FollowGoogle’s Android has turned into an omnipresent operating system and has moved beyond smartphones and tablets. It has permeated to car stereos, computers, smart watches, MP3 players etc. However, the most interesting evolution might be bridging the gap with TVs this year.
It is the open nature of Android that makes it possible to offer connectivity with TVs in different ways. The easiest way to connect the TV directly to the smartphone or tablet is with the help of an HDMI cable with MHL or Mobile High-Definition Link connection. This connector port is already present on most Android smartphones and is a part of the micro USB.
Although one can project their entire Android experience onto the TV, the problem is that one will need a long cable and an adapter as well. This snaking across might not be the ideal option for most. A wireless method to do so is still not a reality. However, using Miracast will make it possible to mirror an Android screen wirelessly to a TV. Miracast promises to do what AirPlay Mirroring does for an iOS device and a TV.
Miracast was created by the Wi-Fi Alliance without getting too technical. It makes use of Wi-Fi Direct to make ad hoc connection between the TV and the Android device, promoting wireless technologies. The only catch here is that both the TV and the device must have the standard built-in.
The good news is that most of the new TVs introduced this year will comprise of Miracast. A good number of Android phones have Wi-Fi Direct but Miracast will get support on the edition 4.2 Jelly Bean. Those that don’t have these specifications will need use USB or HDMI adapters.
Meanwhile, work on different technologies for looking for new and superior ways of receiving content from an Android tablet or phone onto the bigger screen continue. There might not be a lot many options to choose from, but things might look different in the coming years.
