Google TV Rolls Out Big Updates to All Devices

Google TV has rolled out substantial upgrades to all its devices in preparation for the launch of its new Google TV Streamer. These updates include a smart home control panel, a sports page, AI-powered features, and broadened support for various devices and regions. This is prepared by SSP.

The primary enhancement is a new home panel that serves as a centralized control for compatible smart home gadgets like lights, thermostats, and security cameras. Accessed via a tile in the quick settings panel, this feature enables users to manage these devices directly from the TV. Additional functionalities include doorbell notifications and picture-in-picture camera feeds, facilitating hands-free usage through Google Assistant voice commands if the remote is unavailable.

An upgraded sports page within the "For You" tab allows easy access to live and upcoming sports events, commentaries, YouTube highlights, and personalized content recommendations for sports enthusiasts.

Several Gemini-powered AI capabilities are now featured, such as custom screensavers and comprehensive content summaries, providing concise overviews of shows and movies along with user reviews.

Google Freeplay, the dedicated app providing access to 150 free channels, has received an updated channel guide for easier navigation by genre and topic.

Furthermore, Google TV is expanding its range to include Art TVs from brands like Hisense and TCL, along with projectors from Epson, Vankyo, and XGIMI. The platform is also set for a wider geographical deployment, launching in Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Remarkably, these updates will coincide with the imminent release of the Google TV Streamer, replacing the Chromecast series and augmenting the collective ecosystem of over 270 million active Google TV and Android TV devices globally, securing Google TV as one of the leading streaming platforms worldwide.