Last year, Google launched Google TV platform based on Android OS and it was criticized for its complicated UI, slow transitions and overall buggy experience. After more than one year Google has finally released a major upgrade to the software that promises simpler UI, better search / discover and more web content. Four areas that Google highlighted in their press release are:

Simple UI: The interface is now much simpler. The new customizable home screen gets you to your favorite content quickly. And within “all apps” you can see all of your shortcuts, similar to your Android phone or tablet.

Easy Search: Google has improved search across the board for content from Live TV, Netflix, YouTube, HBO GO, and more. But what if you don’t know what to search for? There’s now an app called “TV & Movies” that let’s you easily browse through 80,000 movies and TV episodes across cable or satellite, Netflix, Amazon, YouTube, and many other sites.

Better YouTube Integration: Google has improved YouTube experience on Google TV. It is now fast and easy to get to your favorite HD-quality YouTube entertainment. And we’ve integrated YouTube more closely with Google TV search, so that you can turn virtually any topic – mountain biking, cooking, etc. – into a channel.

Apps from Android Market: Google is opening up the TV to the creativity of content creators large and small through Android Market. Android developers can now bring existing mobile apps or entirely new ones to TV.

This software update will be coming to Sony devices starting early next week and Logitech devices soon thereafter. Google will announce new devices based on new chipsets from multiple hardware partners in coming months.