GoKawiilHadlee Simons / Android Authority
One of my favorite Google TV features is undoubtedly the screensaver. Wait, isn’t that just a logo bouncing around a screen? Not quite. Ambient Mode, as it’s officially called, can display images from sources such as NASA, Getty, and Google Arts & Culture. It prevents screen burn-in while transforming my TV into an art gallery. It’s brilliant, but it has one talent that makes it even more valuable.
It can showcase images from my Google Photos library and albums, many of which contain deeply cherished memories of my travels. The feature is so good, in fact, that I often find myself fumbling around trying to open the Google Photos app on my TV, only to remember that this isn’t possible.
Do you want a native Google Photos app for Google TV? 16 votes Yes, I do. 88 % No, the current solutions are fine. 13 % I don't use Google TV. 0 %
That was the good; now let me address the bad. For some undiscernible reason, there is still no official Google Photos app for Google TV, and it’s about time the company addresses this obvious shortcoming.
Casting or searching for photos isn’t the same as exploring them with a remote
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
“But you CAN view your photos on Google TV, so what’s the problem?” is the company’s probable argument, but I just can’t agree with that point of view. The current methods of accessing my photos simply can’t emulate the broad usability and functionality of a dedicated app.
As I’ve mentioned, Ambient Mode is a great feature, but it’s a screensaver. Its primary purpose is to prevent pixel burn-in on my TV, not to allow me to flick through specific albums. The fact that a screensaver is the best way to browse Google Photos on a TV highlights the platform’s problem.
Andy Walker / Android Authority
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