Looks like it was a big year for Android TV

by Deadpool-fan-466

I've been acquainted with Android TV since only October 2020, but it seems we saw many improvements regarding the OS in the year 2021.

To me, highlights of Android TV in this year would be:

  • The "New" Android TV UI (aka the "Discover" UI)
  • Apple TV & Amazon Music becoming available
  • YouTube finally adding the "playback speed" feature (and most recently, video chapter support )
  • The new boot animation rolling out to more devices via OTA/Firmware updates (about damn time!)
  • Play Store on Android TV adding the "Check for Updates" button, at last
  • The new remote, in Google TV/Google Play Movies & TV app (added to Google Home app later)
  • Google TV adding integration to more streaming & Live TV services

If anything's missing, let me know.

epictetusdouglas

New devices to choose from like the inexpensive ONN Devices.

alex3305

The New UI is horrendous. Yes it looks pretty, but it's only adverts for services I don't want or need. Just integrate it with the apps that I have installed on device.

Google TV is really only available in select countries.

rooser1111

just rather patiently waiting for auto res switching and framerate matching

mrrask

imo they f'd up so bad that I had to uninstall several updates for my launcher, and disable google play services, to have a decent looking android tv box. So now I ended up with a semi-crippled box, where I have to go through that same process each time I want to install a new app, or anything like that. THANKS GOOGLE

ThroawayPartyer

Isn't this the year where many people got ads? I saw many complaints about that, definitely not a good thing.

For whatever reason though, I didn't get that update. Maybe because I'm not in the US? The UI on my SHIELD TV still looks the same as last year.

[deleted]

The biggest positive was also the biggest negative IMO. That being that Google remembered that Android TV was a thing and that they should probably play a leading role in pushing the platform forward. That renewed attention brought a lot of benefits, but it also led to the new UI being jammed with ads and unnecessary "cruft" that is especially annoying on expensive devices. I'm sure this is a broken record, but it's one thing to have ads shoved at you on a $25-50 device, it's another on a $150-200 Shield TV.

RazerHey

The breaking of the android tv remote app was the only sad part

Terminator857

Thanks for that writeup, very interesting to see. Didn't realize so much happened!

I'm wondering when Google Assistant is going to be considered a hit. For example for home automation or many other use cases. Perhaps when the always listening works better.

izhar12

Last 2 points are very helpful for me

k0risnickoime

I kinda liked the old boot animation more

Physicallykrisp

Anyone in the UK get the "Discovery" update

Goodspike

The new Android remote caused me to move to a Fire TV Cube. Too many disconnects and too many crashes of my phone which never crashes otherwise. The faster processor makes it all worth it.

So it was a sad year for Android/Google TV.