A few days ago we saw how Google updated its application for audiovisual consumption: Google Play Movies was renamed Google TV and together with the change of logo we saw how the interior hid new functions such as remote control that were included in the Android shortcuts . The end of the Remote Control was sensed, something that Google has finally confirmed.
The Mountain View-based company has ended up making what we all expected come true by informing that it will put aside the old Android TV Remote Control application, a tool with which we could control the TV directly from the mobile screen. But it’s not all bad news, because the surrogate app is now available to everyone.
A new app as a remote control
With the arrival of Google TV, the move to remove Android TV Remote Control was clear and now Google confirms what was to be expected. The application no longer appears for many users when they search for it in the application store from mobile. In fact, I just ran the test and from the Google Play Store in the web version there is no trace of Android TV Remote Control, while it does appear when searching the Play Store from the mobile.
In web searches, instead of Android TV Remote Control, when searching in Google Play the results offer different applications from various developers, but the only Google that appears as a remote control is Android TV Remote Service, the same tool that has come with Google TV.
It is the same experience that they narrate in Android Police, where they have had problems finding the Android TV Remote Control app. This does not mean that all those who have downloaded the application cannot continue using it, since it is perfectly functional. From Google they have declared the following in this regard:
“We are making the experience of using your phone as a virtual remote control faster and easier to use by updating the user interface and integrating the function directly into the Android mobile operating system as well as the app. Google TV. After the new remote control function is widely available, the Android TV remote control application will no longer be supported or available for use. This transition will occur once the device with the Android TV operating system of a user receive remote service from Android: 5.0. or higher “.
The truth is that this movement was to be expected, especially when we saw the new shortcut that appeared in the action window fast on your mobile after updating the Google TV application. We already saw how to activate the new remote control in the shortcuts. We just have to have the Google TV app updated.
Now with Android TV Remote Service we find an application with a new design. The crosshead gives way to a control wheel or if we prefer it to the classic trackpad. In addition, buttons appear as direct access to control the volume or make use of Google Assistant.