What you need to know

• Walmart has doubled the price of its cheapest Onn FHD Streaming Stick with Google TV, from $15 to $30.
• Logged-in Walmart users still see the old price, but anyone not signed in is already seeing the higher tag.
• Rising AI infrastructure demand is pushing up memory component costs, which is trickling down to budget devices.

Walmart makes some of the most affordable Google TV sticks under its Onn brand. But if you were planning to grab the company's cheapest streaming stick, you'll now have to pay double what it originally cost.

Walmart introduced the Onn FHD Streaming Stick with Google TV back in 2023 for just $15. The smart stick then pushed the price up to $20, but now, as spotted by 9to5Google, Walmart has bumped the Onn FHD Streaming Stick all the way up to $30.

As spotted by the publication, logged-in users are still seeing the original $15 price tag, but anyone not signed into a Walmart account is now seeing the $30 price. A similar thing happened with the mid-tier 4K Plus model first, so it's likely only a matter of time before the base variant sees a permanent increase as well.

The move comes shortly after Apple raised prices on several of its devices, including the Apple TV. Walmart hasn't made any official statement, but the likely reason is the same one driving price increases across the industry: AI.

The push to build out AI data centers is driving up demand for memory components, which are also used in consumer tech hardware, and that's pushing component costs higher across the board. Since budget products already carry thin margins, it's natural for companies to pass those increased costs on to customers, and that appears to be exactly what's happening with Onn.

It's not the first time Walmart has raised prices on its streaming sticks, either. The Onn 4K Pro already costs $60, which is $10 more than the previous generation, while the Onn 4K Plus went from $30 to $40. Now the company's most affordable option is taking the same hit.

Excuse me if I have "Transformers" on my mind; I just finished binge-watching all the films on my TCL QM6K. It's a fantastic TV, especially for the price, but if you want something even better, the TCL QM7K is currently on sale for Optimus Prime Day, and it's a deal you shouldn't miss out on!

The TCL 55QM7K wasn't exactly cheap when it launched, retailing for $1,299 back in 2025. It has since had a few discounts, but this current Prime Day deal is about as low as it gets, bringing it down to just $498, which is still much cheaper than the $649 it was recently priced at. That's less than $500 for an incredible 4K Google TV set! Optimus Prime would be proud!

• Prime Day returns June 23-26: see the full list of deals

✅Recommended if: You're in the market for a Google TV set with great color, a high refresh rate, the latest Gemini AI features, and must-have gaming capabilities like VRR.

❌Skip this deal if: You want the deeper contrast and inky black of an OLED.

Prime Day"

Since I have the TCL QM6K, I guess you can say I have a big of experience with the QM7K model. I love my TV set, but the 7K model is a step up from what I have. With this model, you get a slimmer design, a brighter QD-Mini LED display, and higher-quality Bang & Olufsen speakers. The display is also anti-reflective, which is a must-have, especially if you plan to put it in a relatively bright space.

And of course, it runs Google TV out of the box. This gives you access to tons of streaming apps, which you can control directly from your phone using Google Cast. It also gives you access to Gemini features and better content recommendations based on your apps and the content you've watched. And with the press of a button, you can use natural language to ask Gemini to find a movie or show instead of scrolling through a ton of apps yourself.

What you need to know

• In time for the World Cup, Google TV announced updates to its Sports topic page, delivering "Live Matches," highlights, post-game content, and more.
• Viewers can keep up with the World Cup through Google TV from June 11 to July 19.
• Another update hits Google TV, thanks to Gemini, which brings voice controlled settings to TCL sets.

The World Cup kicks off today (June 11), and Google TV is getting in on the action right on schedule to keep you involved.

Google shared details about an update that coincides with the World Cup this year. The Sports topic page is getting a massive upgrade for soccer (football) fans looking to stay up-to-date with World Cup matches. "Live Matches" gets viewers directly into the action for whatever game is currently ongoing. However, if you've missed anything, the Sports topic page offers "Match Highlights" from YouTube and "Post Game Content."

This final note offers breakdowns of the game, expert commentary, and more for viewers diving deep. Lastly, this page gives a list of upcoming games. Google TV provides match dates, kickoff times, and schedules for the various teams.

Google TV is pulling World Cup content from the streaming services providing the action, like Tubi, FOX One, and YouTube. From June 11 to July 19, viewers can keep up with the World Cup directly through Google TV.

Grab a Gemini upgrade while you're here

Google TV's update slips in something more from Gemini before the weekend. According to another post, the company now lets users control their Google TV settings via voice with Gemini. It states users can leverage their voice to "adjust picture and sound settings, troubleshoot audio or visual issues, and open settings menus on select Gemini-enabled TCL Google TVs."

When it comes to audio or video settings, Google states users can tell Gemini to "set picture mode to Sport" or "increase the bass." If you're watching a movie, users can ask Gemini to make the experience feel more "cinematic." TCL Google TVs are getting it first, and the post states these Gemini capabilities are rolling out on the following models in the U.S.: QM9K, X11L, QM9L, QM8L, and RM9L.

This patch could take a "few weeks" to arrive.

Gemini and updates for sports lovers were all Google talked about a couple of months ago. The AI introduced "Deep Dives" to the Google TV space for users interested in learning about new topics, alongside visual improvements. Sports lovers were eating well, too, as Google rolled out Sports Briefs. These short blurbs offered digestible headlines to catch viewers up on their favorite sports. Scores were another aspect, so you're never clueless about how well (or terribly) your favorite team did.

Android Central's Take

There's a lot of hype for the World Cup this year. The action's getting started today; this update is right at home. This gives viewers a chance to not only keep in stride with the World Cup, but also hop into any ongoing game since it's integrated with Google TV. It's worth noting that some services, such as FOX One, require a paid subscription. But, hey, you can always load up Tubi. That's free! I know I'll probably do that.

What you need to know

• Google announced a series of Google TV updates, beginning with new photo search capabilities with Gemini.
• Any photos you have stored can be turned into a "dynamic slideshow" screensaver on your Google TV, alongside a new AI Remix button.
• YouTube Shorts prepare to debut in a dedicated "Short video for you" row this summer, while Google highlights Nano Banana and Veo in the Gemini tab, which is rolling out now.

A big TV in the living room can feel like a centerpiece, and Google's update rolling out today (Apr 29) helps you leave a personalized impact.

This morning, Google revealed an update that's rolling out for its TV experience that holds quite a few features for your photos. Gemini is carrying this forward, as the post states users can ask the AI to search for photos from a specific time. If you're looking for shots from a recent birthday party or from a trip to another state, you can tell Gemini to find them. Google says these images will appear in a "browsable results page."

Similarly, users can turn a Google Photos album into a "dynamic slideshow" screensaver. You can find it under Quick Settings > Screensaver > Google Photos (as the source). A remix option is headed for Google TV's photo support this week, too. When viewing a photo, users should see a "Remix" button at the bottom. Interacting with this will provide a selection of AI-generated styles.

Google says Photos search and Remix are rolling out first on Gemini-enabled devices. The dynamic slideshow will appear on Google TV devices globally.

Google's not done with images yet. A "Create" option is debuting in this Google TV update with strong ties to Nano Banana for wacky transformations. Users can use their stored photos as fuel for the AI generator, turning a simple backyard photo into a space adventure in seconds. Google TV users can find this feature in the Gemini tab > Create.

If Nano Banana is here, then it only makes sense that Veo shows up, too. From "Create" in the Gemini tab, you can take an image you have and turn it into a short AI-generated clip. Users can provide a query to the AI or pick one of Google's available templates. Nano Banana and Veo's features are arriving first on Gemini-enabled TCL Google TVs in the U.S.

Time for Shorts

On the entertainment side, Google TV is rolling out support for a video format we're all used to: Shorts. While we'll have to wait for the summer to see it, the post teases that YouTube Shorts are on the way to Google TV devices. Users should expect a "Short videos for you" section to appear on the homepage. This row is personalized, likely feeding off what you already watch on YouTube.

This Google TV update comes off the back of one the company rolled out late in March. There was quite a bit in this update for sports lovers, such as "sports briefs." These are intended to be "narrated overviews" of the sports leagues that matter the most to you. From the NFL to the NBA and NHL, users can catch up on scores and important headlines from the day.

"Deep Dives" with Gemini for users' questions that require a little more research also arrived last month. The AI is said to focus more on Visual Breakdowns and interactive walkthroughs.

Android Central's Take

By this point, it's not like we're getting anything new—per-say. This is "new" to Google TV, but these are things I can already do on my phone. I can see this being used when there's family over and you want to show everyone a recent trip's pictures for a better viewing experience. Also, I can see this being used—the wacky AI-generated portion—for the little ones, turning a picture of them into a princess, a sports player, or whatever else in a more comfortable setting.

What you need to know

• StreamView GmbH, the licensed European operator for Thomson streaming devices, has filed for bankruptcy just weeks after launching new hardware.
• The company owes €36.6 million and isn’t pursuing a bailout, meaning operations, sales, and distribution across Europe are effectively dead.
• StreamView’s downfall was reportedly triggered by a severed relationship with its sole Chinese supplier.

Only two weeks after releasing a new streaming dongle, the company behind Thomson TVs and Google TV boxes has collapsed.

StreamView GmbH, the Austrian company holding the European license for Thomson, has filed for bankruptcy, according to a report by AVCaesar. The company owes €36.6 million ($42 million), according to Austria’s Alpine Creditor’s Association. StreamView is not seeking a rescue deal or restructuring plan and will cease operations.

