GoKawiilAndy Walker / Android Authority
It’s always exciting when a product receives a new software update, but I can’t help but shudder nowadays when Google TV rolls one out. With its latest revision, Google seems intent on making you love YouTube Shorts, placing the short-form video content made for vertical devices on the default Google TV home screen.
Thankfully, you don’t have to stand for this or any of the home screen quirks. The first thing I did after purchasing my Chromecast with Google TV was install a third-party launcher. Given the latest update, there’s never been a better time to join the club.
How would you grade the latest Google TV update? 172 votes A 22 % B 13 % C 12 % D 15 % F 38 %
Is this really the best big-screen experience you can give us, Google?
Joe Maring / Android Authority
The Google TV interface suffers from Google’s usual software issues: an abundance of bloat, virtually no customization features, and forced content choices that you have very little control over. There’s nothing quite like a sponsored box occupying half the display that has nothing to do with anything I’m watching.
I’m not alone in my annoyance, either.
“EVERY DAY ANOTHER STUPID ADVERT ALL OVER MY TV,” writes a particularly perturbed Google TV user on the default launcher’s Play Store listing. “Nowhere on the listing for a Google TV Streamer did it say that it comes with adverts for Cloud Servers, McDonalds or Gold bloody Rings.”
I’ve never seen a Google Play Store review echo my feelings so accurately.
... continue reading