In a new development, one of the largest cable operators of India, Hathway Cable Networks has launched a new Set-Top-Box(STB) which comes enabled with the Android TV platform. Interestingly, this Set-Top-Box by Hathway will go beyond the usual capabilities of a standard Set Top Box and will offer Google Play Store support, using which users will be able to install Netflix, YouTube and Amazon Prime Video for streaming the content onto the bigger screen. It’s noteworthy that to bring this product to life, Hathway has partnered up with Google itself and has priced this STB at Rs 2,999. Hathway has also named this STB as the Hathway Playbox. To recall, Hathway had also recently launched the Hathway Ultra Smart Hub, which was a hybrid cable box.
Hathway Playbox to Come With Netflix and YouTube
The Hathway Playbox will avail Netflix, YouTube and Google Play services for the users and will give direct access for the same on the Playbox remote itself. Hathway has also claimed that subscribers will be able to enjoy a wide range of India-specific and international content with a single click. Further, the FTTH and cable provider company has also said that in the coming days it would roll out a consumer promotion campaign and will bring on board many OTT apps which would be either India specific or global OTT apps.
Hathway Playbox Allows Users to Stream Android Games
The new Hathway Playbox will also cater to gamers as well. With the Hathway Playbox, players will be able to stream Android games on their TV screens, and they will also have the option of adding other participants to the gameplay. The set top box will also allow the users to stream all the Google Play content onto the bigger screen easily.
Rajan Gupta, Managing Director of Hathway, said about this new launch, “One of the strengths of Hathway Play box is our cooperation with some of the most popular play-services. In addition to Google Play and YouTube, we are delighted that Netflix, the world’s largest streaming service will be available in Hathway Play Box at launch and that our customers can easily access their content via the button on the remote control.”
Also, Head of Android, Chrome & Play Business Development, Pranab Mookken talked about this new product, “We are pleased to be working with Hathway and look forward to leveraging their extensive broadband and cable network to enable more exciting and useful Android TV experiences for consumers.”
Ultra Smart Hub: Pairing Play Services and Liner TV
Hathway has also launched the first cable hybrid box in India by the name of Hathway Ultra Smart Hub. This cable hybrid box will pair the linear TV with Play Services in HDR quality. The subscribers will be able to enjoy the Ultra Smart Hub with an easy to use interface with Play Services. Further, the users can also customise their Smart Hub using the apps which they download from the Play store.
Hathway Playbox: Pricing and Availability
Hathway also announced the price of its first-ever STB as Rs 2,999. The STB will be available for purchase in the next couple of weeks, as mentioned by the company.
