Google TV redesign shifts focus to immersive experience with streamlined search interface

Google TV is rolling out a significant redesign of its mobile Android app, marking a departure from the traditional full-width search bar that has been a staple of the interface. This update is part of a broader trend among first-party apps to create a cleaner, more immersive user experience.

The earlier design showcased a full-width search bar prominently displaying “Google TV” branding at its center, accompanied by a voice input shortcut and an account switcher/menu on the sides. However, with the redesign, Google TV has opted to replace the search bar with a more minimalist approach. The updated interface includes just a magnifying glass icon next to the user’s profile avatar, while the “Google TV” branding is now positioned in the top-left corner. This change allows artwork to extend to the very top of the screen, contributing to a visually appealing and immersive experience.

One of the devices benefiting from this redesign is the Pixel Fold, where the elimination of the large search bar creates a more engaging aesthetic on the device’s larger screen. While the large-screen UI remains unchanged for now, the absence of a full-width search field is seen as a positive shift, enhancing visual appeal.

When users initiate a search, they are greeted with a new “Explore genres” grid that categorizes content into genres such as Action, Animated, and Comedy. This feature leads to a dedicated page filled with various content carousels, offering a more organized way to discover new shows and movies. This addition marks a significant improvement over the previous design, which lacked such categorization.

The move away from full-width search bars is not unique to Google TV; other Google apps like Google Messages and the Play Store have also adopted similar designs. The reasoning behind this trend is that a magnifying glass icon is visually clear and takes up less space, while still indicating search functionality. However, critics argue that a large search bar provides an easily accessible touch target, especially in apps where search is a key component.

As part of a server-side rollout, this redesigned Google TV interface is not yet widely available but has been spotted on select devices running version 4.39.2486.x of the app. As the rollout continues, users can anticipate a more immersive experience that prioritizes visual engagement over traditional search functionalities.