The New Channels app Will Complete Your Android TV [Beta is Open]
Google is busy getting Android Q ready for release this year, they showcased a bunch of new features for Android Q at Google I/O 2019.
Google failed to mention any new updates in their main Keynote, a few Sessions later they announced some pretty boring updates to the Payment UI and a very much needed refresh of the Google Play Store.
Channels
Mateusz Ramski has taken it upon himself to make the Home screen of Android TV a lot more useful, instead of digging through the menus of the Youtube app to find your favourite Youtube Channels, you can get to them right from the Home screen.
Youtube already allows you to add Channels to the Home Screen, they are very limited and rely on Artificial Intelligence to recommend Videos based on your History.
This can be accurate at times, but a lot of times it's not even close. I find myself completely ignoring them and going straight into the Youtube app to find what I want.
The Channels app will help take out all the hassle of watching your favourite Youtube Channels.
If the Official YouTube app isn't your Bag, The Channels app allows you to change the default Player to a YouTube alternative (like one without ads).
The UI is simple to use, open the app search the Name of the Channel that you want on the Home Screen, and then select one of the Channels from the list of search results.
The Channels app is currently in Closed-Beta, you can ask the Developer by Email for Access, simply provide the Email that you use to login to the Google Play Store. The Developer will then give you Closed-Beta Access.
If you want to try the app now, I'm currently hosting the APK. This will save you from waiting to be accepted into the Beta, but if you do Download the APK - Make sure you ask for Beta access too, this will ensure you get any updates from the Google Play Store.
Mateusz has contacted me to say that the Channels app is now out of Closed Beta, follow the link below to try out Channels now.
Join the Beta
Check this Video to see the Channels app in action