Sony Google TV - configure Home screen

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Kookoo

787 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#302709 13-Dec-2022 17:25

Does anyone know how to unlock/configure/kill the home menu on Sony Google TV?

I've disabled all the streaming apps I'm not using, and still my home screen consists of a massive "Download Prime app" and "Download HBO app" tiles, and rows of recommendations of content from Zee-TV. Because... we're Asia I guess?

Hello, Ground!

farcus

1554 posts

Uber Geek

#3009588 13-Dec-2022 19:46

does Sony just run a version of Android TV?

If so, just go to settings > device preferences > home screen and disable the apps that you don't want to use.

Maybe also, settings > device preferences > home screen > customise services and disable what you don't use

GV27

5897 posts

Uber Geek

#3009593 13-Dec-2022 20:02

I think a long press on the apps list lets you reorder them. I moved all the ones I don't use to the bottom bit below the top line and now my Home screen is actually useful.

Kookoo

787 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#3009652 13-Dec-2022 21:25

farcus:
does Sony just run a version of Android TV?

If so, just go to settings > device preferences > home screen and disable the apps that you don't want to use.

Maybe also, settings > device preferences > home screen > customise services and disable what you don't use

It's a heavily customised version of Android TV. Doesn't seem to have any of the standard Android TV menus, and no "device preferences" or "home screen".

Hello, Ground!

Kookoo

787 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#3009653 13-Dec-2022 21:29

GV27:
I think a long press on the apps list lets you reorder them. I moved all the ones I don't use to the bottom bit below the top line and now my Home screen is actually useful.

Yep, I've reordered the apps, although on my Sony the long press on Apps doesn't do anything except for opening the Apps page.

Reordering doesn't solve the main issue though because the Home screen is still taken up by content recommendations that are completely irrelevant from apps that I don't have. And half the Apps screen is still taken up by apps Sony want to promote.

Hello, Ground!

Kookoo

787 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#3019764 10-Jan-2023 21:08

I found an "alternative solution".

There's a way to change the TV into an "apps only" mode in account settings. It turns off all Sony TV features and just leaves you with the apps.

But even something as basic as that is really poorly implemented.

First, even though the home screen is now mostly blank, you only get one row of apps. To see the rest of them you need to scroll to a separate "all apps" button at the end of the row.

Second, it disables the Google assistant and the mic on the remote, meaning that you lose the convenience of just saying into the remote "play 'Stranger Things' on Netflix".

Third, in the "apps only" mode also disables the app search functionality, so you can't look for and install new apps.

Just to reiterate my original review of the Sony Bravia Google TV range from when I originally bought it - it's a good idea totally ruined by very poor implementation. My recommendation - if you're considering a Sony TV, look elsewhere.

Hello, Ground!