Android TV will look more like Google TV, this is how the new interface looks like

Google is going to bring some of the Google TV interface to Android TV devices. The rollout will start today in a number of countries.

Google TV vs Android TV

Android TV is an operating system for TVs and media players. Google TV is a shell over Android TV. Google TV therefore comes with a number of extras and a different appearance. The Chromecast with Google TV, the successor to the Chromecast Ultra, is the first device to come with Google TV. Google TV is supposed to be the successor to Android TV, but now Google decides to bring part of the look to Android TV. The company reports this in the Android TV Community.

The ‘For You’ section containing personalized content is now rolling out to Android TV devices. In addition, the Discover tab comes to these devices. That does not immediately mean that these devices have the Google TV shell with this update, but there are many more similarities.

New features for Android TV devices

The biggest change can be found in the Android TV home screen. The search function and the Google Assistant remain in the top left corner, but the sidebar with among others Apps and Watch next has completely disappeared. Instead, there are now three tabs at the top: Home, Discover and Apps.

Android TV: old situation

Android TV: after the update

The Discover or Discover tab is new to Android TV, getting close to the For You feature on the Chromecast with Google TV. According to Google, this feature offers “personalized recommendations based on what you watch and what interests you, in addition to what’s popular on Google.” The recommendations are based on the apps and subscriptions you have.

Why is Google doing this?

This update is a strange move by Google as the company has previously stated that its goal is to move current Android TV hardware over time to the Google TV UI. Still, Google previously teased that “some features” of the new UI would come to Android TV, and it seems this update is the result of that. Another reason could be that the update is a stopgap for the TVs and set-top boxes that don’t end up updating to the Google TV UI.

Availability update

The update with the new tabs is rolling out to Android TV devices in the United States, Australia, Canada, Germany and France starting today. The update will be rolled out to more countries in the coming weeks. Since Google TV and the Chromecast with Google TV are not officially released in the Netherlands and Belgium, it is not certain whether we will also see the personalized recommendations on Android TV here. The For you tab is also not found here on the Chromecast with Google TV, as you can read in our review.

Android TV: after the update