What happened? StreamView did not make products itself. Instead, it partnered with brands, selling Nokia and later Thomson-branded TVs, streaming sticks, and set-top boxes throughout Europe.

The company depended on one Chinese supplier and financing partner. When that relationship ended and deliveries required upfront payment, StreamView’s cash flow stopped immediately. Attempts to find new investors did not work out.

Hardware in limbo

This is a real loss for people who liked affordable options. Thomson found a good spot in the market, especially after Google stopped making its Chromecast devices. The company sold products ranging from rebranded Walmart Onn 4K Pro boxes (as the Thomson Streaming Box Plus 270) to dongles shaped like the original Chromecast.

Last month, Thomson launched the Google TV Streaming Box 245 (4K), which could compete with the Nvidia Shield. Earlier in April, it released the GoCast 152, which had a more powerful chipset.

Current stock will probably sell out quickly, but you are not left without support. The owner of the Thomson brand, a U.S. company called Established Inc., is still in business. The company says it is looking for a new European partner and promises to keep providing after-sales support for existing devices during the search.

Is this the end for Thomson’s Google TV hardware? If Established finds a new partner soon, these boxes might come back under new management. However, do not expect the Streaming Box 260 Pro, which was supposed to compete with other Google TV streamers and feature an Amlogic processor, 4GB RAM, and 64GB storage.

For now, if you spot a Thomson streaming stick in stores, buy it while you have the chance. Stay tuned to see who takes over the license and whether the brand gets a new start or fades away.

The Google TV Streamer 4K launched in 2024 and remains one of the best external boxes for running Google TV. If you’ve bought a smart TV recently, chances are that it already has Google TV built in, but the interface smoothness and features may vary based on the brand and model you’ve got. For instance, access to the Google Home panel via Google TV was initially exclusive to the TV Streamer 4K and later made its way to select third-party TVs, though not all.

If you’ve just got yourself a Google TV Streamer 4K or if you haven’t bothered exploring all of the features it has to offer, here are four key settings and features worth checking out to truly make it the best streaming device in your home.

Match the TV Streamer’s frame rate to the content being played

If streaming certain shows and movies appears a bit jerky to you, it’s not your eyes deceiving you, but this one setting in the Google TV Streamer that's probably the culprit. On a 4K TV, your TV Streamer should default to the highest resolution, which is usually 4K 60Hz. When playing content, it will force everything to run at 60Hz, which can cause issues since a lot of shows and movies are designed to run at 24Hz.

Most streaming apps like Netflix and Prime Video will switch to the content’s original frame rate, but you need to allow the Google TV Streamer to match this.

To change this setting, follow these steps:

1. On your TV Streamer's remote, long-press the Home button and select All Settings.

2. Select the first menu item: Display and sound.

3. Scroll down to Match content frame rate, and change it from Never to Always.

The Seamless-only option seems to be applicable to TVs that have Variable Refresh Rate (VRR). After enabling this, your TV screen might black out for a second when playing content lower than 60Hz and switch to a lower refresh rate, which is normal. You should notice shows and movies playing back normally after this, without any weird glitches.

Declutter your Google TV homescreen

If you find the default homescreen of Google TV overwhelming, with all the recommendations, carousels, and ads, there is a simple way to disable all of this. It’s called Apps-only mode, and enabling this removes most of the recommendations from the homescreen, leaving you with just your apps and nothing more.

Give it a try by going to All Settings, Account and profiles, select your account, and scroll down to the option called Apps-only mode. You’ll see a warning screen of all the features that will be disabled, including search and voice. Don’t worry, you can always come back here and disable it later if needed.

Once enabled, it’ll take a second or two for the homescreen to refresh, and you’ll see just your installed apps and limited tabs next to your profile image at the top. I personally like the default view and the recommendations, as I’ve discovered some great shows via this route. Plus, this also lets you take advantage of the next feature in the list.

Organize all your 'watch-later' content in a single place

The Watchlist feature in Google TV is similar to what made Plex such a huge hit with streaming enthusiasts ages ago. You can bookmark pretty much any piece of content from any streaming service in a universal Watchlist to watch later. This way, you have a single list of shows that you can go back to, rather than separate lists in each streaming app.

To add a piece of content to the Watchlist, simply long-press the center button on the remote and scroll to Add to Watchlist. This menu item should immediately change to Watchlisted. If you have multiple accounts set up on the Google TV Streamer 4K, you can choose which account's watchlist you wish to add the content to.

To review all your watchlisted shows, simply select your profile image in the top-left corner of the homescreen, and scroll down to Watchlist to see a carousel of all your bookmarked pieces of content.

Use headphones with your Google TV Streamer 4K

In case you didn’t know, you can pair any Bluetooth headphones with the Google TV Streamer 4K and enjoy your content without disturbing others. This is a very underrated feature and is extremely handy if you wish to continue watching late into the night without disturbing your partner in the room.

Head to All Settings, scroll down to Remotes and accessories, and choose Pair remote or accessory. Simply make sure your headphones/TWS are already in pairing mode and follow the on-screen instructions. The next time you power on your headphones, and if you haven’t used them with any other device, they should automatically pair with the TV Streamer 4K.

Do you have an undiscovered feature or trick you'd like to share? Let me know down in the comments.

What you need to know

• Xiaomi is finally launching a true successor to its HD TV stick after nearly five years, with a global release likely soon.
• Performance gets a bump with a 38% faster CPU and updated GPU, making everyday streaming smoother.
• It still caps out at 1080p, but adds HDR10+, Dolby Audio, and DTS:X to improve overall viewing and sound quality.

After almost five years, Xiaomi is finally releasing a true follow-up to its entry-level HD streaming stick. The Xiaomi TV Stick HD (2nd Gen) has just shown up on the company’s global website, so a worldwide launch is likely coming soon.

On paper, it offers the upgrades you’d expect: faster performance, improved video support, and the same affordable approach that made the original popular for bringing old TVs back to life.

Xiaomi says the new stick offers a 38% boost in CPU performance over the first-gen Mi TV Stick, thanks to upgraded Cortex-A55 cores and a Mali-G31 MP2 GPU. It also supports AV1 decoding, a modern codec that makes streaming more efficient and is now required for any Google TV device certified after March 2021. This means the stick is fully certified for Netflix, Google TV, and all the popular apps.

Video output tops out at 1080p at 60Hz, which is expected for an HD-focused device. But Xiaomi added HDR10+ support for better contrast, plus Dolby Audio and DTS:X for richer sound.

The remote lands with dedicated buttons for Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, and Google Assistant, and you’ve got dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0 for connectivity.

The elephant in the room

But there are still some drawbacks, mainly with RAM and USB. The stick still comes with only 1GB of RAM and 8GB of storage, just like the previous version. That’s not much for Google TV’s interface, which has become more demanding since the original ran Android 9.

You’ll probably notice slower multitasking and longer app loading times, especially when switching between streaming services. Xiaomi also kept the microUSB port for power instead of moving to USB-C, which is surprising for a device launching in 2026.

In terms of design, it’s compact with curved edges, measuring 107.4 by 30 by 14 millimeters. It plugs directly into an HDMI port or can use the included extender. The form factor works well.

The main question now is the price. Xiaomi hasn’t shared official pricing yet, but the first-gen HD model sells for about €44 (around $51), and the 4K second-gen stick launched at €59.99 (about $69). This new model will likely be priced between €45 and €55 when it arrives in Western Europe, the UK, and other global markets soon.

If you want to upgrade an old 1080p TV and need a simple Google TV experience with good app support, this stick should do the trick.

Xiaomi improved the processor and added better codec support, which are good steps. However, the same memory and old charging port mean this isn’t a clear-cut upgrade. It’s a more capable stick, but not necessarily a better investment.

What you need to know

• Google's CES 2026 teasers finally come through, as Gemini for Google TV adds three new features, beginning with sports briefs for users.
• These sports briefs will catch users up on scores and headlines, alongside Gemini's "Deep Dives" for learning, and better "visual breakdowns."
• Gemini for Google TV debuted in September, bringing the AI's usefulness to users looking to learn new topics and find recaps on shows.

You had gotten a taste of these features earlier this year, but now a handful of new Gemini features are arriving on Google TV.

Joined by a blog post, Google's press release to us this week shared what users can expect from Gemini for Google TV. Watching sports can be relaxing and stressful, but the company's AI adds "timely briefs" to keep you in the loop. As the post states, this is an expansion to include sports after these briefs originally concerned regular news articles. Now, Gemini for Google TV will deliver "narrated overviews of your favorite in-season leagues."

Users can catch up on the NBA, NHL, MLB, NCAA basketball, MLS, and NWSL headlines and scores. Google encourages users to head to the Gemini tab to find a more extensive array of sports briefs, which is rolling out for U.S. users. A wider expansion for more devices will occur "this spring."

To go along with this is Gemini for Google TV's "richer visuals." Google states its AI should deliver more "relevant" results to questions users might have while watching TV. If you're querying about a recipe, Gemini will produce a video tutorial to walk you through it. Across a variety of entertainment questions, Google appeared confident in saying Gemini can offer "the perfect mix of visuals, videos, and text." These enhanced visuals are also rolling out in the U.S.; however, Canadian users are included for this one.

Deep Dives are designed to take users into a slightly more in-depth tunnel when a topic is just too interesting. Visual breakdowns, accompanied by Gemini's interactive walkthrough and "guided" follow-up questions, make Deep Dives more educational. After asking a question, users can click "Deep Dive." Alternatively, head to the Gemini tab and hit "Learn," as this rolls out in the U.S. this week.

