"I think the first big thing that will jump out to any Android user is the complete lack of ability to customize the home screen. I mean, this flies in the face of everything that made Android so popular in the first place..."
I've had a nexus player for about a week now and this sums up my sentiment on the setup pretty well.
It's even worse on the Sony Bravia TV's where you have to endure all of their useless pack-in garbage. The "Ready for DirectTV" app is pretty great for those of us without any intention of getting DirectTV. But my favorite is the "Bonus Offer" app which is impossible to remove even if you've signed up. Bonus for having a whole separate line of unremovable Sony store items.
Fortunately (and counter to what this article says) you can replace it with HAL and even map the home key. If I could figure out how to make individual items for external inputs, HAL would be perfect, but either way it's so much cleaner with all the cruft removed.
They could even hide the reorder apps in settings if they want.
An option could be reorder apps and then you click and move the app you want. That way the mindless that they are worried about won't be troubled by accidentally long pressing. I also don't like the suggestions, wish I could turn that off but nope. The other day, it showed suggested youtube videos, but when I clicked on it, it took me to a different one LOL.
The launcher for the Shield TV has apps show up in order of most recently used.
I think Google should do what Nvidia did and have a section for just their apps (i.e. SHIELD Hub). Put Youtube, Play Movies & TV, Play Music, and Play Games here. Bam they're right at the forefront. And then have "Apps" below that and have them sort by newest used. Then games section below that.
You're welcome Google.