Google Announces Major Updates to Its Google TV Platform

Google announced yesterday new updates for Google TV including new features to control smart devices at home, personalized displays, a new sports page, and AI-powered features with Gemini to get more information on TV shows and movies. The new features are already available today, and the company also promoted its new Google TV Streamer, the new entertainment hub now for sale at $99.99.

Google TV users will now be able to access compatible smart home devices like cameras, lights, and thermostats from the platform. “The new doorbell notifications also allow you to see who’s at the front door without pausing what you’re watching,” states the document. Users will also be able to use Google Assistant to find and control devices though voice commands.

New features to personalize the screen and platform are also available. Users can use the Ambient screensaver and add photos from Google Photos to create different types of personal screensavers with the help of AI.

In the For You tab users will find a new sports page featuring the most relevant games and sports content options including YouTube highlights, upcoming games, sports commentary, and live games.

For those who have a hard time deciding what to watch next, Google has launched a new feature with the help of Gemini to provide relevant information on TV shows and movies—like reviews, breakdowns, and summaries—through overviews.

Google TV Freeplay now includes 150 channels and users can navigate the TV guide by gender and topic to access the free channels.

Google also recently announced new features for YouTube including a platform redesign for TV users during the annual event Made on YouTube in New York.