Google was busy at CES 2026, and its presence teased what was coming from Gemini for Google TVs. While these three features rolling out this week were teased, Google mentioned photo memory search capabilities. The AI would leverage whatever is stored in the company's Photos cloud services for users wanting to relive a specific trip or a previous day's memories.

Google also stated that many of its features will debut on TCL sets before rolling out onto other supported brands. The Gemini for Google TV launch was huge for its streaming platform in September. Most of what we're seeing rolling out this week—a more useful AI, the ability to find shows—was a significant part of its introduction. After all, it is Gemini that's showing up, so it will (or can be) involved in whatever you need help with.

Most of its assistance, when it comes to learning new topics, will lean on YouTube for videos that might offer the best help.

What you need to know

• YouTube has approved new 30-second unskippable ads for TV viewers who are not subscribed to YouTube Premium.
• The ads are designed for big-screen viewing and will appear alongside 6-second and 15-second ad formats.
• Google's AI will dynamically choose which ad length to show based on the audience and viewing context.

YouTube currently shows ads to users who are not subscribed to its Premium membership, and it seems the company may soon make things worse for those viewers. YouTube has approved 30-second unskippable ads for people watching YouTube on TVs.

YouTube on TV has arguably become one of the best ways to consume content. I regularly watch YouTube through the app on my Google TV, and I know many others who do the same. After all, the platform lets you stream content from creators for free.

However, the company has recently been cracking down on ad blockers. Not everyone is a YouTube Premium member like me, and it now seems Google may make the experience tougher for users who are not paying.

As first spotted by Android Headlines, YouTube has approved 30-second unskippable ads for advertisers running campaigns on YouTube TV. Google confirmed the change in a recent blog post.

Google says the new 'non-skip ads' are designed specifically for the big screen. The company also says its AI will dynamically optimize between 6-second bumper ads, 15-second standard ads, and 30-second CTV-only non-skippable formats to ensure ads reach the right audience at the right time.

Now that this ad format is available for advertisers, non-paying YouTube users may start seeing longer ads on their smart TVs. This doesn't necessarily mean every viewer will get 30-second unskippable ads, but advertisers and Google's AI now have the option to serve them.

Of course, ads are necessary for the platform to operate, but this move does feel slightly aggressive. It could also be part of a broader strategy to encourage users to subscribe to YouTube Premium, especially now that the company also offers the lower-cost YouTube Premium Lite plan that removes most ads.

What you need to know

• Instagram has launched a dedicated app for Google TV, bringing Reels and photos to the living room screen.
• The app organizes Reels into themed interest-based channels that users can navigate using the TV remote.
• Viewers can interact with content from their couches by liking, commenting, and sharing directly through the TV.
• The service is currently limited to the U.S. for now.

Instagram might already be wasting enough of your time on your phone, but now it wants to move to your living room. The company has officially brought its app to Google TV devices.

Instagram first tested the app on Fire TV devices in the U.S., but it is now expanding availability to Google TV, as highlighted by Instagram head Adam Mosseri in a Threads post. Meta has largely focused on smartphones and smaller-screen devices so far, so this marks the company's first real move into large-screen devices.

Just like on your smartphone, you'll be able to scroll through and watch Reels on your TV. You can like, comment, and share posts as well. The app curates your feed based on your interests, including sports, cooking, travel, and comedy.

You can navigate using your smart TV remote, including the directional buttons, and features like auto-play are supported. You can also search for your favorite creators directly on your smart TV, while Instagram says it'll soon add support for using your smartphone as a remote for the Google TV app as well.

For now, you can download the app from the Google Play Store if you are in the U.S. The rollout appears limited to the U.S market, but it is likely that Instagram will expand to other regions soon.

Once installed, you can sign in using your smartphone, and the app supports up to five accounts on one Google TV device. This means multiple household members can access their profiles and watch their own feeds. Instagram even says you can create a separate account specifically for TV viewing if you want.

Android Central's Take

I'm not entirely sure who asked for this, but you can now watch Instagram Reels on your Smart TV. Sure, it is convenient if you want to show something to family or friends on a bigger screen instead of passing your phone around.

But it also makes me wonder how far Instagram plans to push this. I don't want Reels everywhere.

What you need to know

• YouTube is bringing its Gemini-powered Ask feature to smart TVs as a limited experiment.
• The feature lets viewers ask questions about a video, including detailed follow-ups.
• The conversational AI tool will also work on gaming consoles and streaming devices.
• Google is testing the tool with a small group of Premium Labs users first.

Late last year, Google announced that some AI features would be coming to YouTube for TV, and now we're starting to see a few of those roll out.

Google has been steadily adding AI features across its products and services, including YouTube. While we've had Gemini's Ask feature on the YouTube app and desktop for some time, it has not been available on the smart TV app. That now appears to be changing.

The company shared an update on the YouTube Help support page stating that YouTube is gaining a conversational AI tool on TV (via Android Police). The feature will launch as an experiment, meaning it will not roll out widely right away. Instead, Google will test it with Premium Labs users before expanding availability.

The Ask button finally hits smart TVs

In addition to smart TVs, the feature will also work on gaming consoles and streaming devices. In terms of functionality, the feature will be similar to how it currently works on the desktop and mobile. This means when watching a video, you'll see a new Ask button that lets you submit prompts related to the content.

For example, you could ask what the video is about or request something more specific, such as listing Geekbench scores mentioned in a smartphone review.

Google also says you can press the microphone button on your TV remote to activate the conversational AI tool and ask questions directly, in addition to selecting the Ask icon. For now, however, the feature is limited to a small group of users.

This rollout comes shortly after YouTube experienced a major outage that left users seeing blank homepages and error messages. Alongside this AI experiment, YouTube is also testing a feature that reduces notifications from channels you rarely watch or interact with.

Android Central's Take

I haven't used the Ask feature much before, but I can see how it could be useful, especially for someone like my granddad who enjoys asking follow-up questions while watching travel vlogs or recipes. Hopefully, Google expands this to more users soon

What you need to know

• Google TV is reportedly rolling out a small home screen change that brings two tabs front and center: "Free" and "Shop."
• A user with a new Google TV Streamer noticed the new tabs, stating that their other two devices are missing it still.
• Google TV had a recent update this week, which brought small QoL tweaks to its system to help the user experience.

It looks like Google TV's not done updating its system with small, meaningful updates, as users are reporting another one late this week.

This week, on the Google TV subreddit, one user noticed a change on their home screen when booting it up (via 9to5Google). The user says in their post that their latest Google TV Streamer has displayed two new tabs on their home screen: "Free" and "Shop." According to their post, this home screen change is not present on their previously purchased TV Streamers, only the newest one.

In their photos, the user shows that the "Free" and "Shop" tabs are placed between the home screen's pre-existing Live and Apps options.

Other users chimed in, with one report for a user with a TCL stating they've received these new "Free" and "Shop" tabs on their set with Google TV built in. However, they state that the new home screen options are not present on their Chromecast with Google TV. Another user with a TCL reports the same additions.

Through their photos, the user shows the content users will see in each respective tab. For the "Free" tab, users will see free streaming content, available at any time, like Tubi. The "Shop" tab seems to let users purchase or rent movies and other content, with its price shown beside a Rotten Tomatoes rating.

This update is likely rolling out to users this week, though it appears slow, as not everyone has seen it yet.

Relax, watch something

This new home screen that Google TV is sporting was debuted last September. Originally introduced as a test, the company reworked the otherwise old and stale home screen with an updated navigational bar that includes a Search function. Google also moved some options around, like users' "Library" and "Watchlist," which are now housed in their profile icon.

Google TV received an update earlier this week, which involves small QoL tweaks. Users will find a new "Report history" section, so users can see how their reports are coming along. Google states that it fixed a YouTube thumbnail aspect ratio bug that users were experiencing on the home screen.

Android Central's Take

Live TV, especially as far as streaming is concerned, is almost like an essential option to see front and center. It's easy to know the "regular," paid content you're looking for and hop to it, but there are plenty of free choices, too. It's often that I've hopped into the free TV section on a Roku stick, just to catch up on a show I've been missing. It's the little updates like that Google's been making that are incredibly worth it—from a user perspective, of course.

What you need to know

• Google TV is rolling out small quality-of-life updates, including a new setting and a fix, rather than any major UI overhaul.
• A new 'Report history' section lets users view the status of submitted reports directly from Google TV settings.
• Google has fixed a YouTube thumbnail aspect ratio bug on the home screen, with users reporting that the issue is now resolved.

Google is rolling out a couple of new features for Google TV aimed at improving the user experience, even though these additions are not particularly groundbreaking.

While Google has moved to a two-year major OS update cycle for Google TV, the company still adds smaller features from time to time to improve the experience. 9to5Google reports that Google has now introduced one new setting and rolled out one fix focused on usability improvements.

The first addition is a new 'Report history' section in Google TV settings. As shown in screenshots shared by the publication, this section allows users to see the status of reports they've submitted.

Google TV quietly adds a small but useful setting

It's not entirely clear what this section refers to yet, but the publication speculates that Google may soon allow users to report inappropriate ads or content recommendations, which has been a long-standing issue. This section would let users track submitted reports and see whether Google has taken action.

In addition, Google TV is also rolling out a fix for a YouTube thumbnail preview issue on the home screen. Some users had reported incorrect aspect ratios for thumbnail previews, which made content appear more stretched than it should've been. Users on Reddit are now saying the issue appears to be resolved.

