The default Google TV interface feels slick and fashionable at first look. You get rows of suggestions, trending exhibits, and colourful banners clearly designed that will help you uncover new content material. The issue is, these recommendations usually do not feel private. A lot of the display screen is dominated by adverts for exhibits you by no means requested to see or, worse, providers you do not even subscribe to. It feels much less like your TV and extra like a billboard you occur to personal.
That’s precisely why I switched to Projectivity Launcher, and actually, I don’t see myself going again. It wipes out the adverts, accelerates navigation, presents deep customization choices, and even provides useful options that the inventory launcher merely does not present.
Google’s apps-only mode is nice however not sufficient
It isn’t with out limitations
Picture Credit score: Pankil Shah
Pankil Shah/MakeUseOf
Google does provide an Apps Solely Mode that cleans issues up, but it surely’s actually only a band-aid resolution. Certain, turning it on scrubs away the sponsored content material, however the trade-off is steep. You get a cleaner display screen, however you lose the options that make a sensible TV really feel good: voice instructions cease working, putting in new apps turns into unimaginable, and reside TV integration disappears.
For one thing as central because the TV you employ on daily basis, that’s not an excellent set of decisions. You’ll be able to both reside with a cluttered, ad-heavy expertise or accept a barebones interface that leaves out core options. Neither selection looks like a win.
Projectivity Launcher wipes out annoying adverts
No extra banners or undesirable promotions
Screenshot by Pankil Shah — No attribution required
Probably the greatest issues about Google TV is the liberty it provides you to modify issues up. Not like some locked-down platforms, you’re not caught with the default expertise in the event you don’t need it. Which means you may set up a third-party app like Projectivity Launcher and alter the best way your Google TV feels in only a few minutes.
Projectivity Launcher doesn’t waste your display screen with large banners, sponsored exhibits, or nagging promos for providers you by no means requested for. As an alternative, you’re greeted with a clear, practical interface that places your apps entrance and heart. Proper under that, you’ll discover the Inputs menu, your Proceed Watching part, and some easy controls. That’s it.
However the advantages transcend aesthetics. With Projectivity Launcher, your Google TV really feels quicker. And the reason being easy. The house display screen isn’t losing time pulling in adverts or crunching advice algorithms.
It’s all about customization
Take full management
Google TV’s inventory interface is principally one-size-fits-all, and if that measurement doesn’t suit you, too dangerous. Projectivity Launcher solves that drawback by supplying you with the liberty to design the expertise round your personal habits.
The customization goes effectively past shuffling app order. You’ll be able to determine whether or not you need the whole lot in a single row or a grid format, and even in grid mode you get to decide on what number of apps seem per row. When you’ve got too many apps, you may manage them into classes like Favorites, Video, Music, and Video games. Every class seems as a separate part on your property display screen, and naturally, you may rearrange them nonetheless you want for faster entry.
One other small however highly effective contact is the flexibility to cover apps. Perhaps there’s a service you not often use, or one you’d fairly not see in your fundamental display screen. With Projectivity Launcher, you may tuck it away identical to you’d in your cellphone.
In the event you dive into the Projectivity Launcher settings, you may discover choices to customise the standing bar, resize the clock, change the wallpaper, and fine-tune different particulars till the interface feels excellent. This stage of management enables you to configure your TV precisely the best way you need.
The place Projectivity actually pulls forward
The bonus options you didn’t know you wanted
Having used Projectivity Launcher for some time, the thought of switching again to the inventory Google TV interface feels unthinkable. It isn’t nearly eradicating adverts or clearing litter, but additionally concerning the additional options that make on a regular basis use far more seamless.
One of the helpful choices is the flexibility to auto-open an app on boot. As an example, if Netflix, YouTube, or Plex is the very first thing you launch each time you energy in your TV, you may arrange Projectivity Launcher to open the app routinely.
There’s additionally built-in help for sideloading apps straight. As an alternative of transferring the APK file manually out of your cellphone to TV, you may set up apps by coming into the URL. After which there’s the parental management possibility. With a easy lock, you may safe the launcher’s settings and format so nothing will get rearranged or deleted accidentally.
Whenever you add all of it up, Projectivity Launcher is not only a alternative for Google TV’s default interface—it places you again in command of your expertise. The perfect half is that the majority of those options can be found within the free model. If you need additional perks like customized icons and show profiles, you may improve to the premium model for a one-time charge of round $8.
