There’s rather a lot to love about Google TV: the good TV and streaming gadget working system appears good, works properly, and successfully integrates all of your completely different streaming companies right into a single, intuitive interface that’s straightforward to make use of. With the Google TV Streamer launch, the OS is more likely to appeal to much more customers.
Despite the fact that its interface is designed to be as simple and clear as potential, the software program nonetheless presents loads of options and choices in case you dig deeper. Whether or not you’re utilizing Google TV on the brand new streaming field, a Chromecast with Google TV dongle, or a sensible TV, listed below are some ideas to pay attention to.
1) Simplify the Google TV interface
The Google TV interface is okay as it’s, however you may make it even easier by opening All settings (the gear icon, high proper), then Accounts and Profiles: Choose your title, then allow Apps-only mode. All the Google TV suggestions about what to look at will disappear from view, leaving solely the audio and video streaming apps you’ve put in.
2) Use your telephone as a distant
Whether or not you’ve misplaced your precise distant someplace down the again of the sofa otherwise you simply want the comfort of utilizing your cell gadget, you may management Google TV utilizing the Google TV app for Android or iOS on a telephone or pill. For the trick to work, you simply have to be on the identical Wi-Fi community and signed into the identical Google account.
Within the app, it is best to see a pop-up close to the underside toolbar that claims Join TVs or TVs close by. Faucet on this to decide on your Google TV gadget and enter the pairing code. You possibly can then faucet the little distant icon to regulate the big-screen interface out of your gadget. You get a trackpad, quantity controls, a Google Assistant button, and energy controls as properly.
3) Flip Google TV into a photograph body
If you wish to, you need to use albums out of your Google Pictures library as a screensaver: Open All settings (the gear icon, high proper), then choose System and Ambient mode, after which Settings. You’ll see Google Pictures listed as one of many choices—select this to get directions—and you’ll change settings reminiscent of slideshow velocity from right here, too.
4) Change the house display screen format
One thing that’s not instantly obvious from utilizing the Google TV interface day-to-day is you can change the order of the leisure apps on display screen. It means you may entry those you employ most frequently extra rapidly whereas conserving lesser-used ones out of the best way—and that is one thing that’s potential on each the For you and Apps screens.
All you must do is choose an app, press and maintain the choose button on the distant, and select Transfer from the menu that pops up. Put it the place you’d prefer it to be, then select Achieved to verify. The identical pop-up menu additionally has a View particulars choice—you may observe this to seek out an Uninstall button for eradicating a specific app from the gadget.
5) Enhance your suggestions
Are the Google TV content material suggestions simply not doing it for you? Enhance the algorithm by opening All Settings (the gear icon, high proper), then choosing Accounts and profiles, your title, and Content material preferences. Google TV will then current you with a choice of films and exhibits to which you’ll give a thumbs up or a thumbs down.
6) Set up apps from anyplace
You’ll wish to fill your Google TV gadget with leisure apps, and it’s typically simpler to do that in your telephone or laptop. So long as the identical Google account is linked, you may open the Play Retailer app in your cell gadget, discover an app you need, then faucet the arrow subsequent to the Set up button and select your Google TV gadget.
It really works equally on the net, too—head to the Play Retailer net portal, search for an app you want, after which click on on the Set up or Set up on extra gadgets button to see a listing of gadgets linked to your Google account. This could embrace your Google TV gadget. If the app is suitable with Google TV, you may then choose it to start out a distant set up.
7) Add to your watchlist from anyplace
Considered one of Google TV’s greatest options is the watchlist you may entry by way of the Library tab, which hyperlinks to the streaming companies you’ve put in. You possibly can add to this record by way of Google from any gadget (in case you’re signed into your Google account): Run a seek for the film or present you wish to add to your watchlist, then click on “Wish to watch” on the outcomes web page.
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