It's not clear whether the YouTube fix was pushed server-side or delivered through a Google TV app update or a YouTube app update, but the issue does seem to be fixed now. If it hasn't reached your device yet, it should roll out sooner or later.

Android Central's Take

It's genuinely good to see Google rolling out meaningful quality-of-life improvements and quick fixes for Google TV. These updates do not significantly change the overall UI, and it's still not the major overhaul many have been waiting for, but Google does seem to be steadily improving the experience, and that's what matters.

We don't cover smart TVs very often, but every now and then a deal will come along that deserves your immediate attention. Just in time for Super Bowl LX, Best Buy is dropping $350 off the 50-inch Class QM5K Google TV by TCL, a versatile entertainment powerhouse that's perfect for shoppers on a budget.

This deal is just one of many smart TV discounts that Best Buy is offering ahead of game day on February 8th, and while 50 inches isn't exactly massive for a smart TV, it's perfectly sufficient for folks who live in an apartment or need a mid-sized TV for a bedroom. And for $299.99, it's an absolute steal. 

• See the full list of deals from Best Buy's Super Bowl TV sale

Straight out of the box, the 50-inch TCL smart TV delivers crystal-clear images in stunning 4K with HDR Pro+ and Motion Rate 240 support, plus Auto Game Mode for the lowest possible input lag. 

On the audio front, the Google TV also supports Dolby Atmos Audio and DTS Virtual:X for particularly immersive sound, thereby eliminating the need for an expensive soundbar. The 2025 TCL smart TV even has onboard AI processing to adjust and upscale images in real time. 

The Google TV OS also provides instant access to all of the best streaming services, plus you'll enjoy built-in Chromecast entertainment and support for your personal voice assistant, including Google Assistant (naturally) and Amazon Alexa. Even if all of the onboard tools provided by the TV fail you, the QM5K comes with three HDMI inputs for your preferred devices.

Of course, no smart TV is perfect, particularly in this price range. The TCL set's local dimming feature isn't as effective as I would like, leading to a bit of a glare problem in certain light and from certain angles. If you want the best picture possible and can afford to spend a bit more, there are Samsung and Sony models that might be a better fit. But if you want to spend 300 bucks on a Google TV that usually costs much more, this Best Buy deal presents an incredible opportunity. 

• TV deals: Walmart | Samsung | Best Buy | Amazon | Newegg
• Streaming deals: Disney+ | Max | Sling | Fubo | Peacock | Paramount+

This is Android Central's Tech News Wrap, your go-to source for a concise roundup of the week's most significant tech stories. This is where we delve into the top headlines that provide the latest developments and innovations contributing to the digital landscape.

Before we get into it, Android Central is inviting readers to share their perspectives through a brief survey aimed at enhancing our content, with a chance to win a $250 Amazon gift card for your feedback.

Now getting back to business, this week was pretty eventful in the tech space with Apple teaming up with Google for Gemini, Verizon's widespread outage, OnePlus CEO Pete Lau facing an arrest warrant in Taiwan, an Android 17 leak, and the Pixel 10a possibly arriving sooner than expected.

Apple needs Gemini for Siri

Read more here

Apple and Google are kicking off 2026 with a major announcement that could essentially rewrite the rules of the AI race. The companies have entered a multi-year collaboration that will put Gemini at the core of Apple's next generation of phones. This collaboration is also set to power Apple's intelligence features, including a more intuitive and personalized Siri later this year.

In a joint statement, the companies announced this move officially via X on the News from Google profile. After what is described as "careful evaluation," Apple decided that "Google's AI technology provides the most capable foundation, and is excited about the innovative new experiences it will unlock for Apple users." For Google, this is a massive milestone, as Gemini will now become a platform that not only powers AI on Android but also Apple's AI future.

Verizon's network struck out for thousands

Read more here

This week, Verizon users faced an unprecedented outage that they didn't see coming. Leaving hundreds of thousands across the country with SOS-only status bars and dropped calls, on January 14.

At its peak, there were over 170,000 people from major areas like New York, Nevada, Florida, Las Vegas, and Texas who could not make calls, send texts, or use mobile data on Verizon’s network, and had no access to the network's status page as well.

People took to X and Reddit to vent, and Verizon posted a statement on its official X account, saying it is “aware of an issue impacting wireless voice and data services for some customers” and that engineers are working to find and fix the problem.

After being down for several hours, around 10:15 PM on January 14, 2026, Verizon confirmed that the outage had been resolved. The company said users who were experiencing issues may need to restart their devices to reconnect to the network. And those affected customers are eligible to receive $20 in account credit.

OnePlus CEO faces an arrest in Taiwan

Read more here

Taiwanese authorities have issued an arrest warrant for OnePlus CEO Pete Lau, alleging that he illegally hired over 70 engineers since 2014. Prosecutors have also reportedly indicted two Taiwanese engineers connected to the same case.

While geopolitical tensions between Taiwan and China remain high, China has to comply with Taiwan's Cross-Strait Act, which prohibits Chinese companies from conducting business or hiring employees in Taiwan without explicit government approval. OnePlus, a Chinese OEM, allegedly did not obtain such approval, leading to the arrest warrant being issued against Lau.

The allegation is that OnePlus set up a shell company in Hong Kong under a different name and then established a branch in Taiwan in 2015 without government authorization.

Android 17 could revamp your Quick settings

Read more here

A new Android 17 leak dropped this week, giving us a look at the supposed revamp of Quick Settings. And according to ardent tipster Mystic Leaks, Google could be planning a split layout for notifications and toggles, potentially enhancing usability for Pixel users. This would make the menu look a lot cleaner, more organized, and split instead of one large pull-down for everything.

This means that swiping from the left edge would show only notifications, while swiping from the right would bring up Quick Settings, neat right? That said, for Pixel users, this change seems to be optional. You’ll probably be able to go to Settings > Notifications and switch between the classic "Combined" view and the new "Separate" layout.

Google's budget Pixel 10a could launch very soon

Read more here

Google's mid-range Pixel, or the a-series device, usually arrives around April. However, a recent rumor indicated that a launch window for the Pixel 10a is in February. Quandt's BlueSky posts claims that Google is preparing to launch the mid-range model in "mid-February."

Alternatively, DroidLife highlighted with its own research that it discovered retail listings with "similar details." The publication took it a step further, stating that the Pixel 10a could see a specific launch date of February 17, 2026 (that's a Tuesday, in case you're wondering).

Quandt's also leaked some last-minute specs of the Pixel 10a, suggesting the phone will debut with 128GB and 256GB storage options, and colorways like Obsidian, Fog, Lavender, and Berry.

More stories this week

Those are some of the biggest stories from this week. Meanwhile, here are some other stories that are worth catching up on:

• OpenAI's first steps into AI hardware leaks, and it looks like a pair of earbuds
• Global smartphone shipments rise 2.3% in Q4 2025: Samsung and Apple lead the market
• Samsung sets the stage for Galaxy S26 launch with accidental model name reveal
• Pixel Watch might finally save you from forgetting your phone again
• Problem Solved? Leak says the Pixel 11 Pro Fold's battery repairability could step it up
• Meta plans to double production of Ray-Ban smart glasses to meet soaring demand
• Xreal takes legal battle with Viture to the US over patent infringement claims
• Good news: you won’t have to pay for basic Galaxy AI tools after all
• Android 16 QPR3 Beta 2 makes Settings easier to navigate and squashes plenty of bugs
• It's only been 30 days and this Galaxy Z TriFold's display is already busted

This is Android Central's Tech News Wrap, your go-to source for a concise roundup of the week's most significant tech stories. This is where we delve into the top headlines that provide the latest developments and innovations contributing to the digital landscape.

CES 2026 just wrapped up in Las Vegas, and it was a massive week for mobile tech. Samsung stole the show with a "creaseless" display breakthrough, while Motorola showed off some new phones, Google dealt with both a major Gemini expansion and a frustrating software hiccup for Pixel owners. Let's get into it.

Samsung really stepped up its "creaseless" foldable game

Read more here

Samsung could be giving us a huge perk with its next foldable. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 might end up getting this creaseless panel that was shown off at CES this year. Android Central's Senior Editor Harish Jonnalagadda was able to compare the "reference device" — what looks to be a current-gen foldable — and the upcoming panel that seemingly looks to be creaseless. Some people even speculate that this creaseless screen will debut on Apple's rumored book-style foldable set to launch this year.

Jonnalagadda says that Samsung didn't indicate whether this panel would end up on the Galaxy Z Fold 8, but it is entirely likely that it will be the case, considering it showcased the tri-folding panels at MWC last year, and we saw it on the Galaxy Z Trifold this year.

Motorola entered CES this year with the most flex

Read more here and here

Motorola outdid itself at CES this year, unveiling a whole slew of devices, including the Motorola Razr Fold. The phone shows up with a 6.6-inch cover display like any other device, but unfolds into a massive 8.1-inch 2K LTPO display that lets the user juggle between work, creativity, and play. Motorola didn't reveal much about the device's dimensions, chipset, or other internal specs, like the RAM and battery.

The Motorola Razr Fold features an advanced triple rear camera system consisting of a 50MP Sony LYTIA main sensor, a 50MP ultrawide/macro lens, and a 50MP 3x periscope telephoto lens. It also gets two selfie cameras, a 32MP external camera, and a 20MP punch hole camera on its internal screen, for when the device is unfolded.

Next up is the Motorola Signature, which is an ultra-slim device, featuring a Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 processor, 50MP cameras, and a remarkable 5,200mAh battery—all encased in a sleek design, starting at €999, and is the first phone that is said to get upto seven years of software updates.

