Google TV will offer a new basic mode disabling all “smart” features of the device. Google TV is the interface for Android TV that several manufacturers such as TCL and Sony plan to incorporate into their TVs during 2021.
When configuring one of the new TVs, there will be two options: Google TV or Basic TV. If you choose the Basic mode, the TV will have no apps, Google Assistant, or any other smart features.
Google TV is offering a new basic mode for TVs
Some people like TVs with a bunch of buttons and smart features and other people prefer an old-fashioned TV connected to the antenna instead of the Internet. Nowadays it is getting harder and harder to find a TV that isn’t “smart”, Google TVs will include a basic mode especially for these people.
This mode eliminates applications, giving access only to live TV (DTT, cable or similar) or devices connected via HDMI. In other words, it is like removing the smart features from the TV.
This mode can be useful when the TV doesn’t have Internet access, for people who don’t plan to use these kinds of features or to extend its life as a basic TV after the software becomes obsolete in a few years. It is not a choice with no way back, and at any time it is possible to switch from basic mode to “Smart” mode, which is simply called Google TV. But it is important to know if you want to switch modes, you need a factory reset.
This feature will be available on all TVs that include Google TV and not necessarily only to those based on the latest version of Android TV, Android TV 12, which was presented in beta form along with the first Developer Preview of Android 12.
