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Google announces new feature coming to Android TV in the US

Although Google is pushing a new experience to TVs powered by Android TV, the operating system is still getting updates that includes new features or improvements meant to refine it.

If you live in the United States and use a device powered by Android TV, you’ll be happy to know that Google is now rolling out a new update that adds a brand-new quick-access row on the home screen.

Over the next few weeks, Android TV users will be getting a new way to access their favorite entertainment content directly on the home screen. The new quick-access row is positioned below the Favorite Apps row and includes shortcuts to play what’s next, watch free live TV, as well as popular titles and what’s trending on Google.

The quick-access row will make a big difference, as Android TV users will no longer have to jump from app to app to find the content they want to watch. Just keep in mind that it will take weeks for this to pop up on your Android TV device.

February 21, 2024
Apple TV app fully entering the world of Android TV

Once in a blue moon, something beautiful happens when it comes to the relationship between Apple and Google, and in this case, that is the complete introduction of the Apple TV app to all modern devices with Android TV.

The search engine giant said that starting today, the Apple TV app will be available throughout the “Android TV OS ecosystem,” which means that the streaming service is no longer limited to just Sony Bravia TVs and Chromecast with Google TV but is now released to other media and streaming devices manufactured by companies like Xiaomi, OnePlus, Nvidia, and more.

The news of Apple lowering its ecosystem garden walls broke when Nvidia shared that the Apple TV app will be coming to their Shield TV streaming box at the Computex virtual conference this week. Later on, a tweet from a Xiaomi executive further cemented the news by confirming that the app is coming on all of their Android TV products.

Apple extends an extra pair of hands for those who own one or more of their devices in the form of a one-year subscription to the Apple TV+ streaming service. A very welcome gesture that will without a doubt attract even more people to their already popular streaming service, especially considering the generous periodic extensions of this offer that they’ve showcased up until now.

In a very Apple fashion, they also make it easier for you to set up and sign in through your device by offering the option to do it via scanning a QR code that shows up in the app with your iPhone or iPad.

All’s to say, it seems that Apple is starting to loosen up its historical tight grip on its ecosystem, resulting in a wider audience reach for them and more flexibility for us in our choice and preference, which I will welcome any day.
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Google TV app will turn your phone into a remote control for Android TVs

Android TV owners can already use their phones a remote controls thanks to the Android TV Remote Control app. However, that app hasn’t been updated forever, a sign that Google has other plans for the app and the functionality it offers.

Those plans have been revealed today when 9to5google discovered code strings in the Google TV app (previously known as Play Movies & TV) that suggest Google is about to add the same remote control capability available in the Android TV Remote Control app.

The strings refer to a directional pad, enter and back buttons, and the ability to pair a phone to an Android TV, which is exactly what a remote control would do. Unfortunately, the option to turn your phone into a remote control with the Google TV app is not yet functional, but at least we know that you won’t have to use a standalone app to do that.

Judging by how fast Google is bringing new features to its apps, it won’t be surprising to see the new functionality arriving in just a couple of weeks. We’ll keep our eye peeled for any developments, so stay tuned.

Google launches Android 11 on Android TV

Google is bringing Android 11 to Android TV devices, the search giant revealed today. Several performance enhancements and privacy improvements will be part of the new Android update, as well as a plethora of new features specifically designed for the TV.

Among these improvements, Google mentioned enhanced memory management, one-time permissions, and support for Auto Low Latency Mode and low latency media decoding. Since gaming has become such a major part of the entertainment industry, Google is introducing extended gamepad support for Android TV.

Also, silent boot mode for system updates, inactivity prompts, and OEM configurable wake keys are included in the upcoming Android 11 update for Android TV. All these and more should give users greater control over TV functions.

And for those interested, testing on Android TV will be much easier with Android 11 thanks to the addition of the so-called “test harness mode,” a feature for third-party app developers that want to automate a device for a fleet of devices.

According to Google, Android TV OEM partners should release and upgrade to Android 11 over the coming months, so the rollout hasn’t begun yet.

Spotify launches new app for Android TV

Spotify seems to have launched a new version of its app on Android TV. If you already have the old installed, you might want to check for an update via Google Play Store because you’ll certainly benefit from lots of improvements.

The entire Spotify app has been redesigned, and that includes background images and the addition of sidebar for navigation. A new UI is now available to Spotify users on Android TV, which contains a couple of tabs that offer access to various features.

For example, the Home tab now brings up your most recently played albums and playlists, while the Search tab revealed the “Genres & Moods” options that are completely new for the Android TV app. The new app also features multiple sections like Daily Mix, recommended radio stations, and a couple of others depending on your listening tastes.

All these can be accessed from the sidebar on the left that also includes Your Library and Account tab from where you can make changes to your app or sign out from your account. The album and playlist screens, along with Now Playing did not suffer any changes, so don’t look expect any visual improvements when it comes to these aspects.

The update is already rolling out to Android TV devices out there, so make sure to head to Google Play Store and check for its availability.

OnePlus reveals the name of its upcoming Android TV

OnePlus has been dropping hints that it is working on a smart TV since last year. We had nothing concrete on the TV, up until it was listed on Bluetooth SIG, revealing that it will come in a big variety of sizes (from 43 all the way up to 75 inches) and have an LED panel.

Little else was known, beside this, but just recently, a community representative took to the OnePlus forums and actually confirmed what the TV will be called, sharing alongside a (supposedly) final logo for the device. And, you guessed it, it’s called the OnePlus TV… wait, what did you expect? It’s the most logical naming scheme, and the company thought as much:

“Yes, we are going to call our very first smart TV product “OnePlus TV” – simple yet to-the-point – as we believe there’s no other name that can best represent our value, vision and pride than naming it with our own brand.”

The forum thread also reveals the official logo for the OnePlus TV (pictured above), which consists of the OnePlus logo with the letters TV next to it. Again, what else did you expect?

Out of all the Bluetooth SIG listed OnePlus TV sizes, only the 75-inch version is said to be US-bound. Smaller OnePlus TVs will be launched in other parts of the world, with the 43-inch version, which is the smallest of the bunch, being an India-exclusive.

Additional 55-inch and 65-inch OnePlus TV models appear on Bluetooth SIG as well, though it’s unclear where they will be released. Although OnePlus filed 40 model numbers for certifications on Bluetooth SIG, not all of them are different OnePlus TVs. These model numbers are merely indicators about the size and region where they will be launched.

Hulu Live TV coming to Android TV in early August

Hulu announced earlier today that its Live TV app will be available to Android TV users starting next month. The Hulu Live TV is already part of the Android 9.0 Pie update that is now rolling out to NVIDIA Shield TV units, but the app is said to be released in waves over the coming weeks.

Anyway, starting early August, Hulu Live TV, and the updated UI will be available across a range of Android TV devices, including Sony’s Android TV, Xiaomi Mi Box, Hisense Android TVs, and, of course, NVIDIA Shield.

In case you watch Hulu on any of these compatible devices, you’ll be able to subscribe to Hulu Live TVand gain access to live and on-demanded programming from more than 60 channels, including news, sports, and entertainment in one place.

For the time being, the Hulu Live TV and the updated UI are compatible with the Android TV device mentioned above, as well as Apple TV (4th gen.), Amazon Fire TV devices, Amazon’s Echo Show, Roku devices, Xbox One, iOS and Android mobile devices, Nintendo Switch, select LG and Samsung TVs, VIZIO SmartCast TVs, Windows 10, Mac and PC browsers, and Chromecast.