Other than these phones, the company also unveiled a trio of innovative accessories, including the Pen Ultra stylus for its Razr Fold, a feature-rich Moto Watch partnered with Polar, and the Moto Tag 2 tracker, promising to redefine user experience and convenience.

Galaxy S26 leaks keep leaking, with rumors of a Feb launch

Read more here and here

Samsung's next flagship series has been showing up in multiple leaks recently, and for good reason, considering it's due to launch sometime next month. We've heard a ton about the device lineup reshuffle, with the Ultra possibly showing up with four cameras; the leaks keep getting better.

Prominent tipster Evan Blass took to X, stating that the February 25 date is "100% correct" for the Galaxy S26 series launch. Blass was quoting a post from @UniverseIce, which mentioned that Samsung will not be changing Galaxy S26 pricing as previously rumored. That same post also claimed the launch will take place in San Francisco, U.S., with sales beginning in early March.

In a subsequent post, Ice Universe also claimed that the Galaxy S26 Ultra could get a huge upgrade when it comes to its fast charging system. In a post on X, the tipster claims that the phone will get support for a new 60W charging system, which will be capable of charging the phone from 0 to 75% within 30 minutes.

Backing this claim, they further stated that the tests for the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra's charging capabilities were conducted under Samsung's controlled laboratory conditions, using certified accessories and settings.

Google is Gemini-fying everything from TV to your inbox

Read more here and here

Google also didn't shy away from making its own set of announcements for its products. First up, Google unveiled Gemini for Google TV, the AI assistant that transforms user interaction with smart features, including photo memory searches and interactive content, debuting first on select TCL models and set to reshape home entertainment.

Users will be able to ask the TV, "How do black holes work?" or "Who were the Vikings?" and it will give you "Deep dives" on the topic with interactive summaries that both adults and kids can understand.

Additionally, it is transforming Gmail with Gemini’s advanced AI tools, enhancing email management through personalized responses and innovative summaries. The most significant change is that Gmail is getting AI Overviews that let users ask natural language questions and receive concise summaries from emails.

Some Pixel 9 and 10 users are feeling "Sluggish & Laggy" after this update

Read more here

Another month and another bug seems to be plaguing some Pixel users right now, after a Play Systems update. Following a small 15MB patch, users saw issues with a Pixel 10, which appeared to be the most affected device. The main problem was that the phone became very sluggish, and the Pixel launcher reportedly "did not fully load."

The device's screen remained stuck, only displaying the wallpaper without the essential UI elements. Furthermore, some even observed that the device's status bar was also missing and apps would freeze, or display the "not responding" error post this update.

However, Google quietly rolled out an essential (emergency) update that fixed it all.

More stories this week

Those are some of the biggest stories from this week. Meanwhile, here are some other stories that are worth catching up on:

• Battle of Gen AI: Google's Gemini gains ground on its ChatGPT competitor
• Nothing sends its lock screen ads, bloatware packing in its latest update
• Health Focus: OpenAI's waitlist for ChatGPT Health's dedicated wellness guidance opens
• Google's VP confirms ChromeOS is here to stay amid rumors of sunset
• AirDrop support may soon be available for Pixel 9 users
• Samsung just supercharged SmartThings security with a major Arlo upgrade
• OnePlus 15T rumors might've closed in on a launch date, more specs surface
• Pixelsnap chargers could soon get software updates from Google
• Strava challenged Garmin and Fitbit with personalized Instant Workouts, and I'm intrigued
• Incoming glow up: Samsung Bixby's huge One UI 8.5 upgrade might look like Google

What you need to know

• The Xbox Game Pass app is arriving on more smart TV operating systems, including V homeOS and Google TV.
• Xbox confirmed its cloud gaming app will come to select Hisense smart TVs later this year.
• TCL also announced the app will be added to X11L series televisions in a future update.

Xbox is bringing cloud gaming support to more smart TV models in 2026, and that includes Google TV-powered screens.

Xbox is partnering with V (formerly VIDAA) to bring its app to certain Hisense and V homeOS smart TVs later this year, it announced Jan. 5. V homeOS is a new operating system for Hisense that will compete with other first-party smart TV OSes, like Samsung's Tizen OS or LG's Web OS. In a separate move, TCL also revealed it will bring the Xbox app to its X11L series of Google TV-powered televisions later this year.

"This partnership is all about giving you more freedom and flexibility to play how you want," Xbox said of its deal with Hisense and V homeOS. "Xbox Game Pass subscribers – including Ultimate, Premium, and Essential subscribers – will be able to stream hundreds of games, from new releases to fan favorites, directly through the Xbox app on supported TVs via Xbox Cloud Gaming."

Meanwhile, in a press release for TCL's new X11L SQD-Mini LED series of smart TVs, the company revealed it too will gain support for Xbox Cloud Gaming later this year. These flagship TVs are powered by Google TV, and will support the new Gemini for Google TV at launch. However, in TCL's list of X11L features, the company notes that support for Xbox Game Pass for cloud gaming without a console will arrive in a future over-the-air (OTA) update.

TCL's X11L series are available for pre-order now, but the smallest size currently available is a 75-inch panel starting at a whopping $6,999 MSRP. These smart TVs will be the first Google TV-powered screens to gain support for the Xbox Game Pass app, which is already available on LG's Web OS and Amazon's Fire OS.

With cloud gaming, Xbox Game Pass subscribers can stream console games over the internet without needing any physical hardware, aside from the client device, a controller, and an Xbox account. Later this year, select Hisense and TCL smart TVs will join the growing list of supported Xbox Game Pass clients, which includes Android phones and tablets.

Xbox says it'll "share more details on the Xbox Cloud Gaming experience with Hisense TVs in the coming months." TCL says the Xbox Game Pass app will arrive for the X11L series in a future update.

What you need to know

• Google is replacing the Discover tab on Android TV with a new Free tab focused entirely on ad-supported content.
• Content from Discover is not removed but moved to the Home tab for easier access without opening a separate section.
• Google TV Freeplay has expanded past 250 free channels, adding nearly 50 new ad-supported streaming options.

Google is seemingly killing the Discover tab on Android TV and replacing it with a new Free tab that brings all free-to-stream content into one place.

For a while now, Android TVs have offered a Discover section that lets users find new content to watch. The content surfaced there is based on your personalization, watchlist, and trending titles. However, it now appears that Google has started moving this content directly into the Home tab instead.

As reported by Android Authority, Google has begun replacing the Discover tab on Android TV devices. The Discover tab is no longer visible on some Android TV 10 devices, with the company swapping it out for a new Free tab. As the name suggests, this section serves as a central hub for all free-to-stream, ad-supported content.

Don't worry, the content that previously appeared in the Discover section isn't going away. Google seems to be simply relocating it to the Home tab. This makes sense, as users can now discover and stream recommended content without having to manually open a separate Discover section.

The change appears to be rolling out via a server-side update, and Google hasn't pushed a specific software update for Android TV devices yet. If you don't see the new Free tab on your Android TV home screen, it should start appearing in the coming days.

Freeplay adds dozens of new free channels on Android TV

Speaking of free-to-stream content, Google has significantly expanded its Freeplay library over the past few months. Google TV Freeplay already offers over 200 free channels, and that number continues to grow.

As spotted by 9to5Google, Google TV Freeplay has now crossed 250 channels in its library. Nearly 50 new channels have been added in the last month or so, including NBC Sports Now, NBC Comedy Vault, Universal Movies, Universal Action, SNL Vault, and several others.

While some of these channels still require installing third-party apps, you'll now be able to discover and access this free content more easily on your Android TV through the new Free tab.

What you need to know

• Apple TV on Android now supports Google Cast, letting users stream shows and movies to big-screen devices easily.
• The new Cast icon in the Apple TV app lets users select Chromecast or Google TV devices for instant playback.
• Apple's move contrasts Netflix's removal of Cast support, since Apple allows casting on all compatible devices.

Apple today (Dec. 16) announced that the Apple TV app for Android is gaining support for Google Cast.

This means that similar to how you've been able to cast content from your Android smartphone to big-screen devices like smart TVs (and even projectors) in apps like Disney+ and YouTube, you'll now be able to cast TV shows and movies from the Apple TV app on Android as well.

With the feature rolling out, you'll now see a Cast icon in the top right corner of the app. Tapping it shows a dialog box with all available Chromecast and Google TV devices. Then you simply select the device you want to stream to and playback will begin. As with other Chromecast playback, you'll be able to control everything directly from your phone.

The feature is already rolling out starting today. We were able to use it on the Google Pixel 10 Pro with the latest version of the Apple TV app (version 2.2.0). If you don't see the Cast icon yet, just update the app through the Google Play Store.

Casting from Apple TV app on Android is now possible

Apple notes that this feature will make it easier for users to stream "award-winning" shows and movies like Severance, Slow Horses, The Morning Show, Pluribus, and F1 The Movie.

It's also worth mentioning that Apple TV is slowly becoming a serious sports-streaming app with support for Major League Soccer, Friday Night Baseball, and Formula 1 races in the U.S. This expansion is great for users who don't own Apple devices but still want to stream content on the big screen.

The rollout comes at an interesting time. Recently, Netflix removed the Cast option from its app for Google TV and Chromecast devices that include remotes, but Apple has no such restriction.

The company has added support for Google Cast on all compatible devices, including the Google TV Streamer, Chromecast with Google TV, and a wide range of Android TVs.

