Google TV — the company’s TV interface that runs on top of the Android TV operating system — has been updated with several new features on supported devices that include the recently launched Google TV Streamer. The update comes just days after the Mountain View-based tech giant pushed out a security update for Chromecast with Google TV. Additionally, Google TV users will see a new home panel that acts as a central hub for all compatible smart home devices. Additionally, the tech giant also says it uses artificial intelligence (AI) to improve the sports site and content preview.
Google TV is getting a new update
In a blog post, the tech giant detailed the new features with the latest Google TV update on Monday. These features are currently being rolled out and are expected to be available to all users in the next few days.
Users will get a new home panel on their Google TV interface, with the latest update. This will act as a central hub for compatible smart home devices such as lights, thermostats, cameras and more. Users can control all devices via remote control or by voice using Google Assistant. In addition, users can also view doorbell notifications on the smart TV allowing users to see who has visited them without getting up from the couch.
The ambient screensaver, the wallpapers that appear when the TV screen is idle, also gets an upgrade. Users will now be able to create AI-generated designs and set them as screensavers. Users can run through a series of suggested queries or type in a query to have the AI create a unique piece of art. Alternatively, users can ask Google Assistant to select their favorite memories from Google Photos and display them instead.
The new update also integrates AI capabilities in various ways. The For You tab will now display all sports content in one area called the sports page. Using artificial intelligence, Google TV will make it easy to find live and upcoming matches, find sports commentary or browse YouTube highlights. Users can also get personalized recommendations based on their viewing history.
In addition, the tech giant is using Gemini to offer enhanced previews of popular movies and series. These new previews come with full recaps, audience reviews, as well as season-by-season breakdowns to help users decide if they want the content or not.
Last year, Google TV released free built-in channels that allow users to watch regionally available channels without the need to download or subscribe. The feature is called Google TV Freeplay, and now it’s being upgraded with a channel guide. In addition, users can browse the daily schedule of television shows by genre and topic and find their favorite shows.