Google updates Android TV home screen by introducing new promotional category tabs, according to recent social media reports. While Android TV is gradually being phased out in favour of Google TV, many low-end or older TV models still rely on the Android TV operating system. For these users, Google has rolled out changes, adding several new tabs alongside the existing Play Next bar on the home screen.
A Reddit user recently shared an image of the revamped Android TV home screen, revealing four new tabs: Play Next, Top Selling Movies, Popular Movies and Shows, and Trending on Google. These tabs now appear just below the carousel of app shortcuts on the Android TV home screen, further aligning the interface with the Google TV experience.
This update aims to enhance user navigation and content discovery, providing a more tailored viewing experience. Users can now easily access trending content and popular selections, making it simpler to find something to watch without scrolling through endless lists.
Notably, this update is believed to be a server-side rollout, as affected devices running on Android 9.0 have not received any new system update. This is quite different from the latest smart TVs, which now feature the Android TV 14 OS.
The timing of this change comes as Google shifts its update strategy for Android TV. Previous reports indicate that Google is moving from an annual to a biannual release cycle for Android TV OS updates. This approach aims to provide users with more frequent enhancements and security improvements. As a result, we can expect a more streamlined experience across devices and better support for emerging technologies in the smart home ecosystem.
Instead of releasing Android TV 15, Google is reportedly planning to introduce Android TV 16 directly in 2026. This isn’t the first time a major version has been skipped; Android TV 13 was also bypassed, with Android TV 14 arriving last year.
Additionally, to support older and budget-friendly TVs, Google lowered the minimum RAM requirement for Android TV in November 2024. Devices now need just 1GB of RAM for 1080p streaming, down from the previous 1.5GB minimum; however, 4K streaming will still require 1.5GB of RAM.
Summary:
With these latest changes, Google updates Android TV home screen to align more closely with Google TV, offering improved navigation and new content categories for users on older or less powerful TV models.
