Fetch TV, the Australian TV platform operator that combines free-to-air, FAST, subscription channels, streaming services, and transactional movies and programmes, is using an innovative application delivery platform called AndApps that enables the use of Android applications on RDK and Linux middleware-based devices. The foundation for AndApps is an AOSP (Android Open Source Project) runtime that can run Android applications (APKs). The solution enables service providers to boost their app offerings with limited development effort – which means getting those apps onto a platform much faster than would otherwise be possible.
AndApps was developed by Consult Red, the technology consultancy specialising in connected devices. In a white paper, the company points out that Android applications are not inherently tied to Android-certified devices, and they are not inherently tied to GMS (Google Managed Services). “The same APK as found in Android TV devices can be run via AndApps elsewhere. A large range of Android apps can be tapped – and, where compatible, the apps can be technically provisioned,” the white paper states.
Fetch TV has used AndApps to launch multiple new applications, which are available to download for Fetch TV customers using the new Mini G5 set-top box. The solution will be extended to two existing STBs, the Mighty and Mini 4K, later this year. The entertainment provider says the Mini 5G is using “a revolutionary and world first hybrid RDK-Android Opensource operating system.” This refers to the combination of RDK device and AOSP runtime (courtesy of AndApps).
“This is the first platform implementation of the innovative AndApps solution from Consult Red, and enables us to easily add Android apps into the RDK ecosystem,” Fetch TV continues. Consult Red adds: “This deployment showcases the efficiency and reliability of the solution. As a launch partner for AndApps, Fetch TV has demonstrated the transformative potential of this advanced platform.”
Using a modular containerised architecture, AndApps runs entirely independently from the main device software image. This facilitates the integration, deployment and update of third-party apps with no impact on other installed applications and without the need to reboot the device. The AndApps-powered apps appear seamlessly alongside the other apps on the Fetch UI when selected by users. Fetch TV may choose to add additional or new apps as they become available.
Fetch TV is a joint venture between Telstra Group and Astro Holdings with 600,000 customers acquired through ongoing partnerships with leading Australian ISPs and retailers. The company predicts rapid growth towards one million subscribers as Telstra migrates the Telstra TV base across to the Fetch platform. The Fetch TV service features an in-house developed UX that includes universal voice search, a ‘free-to-me’ filter and curated watch lists, among other things.
Alex Glass, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Fetch TV, says the Fetch dev team collaborated with Consult Red on the AndApps implementation over a period of less than five months. “During that time, we were able to prepare access to six applications. The ease and speed of implementation was unprecedented, allowing us to offer our customers a more diverse viewing experience on a greatly compressed timeline, with the additional benefit that there is no ongoing development and maintenance of the applications by Fetch.”
Dominic Arena, Fetch CEO, adds: “We have invested heavily over the past year to pioneer this revolutionary hybrid technology together with our software integration partner, Consult Red, to enable us to deliver an unmatched suite of family-friendly entertainment and lifestyle options all in one place, on Fetch. We’ve upped the game in the Australian home entertainment market.”
Fetch TV says the addition of Android apps into the RDK ecosystem will enhance the content choice, value and user experience for Fetch customers, “whilst maintaining the operator benefits of data security, UX monetisation and transaction management.”
Stuart Griffin, CEO at Consult Red, says: “Our AndApps platform empowers service providers like Fetch TV to enhance their offerings swiftly and efficiently, while keeping them firmly in control of their service.”
You can read the technical details about AndApps in a white paper published here.
One key point is that if an application author has written an app for the Android environment, AndApps can take this same application and make it work in an operator environment running in AOSP. “The app author does not have to write new code or introduce any customisations, if they already have an AOSP compatible APK,” the document explains.
AndApps is not an application development technology and does not change the source application in any way, it adds. “AndApps is the application delivery platform that takes the existing application and gives it life on new, operator-controlled devices.”
The document also makes it clear that AndApps is not designed to replace existing applications or app stores found in the RDK or Linux ecosystems. “Its purpose is to complement them.”
The white paper explains that AndApps has optimised resource utilisation for constrained devices and can be installed on existing operator CPE using a software download. “This solution will work with most devices shipped after 2020,” it states. The solution is hardware agnostic so can be used with STB gateways, streaming-only pucks or even private-label operator Smart TVs. “The common denominator for its use is the presence of an RDK or Linux OS that is controlled by the operator.”
The white paper includes detailed comparisons covering time-to-market and the development effort needed for native app porting vs AndApps. You can read more about AndApps (and find the white paper) here.
Fetch TV is the first publicly announced customer for AndApps.
