As Per Google’s own FAQ - “The Google TV Streamer Voice Remote comes
with a new customizable button, which you can program to immediately
launch your favorite app, switch inputs, or open the home panel to
control your smart home. Visit this Help Cent...
Exactly this. It’s was the main marketed use of the shortcut button and
what a lot of us google home users upgraded for. This shouldn’t have
been released if the main feature people bought it for isn’t working and
for these to have been shipping for ...