Android TV is a popular smart TV platform that allows users to stream movies, TV shows, and other digital content. One of the key features of Android TV is the ability to customize the home screen with various apps and widgets. However, navigating through these apps and widgets can be a daunting task, especially for those who are new to the platform. This is where an app launcher comes in handy. An app launcher for Android TV provides a simple and intuitive interface for accessing your favorite apps and content. In this article, we will discuss the best app launcher for Android TV.
We have compiled a list of 7 Best App Launcher For Android Tv for your consideration, which have undergone rigorous testing and evaluation by our team of experts.
Table of Contents
7 Best App Launcher For Android Tv
1. Ugoos TV Launcher
The Ugoos Launcher provides several features for users. It offers support for adaptive remote controllers and air mice. Additionally, users can choose from nine different color themes for the main launcher elements.
The launcher also offers a customizable background where users can select from a list or use the system background. Users can also customize the amount of desktop icons on one screen, the border size, and the icon background.
Furthermore, the launcher includes a new category selector with eight categories plus one with all applications. This allows for quick access to main applications from each category.
2. MX Player
MX Player is a video player for Android devices that supports hardware acceleration and subtitles. With the HW+ decoder, hardware acceleration can be applied to more videos. It is also the first Android video player that supports multi-core decoding, resulting in up to 70% better performance for multi-core devices. The player also allows for easy pinch-to-zoom and zoom and pan. Subtitle gestures such as scrolling forward/backward, moving text up/down, and changing text size are also available.
MX File Transfer is a file sharing app that allows for fast file transfer without mobile data usage. Users can share music, videos, photos, and other files with just one click. The app requires the LOCATION, NETWORK, WIFI, BLUETOOTH, CAMERA, and INTERNET permissions to work properly.
MX Player supports various subtitle formats including DVD, DVB, SSA/*ASS*, SAMI, SubRip, MicroDVD, VobSub, SubViewer2.0, MPL2, TMPlayer, Teletext, PJS, and WebVTT.
To prevent the phone from sleeping while watching a video, the app requires the WAKE_LOCK permission. The KILL_BACKGROUND_PROCESSES permission is needed to stop MX Player services used in background play. The app also includes a KIDS LOCK feature that prevents children from making calls or accessing other apps.
3. Puffin TV Browser
Puffin is a web browser app that can be downloaded for free from the Google Play Store. However, it requires a paid subscription to fully function. Users can try out the app for free through a one-hour evaluation period that is ad-sponsored and has quotas enforced.
Puffin TV Browser is designed specifically for Android TV to provide an exceptional browsing experience on Smart-TVs and Set-Top-Boxes. It boasts features such as adjustable playback speeds, optimized video playback, and a full web experience. Users can also send website links to Puffin TV for better immersion. The app has an intuitive UI interface and a remote control app called Puffin TV Remote.
There are two subscription options available for Puffin: a monthly subscription of $1 and a yearly subscription of $10. However, it should be noted that Puffin’s servers are located in the US and Singapore, which may lead to geolocation-based content restrictions in other countries or regions where the app is blocked.
For more information, users can visit the Puffin support website.
4. Nova Launcher
Nova Launcher is a versatile and customizable home screen replacement app that offers advanced features to enhance the user’s home screens. It caters to users who want to completely overhaul their home screens or those who prefer a cleaner, faster home launcher.
Nova Launcher boasts the latest Android launcher features and supports thousands of icon themes available in the Play Store. It also offers night mode and dark theme options that can be set to come on automatically at a specific time. The customizable app drawer allows users to choose between vertical or horizontal scroll, page effects, and card or immersive options.
Subgrid positioning is a unique feature of Nova Launcher that allows icons and widgets to be snapped in between grid cells, giving users a precise feel and layout that is impossible with most other launchers. Additionally, Nova’s backup and restore feature makes it easy to move from phone to phone or try new home screen setups.
For users who want to unlock Nova Launcher’s full potential, Nova Launcher Prime offers additional features such as custom gestures, app drawer groups, and the ability to hide apps without uninstalling them. Nova Launcher Prime also allows users to assign swipe gestures to home screen icons or folders for custom actions.
It is important to note that Nova Launcher uses the Device Administrator permission for optional screen off/lock functionality. With its highly optimized performance and smooth animations, Nova Launcher gives even older phones a fast and fluid feel.
5. Home Screen Launcher for Android TV
Home Screen Launcher for Android TV is a software that enables users to utilize sideloaded launchers on their Android TV devices. This can be achieved while retaining the standard Android TV user interface as the default. By selecting the Home tile on the Android TV device, users can effortlessly launch the preferred Android launcher.
With this application, users can easily access sideloaded apps using the same launcher they use on their phones or tablets, while maintaining the integrity of the Android TV experience.
6. SLING: Live TV, Shows & Movies
SLING is a streaming service that offers a variety of live TV channels, both free and paid, that can be accessed on any device. With over 200 channels available, SLING has something for everyone and is half the cost of cable. Additionally, users can access over 85,000 movies and shows on demand through the service.
SLING offers a range of programming options, including news channels like CNN, FOX News, CNBC, MSNBC and Bloomberg. Entertainment networks like Bravo!, Lifetime and HGTV are also available. For lifestyle content, SLING offers channels like Hallmark and Cooking Channel, as well as DIY and recipe shows on HGTV and Food Network. Kids’ shows on Disney and Cartoon Network are also available.
Sports fans can catch up on the latest news, analysis, and feature films of their favorite sports on ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, and more. SLING also offers international programs in 22 languages, including Spanish, Hindi & Arabic.
To get started with SLING, users can download the app and start enjoying the streaming service. However, it should be noted that the app features Nielsen’s proprietary measurement software, which allows users to contribute to market research, like Nielsen’s TV ratings. For more information, please visit www.nielsen.com/digitalprivacy.
7. ATV Launcher
ATV Launcher is a newly developed launcher for Android TV set-top boxes, TVs, and tablets. The launcher is available for free and offers a fast, simple, sleek, and highly customizable user interface for Android TV users.
One of the key features of ATV Launcher is that it provides a seamless 1-click operation to run apps designed for TVs, smartphones, and tablets. It eliminates the need for additional tools or applications, thus streamlining the user experience.
The main features of the ATV Launcher include support for application widgets, D-pad optimized navigation, and support for TV (leanback), tablet, and phone apps. In addition, users can customize the launcher by setting a color, image, or transparent background for any application or widget. The launcher also automatically extracts and uses TV icons and banners for Android TV-enabled apps.
Furthermore, ATV Launcher offers wallpaper support even for devices without native wallpaper support. Users can contact the developers via email at info@dstudio.ca to suggest any improvements or provide feedback.