Google says it’s okay for Android TV devices to suck

When it comes to TV streaming devices, they need to strike a balance between power and performance. Google’s recent decision to lower the RAM requirement for Android TV from 1.5GB to just 1GB may seem puzzling. According to Android Authority, virtualized builds for Android TV can now run on as little as 1GB of RAM, although 2GB is needed for the full Google TV experience.

It appears that this move is aimed at encouraging more manufacturers to create Android TV and Google TV products by reducing hardware requirements. For example, Walmart’s Onn streamer with Android TV is priced at just $20, with a 4K upgrade version at $50, both of which have 2GB and 3GB of RAM respectively. However, running modern Android apps smoothly on just 1GB of RAM may prove challenging.

Another aspect to consider is smart TVs, which often come with built-in smart TV platforms like Roku, Amazon Fire, or Android TV. By lowering the hardware requirements for Android TV, Google may be looking to expand the platform to more affordable television models.

However, this decision may not sit well with consumers who expect integrated software to perform well, especially as streaming apps continue to grow in size and complexity. This move raises concerns about Google lowering its standards at a time when the cost of mobile memory components is not prohibitive.

Overall, the decision to reduce the RAM requirement for Android TV raises questions about the platform’s performance and the user experience, particularly as streaming apps become more demanding.