The only way to access photos, is to use voice to display photos, and then there is no control over what you are seeing. I want to be able to select my albums and specific photos.
Don't suggest a third-party app! Google should include an official app with Android TV.
Although there isn't Google Photos app, you can use the Google Assitant and invoke the following commands, provided you have setup you library to work with some of them:
You don't have to say "OK Google" if you are using the microphone on the remote control.
You have to play with this because like I said, they mostly work depending on how you have your library organized.
You can also learn some new commands on this website: OK Google
Remember that you can turn OFF this functionality in the Google Assistant settings.
Let me know if they work for you.
We're been asking that question for at least 5 years.
That's been my question?
I think because instead of spending resources creating something useful they'd rather create another chat or video app.
Almost all services of Google are web based. YouTube and Netflix for Android TV essentially are web apps. Photos always had excellent web page with built in editor.
Google in a month can optimize a Google Photos web app for Android TV with different accounts support. A device with 2GB ram can run it. Videos
Also apps like Home, Earth, Google Arts and Culture, YouTube Music, News, Weather, Podcasts and Stadia can come to Android TV. From 2014 and Google Plus Android TV forum was that guy ranting for Google to bring more of their apps to Android TV. Even calling for Duo app. Guess how many down votes I got suggesting video calling on an Android TV back at 2016. But Duo eventually came to ADTV because of Covid-19 and new working conditions.
My point of view these little devices like Shield, Mi Box and Google TV are miniaturized PC serving the biggest screen of the house shared by almost all members. I expect to be smart home hub, serve music, movies, shows, personal media like photos and videos. I expect from little boxes to bring as many possible functions of PC/mobile OSs to our TVs.
Android Wear was ahead of Watch OS. Many Google fanboys supported the limited features, lack of interest and UI updates saying that's what Google wanted. They making excuses like Wear OS designed to be simple and intuitive , they spoke on behalf of users that they don't want too many complicated features but give us more watchfaces . Now Wear OS is at 6%...
Don't make the same mistakes guys ignore user requests and not supporting different possibilities.
because google
I’m definitely not buying the privacy issue. That’s ridiculous. Apple has the Photos app on their Apple TV streaming device and Google should be no different. Let’s face it, not everybody has something to hide or needs to be private in their photos collection. I have tens of thousands of photos and nothing I care about somebody not seeing. This type of decision to make should be left to the user not Google. The Google photos app should indeed be available on all Google OS platforms and allow the customer to decide what’s right for them.
If I were Google I would answer that it is for privacy, in my case, I wouldn't want any other members of my house (or some guest) to be able to just browse my personal photo albums. If I have to cast from my phone or use my voice that way I feel a little more secure about it.
It's a bizarre decision really. Would be super helpful.
And you can't sideload it either, even though you can connect a mouse if arrow keys don't work. Same with Google News.
Because it was identified in the 1970s, that the person or persons who brought back a giant stack of those slide dispenser trays, with which they then inflicted merciless torture on whichever of their most hapless friends could not manage to flee in time, was a gigantic flaming asshole, with flames so bright they cast their own shadows. It was soon decided by the shadowy cabal (that used to run the world before Menudo took over) that nothing that actually makes photos easy to display on people's TVs in large quantities was to be strongly discouraged, which led the way for those ridiculous little cables that ostensibly connected your digital camera to your TV, but in reality ended up either lost somewhere immediately or became obsolete shortly thereafter when TVs started coming with HDMI and not those stupid three plugs (thanks Menudo!).
Too many situations where private photos could be accidentally viewed by someone browsing aimlessly from the couch.
Totally agreed. Seems almost weird that there is the audio and video app, but no photos
The reason there is no built in photos app is privacy reasons. Lets say a guest is browsing your tv. They can view all your albums. The same goes for google nest hubs. You ask show me my pictures and based on whos asking itll show only that persons pictures through voice match
This is just me speculating, but I think the reason there is that the content may be too sensitive to have it in the "free" access for everybody you share your living room with.
After all, everybody could pick up the remote and start browsing your private photo library. I think a lot of people may not be comfortable with that. And that's why they only have the "cast" approach, where effectively you are in control.
Google Photos > Cast done
For that, you have cast option on your phone. Put yourself in their shoes: would you build an app for a TV to show photos from the cloud when you can already cast them from the phone? An app like Photos is also very resource intensive, I don't think the CPUs in TVs are as powerful as those in phones.
One of the reason is security flaw in october 2019, were users sean other members pictures. I don't think there will never built app again for TV. Regards
Not worth the strain it will put on TV processors when casting is good enough
I am with you on this one.
Google Photos is not just "photos", it's also "videos". And where else is a better place to watch videos than on the TV.
I don't want to cast from phone. I have a smart device (AndroidTV, Shield) that's more than capable of executing Photos app without tieing down my phone.
I want to plop kids in front of the TV and open their vacation vids for them to watch while I catch up on some stuff on my phone. Not hand over the phone to them and sit there myself fiddling with my thumbs.
I want to put the visiting grandparents on the couch, and start a collection of videos and photos of grandkids that they are interested in, while I do something productive on my phone. Not sit there acting as a glorified human remote for supposedly my smart system.