I'm sold on the Google tv functionality and find it hard to surface content on Android tv - anyone have any intel on when Google tv is rolling out to Sony tvs? (My Sony is a couple of years old if that makes any difference). If it's likely to be more than 3 months I'm tempted to buy the new Chromecast.
It's likely that it will never happen.
I just followed these instructions and have the new Google TV UI on my Sony 800E. https://www.howtogeek.com/693761/how-to-get-the-google-tv-ui-on-android-tv-devices-right-now/
I only needed to install the Google TV apk and not the google base apk (which have me an error). Then disabled the old launcher and viola Google TV. It has been working perfectly.
What functionality sold you on it? I was turned off by the extra advertising banners that just seem to put my Netflix and SmartTube further away in the UI.
UI on CCwGTV is honestly terrible. I have both a Shield and Chromecast and the Shield interface is so much cleaner.
I haven't heard any manufacturer say they will upgrade to Google TV. Just brand new TVs will get it.
I'd honestly say get the chromecast regardless. My mom got an Android TV and at this point it lags down so much. I haven't had any Smart TVs stay well performing after the 6 month mark honestly. Also it's only $50 and you can use it on whatever TV you want so where's the harm? You also have to wait for Sony to push updates through which can cause a problem if they decide they wanna make people upgrade.