Abstract
- The latest visual overhaul of Google TV introduces circular icons, saves space and offers a new look for the home screen.
- The redesign also adds more apps to the Your Apps section, with customization options included to change the order and add apps.
- Google TV now includes a shortcut to free TV channels in the Your app section so users can enjoy a variety of TV content for free.
We really love the Google TV platform for everything it brings to the table, with the platform receiving a performance upgrade back in December, bringing faster load times and other improvements. Google is now announcing a visual overhaul for Google TV with several visual changes and minor tweaks to existing functionality.
How to use Google TV
How to use Google’s version of Plex
Google TV is preparing this icon redesign in the Your applications section for some time. Back in November, Google revealed that developers would have to change their icons for Google TV apps. Android expert and AP contributor Mishaal Rahman publish he X then explained this new requirement in great detail.
Circular app icons give a new look to the Google TV home screen, which currently features chunky rectangular boxes/icons for each app in the Your Apps row. This new design also saves a lot of space, and Google says it has increased the number of apps in the Your Apps section, adding i rearrange and add apps keys for additional adjustment of the horizontal row. In its current form, scrolling to the end of a line in your application offers a See everything option that opens a page that shows all the apps installed on the Google TV product.
Here’s what your application queue currently looks like
Finally, Google also adds a shortcut to free TV channels within the bar of your app. A few months ago we saw free TV channels appear on Android TV, so it was only a matter of time before they appeared on Google TV. You’ll be able to watch “everything from local news to movies to sports” at no cost, Google says in the announcement.
While most of these changes should roll out over the next few days, some features, like free TV channels, are limited to the US. Germany also supports live TV, but in a limited capacity. Google’s support page provides a comprehensive list of all the free TV channels you can access in the US. The redesigned home screen isn’t live on my Chromecast with Google TV right now, though Google says these changes will be rolling out to “all devices over the next few months,” so we may have to wait a bit here.