What you need to know

• Google is rolling out Gemini to more devices, including Google Home and Google TV Streamer soon.
• The company confirmed Gemini will arrive on Google TV and other devices "this winter."
• Gemini will enhance Google TV with smarter, conversational AI and richer on-screen responses.

Google has been gradually adding Gemini to more services this year. The company has finally started rolling out Gemini to Google Home devices after announcing it in October 2025, and now a new report confirms that Gemini is also headed to the Google TV Streamer sooner than expected.

As spotted by 9to5Google, Google confirmed on its Nest Community forum that Gemini is coming to Google TV Streamer and other devices "this winter." Previously, the company gave a vague “later this year” timeline, but has now narrowed it down, giving us hope that the smarter Google Assistant will reach our favorite streaming device in the coming months.

Gemini is finally coming to Google TV Streamer soon

Even though Google has been expanding Gemini's availability across its apps and services, it's currently available on only a few Google TV models, such as the TCL QM9K Google TV. A Reddit user recently reported seeing the Gemini setup screen on their Sony Bravia TV, but overall availability remains limited for now.

Thankfully, we now know Google's flagship streaming device will get AI integration soon. This should also pave the way for Gemini to arrive on other Google TV streaming devices, such as Walmart's onn and Nvidia Shield TV.

Gemini on Google TV will deliver a better experience than the current Google Assistant. It will let users ask complex questions in natural language, like "What happened in the last episode of Riverdale?" and even request recipes or other information, all with a large visual output right on the TV screen.

For those unfamiliar, the Google TV Streamer is the company's flagship streaming device and the company's competitor to Apple TV 4K. It supports 4K HDR streaming with Dolby Vision and HDR10+. The device also supports new smart home standards like Matter and Thread, and even includes a customizable remote button you can map to anything.

What you need to know

• A report states that Google TV and DirecTV has partnered to enhance the hotel TV experience via a new "Advanced Entertainment Platform" (AEP).
• With the AEP, DirecTV can bring a clean slate to hotels that enables them to customize its brand logo, background, streaming services provided, and on-demand content.
• Google's TV software runs throughout its core, as the two reportedly seek a 2026 release.
• In September, Gemini with Google TV launched for consumers in their homes on specific TCL devices first.

Google is reportedly preparing to bring its TV streaming platform to more places in cities, courtesy of a satellite TV partnership.

In research conducted by 9to5Google, the publication discovered that Google TV has supposedly struck a partnership with DirecTV to further the streaming experience in hotels. In a recently published document, the satellite TV provider detailed its plan to help hoteliers improve the visitor experience in rooms. To do this, DirecTV highlighted its new "Advanced Entertainment Platform," otherwise known as the AEP.

The purpose of the AEP, according to DirecTV, is to help "further enhance guest personalization." Additionally, the AEP enables deep-rooted customization opportunities for the hotel, letting them "customize the home screen with a brand's logo, colors, or image, and a custom welcome message."

As the publication points out, Google TV is at the core of DirecTV's AEP. The TV provider states that its AEP will bring live TV, popular streaming services, and "on-demand content," which is likely driven by Google's experience (Android TV OS). The AEP's Partner Program will let hotels "layer" some uniqueness for their guests. As such, the document states that, aside from entertainment, visitors can find a hotel's hours of operation and times for restaurants, spas, gyms, and more using their TV remote.

Moreover, hotels can leverage the AEP to even showcase menus for dishes served in the building. The post reports that Google TV and DirecTV are eyeing a release of the AEP in hotels sometime in 2026.

The TV experience continues to evolve

The post by 9to5 highlights DirecTV's ambition to let hotel guests attach their Google accounts temporarily to the AEP, Google TV combo. Reportedly, the system will run "daily, automatic clears" for a visitor's information, to ensure the next person to inhabit that room doesn't see anything.

For more personal spaces, Gemini with Google TV launched in September, bringing the company's long-awaited (and promised) AI upgrade. As teased during CES 2025, Gemini with Google TV lets users speak "naturally" to the AI for season recaps, entertainment recommendations, and more. Users can even get personal, telling the AI to try and find content that bridges the gap between two wildly different content preferences.

Gemini's addition brings something for kids, enabling them to learn about the world's captivating occurrences, like volcanic eruptions. The company said it would begin bringing this upgrade to TCL QM9K series devices first, before looking at its own Google TV Streamer, Walmart onn. 4K Pro, 2025 Hisense U7, U8, and more "later this year."

There were some rumors that Google might have even more in store with its AI, but a feature that could let users get a little creative with its generative capabilities.

What you need to know

• Google seems to be transforming its TV interface into an AI-powered hub for generating content, not just consuming it.
• "Sparkify" is the core feature, turning your prompts into AI videos by leveraging Gemini and Veo.
• Currently in limited testing, Sparkify and Gemini’s integration on Google TV are still rolling out, with broader support expected later this year.

Google is moving toward making its TV interface more than just a passive viewing platform.

Digging through code in a recent APK teardown, the folks over at Android Authority have uncovered hints that your Google TV might soon let you create your own videos using AI.

Central to this push is a feature called Sparkify, which was first announced at Google I/O 2025. With support from Gemini and Veo, Sparkify can take prompts or questions and turn them into animated video responses. In effect, you ask, and the system shows.

The teardown also revealed references to things like “scene style,” “visual style,” “describe your idea,” and “generate video” — all likely subcomponents or settings around how Sparkify might fine-tune what gets displayed.

If Google pulls this off, TVs could shift from being just screens to interactive creative hubs. Imagine asking your TV to illustrate a history lesson on the spot, or to generate a short video explaining a concept instead of reading a page of text.

Sparkify doesn’t exist everywhere just yet. For now, it’s in limited testing or behind the scenes on certain Google TV devices. And even the Gemini integration with Google TV is in early rollout phases. Google says it intends to expand support to more models later this year.

More than video creation: Google’s AI “nudge” feature

The video-generation option isn’t the only AI functionality being teased. Google seems to be experimenting with a nudge feature, which will supposedly check if you’ve dozed off while streaming. This experiment suggests a broader ambition: Google wants TV to become more responsive and attuned to viewer behavior.

Of course, not everything visible in teardown code is guaranteed to become a public feature. Some elements may be prototypes or tests meant only for internal development.

And timing is uncertain: we don’t yet know when or whether Google plans to roll out full Sparkify capabilities to all users.

Still, it's becoming obvious that Google is nudging TVs into a new role, where they don’t just serve content but also help create it.

What you need to know

• Google announced today (Sep 22) that it's rolling out its expected major "Gemini for Google TV" update, previously teased during CES 2025.
• Users can converse naturally with the AI, asking it to recap previous seasons for shows and find recommendations based on two different preferences.
• Gemini for Google TV can also help kids learn about the world, like volcanoes and more, as it leverages YouTube to help.
• This major update is rolling out for TCL QM9K series devices first, before hitting the Google TV Streamer, Walmart onn. 4K Pro, 2025 Hisense U7, U8, and more "later this year."

We haven't heard anything since CES 2025, but today (Sep 22), Google is officially revealing "Gemini for Google TV."

The announcement arrived via a Keyword post, which highlights the beginning of Gemini for Google TV for viewers at home. To get us going, Google states this major update is rolling out for viewers with a TCL QM9K series device. Consumers with the Google TV Streamer, Walmart onn. 4K Pro, 2025 Hisense U7, U8, and UX models, and 2025 TCL QM7K, QM8K, and X11K models will have to wait until "later this year."

This major Gemini for Google TV is calling the old (and still existing) Assistant old news, as the post states the newer AI model "goes beyond simple commands." Users can talk to Gemini with natural speech, as you would to a person sitting beside you. Saying "Hey Google" (or by pressing the mic button on your remote) will let you experience a new world of AI-assisted TV, such as when you're unsure about what to watch.

Google says users can ask Gemini to suggest some movies when it's hard to find something that two people with varying tastes may enjoy. If you like dramas, but your partner likes comedies, you can tell Gemini those interests and see what it finds.

Gemini can also get you "caught up" if you missed a season of a popular show, and it can even turn your "vague" show descriptions into something you can work with.

Gemini for Google TV is reportedly leaning into its educational abilities in this new update, and it's bringing YouTube with it. The company states that parents can ask Gemini to "explain" or expand on certain real-world phenomena. To explain, the post highlights that Gemini will deliver a text-based explainer, alongside a row of recommended YouTube videos to further the subject.

Moreover, Google teases that Gemini can also help you with tutorials and cooking ideas right from your TV.

As previously stated, Gemini for Google TV is rolling out today (Sep 22) for consumers with a TCL QM9K series device. The post alludes to there being even more Gemini capabilities "coming soon." We'll have to see if these additional features coincide with Gemini's release on more devices later in 2025.

There's even more from Google TV on the way

We were hearing about this Gemini update for Google TV during CES 2025, which is when the company said you could just "speak naturally to your TV." That idea was stated alongside the idea that users wouldn't need to say "Hey Google." However, with today's update, we're seeing that the wake-up prompt is still there, but users can also press their microphone button and begin speaking.

Google stated that Gemini on Google TV would connect with a homeowner's smart devices, allowing the choice of checking in on doorbell cameras and more. This pretty much sounds like the personal control center-esque update we got a few months prior to CES 2025.

Google's current teaser of more Gemini features to come with its Google TV introduction was echoed in January. The company said that by the end of 2025, Google TV will feature proximity sensors that react to your presence, which could kick off a photo slideshow and more.

