Google is launching a new update for Android TV that gives its smart TV operating system a new look – almost identical to the user interface of the company’s Google TV software on its latest Chromecast.
The new interface updates the appearance of Android TV to make it more aligned with Google TV, adding content scrolling carousels highlighted at the top of the menus and exchanging large icons for more minimalist tabs.
That said, there are some differences between the Chromecast’s Google TV user interface and the updated Android TV. The new Android TV menu features three main tabs: home, for quick access to apps and channels; applications, as a dedicated place to find your applications; and an all-new Discover tab, which offers personalized recommendations for TV shows and movies, along with hot Google content – similar to the “For you” tab on Google TV.
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On the other hand, the Google TV user interface uses the “For you” tab mentioned earlier as the home screen and then divides specific pieces of content into dedicated programs, movies and live guides, instead of putting them all together in one place. It also makes it easier to get the content of your purchase through a library guide that Android TV lacks.
It’s still a good-looking update, however, that helps to align Google’s disparate smart TV platforms a little more – even though it remains a little disconcerting that Google TV and Android TV still exist as separate products with different interfaces in this time. (Google still plans to offer Google TV on newer smart TVs in the future.)
The updated Android TV UI will start rolling out today on Android TV OS devices in the U.S., Australia, Canada, Germany and France, with more countries promised in the coming weeks.