Google has amended its developer documentation rules for submitting apps to its Play Store, indicating that the company will pre-screen and approve all Android TV apps before they are made available.

According to the guidelines for developers, “before distributing apps to the Play Store on Android TV devices, our team reviews apps for usability with a DPAD (apps) and Gamepad (games only) and other guidelines.”

The move seems aimed at ensuring apps submitted to the Android TV section of the  Google Play Store have a user experience that accounts for televisions different interface, and are not simply ports of existing smartphone or tablet apps.

Android TVs predecessor, Google TV, drew heavy criticism for the number of poorly designed apps available on its marketplace, and Google seem keen to avoid the same mistake with Android TV. A similar policy is likely to be implemented for other formats that differ considerably from the traditional app interfaces, such as Android Auto.

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