This is just a rant, from someone that's been asking for features since one first had an ATV device... ignore at will (I'm used to it).

• Phones have almost since the time I bought my Shield been able to handle multiple input languages (even at once) while AndroidTV has only been able to handle the system language, without the use of additional hardware and/or apps.
  • This is just not good enough when you consider that a TV is much more likely to be shared by multiple individuals than a phone. (Personally asking for an English UI that can handle English, Danish and Chinese (simplified)... I know an Android phone can do it.
  • ... you have the technology Google.
• It is impossible to change background and colour theme on AndroidTV
  • We (the users) have been struggling with seeing the active OK/Cancel buttons for ages, finally solved in Oreo. If this feature had existed from the beginning, this wouldn't even have been a big issue.
  • Being able to change the background image is not a threat to your UI monopoly.
  • ... you have the technology Google.
• The requirements to apps for the platform has changed 3 to 5 times for developers wanting to make apps that are full members of the AndroidTV ecosystem
  • While it's already difficult enough to get smaller software houses to go beyond Chromecast support.
  • ... you can do better Google.
• From the beginning there's been people asking for some sort of remote access to the system
  • not necessarily to be able to play the same output on multiple monitors/TVs, perhaps just to be able to reconfigure the apps behind the scenes while our children are watching Peppa Pig on YouTube
    • (Even though mirroring to Cromecasts and phones would be super cool) Besides... Google already has its own remote desktop protocol (sic).
  • ... you have the technology Google.

• Why do I have to feel like a 3rd rank customer because I need sideloads?

  • Chromecast is AndroidTVs main competitor... I know Google doesn't want ALL Android apps on the front page, but why the fuck do I need 3rd party apps to put sideloads there? If I actively choose to have a sideload show on the front page, I may have a reason for that, and I may be willing to use my right joy or airmouse to make it work. Ignoring this whole segment is a mistake IMHO.
  • (Besides, there are entire app-stores in China offering (hacked) d-pad friendly apps, because of Chinese IPTV laws)
  • Same as above but about Oreo channels...
    • Others have the technology that you specified Google.

• Apps:

  • If I fire up (sideloaded) Flightradar24, for instance, location services are not shared with it.
    • why even claim that AndroidTV is even part of the Android environment?
  • With Oreo coming up, with all its channel exposures, was your intention really to show generic lists to the users, rather than their personalized content?
    • you have the data Google (we know it), if you're anyway going to monitor us, you may as well do better at using it in our favor.

In my opinion there are so many important things to focus at, but because big G want phones and TV's along the same path, we're forced to follow, even tho Google doesn't even back-port the simplest of requests to TV.

Edit: I have a humble request, tell me why I'm wrong instead of just a down vote... I don't mind where the votes will end, but I am trying to get a proper debate.