With the rise of internet streaming, Android TV boxes are becoming more popular as more people desire to have home entertainment centres. With so many contents streams at our disposal, including YouTube, Showmax, Sling, Netflix, Hulu, social media and the internet, having a TV box becomes the gateway to accessing all these services at once, and in the comfort of your home.
Safaricom has launched an Android TV box allowing consumers with home internet to enjoy a world of endless entertainment and internet streaming, through their TV.
But before we proceed, let’s look at how this Ematic Android TV box works, what you get after purchasing one and why you should consider it over similar products on the market.
How does Safaricom’s Android TV box work?
As the name suggests, an Android TV box is a small box that connects to your TV enabling it a range of capabilities. Such include, surfing the web, internet streaming directly on your TV, access to internet TV services such as Showmax and an android experience through android apps similar to those found on your smartphone.
Check out 14 shows that are perfect for binge watching on Showmax
Essentially, Safaricom’s Ematic Android box turns your TV into a smart TV and opens you to a vast world of online entertainment. It runs on an Android operating system, which lets you access the apps found on your smartphone directly on your TV.
What are the benefits of having a TV box?
Besides the Android experience straight on your TV, the Android box lets you access the internet through your TV, stream TV shows, movies and series through sites such as Netflix or Hulu, play games, or cast your smartphone to your TV. With Safaricom’s Android box, you can also search for apps, TV shows and movies using your voice.
This Android box comes after Safaricom introduced their new home fibre hence their Ematic Android box can be configured to connect to a home fibre Wifi network.
Another benefit of the Safaricom Android TV box is it allows you to store your videos and photos locally (through SD cards or USB flash disks), and playback pre-recorded TV shows or movies.
It can also support up to 4K HD resolution, giving viewers super sharp images and video clarity.
How do I install the TV box?
Safaricom’s Ematic Android TV box is a matter of plug and play. You will need to;
- Connect the Android TV box by plugging the box HDMI video cable into your TV.
- Once powered on, connect the box to your wifi or home fibre internet.
- Start streaming.
To install apps on your Android box, use Google Playstore for almost all apps that can run on your smartphone can also run on Android TV.
Do I need the internet to use an Android TV box?
An internet connection is not necessary if you plan to play videos from a local library or external hard drive. Nonetheless, the internet enhances the Android experience and lets you stream live TV shows and sports from all over the world. So you can watch all your favourite Netflix shows or try the new Showmax pro that allows you to live stream sports.
Do I need a smart TV to use Safaricom’s Android TV box?
No, as long as your TV has an HDMI slot you are good to go.
Where can I get Safaricom’s Android TV box?
This Android box is available at all Safaricom shops and on Masoko for Ksh. 6879. Unlike decoders, an Android TV box doesn’t come with channels, hence you don’t incur monthly costs for channel subscription. In case you want to watch TV through an Android TV box you can procure such through the various TV apps.
Here is a review of the Safaricom ematic android TV Box and what it can do.
Technical specifications.
Android TV OS (9.0)
4K (Ultra HD)
Google and Netflix Certified.
SoC: Amlogic S905X – A quad core ARM cortex A53
CPU: ARM Quad 64-bit cortex A-53 up to 1.5GHz
GPU: Penta core Mali-450 up to 750MHz + (DFS)
DRAM: DDR3 2GB
Flash: eMMC 8GB
Bluetooth 4.2
DRM – playready, widevine
Size: Length (100mm) Width (100mm) height (23.5mm)
Dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11 ac/b/g/n
Interfaces/ports: 2 x USB 2.0 ports, 1 X TF (MicroSD) card slot, 1 X HDMI 2.0a port, 1 x 10/100 Ethernet (RJ45) port.
