What is the difference between AOSP and Android TV?

AOSP (Android Open Source Project) is the base open-source version of Android, available for anyone to use and modify without licensing obligations. Android TV is a certified version of Android specifically designed for television and media devices, which includes Google TV Services, the Google Play Store, and access to the operator tier for custom launcher deployment. Using Android TV requires passing Google's compatibility and certification requirements and committing to their platform roadmap.

What is the Android TV Operator Tier?

The Android TV Operator Tier is a programme that allows qualifying operators to deeply customise the Android TV user experience, including deploying a fully custom launcher that controls the home screen and app discovery. To access the Operator Tier, operators must meet Google's eligibility criteria and their implementation must pass the relevant CTS and VTS certification suites.

What are CTS and VTS in Android development?

The Compatibility Test Suite (CTS) is a set of automated tests that verify an Android implementation meets the Android Compatibility Definition Document requirements at the framework level. The Vendor Test Suite (VTS) tests compliance at the hardware abstraction and driver level. Both must be passed for a device to be eligible for Google certification and access to Google services.

What is AOSP customisation?

AOSP customisation involves modifying the Android Open Source Project codebase to suit a specific hardware platform or product requirement. This can include kernel and driver modifications, custom system applications, UI changes, removal of unused components to reduce footprint, security hardening, and integration of proprietary hardware features. Unlike a Google-certified implementation, AOSP customisation carries no licensing obligations but also no access to Google-licensed services.

What is a custom Android launcher?

A custom Android launcher replaces the default home screen with a purpose-built interface, typically used by operators to deliver a branded subscriber experience while controlling which applications are accessible and how they are presented. Custom launchers can hide the underlying Android platform entirely, giving the operator full control over the first-screen experience.

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Embedded Android Development

From AOSP customisation to production-ready Android TV platforms, we deliver embedded Android at operator scale.

Consult Red develops embedded Android solutions for connected devices across media, broadband, industrial, and consumer electronics markets. With over a decade of Android platform experience, we work across the full stack, from kernel and BSP integration through to custom launchers, system applications, and operator-tier Android TV deployments.

Our embedded Android work is in production with major global media operators and product companies.

AOSP or Google-certified Android - getting the platform decision right

The most consequential decision in any embedded Android programme is made before a line of code is written. Whether to build on the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) or on a Google-certified version of Android shapes your entire development trajectory, commercial obligations, and long-term roadmap dependency.

AOSP gives you full control and no licensing obligations, but you carry the full cost of building and maintaining the software stack, with no access to Google Play, Google TV Services, or GOTA over-the-air update infrastructure.

Consult Red embedded Android services

AOSP Customisation and Integration

Full-stack AOSP customisation for connected devices, including hardware bring-up, BSP integration, system partition configuration, and performance optimisation for the target SoC platform.

Android TV and Google TV Development

We are an Android TV development partner. We support platform integration, CDD compliance, CTS and VTS certification, and operator tier access for deep launcher and subscriber experience customisation.

Custom Launcher Development

Custom Android launchers that provide a fully branded subscriber experience while controlling access to the underlying platform. We have developed operator launchers for major Pay TV and broadband deployments across Europe.

System Application Development

Installation, diagnostics, telemetry, and device management applications built as Android system apps with elevated privileges. We develop applications that operate at the system layer, not just the application layer.

Driver and Hardware Integration

Android driver development to support bespoke hardware peripherals, custom SoC features, and non-standard interfaces. We extend the Android HAL and kernel to accommodate hardware that falls outside standard platform support.

Walled Garden and App Store Development

Curated application store implementations for operator deployments where Google Play access is restricted or where a controlled application environment is required. Includes transparent update and lifecycle management.

Certification Support

Technical support for CTS, VTS, and GTS certification processes. We have guided multiple Android platform implementations through Google certification, including managing the documentation, test infrastructure, and issue resolution required to pass.

AndApps — Android apps on Non-Android Platforms

Our proprietary AndApps technology enables Android applications to run within Linux (e.g. RDK) environments — without requiring a full Android stack on the target device.

This allows operators to access the Android app ecosystem on set-top and gateway hardware that was not designed for Android.

Why work with Consult Red for embedded Android

Operator-scale deployment experience

Our Android platforms are in production with major operators and customers.

That means our development and certification practices have been tested against the requirements of the world’s largest connected device programmes — not just reference hardware in a lab.

Certification expertise that saves programmes

CTS, VTS, and GTS certification are where many embedded Android programmes stall. We have guided multiple implementations through Google’s certification process, including managing the test infrastructure, resolving compatibility failures, and meeting the documentation requirements that first-time programmes routinely underestimate.

Full platform context, not just the application layer

Embedded Android problems rarely stay at the application layer. BSP issues, driver gaps, SoC-specific behaviours, and certification failures all require deeper access than a standard Android developer has.

Our chip-to-cloud capability means we can diagnose and resolve issues at every layer of the stack.

Frequently asked questions about embedded Android development

Read More
What is the difference between AOSP and Android TV?
AOSP (Android Open Source Project) is the base open-source version of Android, available for anyone to use and modify without licensing obligations.
Android TV is a certified version of Android specifically designed for television and media devices, which includes Google TV Services, the Google Play Store, and access to the operator tier for custom launcher deployment. Using Android TV requires passing Google’s compatibility and certification requirements and committing to their platform roadmap.
Read More
What is the Android TV Operator Tier?
The Android TV Operator Tier is a programme that allows qualifying operators to deeply customise the Android TV user experience, including deploying a fully custom launcher that controls the home screen and app discovery.
To access the Operator Tier, operators must meet Google’s eligibility criteria, and their implementation must pass the relevant CTS and VTS certification suites.
Read More
What are CTS and VTS in Android development?
The Compatibility Test Suite (CTS) is a set of automated tests that verify an Android implementation meets the Android Compatibility Definition Document requirements at the framework level.
The Vendor Test Suite (VTS) tests compliance at the hardware abstraction and driver level. Both must be passed for a device to be eligible for Google certification and access to Google services.
Read More
What is AOSP customisation?
AOSP customisation involves modifying the Android Open Source Project codebase to suit a specific hardware platform or product requirement.
This can include kernel and driver modifications, custom system applications, UI changes, removal of unused components to reduce footprint, security hardening, and integration of proprietary hardware features.
Unlike a Google-certified implementation, AOSP customisation carries no licensing obligations but also no access to Google-licensed services.
Read More
What is a custom Android launcher?
A custom Android launcher replaces the default home screen with a purpose-built interface, typically used by operators to deliver a branded subscriber experience while controlling which applications are accessible and how they are presented.
Custom launchers can hide the underlying Android platform entirely, giving the operator full control over the first-screen experience.

Ready to discuss your embedded Android project?

Whether you are evaluating the AOSP versus Android TV decision, need support with CTS certification, or want to discuss how AndApps could give your existing device fleet access to the Android app ecosystem, we are ready to help.

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