Live AndroidTv aims to bring families together with its imminent launch after its recent selection as a finalist in the Africa 2.0 startup competition in South Africa.
HumanIPO reported last week on the Start Up Africa 2.0 programme, hosted in the Bandwidth Barn in Woodstock, Cape Town.
With the goals of combining internet and television, Live AndroidTv will offer an affordable smart device-based service on open platform.
Egyptian founder Sherif Abdalla also wants to bring people together through this combination.
Speaking to HumanIPO, Abdalla said: “I dreamt that I [would] bring the whole family together, rather than sitting apart each with its own laptop.”
The product offers benefits of affordability and simplified accessibility in comparison to traditional satellite television.
According to him, there was great interest from both the public and the judging panel during the startup programme.
“My project really interested everyone especially because it is a new idea,” he said.
At a recent Gumtree-based demonstration, 150 of the Live AndroidTv devices were sold at a price of ZAR3,499 (US$375), including a cable and launch package.
However, the goal is to lower the cost to ZAR799 (US$86).
Currently in the process of gathering a team, the launch is to be expected within the next month.
Through high definition cable, viewers will be able to connect with their televisions, with alternative options of Wi-Fi, 3G and landline connection.
With the whole African market in mind, Abdalla aims to kick off in Cape Town, South Africa where his startup Get2easy is based, while remaining open to investors and partners in other countries.
Further possibilities include the launch of personal channels, already trending in the United States, as well as unlimited channel access.
Educational broadcasting, as well as private business prospects are also future ventures for further development.
“[In this way] companies can grow, tools can grow and steady growth [maintained] with the exact tech for every company’s own needs,” he said.
Abdalla plans to offer shares to its investors while fund acquisition of approximately ZAR15 to 20 million (US$1.6 to 2.1 million) is underway.
Countries most likely to see the release after South Africa are Angola and Namibia.
With no other competitors, the entrepreneur is keen to “kill satellite TV” with the goal of
making these services more widely available.
Through further adjustments, Live AndroidTv will also be available as a smartphone app.
