What I Learned After Building 3 TV Apps Coming From Mobile | Dinko Marinac
Hacker News
February 23, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Building a TV app is fundamentally different from building a mobile app, as highlighted by Dinko Marinac's experiences with three failed projects. The primary mistake was assuming that mobile patterns could simply be scaled up to TV screens. Instead, the unique challenges of navigation, hardware limitations, and user interaction require a completely reimagined approach. This realization came after encountering numerous issues such as focus problems, slow performance, and design elements becoming unreadable on larger screens. These challenges underscore the importance of treating TV app development as its own distinct field.
The article emphasizes that TV apps must prioritize clarity and simplicity in navigation due to the limitations of remote controls and distance viewing. Unlike mobile devices, where touch interaction allows for quick and precise movements, TV apps rely on discrete actions and focus states. Mismanaging these elements can lead to frustrating user experiences, such as unintended menu openings or text becoming illegible from afar. Additionally, hardware constraints like limited processing power and memory make performance optimization critical for smooth operation.
The lessons learned are particularly relevant for tech enthusiasts and developers aiming to enter the TV app market. Understanding the differences in interaction models, design scalability, and hardware capabilities is crucial for avoiding similar pitfalls. By addressing these challenges upfront, developers can create more intuitive and performant TV apps that align with user expectations. This knowledge not only improves the development process but also enhances the end-user experience, making it essential reading for anyone interested in successful app design across platforms.
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Originally published on Hacker News on 2/23/2026