Breaking: Google TV is receiving a notable visual overhaul with the rollout of Material 3 Expressive design elements, beginning with version 4.39 of the Android app. The update, first noted by 9to5Google, brings a cleaner interface, a revamped “Hot & New” section, and a full-screen in-app remote – though the latter currently has a reported bug.
The update continues google’s broader adoption of Material 3, previously seen in apps like Google Keep and the pixel Weather app. Early glimpses of changes, including larger banners and centered titles and ratings on movie and show pages, were reported last month.
The most notable change is the replacement of the “Highlights” tab with a focused “Hot & New” section. This new section prioritizes recent releases, moving away from the previous mix of content and web articles. It also introduces muted autoplay previews, concise summaries, and readily accessible “Add to watchlist” and “share” buttons.
The “For You” tab has also been redesigned, incorporating dynamic Material You colors, notably within search results. Movie and show pages now more fully utilize the artwork’s color palette, creating a more immersive visual experience.
In-app remote is now a full-page experience
But it’s a little buggy
The in-app remote has been redesigned to occupy the full screen, replacing the previous slide-in functionality. however, users are reporting an issue where long-pressing the “Select” button no longer works, hindering access to certain menus within apps like YouTube. This functionality was present in earlier versions, and a fix is anticipated.
The Material 3 Expressive redesign is currently limited to a small group of users for early access. Google has not yet announced a wider rollout date, but the update signals the future direction of the Google TV app.
