Thanks to the Android TV integration In the Vodafone 4K deco, a world of possibilities opens up led by the addition of Google to the equation: integrated Chromecast, voice search with the Google Assistant or the possibility of installing unlimited applications from the Play Store.
The fruit of the alliance of Vodafone and Google
Vodafone’s new 4K deco will become the default option starting in October will progressively replace the current 4K deco of the red operator. This new model is the first based on Android TV that the operator markets and has the mission of reinforcing Vodafone TV’s strategy as a content aggregator. The applications of some of the third-party services that you can contract with Vodafone are installed as standard: Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, Prime Video, Filmin, etc.
First of all, we are going to observe that it has a new smoother interface and in which the contents are shown to the viewer according to their interests, the most notable developments in the services they have contracted additionally or by theme. An example of this is that on Halloween there may be a selection of films in the horror genre and at Christmas there may be a featured shortcut to films starring Santa Claus. Likewise, navigation will be easier as the main content is grouped into five large menus displayed as tabs with horizontal scrolling: Channels, My TV, Movies and Series, Explore Vodafone TV and Apps.
In this new interface we can also see how the Vodafone TV menu coexists with the options provided by the arrival of the Android TV operating system and the capabilities of Google Services. The highlight is that now we can activate the remote control to activate the Google Assistant voice searches. These will not only allow you to perform quick actions such as saying to rewind the playback by X minutes, saying to play They can make certain external queries such as the year of birth of an actor.
Of course, one of the most interesting functions that the Google voice assistant offers us together with the new deco that integrates all Vodafone partner platforms is that you can do filters between the content at your disposal. For example, with a couple of practical cases that we have seen in situ, “movies starring Angelina Jolie” or “Superman movies.” The search engine quickly finds the content you want and displays it from various sources: recordings from channels that have recently broadcast them, available as VOD on streaming platforms or even available for purchase.
This new deco is un dispositivo “Chromecast Built-in”, so forget about buying one if you are a Vodafone customer. The new deco natively allows you to send content from your smartphone applications to the TV screen through the device or to share your smartphone screen.
What can open up a world of possibilities is the opening of the Vodafone ecosystem to the infinite world of third-party applications included in the Play Store. The operator has confirmed to us that there is no no type of restrictions at the app installation level and everything you could install on a Smart TV with Android TV you can also have here. The only limit would be the storage space, which on this occasion has been expanded to 16 GB of flash memory, compared to the 8 GB of the current model that it will replace. In our tests we have seen how we could add DAZN, Plex, VLC Player, LaLigaTV+ and some more.
Of course, just because it’s now an Android TV deco doesn’t mean the features aren’t available. classic Vodafone TV features: last 7 days, recordings in the cloud, see from the beginning, live control and can go back up to 4 hours, on-demand content, search engine, personalized recommendations, etc.
A lighter, faster and more sustainable deco
Of course, not everything is Google, although it is the main thing. The new 4K deco model has a very small size and weight, similar to that of some Android TV Boxes. According to the calculations, we could consider that it is 20% smaller and lighter than the previous model. All this without losing a bit of performance, since the new Vodafone deco is not only compatible with 4K resolution, but is also capable of playing content in HDR if the channel or platform, as well as your Smart TV, allows it. .
On this occasion we will find a device with a higher processing speed and more RAM memory. Specifically, this new version has 3 GB of RAM compared to the 2 GB of RAM of the current model, which it will progressively replace.
In addition, with the goal of sustainability as its flag, it is also more ecological than the previous model. Not only has it been designed taking into account that it is capable of having greater energy efficiency than the previous model without cutting back on features, but it is Made from 96% recycled plasticfor 86% plastic for the new remote control that integrates the Google Assistant button.
The new Vodafone 4K deco will arrive from the second half of October and the new registrations will be the first to have the possibility of having this model installed. The device will be available in loan format at no additional cost to the rate for convergent customers such as One Ilimitada Max, One Ilimitada Series/Family or Hogar Ilimitable. In the case of clients with a rate other than one of the above, the cost will be 3 euros per month.
