Skip to content
Living

Google TV gets design tweak that makes your favorite apps more accessible

By Rajiv Menon
2 min read
Google TV
Google TV
In this article (4)

Google TV is once again getting a design tweak. Following the addition of new landing pages last year aimed at simplifying navigation, the “For you” screen is now tackling the “Your apps” row, introducing several updates to make navigation easier and your overall viewing experience more enjoyable.

The app icons on your Google TV are sporting a brand new look, with the old squares and rectangles gone and circular app icons replacing them. This change aims to give your home screen a more modern feel while also making it easier to locate your favorite applications.

The update also adds a new shortcut that gives you direct access to free TV channels on Google TV. The platform added over 800 new fully-integrated free channels last year that included hit TV shows, game shows, music channels, various entertainment shows, and more — all without downloading additional apps or paying for a subscription.

Now, you’ll have yet another way to access these channels, without having to click away from the “For you” section. For your convenience, a new shortcut to free channels will now be added to the “Your apps” row.

Now that the app icons will be circular, they will take up less space. This opened the door for Google TV to expand the number of app icons visible in the “Your apps” row. You can quickly jump into more of your most-used apps without scrolling.

You have always been able to rearrange the order of your apps, however, the process wasn’t exactly very user-friendly. Now, Google TV will feature “reorder” and “add app” buttons at the end of the “Your apps” row. This will allow you to take control of your app layout by moving your favorites to the front and seamlessly discovering and installing new apps to enhance your entertainment setup.

These updates are rolling out over the next few months, so watch your Google TV screen for the transformation. With a sleeker design, easier access to content, and more user control, Google TV is continuously improving at putting your entertainment experience first.

Questions & Answers

Q.

What is the primary change to the app icons on Google TV?

A.

The app icons on Google TV are changing from old squares and rectangles to circular shapes. This aims to give the home screen a more modern feel and help users find their favourite applications more easily.

Q.

How will users access free TV channels more directly after this update?

A.

A new shortcut for free TV channels will be added to the "Your apps" row. This allows direct access to the hundreds of free channels without needing to navigate away from the "For you" section.

Q.

What new controls are being added for managing the app layout?

A.

Google TV will now include "reorder" and "add app" buttons at the end of the "Your apps" row. This gives users better control over their app layout, making it easier to move and install applications.

Reader pulse

Are these Google TV changes significant for user engagement?

19,755 votes so far

Weekly Briefing

Asia's retail intelligence, in your inbox

Tuesday, Thursday and a Saturday Weekly Wrap: the retail stories, numbers and moves that mattered across Asia. Nothing else, and you can unsubscribe in one click.

  • Top industry moves and market shifts
  • Weekly data-driven analysis from across Asia
  • Tuesday, Thursday and the Saturday Weekly Wrap

Read by retail operators, investors and brand teams across Asia.

Protected by a quick human check. No spam, ever. Unsubscribe in one click.

SecureGDPR ready