Skip to main content

Google TV and Android TV apps get a new design language [Gallery]

When Android TV debuted back in 2014, many apps on the platform shared the same design language, but that disappeared over time as that UI became dated. Now, at I/O 2023, Google is introducing a new set of components for app developers to speed up developing apps for Android TV OS that brings a new look for those apps.

Google is introducing a new set of design guidelines for apps built for Android TV OS – the underlying platform for Android TV and Google TV. The new guidelines give developers a point of reference when designing for the platform and include a few key elements:

  • Buttons
  • Cards
  • Featured carousel
  • Immersive lists (with visual content)
  • Lists (with text content)
  • Navigation drawer
  • Tabbed interface

The short version of what this new guideline actually looks like is that it’s basically Google TV’s homescreen. The entire UI is full of rounded cards and buttons, with an easy-to-understand and navigate grid of content. And, really, that makes sense, given Android TV did the same thing with app guidelines back in 2014.

To assist in bringing these new designs to life more quickly, Google is bringing all of the core elements to Compose for TV.

This new design language won’t be a requirement for Android TV OS apps going forward, but it’s reasonable to expect we’ll be seeing some apps, especially from Google, adopting the new look over time.

More from Google I/O 2023:

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

You’re reading 9to5Google — experts who break news about Google and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Google on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Comments

Author

Avatar for Ben Schoon Ben Schoon

Ben is a Senior Editor for 9to5Google.

Find him on Twitter @NexusBen. Send tips to schoon@9to5g.com or encrypted to benschoon@protonmail.com.


Manage push notifications

notification icon
We would like to show you notifications for the latest news and updates.
notification icon
You are subscribed to notifications
notification icon
We would like to show you notifications for the latest news and updates.
notification icon
You are subscribed to notifications