Google TV App Lets iPhone Serve as a Remote for TVs With Android TV OS

[MacRumors]

Google today announced the launch of a Google TV app that's designed for iOS devices, with the aim of helping iPhone and iPad owners to create watchlists, get content recommendations, rate movies, and more. iOS users previously had access to the Play Movies and TV app, and those who had that installed will see it update automatically to the revamped Google TV app.

iPhone and iPad users who have a Google TV or another Android TV OS device can use their iOS device as a remote control. Just click on the remote button in the app and then connect to the TV to control the TV with the phone and access Google Assistant. The feature allows users to take advantage of the phone's keyboard for typing in passwords and search terms.

With Google TV, users can input information on the streaming services they subscribe to and get recommendations for shows and movies to watch based on interests and past viewing habits. Shows can be saved to a Watchlist that is able to sync across devices signed into a Google account.

TV shows and movies can be liked or disliked, and using these features affects the recommendation algorithm. A Highlights tab provides a daily news feed of reviews, news, and more about TV shows and movies that will interest each user.

The app supports all movies and shows purchased or rented with a Google account, so the content can be watched on an iPhone or iPad while on the go.

The Google TV app can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]

Article Link: Google TV App Lets iPhone Serve as a Remote for TVs With Android TV OS

 

[Howyalikdemapls]

I don’t have any Google TV devices but I’m surprised this functionality isn’t already available.

 

[AndreaCicca]

It's incredible that in Italy we have a better support by Google with a third party app like Google tv then the native integration with the Apple TV app.
We don't even have Prime video integration

 

[HorstBockman]

See the App Privacy disclosure for the Google TV app. What a disaster. Just get an Apple TV and skip the tracking.

 

[AndreaCicca]

See the App Privacy disclosure for the Google TV app. What a disaster. Just get an Apple TV and skip the tracking.

The problem is the support outside certain regions

 

[ElectricPotato]

...using these features affects the recommendation algorithm.

Though not necessarily in a way you would hope.

 

[TouchedByAl]

Bought a chromecast on a whim when it came out in 2020. I already had an Apple TV but the reviews gushed about its interface and recommendations. I thought I would give it a shot. The recommendations were good (I know, google) and the interface looked nice but boy it aged fast. The device kept getting slower and Bluetooth never quite worked especially with AirPods. I disconnected it and one of my in laws is using it. Part of me says this feature should’ve been here much sooner but this is Google..

 

[jonnysods]

See the App Privacy disclosure for the Google TV app. What a disaster. Just get an Apple TV and skip the tracking.

It's one of the reasons I haven't gotten a new Sony TV, because of Android. I'd rather a Roku version or something.

 

[silverlocke]

there is no remote button.

[later note] google has entirely too many apps. whatever app i was in offered to connect to my tv, but wasn't actually the new app. in short, got it working although i'd never use my phone as a remote except maybe to turn the power on and off.

 

[alexandr]

At first I said wtf needs this, but after downloading I've got to say — this is useful if you don't want to get up to grab the remote.

 

[alexandr]

If only it could be added to control center

 

[SenorWhyMe]

I hate how YouTube internal app for tvs, and chrome cast forces you to use their remote by clicking cast button. why would they do this.

 

[swm]

taking control of random broken android tv implementations in 3... 2... 1...

 

[AirunJae]

It's one of the reasons I haven't gotten a new Sony TV, because of Android. I'd rather a Roku version or something.

I would assume Roku is similar with data gathering. Pretty much every Smart TV is terrible with regards on this, it's how they make their margins because my understanding is that the margins aren't great on TVs. You can get the Sony, just don't connect it to WiFi and only connect it via ethernet when you need to do a software update. Use an AppleTV for your access to apps and content.

 

[AirunJae]

Bought a chromecast on a whim when it came out in 2020. I already had an Apple TV but the reviews gushed about its interface and recommendations. I thought I would give it a shot. The recommendations were good (I know, google) and the interface looked nice but boy it aged fast. The device kept getting slower and Bluetooth never quite worked especially with AirPods. I disconnected it and one of my in laws is using it. Part of me says this feature should’ve been here much sooner but this is Google..

Yeah, when we got rid of cable and went to streaming, I initially gave the GoogleTV a shot. It was super annoying with how quickly it would have to reload apps, which pushed me to pony up and just pay the money for the AppleTV. Still use the Chromecast as a streamer for the bedroom tv, and it's fine for that as we don't use it nearly as much as the living room.

 

[jonnysods]

I would assume Roku is similar with data gathering. Pretty much every Smart TV is terrible with regards on this, it's how they make their margins because my understanding is that the margins aren't great on TVs. You can get the Sony, just don't connect it to WiFi and only connect it via ethernet when you need to do a software update. Use an AppleTV for your access to apps and content.

That's fair. I have a decent firewall that I could put the TV on a whitelist so I only get basic things, but I think it would break Roku or Google. If I get an Apple TV and have 2 remotes, I may as well throw them out the window because my kids will lose them in 2 minutes

But I think your idea is best.

 

[Reelmower]

See the App Privacy disclosure for the Google TV app. What a disaster. Just get an Apple TV and skip the tracking.

So you were going to buy a chromecast until you read the app privacy disclosure?
We love our MacBooks, iPads and iPhones. We also love our Google smart speakers, Chromecasts, Google Drive and Gmail. One day with the Apple TV’s over engineered remote was enough for me to return it.

 

[Morgenland]

That's fair. I have a decent firewall that I could put the TV on a whitelist so I only get basic things, but I think it would break Roku or Google. If I get an Apple TV and have 2 remotes, I may as well throw them out the window because my kids will lose them in 2 minutes

But I think your idea is best.

As long as your kids aren't throwing iPhones out the window, Apple's Remote App can help.

 

[nbraa]

Roku has offered this for over a decade and all 2019+ Roku TVs have support for AirPlay2 built-in if you own Apple products you should own a Roku TV IMO

 

[kkclstuff]

I don’t have any Google TV devices but I’m surprised this functionality isn’t already available.

on SONY smart TVs it is, both built-in (which I turnoff as Google has excessive data mining on the TV) and via 3rd party remote apps.

what would make this notable is gaining Siri/HomeKit access on either/both Sony and Google platforms beyond TV on/off... like channel changes, input changes, setting dvr or accessing apps like Plex/VLC etc

 

[AndreaCicca]

Roku has offered this for over a decade and all 2019+ Roku TVs have support for AirPlay2 built-in if you own Apple products you should own a Roku TV IMO

Roku is not a WW brand (in Europe is avaiable only in France, Germany ad UK)

 

[ackmondual]

Bought a chromecast on a whim when it came out in 2020. I already had an Apple TV but the reviews gushed about its interface and recommendations. I thought I would give it a shot. The recommendations were good (I know, google) and the interface looked nice but boy it aged fast. The device kept getting slower and Bluetooth never quite worked especially with AirPods. I disconnected it and one of my in laws is using it. Part of me says this feature should’ve been here much sooner but this is Google..

If it makes you feel better, I still find myself saying "ugh.. Apple" every now and then. [shrug] FWIW, I got a 9th gen Ipad, and thinking about renewing AA, for a whole year ($45 at Costco.com ain't too shabby).

 

[AirunJae]

That's fair. I have a decent firewall that I could put the TV on a whitelist so I only get basic things, but I think it would break Roku or Google. If I get an Apple TV and have 2 remotes, I may as well throw them out the window because my kids will lose them in 2 minutes

But I think your idea is best.

Get an Elago case for the AppleTV remote off of Amazon and put an AirTag in its compartment. We have a toddler so that's what I did 😆