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New Android TV version to support custom remote buttons

Google could be readying a new remote with a "star" button that allows for custom shortcuts.

Google could be readying a new remote with a "star" button that allows for custom shortcuts.

A new "star" button on Google TV remote controls will allow users to customize a specific shortcut or TV-related task. (Courtesy image)
A new “star” button on Google TV remote controls will allow users to customize a specific shortcut or TV-related task. (Courtesy image)

A new version of the Android TV operating system will support a myriad of new features, including the ability to set custom shortcut buttons.

The feature, first spotted by the website 9to5 Google, was buried in a menu on the upcoming version of Android TV OS 14, which will roll out to supported Google TV-powered devices in the near future.

The menu option suggests new Android TV-powered devices will come bundled with a remote control sporting a “star” button or something similar to it. That button will allow users to create a custom shortcut or preset, which could launch a specific app or performing a TV-related task like switching inputs.

A new "star" button on Google TV remote controls will allow users to customize a specific shortcut or TV-related task. (Courtesy image)
(Courtesy image)

Currently, there are no remote controls on the market for Google TV or Android TV that sport a “star” button. But some Android TV devices, like the Onn Android TV 4K streaming puck sold at Walmart, do have a remote control with a TV button and various others, any number of which could make use of the new shortcut feature.

It is also possible that Google will launch a pro version of its voice-powered remote control for the Chromecast with Google TV and related devices that will allow streamers to swap their default remote with one that supports shortcut buttons. A similar pro remote control exists for Roku devices, which includes two shortcut buttons.