Google TV received a significant update on Monday (23), bringing several exciting new features to enhance the user experience. The update introduces generative AI capabilities to create custom wallpapers and generate more detailed synopses for content. It also expands support for additional Google Home devices, making integrating your smart home with your TV easier.
One of the key additions is a new sports section in the “For You” tab, which provides a more personalized experience for sports enthusiasts. These updates are rolling out today for compatible smart TVs and projectors. Additionally, they will be featured in Google’s upcoming Google TV Streamer device, set to launch tomorrow (24), which is aimed at replacing the Chromecast. Here’s a breakdown of the main new features:
- Generative AI for Wallpapers and Synopses: AI-generated content to personalize the TV experience.
- Expanded Google Home Integration: Greater device support for seamless smart home control.
- New Sports Section: A dedicated area for sports fans in the “For You” tab.
These updates mark another step in Google’s efforts to make its TV platform smarter and more integrated with users’ preferences and smart homes.
AI on multiple fronts
Google TV has now integrated generative AI into its system, enhancing the user experience with a new, AI-powered screen saver feature. Users can create personalized images using simple text commands, generating four AI-created samples for each prompt. From there, they can edit or choose a preferred image to set as wallpaper when no apps are active on the TV.
In addition to AI-generated visuals, users can still opt for Google TV’s existing screen-saver collection or showcase their memories from Google Photos.
Another key feature of this update is AI assistance in choosing what to watch next. With the integration of Google’s Gemini AI assistant, the system can create detailed synopses, summarize community reviews, and even generate overviews for entire seasons of TV shows. However, whether these AI-driven features will be available in multiple languages at launch is unclear.
Home Control
Google TV’s latest update introduces a new side panel for managing smart home devices directly from your TV. This feature integrates Google Home, allowing you to control lights, speakers, and security cameras and even receive doorbell notifications without leaving your screen.
Additionally, if you’ve misplaced your remote, you can still navigate and control your smart home devices through voice commands using Google Assistant, making it easier to manage your connected devices hands-free.
New sports area
Google TV has updated its For You tab with a dedicated sports section. This new area highlights live matches that are about to start, offers easy access to game highlight videos on YouTube, and provides a streamlined way to browse sports content across all your subscribed streaming services.
This enhancement makes it more convenient for sports fans to stay on top of live games and access their favorite sports content from one centralized location.
Availability
Google announced that the update was rolled out on Monday for select TV models from Hisense and TCL and smart projectors from brands like Epson, Vanyo, and XGIMI. The new Google TV Streamer will also come equipped with these features.
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