Google TV Redesigns its Mobile App with a New, Search Field-Less UI

Google TV is taking a step towards a more immersive experience with a redesigned top portion of its mobile Android app. Gone is the traditional full-width search bar with the “Google TV” branding in the middle, replaced by a magnifying glass icon next to your profile avatar.

A More Streamlined Approach

This change allows for a more streamlined look and feel, making the app feel less cluttered and more visually appealing, especially on larger screens like the Pixel Fold. The search bar itself has been replaced with a larger touch target that’s easy to spot, reducing the need for a prominent search field.

A New Approach to Search

When you do need to search, a new “Explore genres” grid will appear, featuring categories like Action, Animated, Comedy, and more. This takes you to a dedicated page with various carousels, providing a more intuitive way to discover content.

A Server-Side Rollout

This redesign is currently a server-side rollout, meaning it’s not yet widely available. We’ve spotted it on some devices with version 4.39.2486.x of the app.

What’s the Trend?

First-party apps, including Google Messages and the Play Store, have been trending towards getting rid of full-width search bars. The argument is that the magnifying glass icon is more than obvious and takes up less space, presenting a smaller touch target. While the search bar can be useful, this redesign suggests a more modern approach to search on mobile devices.

More on Google TV:

First-party apps, including Google Messages and the Play Store, have been trending towards getting rid of full-width search bars. The argument against them is that the magnifying glass icon is more than obvious and takes up less space. That said, the search bar presents a very large touch target that is extremely obvious and hard to miss. If search is a big aspect of an app, it does make sense to keep it.

This search redesign for Google TV is a server-side rollout that is not yet widely available. We’re seeing it on some devices with version 4.39.2486.x of the app.