Google is gearing up for the launch of its new set-top streaming box, Google TV Streamer, by introducing updates to all Google TV devices. These enhancements include a new home panel that can control smart home devices, AI-powered screensavers, a sports page, and more.
In an announcement on Monday, Google unveiled a range of new features for its Google TV platform. The highlight is a new home panel situated in Quick Settings, acting as a centralized control hub for compatible smart home gadgets like lights, thermostats, and security cameras. Users can even receive doorbell notifications without interrupting their viewing experience and utilize Google Assistant for hands-free device control.
The For You tab now boasts a dedicated sports page where enthusiasts can find all their favorite sports content in one place. This includes live and upcoming games, sports commentary, YouTube highlights, and personalized recommendations tailored to individual interests.
Additionally, Google TV is getting AI enhancements like generating custom screensaver artwork based on prompts. The platform now utilizes Gemini to power an “Overviews” feature for listings, offering concise summaries of top shows and movies, season breakdowns, and audience reviews.
Google Freeplay, the app offering 150 free channels, is introducing a revamped channel guide for easier browsing by genre and topic. Furthermore, Google TV is expanding to more devices like Art TVs from Hisense and TCL, as well as projectors from Epson, Vankyo, and XGIMI. The platform is also launching in more countries: Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.
These updates come alongside the upcoming release of the Google TV Streamer, which will replace Google’s Chromecast lineup. Google reveals an impressive user base of over 270 million monthly active Google TV and Android TV devices.
