Philips drops Google TV for this hot new OS, but are the lost apps worth it?

Philips recently launched its range of new TVs for 2026, and the most surprising element was actually what it didn't include, rather than what it did.

As seen during the launch event, all of Philips new televisions have abandoned Google TV in favor of Titan OS, a lightweight Linux-based operating system that will give Philips a lot more control. But will consumers be happy with losing some big Google TV apps and features that they've come to rely on?

A titanic leap for Philips

On the face of it, Philips moving to Titan OS is a good move. Titan OS is a lightweight Linux-based operating system that has been tailored to run quickly and efficiently, with a simplistic and easily-used interface. Since it's entirely web-based, it doesn't need to install apps to run them, freeing up your TV's storage for other uses.

Philips also gets more control over its implementation and its looks, and crucially, the ability to explore "new revenue streams". Exactly what this means is up for debate, but it's likely it means more ad revenue for Philips whenever an advert pops up on your TV screen. Not exactly a huge boon for those of us who've bought the TV, but hey, if the speed and simplicity arguments are half as strong as Philips seems to think they are, then it might balance out.

Gamers won't like what's lost

But changing to a new operating system is rarely a mess-free experience, and some Philips fans may be concerned about what ends up losing out as a result of the change.

The biggest and most obvious loss is that of Google Cast. Since Titan OS isn't linked to Android or Google, it won't have native support for Google Cast, which is likely to be a huge problem for anyone used to Google TV. This can be replaced on an app-by-app basis, but it won't be anywhere near as universal as Google TV.

Large apps are well represented though, with the likes of YouTube, Netflix, and Disney+ all already on Titan OS. There are some notable exceptions though, with Apple TV, Sky Showtime, and even Spotify not yet on the OS.

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Gamers in particular will lose out big time with the adoption of Titan OS, as anyone who often uses the Xbox, GeForce Now, or SteamLink apps will find themselves plum out of luck on the Philips TV. Blacknut and Boosteroid offer similar experiences, but it's likely to be a big change for gamers.

There are also worries about the speed of implementing new features on Titan OS. Some features that were promised shortly after the launch, a few years ago, still have not found their way to the OS. As a result, if something is missing from it right now, there's no guarantee it'll arrive in good time.