What is Google TV? Here’s everything you need to know

For years, Google’s Chromecast devices were only devices for casting material from a smartphone or tablet to them. And while not in use, they displayed a screensaver. You could also operate them with your voice using a Google-enabled smart speaker, but they didn’t have an interface. As a result, Chromecast paled in comparison to Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV. And other devices with independent remotes and user interfaces. Google is altering that with Google TV; which is accessible on the most recent Chromecast and embedded into some of the most recent smart TVs; and provides the device with a user interface. As well as a remote similar to most other devices connected to a TV. So, do you want to know What is Google TV?

Everything you need to know about Google’s streaming service is right here.

What is Google TV?

At its heart, Google TV is a user interface; that runs on top of Android TV but has a distinct appearance and feel than Android TV. It comes with a specialized control and is pre-installed in the Chromecast with Google TV. You may use this to explore Google TV like a Roku, or you can “Ask google” to discover something to watch. Based on your watching patterns, the interface curates movie and TV program recommendations. Google is dubbed the “search giant” and promotes the ability to ask the Google Assistant any question.

The goal of Google TV is for users to be able to access their most-watched and recommended content right from the home screen. Google TV, like other streaming device platforms, offers Netflix, Apple Television, Hulu, and other services. However, as long as you’re linked in to your Google account, you may access anything you want to watch without having to go straight to the streaming app.

Nest camera owners will be able to watch their cameras on their TVs thanks to the integration of Google Nest cameras with the interface.

Is Google TV a viable alternative to Android TV?

For Television manufacturers that choose Android TV, which was also created by Google for use on TVs, video players, set-top boxes, and other devices, Google TV will remain the dominant interface through 2021 and beyond. Google TV is a re-skin of Android Television with additional capabilities that will be utilized by Google in the future. According to Shalina Govil-Pai, Google’s VP of Android TV and Google TV, while Android TV will continue to supply the underlying operating system, Google’s aim is for all of its third-party Android TV partners to switch all of their retail devices to Google TV. Check with the manufacturer of your television to see whether it can be upgraded to Google TV.

What is the mechanism behind it?

The experience is comparable whether you buy a Chromecast with Google TV or a Google TV-enabled Television. An internet connection is required for all Google TV-enabled devices. Some gadgets allow you to connect via Ethernet cable for a more secure connection, although they all function with Wi-Fi as well. Setting up Google TV is straightforward; for the best experience, download the Google Home app on your mobile device, but you may also do it from the Television itself. Furthermore, having a Gmail account streamlines the process.

The Google TV home screen will appear when you complete the basic setup. A slide show of various movies and TV series is displayed on the home screen, with recommendations depending on watching preferences. It may also contain advertising for the most recent film releases. The Top selections for you column comes below, followed by Your applications, which is another recommended list of material. A Highlights page is also available on the site, which allows you to create a personalized center of entertainment information, including news and reviews about notable or forthcoming titles that Google believes you would enjoy.

What is the mechanism behind it? Cont’d

To improve the discoverability of content tailored at the viewer, Google TV employs Knowledge Graph and machine learning. The Google Knowledge Graph is a database of information about people, places, & things. This enables Google to provide correct information on movies, Television shows, historical facts, as well as other issues to users. Users may browse via movies, programs, applications, and paid material thanks to the interface’s many tabs.

The goal of Google TV is to eliminate the need for consumers to utilize applications to enjoy their favorite content. Jumping back into Marvel Studio’s Moon Knight is a smooth experience that can be done immediately from the Google TV home screen with just a press of a button.

The interface also has parental controls, allowing parents to establish separate profiles for their children. Because the child’s profile is linked to the parent’s account, they don’t have to worry about their email address or password. There’s also a Google Family Link app that parents can use to set rules for their children’s use of Google applications and gadgets. Parental controls on Google TV, for example, allow parents to set screen time restrictions, lock and unlock profiles, and establish rating limitations.

Games In Google TV

For Google TV, there are a plethora of games to choose from. Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories, Final Fantasy, Oceanhorn, and more games are available. The sole drawback is that, unlike Android TV, This does not have direct access to the Play Store; certain games must be searched for using voice or word searches. You may also use the Stadia app to sign in with your Google Stadia account (the company’s cloud-based game streaming service) and play compatible Stadia games straight from Google Television, featuring support for the Stadia controller.

What are some voice commands for?

What you ask the Google Assistant is determined by the applications with which you are currently logged in. “Play Master Chef on Hulu,” for example, will only function if you have a Hulu membership. On the other hand, this does support universal instructions like:

“Place some R&B music on the stereo.”
“Go to [app name] and open it.”

“Tell me about Chef Ramsay” provides a full profile of the individual, as well as video from different streaming platforms where they feature.

Availability

As previously said, Google TV is accessible on the newest Chromecast with Google TV, but numerous TV makers, including Sony, TCL, and Hisense, now have the platform built-in. We can probably anticipate more Television makers to integrate Google TV in the future as well. In addition, Google may send out updates to replace the Android Television interface on TVs and devices that are already running it with the Google TV interface.

Since September 2020, Google TV has been accessible for Android users, replacing Google Play Movies and the Television app.

Is this the best option for me?

Google TV is a fantastic substitute for Amazon Fire Television and Apple Television. If you’re already a part of the Google ecosystem, the Google TV interface is ideal for you. Furthermore, having a Google Assistant on your Television improves the overall experience by making it more smooth and intuitive.