What is the difference between Android TV and Google TV?

Google has caused quite a mess. By 2020, things were pretty clear. If there was an Android TV label on the TV, you knew that the TV had the Android operating system installed on it. In the last three years, however, customers have been confused by the Android TV and Google TV brands. Aren't they one and the same? What is the difference between Android TV and Google TV?

First, let's clear up the concept of Google TV systems. The original Google TV was presented at the I/O event in 2010. It was developed by Google, Intel, Sony and Logitech. It was based on Android version 3.0. Although it was not exactly a sales success, users were mostly satisfied with it. At the time, Google TV was one of the first to introduce the ability to control between applications, launch the Google Chrome browser and the ability to use a mouse and keyboard for a better user experience.

After just four years, it was replaced by Android TV, which is still in use today. In 2020, however, Google decided to dig up the name of the original system from its graveyard, which is now causing confusion among consumers.

What is Android TV?

Android TV arrived in June 2014 and concretely changed the way multimedia content is consumed. It borrowed many features from the existing mobile phone system. It offers the Google store for applications, which is not lacking, support for voice commands, projecting content from external devices, and the like. The main advantage of the system is recommending content based on installed applications and streaming services (Netflix, Disney+, Youtube...).

They wanted to further refine this content search formula, but to do so they needed a completely new interface. So Google TV is back.

What is Google TV?

Google TV is not a new operating system, but a skin of the existing Android TV. This is an important distinction. It can be compared to launchers that can be installed on Android phones, or software skins that are installed on top of Android by phone manufacturers. Samsung uses OneUI, Xiaomi MIUI or HyperOS, which will replace MIUI towards the end of the year, Huawei has HarmonyOS and EMUI...

Google TV is therefore a software skin of the existing Android TV. It was introduced in 2020 with the launch of the Chromecast with Google TV multimedia player. You can expect the majority of TVs to use Google TV rather than Android TV in the coming years.

Since it's just a software skin, the experience is very similar. Google TV changes the user interface, and in the background Android TV takes care of the general programming experience that we are already used to from previous Android TVs, phones and car systems.

What are the main differences between Android TV and Google TV?

First, let's quickly list their similarities: voice control, connection to smart home devices, projection (Chromecast) and general multimedia functions.

There are a few more differences.

The main one is how the two systems display the content on the home page.

Android TV recommendations are based on installed streaming apps, not your recent watch history. Google TV is said to use machine learning, data from the Google Assistant and its own databases to learn and create a pattern of your multimedia experience and thus adjust the content on the home page accordingly.

Compared to Android TV, which displays apps and recommended content in a sliding menu, the newer Google TV feels more minimalist and, for many, simpler. There is definitely less browsing because the content is immediately displayed on the front page. Whether they are suitable for the user is another question. We have mixed experiences in the editorial department. We often get reasonably good suggestions, but often we get completely wrong suggestions - these are most likely content that Google needs to promote.

Android TV is still getting updates, so it's not a stretch to say that TVs running this system could get updates in the future that bring the experience closer to that of Google TV.

Google TV has a special tab Live TV (depending on the region) that shows previews of currently active shows - for example on Youtube TV or similar.

Better compatibility with smart home

If you have any Google Home device at home, Google TV, which has better overall smart home compatibility, makes more sense. With voice commands, you can turn on/off the TV, increase the volume or launch a specific content/application. Via Google TV, you can also view surveillance camera/video doorbell footage in real time or, for example, control the lights.

Parental control

Google TV allows multiple child accounts under one adult's Google profile, with personalized recommendations for each account. Android TV also has the option of parental controls, but this applies system-wide. The breakdown is thus much more user-friendly on Google TV.

Mobile control and list of movies/series for later viewing

The remote control is one of the most frequently lost devices in the household. For times when the remote is not at hand, you can use your mobile phone to control Google TV. You need to download the Google TV app, find the remote control symbol and connect your phone to the TV. Even if the remote is at hand, the phone is more convenient to search for movies and series. Instead of having to type a long movie name with the virtual keyboard on the screen, you can do it much faster with the keyboard on your phone. You could also use voice search, but we all know that's not the most reliable search tool.

You can also use your phone to create your own list of movies and series you want to watch. When you browse the Google search engine and come across the content you want to watch, click on the button I want to take a look. You must of course be connected to the browser with the same Google account as on Google TV.

Basic TV

Some TVs with Google TV installed offer a special feature Basic TV, which turns a smart TV into a "dumb". All smart features are turned off, only live TV and HDMI connectivity are available. Apps are removed, content recommendations, Google Assistant is turned off, projection does not work in this mode.

This is a feature that only a few users use. Primarily those who have problems with Google's data collection policy, or those who will connect their media player to the TV.

Which TV to buy? Android TV or Google TV?

Android TV is still receiving updates and patches for now. Android TV 13 was released earlier in the year, but in the update battle, we're still betting on Google TV, which is part of Google's long-term plan to dominate the TV market. If you have a choice of very similar TVs at a similar price, we would recommend Google TV. Not only for long-term support, but for easier use and greater functionality.

If your budget doesn't allow it, or you can't find a TV with your chosen specs that supports Google TV, then Android TV is still a good option.

What about users of older TVs? Should we slowly replace them? If you are satisfied with the TV, it is not necessary. If you would like to have more smart functions, you can buy one of the media players (for example Xiaomi TV Box S of the second generation), which is equipped with Android TV or Google TV, for a good 50 euros. A simple and cheap solution for "refreshing" the TV.