Sony is one of the best OEMs around when it comes to updating its smartphones in a timely fashion, but the company's smart TVs are another story. Even though Android 9 Pie was released five months ago, and Android Q is on the horizon, Sony is just now rolling out Oreo to some of its smart TVs.
Read MoreOpera's Android TV browser renamed to 'Vewd Browser'
Several years ago, Opera Software spun off its TV division as a separate company, fittingly named 'Opera TV.' While the company was responsible for the various TV ports of the Opera browser, it also developed an entire software platform designed for media players, car head units, and smart TVs - similar to Roku OS and Android TV.
Opera TV was purchased by Moore Frères & Company in 2016, and in August of this year, the company announced it was rebranding itself as 'Vewd.' Now the Android TV browser, which is included on some Sony Smart TVs, has changed to 'Vewd Browser.'
Read MoreAndroid TV app for Comcast Xfinity coming in 2018, but only for Sony TVs at first
Over a year ago, Comcast revealed that it was working on an Xfinity app for Android TV. It was part of the 'Xfinity TV Partner Program,' designed to make its television service available on smart TVs and internet-connected streaming boxes. That way, you wouldn't have to lease a cable box (unless you didn't want TV congesting your home internet network) - just install the app and start watching content.
Read MoreYouTube TV coming to Android TV, Xbox One, Apple TV, and smart TVs
Google's long-rumored live TV service finally arrived earlier this year as 'YouTube TV.' Even from the start, it was a pretty solid offering, and Google has continued to add more channels and expand to more areas. But for a service called 'YouTube TV,' the lack of smart TV/Android TV applications was a major omission. To date, the only way to watch content on the big screen has been with a Chromecast.
That changes today, as YouTube has announced that applications for Android TV and Xbox One will be released within the next few days.
Read MoreYouTube Kids is now available on LG, Samsung, and Sony smart TVs, coming soon for Android TV
YouTube Kids was originally released in 2015, as a portal for child-appropriate content on everyone's favorite video sharing site. However, there hasn't been a dedicated TV app for YouTube Kids, just iOS and Android apps. Today on the official company blog, YouTube announced a Kids app for various smart TVs - but Android TV is still strangely missing.
Read MoreSony's CES announcements include new sound bars, TVs, and headphones
Sony is, of course, at CES 2017 in Las Vegas. As you'd expect it has a great many new products, ranging from new TVs to new Blu-Ray players. However, in our opinion, what is most exciting in Sony's announcements are the Chromecast built-in (or is that Google Cast?) products and the newly-unveiled Android TVs, plus some new headphones.
Sound bars and speakers
First up is a new sound bar, the catchily named HT-ST5000. This is Sony's flagship sound bar for 2017, so it has all the top-of-the-line features, such as Dolby Atmos, hi-res audio, and twelve advanced speakers. Sony says the HT-ST5000 is for home theater setups, and proves that with the number or ports and connectivity options: three HDMI ports, one HDMI ARC port, a USB input, Bluetooth and NFC, and a number of digital and analog connections.
Read More[Update: $549.99] Deal Alert: Sony 43" 4K Android TV is down to $579.99 on eBay
Buying a house has taught me that everything is expensive and that you have to do your best to save money at every opportunity. Pennies here, dollars there, a few tenners over there, they all add up nicely when you sit down and do your math. So that's why I am a bit envious of you folks in the US and these frequent deals we keep seeing on Sony TVs.
This one for example is on the 43" XBR-43X830C. This isn't a movie theater TV by any means, but it can do the job for a midsize room just fine.
Read More[Update: Now $1099.99] [Deal Alert] eBay Has A Sony 65-Inch 4K TV With Android TV For $1200 ($300 Off Street Price), US Only
It's not often that we get to write about standard TVs on Android Police... because there aren't many that run Android. But Sony's high-end models are the exception, and today BuyDig's eBay account is offering one of the latest models at a significant discount. The XBR-65X810C is a 65-inch LED TV with 4K resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and it runs Android TV out of the box. The eBay price is $1199.99 with free shipping, which is $300 cheaper than most online and brick-and-mortar retailers, and an impressive $900 off the retail price.
The Best Of AP
[Update: 65" Now $50 Less] Deal Alert: Sony's 55" & 65" 2015 4K XBR-850C TVs With Android TV, TRILUMINOS Displays, Active 3D, & HDR On Sale For $999 & $1599 (Up To $400 Off)
A couple of weeks ago, we posted a deal alert for Sony's entry-level 65" 4K Android TV, the XBR-65X810C. Today, the 55" and 65" models of the mid-range XBR-850C line are on sale at their lowest prices ever on eBay. The 55" TV is $999 ($1200 on Amazon), while the 65" panel is $1599 ($2,000 on Amazon). Yeah, that's still a pretty penny for a TV, but these are great prices for some of the best panels on the market.
Netflix 2.0 For Android TV From Sony TV Works On The Nexus Player And Supports Dolby Digital Surround Sound [APK Download]
I don't have a Nexus Player, neither do I live in a country where Netflix is available, but I would have assumed that a movie and TV streaming app on a set-top box should support surround sound. By default. I mean, that's a given, isn't it? WRONG. So wrong. Couldn't be any more wrong. Netflix' official version for Android TV, 1.0.4 build 136, just plays sound in stereo, no Dolby in sight.
Screenshots courtesy of our tipster, Garrett
That bummer is now remedied thanks to the extracted Netflix 2.0 APK from Sony's Android TV. Thanks to the same XDA user brar.arsh who extracted the Amazon Instant File, we now have a newer version of Netflix that you can send to your Nexus Player.
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