Google’s latest Chromecast was announced last year and announced the eventual transition from Android TV to Google TV. But, unlike custom skins, this new interface – with features like the Live tab and better integration with the Assistant – is also being made available to third-party TV manufacturers like Sony and TCL. We are now learning that these devices will also be provided with a basic TV mode that takes them out of their wits.
Sighted by 9to5Google on an ADT-3 dongle, the new mode will be available as an option during the initial setup process on TVs that come with Google TV. Basic TV mode offers only live TV and support for external devices, eliminating almost everything Google TV offers, including the ability to stream content.
Google TV vs. Basic TV
As you might expect, the home screen in this mode is quite … basic. There is a dedicated Dashboard button and presumably there will also be buttons for quickly accessing live TV and HDMI inputs. The screenshot below does not show these buttons, as the ADT-3 does not have the necessary inputs to activate these UI elements.
Perhaps the good news is that it won’t be too difficult to switch to the smart experience if users want to. There is a permanent banner on the home screen and a prominent notice in the settings menu that will allow users to move quickly to the smart side of things. However, users who want to switch from Google TV to Basic TV seem to have to do a full reset.
Google says the new mode was designed with users who do not have access to the Internet in mind. This can satisfy the needs of those who prefer the simplicity of a dumb TV. Take off those bunny ears!
