KT Launches 'Giga Genie A' Set-Top Box Equipped with Android TV

[Asia Economy Reporter Seulgina Cho] KT announced that starting from the 8th, it will launch the ‘Giga Genie A,’ equipped with Google’s Android TV operating system (OS) on its IPTV service Olleh tv set-top box. Olleh tv is the first in Korea to install the latest version of Android TV OS on an IPTV set-top box.

The biggest feature of ‘Giga Genie A’ is that subscribers can directly download Google Play applications (apps) and freely use the services they want. Various OTT services available in Korea can be installed as apps on Olleh tv and enjoyed on a large screen. Additionally, by using Google Chromecast, streaming videos previously watched on mobile devices can be seamlessly continued on the TV.

YouTube usability has also been greatly improved. The AI functions, excluding the speaker, from the existing Giga Genie are retained, allowing users to search YouTube content by voice. The YouTube app is placed on the first screen of the TV app-exclusive menu ‘GenieApps’ for easier access. Furthermore, shortcut buttons for YouTube and Netflix have been added to the remote control.

Giga Genie A can be used at the same monthly rental fee of 3,300 KRW (including VAT, IPTV service fee separate, with a 3-year contract) as the existing standard set-top box. However, additional costs may occur if existing subscribers request a set-top box replacement.

Along with this, KT is continuously strengthening lifestyle-oriented TV app services by partnering with various home entertainment partners for Olleh tv customers who are spending more time at home due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic. Services such as the online class platform ‘Class101,’ ‘Smart Golf,’ which analyzes swing posture using AI, home screen golf game ‘Pie Golf,’ and AI live home training ‘Howfit’ are provided through Olleh tv.

Kim Hoon-bae, Executive Vice President and Head of KT Media Platform Business Division, stated, “To meet the rapidly changing media environment and diverse customer needs, including the growing domestic and international OTT markets, we have applied the latest version of Android TV OS to an IPTV set-top box for the first time in Korea.”