Google has finally launched its much-anticipated TV Streamer, and it comes packed with new updates to Google TV. These updates focus on three key areas: smart home control, AI-generated screensavers, and better content organization.
Controlling Smart Home Devices
Google TV now includes a brand-new home panel that lets users control their smart home devices, like lights, thermostats, and security cameras, directly from their TV. This panel is easily accessible in the top-right corner of the screen. From here, you can view and manage all your connected devices, adjusting settings without leaving your show or movie. One exciting new feature is the ‘Pet Cam,’ which lets you watch your pets in real-time through a full-screen view.
In addition, a new doorbell notification system shows who’s at the door without pausing what you’re watching. You can even use Google Assistant voice commands to control your smart devices if you can’t find the remote, offering a seamless experience.
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Personalized Screensavers
One of the standout features of the new updates is the ability to create customized screensavers using generative AI. You can come up with your own idea for a screensaver, and Google TV will bring it to life. If you’re unsure what to create, Google TV offers a range of prompts to guide you through the process. This feature has already been seen in some other devices, like Panasonic’s OLED Z95A line.
The feature also allows users to display their Google Photos on the TV, turning the screen into a dynamic, personalized display when not in use. This is part of a growing trend among tech companies to make TV screens more functional and less of a blank, black box when not in use. LG, for example, introduced a transparent TV at CES this year to tackle the same issue.
Organized Content
Google has also improved content organization on Google TV, starting with the “For You” section. There’s now a dedicated sports page where you can track live and upcoming games, sports commentary, YouTube highlights, and personalized recommendations—all in one place.
The update also incorporates Google’s Gemini large language model (LLM) to enhance content summaries. This includes detailed overviews, audience reviews, and season-by-season breakdowns, making it easier to decide what to watch next.
Overall, these updates aim to make Google TV more intuitive, personalized, and connected, offering users a more streamlined and interactive viewing experience.