Google today announced that it is extending all software features of its new Google TV Streamer to every Google TV device. This includes its smart home control panel, new sports page and new Gemini-powered features.
The biggest upgrade for smart home users is the new Home panel. Accessed via tiles in the quick settings panel, this smart home control panel lets you control devices connected to your Google Home. You can do things like turn lights on or off or dim/brighten them, trigger movie time automation, and adjust the thermostat, all from the remote.
The panel can also live-stream connected cameras to your TV, including pulling up picture-in-picture notifications when someone rings your video doorbell. (Only the Google Nest doorbell shows PIP, but Google says other compatible buzzers will send notifications). You can learn more about this panel in my review of Google TV Streamer.
The new sports pages in Google TV’s “For You” tab will be a welcome addition this football season. It attempts to organize all sports content from all your services (including YouTube highlights) and provide you with personalized recommendations. (This feature is only available in the United States)
Google TV Streamer announced several Gemini-powered artificial intelligence features coming to the Google TV ecosystem. These include show summaries, reviews, and season-by-season breakdowns to help you choose what to watch. Ambient mode has been upgraded, adding the ability to create screen saver art using generative artificial intelligence.
Google said that Google TV Freeplay now offers 150 free channels, a US-only FAST option is built into the Google TV operating system, and the channel guide has been updated to allow browsing by type and theme.
Google also revealed that Google TV has more than 270 million monthly active devices, making it the world’s largest streaming media platform. The company is expanding the platform to more countries, including Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines, and working with more brands to add the platform to more hardware. These include ASUS smart displays, projectors from Epson, Jimi and Vanke, as well as Hisense and TCL Art TVs.
