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Google has released the final add-on for the upcoming release of the software development kit (SDK) it has created to enable developers to build Android apps for the Google TV environment.

Describing the differences in the latest version from the preview release as "minor", they do nonetheless alter the appearance of the Google TV user interface in a number of ways: the Action Bar now renders horizontally, in line with other Android devices (although Google has also published code for a left-hand side navigation bar).

The update also provides additional keys on the screen for quick access of such features as picture-in-picture, fast forward and channel up/down (these keys will however only work with the next Android SDK Tools, revision 14). The final add-on is available here.
 
Ambarish Kenghe, product manager for Google TV, stated: "We’re very excited about the strong interest from the developer community in bringing their apps to TV, and we look forward to continuing to deliver powerful tools which enable innovative forms of entertainment for the living room."

Our view: The signs are getting increasingly clear that Google wishes to converge its Google TV and Android platforms, or at least make them mutually compatible: by making Android apps work within the Google TV environment, it might give a final push to those Android users who are considering trying Google TV products.

It would be another step towards building an overarching ecosystem that includes mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets, connected TV devices based on Google TV as well as pay-TV services which use Android (EchoStar Europe recently outed a polished new set-top box based on Android), and also potentially the new Chromebooks.

The introduction of Google's Android@Home project earlier this year hinted at the extent to which it plans to dominate the connected home, and whilst joining up these different dots will take time and a lot of work, doubt is dwindling that it is Google's end-game for Android.

For our recent interview with Suveer Kothari, head of international - Google TV, please click here

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