Google TV App Lets iPhone Serve as a Remote for TVs With Android TV OS

Bought a chromecast on a whim when it came out in 2020. I already had an Apple TV but the reviews gushed about its interface and recommendations. I thought I would give it a shot. The recommendations were good (I know, google) and the interface looked nice but boy it aged fast. The device kept getting slower and Bluetooth never quite worked especially with AirPods. I disconnected it and one of my in laws is using it. Part of me says this feature should’ve been here much sooner but this is Google..

That's fair. I have a decent firewall that I could put the TV on a whitelist so I only get basic things, but I think it would break Roku or Google. If I get an Apple TV and have 2 remotes, I may as well throw them out the window because my kids will lose them in 2 minutes ;)

But I think your idea is best.

Get an Elago case for the AppleTV remote off of Amazon and put an AirTag in its compartment. We have a toddler so that's what I did 😆

That's fair. I have a decent firewall that I could put the TV on a whitelist so I only get basic things, but I think it would break Roku or Google. If I get an Apple TV and have 2 remotes, I may as well throw them out the window because my kids will lose them in 2 minutes ;)

But I think your idea is best.

As long as your kids aren't throwing iPhones out the window, Apple's Remote App can help.;)

I would assume Roku is similar with data gathering. Pretty much every Smart TV is terrible with regards on this, it's how they make their margins because my understanding is that the margins aren't great on TVs. You can get the Sony, just don't connect it to WiFi and only connect it via ethernet when you need to do a software update. Use an AppleTV for your access to apps and content.

That's fair. I have a decent firewall that I could put the TV on a whitelist so I only get basic things, but I think it would break Roku or Google. If I get an Apple TV and have 2 remotes, I may as well throw them out the window because my kids will lose them in 2 minutes ;)

But I think your idea is best.

Bought a chromecast on a whim when it came out in 2020. I already had an Apple TV but the reviews gushed about its interface and recommendations. I thought I would give it a shot. The recommendations were good (I know, google) and the interface looked nice but boy it aged fast. The device kept getting slower and Bluetooth never quite worked especially with AirPods. I disconnected it and one of my in laws is using it. Part of me says this feature should’ve been here much sooner but this is Google..

Yeah, when we got rid of cable and went to streaming, I initially gave the GoogleTV a shot. It was super annoying with how quickly it would have to reload apps, which pushed me to pony up and just pay the money for the AppleTV. Still use the Chromecast as a streamer for the bedroom tv, and it's fine for that as we don't use it nearly as much as the living room.

It's one of the reasons I haven't gotten a new Sony TV, because of Android. I'd rather a Roku version or something.

I would assume Roku is similar with data gathering. Pretty much every Smart TV is terrible with regards on this, it's how they make their margins because my understanding is that the margins aren't great on TVs. You can get the Sony, just don't connect it to WiFi and only connect it via ethernet when you need to do a software update. Use an AppleTV for your access to apps and content.