Pictures: Google TV’s new interface

By Scott Younker October 31, 2011

Google TV hasn’t been one of Google’s success stories. It was plagued with interface problems and is still being blocked by major TV networks from searching their content. That alone might be a cause for its lack of popularity.

However, Google hasn’t given up on GTV and is updating the system. It’s more of an overhaul, really. There are four big ones that you should be aware of.

First, Google cleaned up the interface and made it much simpler and easier to understand. The look reminds us of Google’s tablet UI “Honeycomb,” though Google isn’t officially labeling it as such. Still, it’s a step forward.

Previously the search system was a bit broken. Google improved searching and has improved how you search for programs to watch. They’ve also figured out a way to help you search for something if even if you’re not quite sure what you’re looking for.

Android apps are being added to Google TV. We’re not sure how some of the touchscreen based ones will translate to TV (if they will at all) but the idea seems good on paper. YouTube viewing and searching has been improved as well. For example, if you are into watching videos of Pugs you can create a Pug video channel so that you can find as many Pug videos as you desire.

Unfortunately, as mentioned above, Google TV is still being blocked by all of the major TV networks from browsing their content. The updates are nice but that will be the biggest hurdle to GTV gaining popularity.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Google

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Mobile

The Google Pixel Fold 2 just leaked. Here’s everything that’s new

Schematics of Google Pixel 2 according to leaks.

Google’s next foldable phone is going to be a screamer, and not solely for good reasons, if the latest leaks are to be believed. SmartPrix (via OnLeaks) has shared alleged renders depicting the Google Pixel Fold 2, and it looks like a mixed bag of regressive design and positive developments.
The biggest change compared to the first-gen Google Pixel Fold is a camera bump that ditches the stretched bar look on the current-gen Pixel smartphones. Instead, we now have a rectangular design with two rows of pill-shaped black outlines, hosting three camera lenses and a bunch of other sensors.
It’s a stark departure from the mainstream Pixel camera bar, and it revives a look that was last seen on the Pixel 5 and Pixel 4 series phones. Looks aside, the side placement also means the phone will keep wobbling if you place it on a flat surface. I’m not exactly a fan of this approach, to be honest.

Another notable change is the side profile. The curved edges of the Pixel Fold have been flattened, a look that will also appear on the Google Pixel 9 series phones, according to leaked renders.
But if you look closely and ignore the ugly camera hump shape, the Pixel Fold 2 looks identical to the OnePlus Open in its leathery black trim. The side rails, those curved bezels, and the front camera placement are all identical.
Even the ridge seems to have been lifted straight from the OnePlus Open, down to its polished metal aesthetics. It’s not a bad thing, as the OnePlus Open is one of the best-built phones I’ve ever used, and the form factor is an absolute joy to handle.
The most progressive change happens once the phone is opened. The thick bezels are gone, and what we see on the Pixel Fold 2 renders are uniformly thin bezels on all sides, a trend that we first noticed on the foldable phones offered by Oppo.

Mobile

Google just announced Android 15. Here’s everything that’s new

Android fans, it's time to start your hype engines. Google just released the first developer preview for Android 15 — kicking off the release of the next big Android update.

This is just the first step in a months-long process of Android 15's rollout, which will see numerous developer previews and betas before the final release later this year. So, what's new, when is Android 15 officially releasing, and should you download it? Here's everything you need to know.
What's new in Android 15

Mobile

How to turn off Google Assistant on any device

How to turn off Google Assistant

Google Assistant is a powerful tool, but sometimes it chimes in at inopportune moments. Whether accidentally taking a command from a TV show or mishearing your request, there are times that it's best to turn the voice assistant off. Thankfully, Google makes it easy to turn off Google Assistant on your smartphone and connected smart devices.