The journey through various streaming devices, from the first Android TV unit in 2015 to the latest Google TV Streamer, has highlighted user frustration with branded buttons for services like Netflix, YouTube, and Disney+. Many users resort to installing button mapping applications to regain control over their remotes. However, these apps can introduce significant lag and inconsistency in performance, negatively impacting the overall user experience.
Initial experiences with the Google TV Streamer were positive, but issues resurfaced due to the reliance of button mapping applications on Accessibility services, which caused delays in response times. Uninstalling the button mapping app restored the device's responsiveness, confirming that these applications compromise performance. Testing alternative applications yielded similar negative results, leading to the conclusion that remapping buttons on the Google TV remote hinders responsiveness. Users experiencing sluggishness with their devices are advised to review and potentially remove button mapping applications to enhance performance.