I love my AppleTV, I just don't love how locked down it is. I love how I can say "Search YouTube for history documentaries" or "Play the song that goes 'we are the champions'" and it knows what to do. I love how I can speed scroll through items by using the trackpad on the remote.
Is there an android box that does any of the above?
The only real alternative that offers the quality of Apple TV and a similar feature set is the Nvidia Shield.
Even the Fire Stick 4k can do that stuff. You have anything that may be specific to Apple TV.
Every official Android TV box can do the voice search you mentioned. Google Assistant is a pretty powerful beast. Track pad remotes are not a thing on ATV, but it is a well optimized experience with a standard remote; I've had no issues with just scrolling through a list pushing buttons.
I always recommend the Nvidia Shield, and if you have Apple TV money, you have Shield money. But even the cheap ones like the MiBox S should be able to do that.
You can invoked all those "commands" with the Google Assistant, therefore, recommended Android TV devices are:
Certified Android TV devices WITH Netflix and Prime Video certifications:
- AirTV Mini
- Ematic Jetstream
- Nvidia Shield TV
- Tivo Stream 4K
- Verizon Stream TV
- Xiaomi Mi Box S
- Xiaomi Mi TV Stick (1080p and 4K variants)
Certified Android TV devices with Netflix ONLY certification:
- AT&T TV
- JBL Link Bar
Certified Android TV devices with Prime Video ONLY certification:
- Mecool KM1 (Available at mecoolonline.com )
- Mecool KM3 (Available at mecoolonline.com , where you can also download the NEW Android 10 firmware update for this model)
- Mecool KM9PRO (Available at mecoolonline.com , where you can also download the NEW Android 10 firmware update for this model)
Certified Android TV devices WITHOUT Netflix and Prime Video certifications:
- Channel Master Stream Plus (with ATSC dual tuner built-in but outdated Android TV version)
- Minix Neo T5 (With gigabit ethernet but remote control doesn't have a microphone)
For more info about all certified Android TV devices, head over to Android TV Guide website.