Vizio, a prominent player in the television industry, has recently announced a major upgrade to its TV software. This much-needed overhaul aims to provide users with a modernized and sleeker user experience. The revamped software, aptly named “Home Screen,” draws inspiration from popular streaming services, offering a column of navigation icons on the left and an immersive hero slot at the top. With this update, Vizio is determined to enhance the overall viewing experience for its customers, making it easier than ever to navigate through content and discover new shows and movies.
The new Home Screen interface represents a significant departure from Vizio’s previous SmartCast OS. Upon first glance, it’s evident that Vizio has put considerable effort into designing a more cohesive and intuitive layout. The left-side navigation, reminiscent of popular streaming apps, immediately catches the eye. Users will find sections for live TV, free on-demand content, and more, making it effortless to access their favorite shows and movies. The navigation icons on the far left provide quick access to various features and settings, ensuring a seamless user experience.
Vizio Home Screen also introduces improved content recommendations. With small badges included alongside the cover art, users can quickly identify the sources of their content recommendations. Moreover, Vizio has partnered with Rotten Tomatoes to display scores and Common Sense Media to provide parental guidance on the detail pages for shows and movies. By aggregating content from various entertainment apps, Home Screen offers a universal watchlist. However, it’s worth noting that Netflix remains an exception and does not participate in these aggregated watchlists.
One of the standout features of the revamped software is its customization options. Home Screen allows users to personalize their experience by customizing the app row, which prominently displays their TV inputs. This level of customization brings to mind Google TV, where recommendations take center stage. Vizio has also refined its search experience, offering an easier-to-use virtual keyboard and introducing genre and collection pages with dedicated recommendation carousels. The app catalog now resembles a proper app store, enhancing discoverability and making it easier to find hidden gems among the plethora of available streaming apps.
Despite the major revamp, Vizio hasn’t abandoned the features that made its SmartCast OS popular. Home Screen seamlessly integrates casting, AirPlay, and other SmartCast functionalities, ensuring that users can continue to enjoy a wide range of streaming options. By retaining these essential features, Vizio demonstrates its commitment to providing a comprehensive and inclusive entertainment experience for its customers.
Vizio’s decision to revamp its TV software comes at a crucial time when it faces fierce competition from other brands like TCL, Hisense, and Roku. While Vizio has always been recognized for its excellent TV hardware, the software aspect needed improvement to keep up with the evolving industry landscape. Home Screen represents a significant step in the right direction, ensuring that Vizio can offer both top-notch hardware and software to its customers.
Vizio plans to roll out the redesigned Home Screen software to most of its smart TVs from 2016 and later in the coming weeks. This means that even users with older Vizio models will be able to enjoy the enhanced user experience and features that Home Screen offers. With this move, Vizio is demonstrating its commitment to its customers by continuously improving and upgrading its products, providing a compelling reason for users to choose Vizio for their entertainment needs.
Vizio’s decision to overhaul its TV software with the introduction of Home Screen is a significant development in the industry. The sleek and modern interface, improved content recommendations, and enhanced customization options firmly position Vizio as a leading player in the market. By seamlessly integrating SmartCast features and offering a comprehensive entertainment experience, Vizio ensures that its customers can enjoy the best of both worlds – exceptional hardware and cutting-edge software. With the rollout of Home Screen to older models, Vizio is showing its dedication to customer satisfaction and cementing its place as a trusted brand in the television industry.
First reported by The Verge.
