I feel wronged by the placement of the Home button the Google TV Streamer

I love a device upgrade. The excitement of opening a new smartphone, a new gaming console, or a new streaming device gets my pulse racing like it’s Christmas morning and there’s wrapping paper in the shape of a bicycle next to the tree.

Tragically, though, that childish enthusiasm for the Google TV Streamer I acquired last week was cut short.

I quickly realized that the new Google TV Streamer remote has a different placement for the Home button than the Chromecast with Google TV remote that I’ve used for years. So naturally, my life has become a living nightmare.

Slide to the right, Home button

Yes, they moved it to the other side

To be clear, I’m not mad that Google moved the Home button in general. Honestly, I would understand if Google decided to move the Home button up or down.

The Google TV Streamer remote did add some extra space on the device to make room for the volume buttons, so a slight change was expected.

However, I cannot abide by anyone who believes the Home button needs or deserves to be moved from the left side of the Google TV Streamer remote to the right side.

It completely changes the experience for anyone who has used the Chromecast with Google TV remote for more than a few weeks, leading to some frustrating mix-ups.

Granted, the voice-activation button has replaced the Home button on the left side of the Google TV Streamer remote, which, as far as accidental presses go, isn’t that much of an issue. You can just press the back button to get back to your show.

On top of that, there is a raised nub on the voice-activation button, so at least you get a bit of a tactile warning before inevitably pressing the wrong one.

What are my options?

I can’t live like this

Even if the voice-activation button isn’t a terribly annoying button to press when you mean to press the Home button, something has to change.

For starters, I own two TVs, and the other one is still equipped with the Chromecast with Google TV and its accompanying remote, which means I’ll be switching back and forth between these disparate streaming device controllers on a regular basis.

So, what are my options to escape this waking nightmare?

My first option would be to purchase a second Google TV Streamer and use that in the other room.

It’s a bit expensive, with the Google TV Streamer still costing $100, although some deals have brought it as low as $80 in recent weeks.

If I wanted to save a bit of money, I could also get the Google TV Streamer remote on its own and use it for my second TV.

The Google TV Streamer remote is compatible with older devices, so I’d be able to pair it with my Chromecast with Google TV and embrace the change.

There would be some growing pains, but over time, I’d likely forget that the Home button was ever on the left side at all. Yes, this option sets me back $20, but that’s a small price to pay for peace of mind.

Alternatively, I could replace my regular usage of the Home button with the new customizable button on the bottom of the device.

Denoted by a charming little star, this button replaced the rarely used Source button (an ancient relic in 2025) and allows users to program an app, source, or the Google Home interface when pressed.

I could either assign it to one of my most commonly used apps, like Hulu or HBO Max, so that I don’t need the Home button as often, or I could assign it to the Home button and use that instead to really shake things up.

This option is more affordable, but adds a few more steps to the complicated button placement conundrum.

Plenty of Google TV fish in the sea

Is it time to move on?

In all seriousness, I’m fairly new to the Google TV Streamer and its radical new remote layout, so I truly hope that I can adapt to this new life and find a way to make it work with this streaming device, if only because I really like being able to find my remote by pressing a button.

Still, maybe the Google TV Streamer and its complicated button placement history aren’t for me anymore. Luckily, I have plenty of other top Google TV streaming devices to choose from if I decide that this rift between us is just too much.