The brand new Dwelling tab for Android TV.
Google is giving Android TV an replace to make it look extra like its new Google TV software, including three new tabs to its house display screen interface. Rolling out from Wednesday, the replace will revamp the interface to function tabs for Dwelling, Uncover and Apps.
Just like the structure of Google TV, all three tabs will likely be positioned on the prime of the interface, changing Android TV’s earlier list-and-tile structure. The Dwelling tab will stay the central location for accessing favourite apps and channels, whereas the corporate says that the Uncover tab will show “personalised suggestions based mostly on what you watch and what pursuits you.” The Apps tab will show any functions you have put in.
Like Roku and Amazon’s Fireplace TV, Google’s Android TV and Google TV are the search big’s platforms for streaming apps and content material in your tv. Each of Google’s platforms help a wide range of apps together with Netflix, Disney Plus and HBO Max, combine carefully with Google Assistant for search and have digital shops for renting or shopping for motion pictures and TV reveals.
A Google spokesperson says that the replace will head to “all retail gadget companions that use our normal Android TV house display screen” and doesn’t apply to these with Google TV gadgets such because the Chromecast with Google TV. These within the US, Canada, Australia, Germany and France will get the brand new software program first, with the corporate promising “extra nations to observe within the coming weeks.”
The corporate stopped quick, nevertheless, of promising that present Android TV merchandise seeing at present’s replace will get an eventual improve to Google TV, which has develop into the software program focus for Google’s future lounge ambitions.
Among the many enhancements that Google TV presents are a “For You” tab that additional streamlines the interface, together with a “proceed watching” part to rapidly bounce again into the film or present you had been viewing. There’s additionally improved integration with stay providers comparable to YouTube TV and Sling TV.
Learn extra: Streaming TV Insider
The underlying Android software program model quantity can also be increased on most Google TV gadgets. Google says Android TVs is not going to be getting an OS model improve as a part of this replace. Whereas the Chromecast with Google TV launched with Android 10, a variety of Android TV gadgets nonetheless use earlier variations of Android.
Finally month’s CES, each TCL and Sony introduced that they are going to ship new TVs within the US this 12 months with Google TV as a substitute of Android TV. Sony, which has lengthy used Android TV because the platform of alternative for its televisions, mentioned it is going to use the Google TV software for all of its 2021 TVs.
“Presently, we’re centered on bringing the Google TV expertise to new retail gadgets like Sony and TCL,” a Google spokesperson mentioned. “Over time, all new retail gadgets on the Android TV OS may have the Google TV expertise. Till then, we’re bringing new options, like personalised suggestions within the Uncover tab, to present Android TV gadgets to assist folks uncover new reveals and flicks to look at.”
