In a move that is sure to ruffle the feathers of traditional broadcasters more than ever, controversial online television broadcast company Aereo is planning to launch an Android app on October 22 via the Google Play store. The app will initially be launched as a public beta in areas where the company currently offers service, Aereo said in a press release on the matter.
Aereo CEO and founder Chet Kanojia said their focus this year has been about growing their footprint across the country. They’ve expanded beyond the east coast to include parts of the south and west, he said. True enough, service is now available in New York City, Boston, Atlanta, Salt Lake City, Miami, Houston and Dallas.
The future is bright, Kanojia noted, and they are committed to creating innovative and simple-to-use technology that consumers can use to access live TV online.
Up to this point, programming has only been available via web browser on desktops and notebooks and through a special mobile site for iOS only. The app will be compatible with phones and tablets running Android 4.2 or newer and is free to download. What’s more, Aereo members will now be able to connect a Roku box to their Aereo account using their Android device.
An Aereo membership starts at $8 per month which includes access to the company’s cloud-based antenna and DVR technology with 20 hours of DVR storage. The first month of service is on the house for new customers, we’re told.
