Android TV is an entertainment interface, not a computing platform. It’s all about finding and enjoying content with the least amount of friction." Google says the experience will be “cinematic, fun, fluid, and fast.” The screenshots released by the site indicate that besides it own apps, Google will naturally allow third party apps with Hulu, Netflix, Pandora and Vevo being seen in one of the images.

You can buy and download games, apps, and rent or purchase media content right through the set-top box UI. Each has its own category within the bigger store, just like on Android. For navigation, Google is furnishing Android TV with a four way directional pad remote control. Finally, an Android TV set top box unit will likely ship with a Chromecast unit as well.

With a flood of set top boxes flooding the market, Google will certainly have its hands full competing with the next gen smart TVs . The Verge notes that Google’s UI looks similar to the Amazon’s Fire TV interface .

At the moment, there is no mention of a release date, but Google will likely make an announcement during Google I/O in June.