Have you noticed a shift in your Google TV homescreen recently? You’re not alone in this observation.
Last week, Google began rolling out a new redesign for Google TV users, as reported by 9to5Google. Currently, users of devices manufactured by brands like TCL and Walmart Onn are already experiencing this update. This redesign signifies one of the most significant adjustments to the Google TV interface since it was rebranded in 2020.
Among the most notable changes in the redesign is the alteration to the top navigation bar. Many users have expressed dissatisfaction regarding the removal of the Library tab, a feature that greatly assisted in quick navigation to downloaded movies and TV shows.
No longer can users access their content directly from the homescreen; instead, to view your Library, you must click on your profile picture located on the left side of the screen. This action opens a drop-down menu that now houses the Library feature as well as your Watchlist, Your Services, and Content Services.
The updated top navigation menu sees the renaming of the For You tab to Home, creating a simplified structure. This new organization places the Home, Live, and Apps tabs in one category, while Settings and Screensaver options are now in a separate section.
You can observe the redesign in the screenshot below, which showcases an advertisement highlighting some of the latest Gemini AI features within the TV OS:
For a point of reference, here’s an image of the previous layout—complete with the Library tab. Additionally, it’s important to note that the Live tab was previously included on this bar in the US version.
These changes have been confirmed to progressively roll out across users in the US, however, there is no word yet on their availability in other countries. For instance, users in the UK, such as those with the Google TV Streamer, continue to see the previous format even post-update.
As this revamp has not been officially announced by Google, aside from its appearance in some advertisements, there may still be adjustments and fine-tuning occurring in the background over the next few weeks.
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Author: Hannah Cowton-Barnes, Entertainment Editor, Tech Advisor
As Tech Advisor’s Entertainment Editor, Hannah is an expert in all things streaming, film, and TV. Prior to joining Tech Advisor in 2019, she studied Theatre and Performance at the University of Leeds and created a lifestyle website focused on geek culture. She has reviewed a wide array of gadgets, including flagship smartphones and wearables. In addition to her role at Foundry, she’s contributed freelance articles to Polygon, Metro, and Den of Geek, and proudly serves as a Women Techmakers Ambassador for Google.
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