I turned my smart TV into a dumb monitor, and every app got better overnight

Google TV's slow launcher, ads, and tracking can be bypassed by enabling Basic TV Mode, which removes recommendation engines, Google Account integration, and local app execution, effectively turning a smart TV into a dumb display. Pairing this with HDMI-CEC lets an external streaming device control power and input seamlessly. Disabling Automated Content Recognition (ACR) tracking is also recommended. Alternatives like Nvidia Shield or Apple TV 4K are suggested for those who prefer a dedicated external streamer over dealing with smart TV software.