‘End of an era’ as Google kills TV-watching feature on millions of televisions – there’s a way to get around it

GOOGLE is snuffing out another popular feature, forcing TV fans to search for an alternate option.

Beginning this month, users can no longer purchase TV episodes and seasons through Google TV.

Google

Television fans will no longer be able to rent and buy shows through Google’s beloved Google TV feature[/caption]

Those who want to continue to buy shows can do so on YouTube, depending on country availability.

The company formally announced the change in a blog post on Monday, noting that the change will “roll out over the next few weeks.”

Luckily, it’s not all doom and gloom, as users won’t lose access to your favorite content.

The change only affects your ability to purchase or rent new shows.

Google says users can keep the shows they bought and continue to rent and buy movies through the app.

The change impacts Google TV devices, Android TV devices, and the Google TV mobile app for Android and iOS.

Any TV shows purchased on YouTube will only be accessible through the YouTube app or on YouTube. 

The tech behemoth has earned a sour reputation for killing off popular products.

The losses are so extensive that an online list has sprung up, aptly titled the “Google Graveyard.”

The company recently announced that links produced through its now-defunct link-shortening service will stop working in 2025.

It is only the latest in a series of inconveniences after Google shuttered goo.gl in 2019, leaving web developers scrambling.

The company previously urged users to transition to Firebase Dynamic Links (FDL), but that service has also been deprecated.

Before that, VPN by Google One met a grim end when it was discontinued last month.

The virtual private network provided users with an extra layer of security by encrypting their internet traffic.

Google

Users will not lose access to shows they previously purchased. They can still rent and buy films through the application[/caption]

In its absence, the company recommends using the alternative VPN from Google Fi Wireless phone plans.

Google Pixel 8 and newer devices also come equipped with a built-in VPN.

The tech giant is also phasing out support for the Personal Safety app on older Android phones.

The app shares information with your emergency contacts, detects car crashes, and even films your surroundings when you’re in a crisis.

Strings of code in the Personal Safety app show it will only support devices running Android 12 or later.

However, the change only impacts older third-party phones – Pixel users won’t be affected.