What you need to know

• Google TV is reportedly testing a small homescreen redesign for users in a recent update.
• The company has reworked its profile menu slightly, adding in two options, while it revamps the look of its navigational bar with a Search icon included.
• Google TV has been kept relatively quiet as of late, though a more major update brought the smart home "Home Panel" to even more users.

A report claims Google TV is testing a small home screen redesign that could change up its look and how you get to your content.

The test was spotted by 9to5Google thanks to a tip it received late this week, which offered some real-life photos of the redesign on the user's TV. The user's photos show that Google is seemingly testing a small change to the menu presented when clicking on your profile icon on your TV homescreen. The user snapped a photo of Google TV's alert, stating that it's moved "your Library and Watchlist to under the profile icon."

Now, both those options are there, alongside the pre-existing "Your Services" and "Content Preferences," with the account switcher and add account icons above them.

Outside of the profile menu, Google TV's redesign in testing also revamped the navigational bar. Again, the company highlights this change, stating, "Search is now here, and we've renamed For You to Home." Google has housed these options within a pill-shaped bar with "Live" and "Apps" in there, too. However, as the publication also notes, Google TV has separated the settings menu and the screensaver option into their own pill-shaped menu next to your main content hub selection.

It's been reported that this small Google TV homescreen redesign hit the user's device in v1.0.806977084. It's not uncommon for Google's tests to be limited, meaning only a few users ever see them at the start. It looks like that's what we're dealing with again, probably to give Google time to make any more changes (if there are any) and to receive feedback from those who got it unexpectedly.

A little TLC for Google TV

Google TV is kept relatively tame in terms of updates and things to get excited for; however, we did have that personal control center-esque update to stare at. Google TV updated several of its devices with the "Home Panel" that debuted with the TV Streamer during its launch last year. From the home panel, users can keep tabs on their smart devices, like their cameras, doorbell cameras, and there are even light controls, all from your TV (and remote).

Google TV rolled out upgrades to viewers via a Sports tab and some Gemini integration when watching shows.

There was a smaller update, audio-focused, that let viewers choose their preferred audio format. Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital, and PCM Stereo were listed as available options.

I used all of XGIMI's projectors in the last five years, so I know what I'm talking about when I say that the Aura 2 is its best model yet. The projector has one of the brightest projectors in this category, and the ultra short throw nature of the lens means you can put it right next to a wall and get a 150-inch projection — no ceiling mount necessary.

It has the best picture quality of any projector I used, and the software has exclusive extras, including ambient backgrounds. I used the Aura 2 daily for the last six months, and it has been incredible. While it's still a high-end purchase, it's down to $2,149 on Amazon until July 12, making it that much more affordable. With the last day of Prime Day rolling around, take a look at all the deals still available.

XGIMI did everything right with the Aura 2; the new design is striking, and it is smaller than the outdoing model. The best feature is a dust cover that prevents any dust ingress into the lens when it's not in use. This has made maintenance that much easier, and the motorized panel adds a decent flair to the design.

Picture quality is fantastic; I used the projector to see movies and TV shows, and it excels at Dolby Vision and HDR content. It goes up to 2300 lumens, and I didn't see any problems in a well-lit room — it's more than bright enough.

The Aura 2 is quite good at gaming as well, and I didn't see any issues playing games on the PS5 with the projector. It has latency of 20ms in the gaming mode, and if you want the best UST model in this area, Nexigo's Aurora Pro gets down to 8ms, and that model is also on sale at $1,999 now.

I still prefer the Aura 2 because of the design, better color vibrancy, and the auto keystone correction. I'm setting up an ALR panel shortly, but I used the projector against a bare wall and didn't see any issues. XGIMI is using a new image engine with wall color switching, so it dynamically adjusts the color balance after taking the background wall color into account. The Amazon deal bringing it down to $2,149 is only valid until July 12, so if you like the look of this projector, I'd suggest acting now.

For everything on Amazon Prime Day, head to our ultimate buying guide.

What you need to know

• Android TV includes a basic framework for sleep timers, but it's hardly a handy experience at the moment.
• Updates to the Google TV Home app signal that Google will expand sleep timer functionality with new features.
• Sleep timers may come to the main Google TV operating system with the ability to easily pause, resume, and manage them.

Sleep timers are a convenient way to make sure your favorite shows or movies don't continue running in the background after you fall asleep. Android TV includes a rudimentary sleep timer function, but Google TV currently doesn't feature a user-friendly option. As Google TV is the operating system you probably interact with most often via supported TVs, Chromecast hardware, and the Google TV Streamer, it's safe to say the experience has been lacking.

Now, there are signs that Google is working on expanding Android TV sleep timer functionality to the main Google TV operating system, as reported by Android Authority. The publication found code strings and references to sleep timers in version 1.0.756918669 the Google TV Home app. This app serves as the main Google TV interface, and it's what you interact with while navigating and controlling Google TV streaming devices.

These code strings point to features that aren't currently offered for the sleep timer in Android TV. Additionally, their appearance prominently in the Google TV Home app suggests the sleep timer will eventually come properly to the Google TV operating system.

Cancel timerPause timerResume timer%1$d seconds until TV turns off%1$d minutes until TV turns offYour sleep timer has ended, but something went wrong when turning off your TV. You can still turn it off manuallyUnable to turn off TV

Android TV doesn't support pause and resume functions for sleep timers, hinting that a refresh is in the works for the feature. Sleep timer notification warnings at various intervals are new, too.

Other code strings hint at Google letting users take sleep timer actions directly from the notification warnings. For instance, you might be able to add time to a sleep timer when a notification warns you that your Google TV device is about to shut down. However, the full details are currently unclear, since these code strings haven't materialized into actionable or viewable notifications just yet.

Either way, it seems to be a good sign that Google is working on building a proper sleep timer for Google TV. Previously, Android TV's implementation of the feature required OEMs to build their own user-interfaces for the handy tool. Soon, Google TV users may be able to use convenient sleep timers to make sure their nighttime binges don't continue after their eyes close.

We're only a week away from Google I/O, and it's unusual for Google to preview upcoming features before they are officially announced at the event. So this year, Google took a different approach by revealing some of the significant developments much earlier than expected.

The Android President did drop some hints on showing off Android 16's quirks before its launch, however, and several other UI leaks have also pointed at an early first look. Meanwhile, here's everything that was announced at The Android Show - I/O Edition today (May 13).

Material 3 Expressive

Google has announced one of the biggest UI changes to its ecosystem. At the upcoming I/O developer conference, Google is set to officially show off the next big chapter in Android design: The company is switching things up in a big way with Material 3 Expressive (M3).

For Material 3 Expressive, Google is modifying its UI experience to be more expressive and interactive. Google explains that M3 Expressive is all about design that feels good, makes sense, and helps you do things with ease. It leans on five key components, such as color, shape, size, motion, and containment, to steer the user's attention to the stuff that actually matters.

These UI changes will show up both on phones and wearables, with the interface sporting a brighter look. You’ll see the notification “tear away” from the rest of the notifications in the stack. Animations around the UI now bounce with a playful energy they didn’t have before. Even small elements get their spotlight, like when you adjust the volume slider or pull down the notification shade.

On the Pixel Watch front, Google says the new animations and designs “trace the curvature of the display” as you scroll and interact.

Wear OS 6 will be seeing more customization via color options and a customizable UI. Watch faces will now have the ability to change the whole color of the OS, giving the wearable a more thematic feel.

Google says the new button and notification design is made to “hug the display” as it moves, taking up as much space within the wearable as possible and making the most of the screen. There are even new stretchable buttons that are easier to tap, so you don’t have to be quite as precise with actions.

Gemini comes to more devices

Google announced during the show that it will be bringing Gemini's smarts to more devices that people use daily.

It started by replacing Google Assistant with Gemini earlier this year, and things have just taken off since then. Now, it's expanding Gemini's power to Wear OS, Google TV, Android Auto, and even Android XR.

Gemini will be integrated into Wear OS, helping users stay on top of things straight from their wrists.

"Like when your hands are covered in flour while cooking, when you’re rushing between meetings, or when you’re in the middle of a bike ride," Google explained in the press release. All users need to do is summon Gemini with their voice and give it a command. Google says it doesn't have to be a fully thought-out sentence.

Cars are also getting a Gemini-sized upgrade on Android Auto. While voice commands have been at the center of Android Auto, with Gemini, the tech giant says users can do more on the move.

Gemini, built into Android Auto, will be a more intuitive assistant that can gauge what the user wants "through natural conversations." So instead of hitting on the right response or choosing the right text to send, Gemini will let you do all of that hands-free.

Google says Gemini can find you a location that exactly fits your needs. For instance, you can give it a complex command like, "find me a charging station on the way to the post office that’s also near a park, so that I can go for a walk before your errands while your car is charging."

Gemini within Android Auto integrates with other apps to allow users to be more productive while driving. For instance, during your morning commute, you can ask Gemini to give you "the rundown of the news today (but without sports), or get a quick synopsis of the book that you didn't get around to finishing before your book club meeting," Google added.

Next, Google TV is also getting a slice of Gemini Live. From asking the TV to play age-appropriate shows or movies for the kids to answering questions about the solar system by pulling up the perfect YouTube video, Google TV is said to go beyond just showcasing entertainment.

Google is taking Gemini a step further, integrating it into the world of Extended Reality — this includes next-gen devices like XR headsets and smartglasses.

Google says that with the Samsung headset and Gemini Live collab, it "can help you do things like plan a vacation by surrounding you with videos, maps, and local tips, creating an entire itinerary in minutes while providing a more," giving a sense that they're already at their vacay spot even before getting on the plane.

