DrewTV: a simpler TV home screen

Personal project · October 2026 · Around 2 hours · Built with Codex

My Samsung TV’s home screen was crowded with adverts, recommendations and content I didn’t need. Inspired by another designer’s custom launcher, I wanted to build a simpler alternative and explore how AI tools could help me take an idea through to a working product on real hardware.

Samsung’s original home screen filled with adverts, recommendations and a small row of app shortcuts — Before: the apps I wanted were competing with everything else.

From frustration to a working app

I used Codex to build a Tizen app with my five most-used streaming services first and other streamers below. A personalised greeting changes through the day, and everything works with the existing TV remote. I directed the design while Codex helped write the code and get it running on the TV.

First DrewTV build with a personalised greeting, uneven tile heights and inconsistent service logos — First draft: a working launcher, with the visual details still to refine.

Refining it on the TV

The first build exposed inconsistent logos, uneven tiles and a rough app icon. I refined the service branding, made the tiles uniform and developed a DrewTV identity. Testing also revealed that Samsung handled icon proportions differently across its menus.

The rough placeholder icon.

The new DrewTV identity, with more breathing room.

Two hours later

A working launcher, installed on my own TV and opening the services I use.

Final DrewTV launcher running on the TV with uniform tiles, accurate service logos and a Good evening, Drew greeting — The final version, running in my living room.