With the latest Google Chromecast, Google changed the rules of the game: instead of being a device to send content to, it had its own operating system and applications, like traditional TV Boxes or TV Sticks, but with a touch of scenario. . It wasn’t Android TV, it was Google TV.
Google TV came up as a new operating system for Smart TV, causing quite a bit of confusion since Android TV had been around for many years already. Currently, TVs are sold with Android TV and Google TV, so the question is inevitable: What does Android TV look like and how is it different from Google TV?
The same Android inside
Let’s start with the most important: No matter how much Google has decided to make us dizzy and confuse us more than necessary, Google TV is Android TV with a lick of paint. It’s sort of the equivalent of a mobile personalization layer like EMUI or Samsung One UI. It is the same, but modified. This time modified by Google.
It is more than obvious when one consults system information, where it is not hidden that, for example, Google TV displays the version of Android TV. It is the same operating system on which the interface and incidentally certain functions have been modified.
Google TV (left) and Android TV (right) are identical inside: Android
In other words, on a Smart TV with Google TV, you can install the same apps as on a TV with Android TV and vice versa. Simply put, Google TV is Android TV personalized by Google in the same way that the Android included in a Google Pixel mobile is not the same as what one would find in a mobile with Android One.
New home screen
Google TV interface focuses more on content than apps
The most important change of Google TV from Android TV is home screen, which could be seen as the “launcher” of television. The biggest change is that this screen focuses on content rather than individual apps.
While Android TV displays a column of apps and content for each of them, Google TV organizes the content into tabs like For you, Direct, Movies, Series. In practice, the idea is that you find something to do regardless of the platform on which it is served, even if the system needs integration between applications which is not available in all regions. .
This home screen integrate Google Play Store in the apps tab, while on Android TV it is still necessary to open the store manually. In addition, the current user profile is clearly visible.
Revisited menus
Google TV settings are displayed in two columns and often include a more detailed explanation of each option.
Not only does this change the home screen on Google TV, but it the appearance of all menus is completely renewed, including TV settings. It’s not a drastic change, but the design is a bit more up to date, with a full-size two-column display, rather than the Android TV and one-column overlay.
As with Android layers, on Google TV some menus change places in the settings, although the most interesting change is that many options include additional explanations what they are for.
No more dependence on Google
Google TV personalization is based on Google accounts, more important than Android TV
The name of Google TV is not accidental, it is an interface for Smart TV that depends a lot on the integration with the Google account. It is so there is a great deal of weight in personalized recommendations, which are based on your profile. In Android TV, you also need a Google Account to take full advantage of it, although it’s not that ubiquitous.
An interesting novelty is that you can add multiple accounts, so that everyone has their own recommendations. User profiles are also waiting to arrive on Android TV. Of course, you can also use Google TV in basic mode, “dumb TV” mode.
Child Profile
Speaking of user profiles, Google TV lets you create a child account, which links to Google’s Family Link parental control app so that you can allow or block certain apps.
This way, parents can use the Family Link app on their mobile to see how long their kids have been watching TV and put a limit
Easiest wizard
Assistant on Google TV includes suggestions, while on Android TV it just listens
Android TV has easy access to the Google Assistant via a button both on the interface and on the remote, but other than that it doesn’t make it much easier to use – you press the button and the assistant listens, nothing more.
On Google TV, the Assistant button becomes a screen with suggestions on what you can ask the assistant, and you can also select any of them to initiate the request without opening your mouth.
Google TV has an app
Finally, Google TV has an official mobile app – the old Google Play Movies – which serves as a sort of companion app. With her you can look for things to see on tv which are available in the various streaming services in which you are registered.
This, with the possibility of add movies or series to “Watch later” From the Google search engine, you can discover content from your mobile at any time, without being in front of the television. Some of these new features are on their way to Android TV.
Google tv
The same, but more modern
In short, we can say that Google TV and Android TV are 90% identical, the remaining 10% being more than the whole aspect. Google TV looks more modern, although this content-rather than app-centric design may turn out to be more boring as a bonus for some users.
While Google bets everything on Google TV, Android TV has not been put to sleep mainly because Google TV is still based on it, so its future seems guaranteed. In addition, some news from Google TV is pending to reach Android TV as well.
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