Almost one year ago, Talk Android‘s Justin Herrick made a bold prediction that by the end of 2017, Android TV would be dead. At Google I/O 2017, Google mentioned a facelift for the platform and today they released more details about the redesigned user interface and how it will help open up the platform for developers. Will it be enough to save the platform from the dustbin of failed Google experiments or just a last gasp at life?
Google describes the new interface for Android TV as being “content centric” with a dash of Google Assistant coming to the platform later this year. With the help of Google Assistant and the streamlined interface, users will be able to use voice commands or just a few clicks to start watching what they want.
Google says the organization of the content will be “in a way that's familiar to TV viewers.” Apps will be accessed from a row at the top of the screen and then that apps channels will appear as individual rows with their respective shows in each row. Google indicates users will be able to select the channels and order they are displayed on the home screen to make it easier to access content they are interested in.
Along with the revamp for apps and channels, Google is adding a quick launch bar for favorite apps. A new “Watch Next” channel will also be displayed suggesting “programs based on the viewing habits of the user.”
One of the criticisms we here at TalkAndroid had regarding Android TV was the relatively closed nature of the platform. Google appears to be correcting that in hopes of attracting new apps or improved apps for Android TV. To do that, Google is providing a set of new TvProvider APIs with Android O.
Later this year, Google plans to release an OTA update for Nexus Players to give them the new Android TV interface. Likewise, Google Assistant will be coming to Android TV later this year. With Google Assistant, users will be able to do things like control playback of content or find content using voice commands. Google says the Google Assistant will be available on Android devices in the U.S. running Android Marshmallow, Nougat or O.
Does this even mean anything for potential users or buyers? Let us know what you think in the comments.
source: Google
Looks like TalkAndroid was wrong on their prediction.
Android TV is more active than ever
Talk Android wasn’t wrong. I was wrong, and I have no problem admitting that. They turned the platform around and got it onto more devices than I expected.
Serve me crow and I’ll eat it!
One feature they have removed and i dont like it. Is long press home = close or select open apps. This was very handy when using an app that was hanging.. Now you have to wait 1 or 2 mins for the app to time out. Kinda a pain when you have sat down to watch something. Seems like the random disconnect of wifi has been corrected.. I like that… I am not sold on the new interface.. The old interface did seem more intuitive and clean..
You are on an early beta. You have no idea of those won’t be back before official release.