Users of technological products sometimes we feel like a wallet with legs whose only freedom is to pay. For the rest we are slaves without voice or vote. We pay for a product, but nobody asks us when Functions that may be useful are removed.
Last July 11 Chromecast device updated with Google TVvia firmware update QTS1.220504.008. It was the first update since October, so it included important improvements… and the end of a functionality, which Google does not mention in technical support.
Improvements include all security patches up to May 2022, 4K HDR video performance improvements, improvements in the performance of the WiFi and Bluetooth connection, and bug fixes. It looks like a top update, but there is also a cutout that has been hidden: removal of third-party screensavers.
According to ReviewGeek, after updating his Chromecast with Google TV Many users found that his screensaver was gone, replaced by the official Google one. Others managed to keep it until they went into the settings. Then he suddenly disappeared.
Google hides this cut in the list of firmware changes, so it has not explained why it has done so.
Perhaps it could be because few people use itbut according to the tweets published by ReviewGeek, it seems that there are users who are fans of third-party screensavers like Aerial Dream.
It could also be due to a security issue It is the perfect excuse that is usually used in these cases.
The most likely explanation is that it is simply annoying competition for the new Ambient Mode and the new screensaver that Chromecast with Google TV recently released.
This new screensaver from Google is activated when the TV is in standby mode, and offers information such as the weather, news, shows your photos, etc.
It is quite beautiful, but many users like it other types of less intrusive screensavers, or more personal, and from now on they will no longer be able to use them.
Removing useful options, instead of offering them, is never liked by customers. But little can be done about it.