Tackling scams with Gemini

While online scams continue to rise, Google is trying to be a step ahead with its AI detection system. During the show, it announced a whole slew of privacy and security tools that will show up on all Android devices with Android 16.

New warning systems will be built into Android's caller and Google Messages, which help prevent fraud by sending you pop-up messages when common scam tactics are used.

For instance, Google Messages is also getting a big security update with AI-based detection that can help stop scammers pretending to be government officials or bank employees, or even"tech support" scams, and several other new categories. These messages will be automatically flagged and filtered as spam if spam detection is enabled.

It also gave us more insight into a new Key Verifier program in Google Messages that uses public encryption keys to further verify end-to-end encrypted messages, so you can be certain that the person you're texting is the real deal and not a bad actor.

Google Play Protection will also include live threat detection that will let users know if a developer has maliciously changed or hidden their app icon. The feature will roll out to Pixel 6 and higher devices, as well as a "selection" of other phones, in the coming months.

We know Google always drops some hints at the end of its show, this time Google just showed us with a logo of its Android 16 Beta 4.1, which includes a number of bug fixes.

We expect to see the above improvements and more at this year's Google I/O, which is set for 1 PM ET on May 20 at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California.

What you need to know

• YouTube is shaking up the Subscriptions page in an update announced last month and rolling out now.
• The page will now place Shorts at the top of the viewable area, requiring users to scroll to see traditional long-form content.
• This tweak is rolling out for YouTube app users on TVs and consoles, including Apple and Google TV hardware.

YouTube is rolling out a change to its app for TVs and consoles that prioritizes Shorts content over your subscriptions. The tweak, announced last month, shakes up the Subscriptions tab on the YouTube app for TVs.

It separates YouTube Shorts from long-form videos, placing Shorts at the very top of your subscriptions tab. This change is widely rolling out for TVs and consoles, including Google TV and Apple TV hardware, as reported by Reddit users and 9to5Google.

The new Shorts row on the Subscriptions page still only shows videos from channels and creators you're subscribed to. However, the vertical length of Shorts previews means that long-form YouTube videos aren't fully visible on the Subscriptions page anymore without scrolling.

Previously, Shorts were mixed in with a user's main subscriptions feed. The new update adds separation for YouTube's vertical, short-form content and the platform's traditional horizontal, long-form content. For some, it will come at the expense of usability, as users now have to scroll to see their traditional YouTube subscription row on the Subscriptions page.

AppleTV Youtube app & What the actual duck ??? from r/youtube

In the first few days following the new Subscriptions page's rollout, some users are already unhappy with the shift. One user on Reddit, u/AtlasMMX, pointed out the oddness of being unable to see their long-form subscription row on a 77-inch flatscreen TV. They particularly criticize the wasted space atop the Subscriptions page, which theoretically could be used to put Shorts and long-form content on the same viewable area.

It's just one of many Reddit posts on the YouTube subreddit criticizing the move across platforms, including Google TV and Apple TV. Unfortunately, there's no way for YouTube users on TVs and consoles to rearrange the order of their Subscriptions page.

What you need to know

• The Onn 4K Plus is an upcoming Google TV-powered streaming device priced under $30, as revealed by a leaked Walmart listing.
• The key features of the device include a quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, Wi-Fi 6, Dolby Vision Atmos, Google Assistant, Google Cast, and smart home control capabilities.
• This affordable device appears to be a viable replacement for the discontinued Chromecast with Google TV (4K), potentially undercutting competitors.

Walmart has some decent replacements for Google’s Chromecasts with its set of Onn streaming devices. Now, a new listing (now removed) revealed a supposedly upcoming streaming device dubbed Onn 4K Plus.

The pulled-out listing (spotted by 9to5Google) showcases the upcoming Onn 4K Plus streaming device, which features Google TV and has an attractive price retailing just under $30. The publication further notes that the same streaming device was leaked through some photos early last month, as it was accidentally posted on a review site.

However, the new Walmart listing reveals the device in full, including pricing, and more of what to expect. The Onn 4K Plus features a quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, and 16GB of storage. It further provides Wi-Fi 6 support. Additionally, the streaming device supports Google Assistant, Google Cast, Dolby Vision Atmos certification, and HDMI.

Users will be able to perform smart home control tasks like handling lights and thermostats connected to the same network, as it appears the new Google Home panel is a highlighted feature.

An affordable 4K streaming device

Since it's Google TV, one can find dedicated buttons on the remote to trigger Google Assistant and Free TV, as well as launch buttons for streaming services like YouTube, Netflix, Disney Plus, and Paramount Plus.

The new Onn 4K Plus joins the other two 4K streaming devices the company already provides — the Onn 4K streaming (2023) and 4K Pro streaming (2024). With the Chromecast with Google TV (4K) discontinuing last year, it appears the upcoming Onn 4K Plus should be a viable option to consider, given the affordable price it seems to be coming in.

In comparison, the Roku Streaming Stick Plus is also currently retailing at $39.99. Now we just need to wait for the device to actually launch.

• Streaming deals: Disney+ | Max | Sling | Fubo | Peacock | Paramount+

What you need to know

• A Google TV product update revealed a handful of ways the company is improving its experience with an updated setup.
• The post states Hisense’s 2025 U7 series and 2025 U8 series are the first to receive its new "improved app installs" and setup notifications on Android.
• Last September, Google TV received an update that brought the TV Streamer's Home Panel to more users, making it easy to manage your cameras, temperature, and more.

Google TV recently detailed a few ways it's revamping its setup experience for users to get them into their shows and movies quicker.

In a Keyword post, Google's product update says its new setup experience is "faster and easier" for users. This experience brings a handful of changes, but most notably, Google says users can "start watching right away." Google TV's upgraded setup brings "improved app installs," meaning you won't have to wait around for a while as your device prepares.

Additionally, Google says this upgraded app install method should give users more peace of mind when worrying about their TVs' onboard storage.

The post states users won't need to download an app to get their Google TV started. Now, during its initial setup, your Android phone will display a notification, which states "Set up your Google TV." Those on iOS will have to scan the on-screen QR code. Moreover, consumers can connect eligible smart devices to their Google TV much quicker than before.

Certain devices, like Google Home speakers, will let users pause their content, search for shows/movies, and more. Lastly, users can "customize" their TV with unique screensavers, parental controls, and individual profiles.

Google TV concludes by specifying that this new setup experience is "first available" for Hisense’s 2025 U7 series and 2025 U8 series. The company plans to expand coverage to other Google TVs and "select" Onn. streaming products from Walmart "later this year."

Relaxing with your Favorite Content

Shortly after the Google TV Streamer launched, the company rolled out an update for Google TV devices. The patch aimed to give users more awareness and control when it came to their home and entertainment. The main highlight was the addition of the "Home Panel," a side-view packed with all of your connected smart home device information and cameras. Users could easily see who was at their door and check on other areas in or around the home without leaving the TV.

Additionally, the Home Panel on Google TV lets users control their lights and temperature for a complete control center. The experience further progressed with Google's new Sports tab on the "For You" page. The tab was designed to highlight "relevant" sports games, as well as YouTube Highlights.

While the TV Streamer is the official replacement of the Chromecast, the company still rolled out a major update for it. At the end of April, the Chromecast with Google TV dongle received the Home Panel update, bringing much of the smart home connectivity the TV Streamer and Google TV devices have.

• Streaming deals: Disney+ | Max | Sling | Fubo | Peacock | Paramount+

There's been a heady wave of new entrants in the projector category in recent years, and Valerion is the latest to make its debut. Valerion is a sub-brand of AWOL Vision, and it is clearly setting its sights on the high-end market with its VisionMaster series. I used the VisionMaster Pro 2 for a while now, and the projector gets a lot right: it is one of the brightest Google TV projectors I used — going up to 3,000 lumens — and it has a three-laser light source, Dolby Vision, great built-in sound, and low lag of just 4ms at 1080p, making it a great choice to pair with a console.

The VisionMaster Pro 2 costs $2,999 on Amazon as of writing, and that's significantly more than most of its rivals; I tested XGIMI's Horizon S Max when it debuted, and that model is available at $1,609 now, and Dangbei's excellent Mars Pro 2 is once again down to $1,399. Even XGIMI's ultra short throw Aura 2 doesn't cost anywhere as much, coming in at $2,294 now.

The differentiator with the VisionMaster Pro 2 is that it gets brighter than any other projector I used. Then there's the design; Valerion wanted to make a statement with this projector, and it has a bold design that stands out. The green hue looks distinctive in its own right, but the addition of chrome inserts on all sides gives it significant presence.

There's no question that this is the best-looking projector yet, and while design is never a consideration when selecting a projector, I like the attention to detail Valerion lavished on this thing. There are other niceties; you get a built-in stand at the bottom that lets you incline the projector, and it makes a difference. While it doesn't have a gimbal system like the Horizon S Max or JMGO's projectors, setting it up was straightforward.

The back of the unit houses all the ports, and they're hidden behind a cover. You get two HDMI 2.1ports and an eARC, optical out, dual USB-A connectors, and Ethernet. The front of the projector has a clean design, with the lens on the right and the TOF sensor located on the left — this is used to configure keystone.

On that note, the VisionMaster Pro 2 does a great job with keystone correction, and it's able to adjust the image orientation in just a few seconds. Autofocus is effortless as well, and you get the usual object avoidance features. You can mount the projector on a stand, or affix it to the ceiling.

The VisionMaster Pro 2 has a throw ratio of 0.9 to 1.5:1, and it goes up to a 300-inch image. In regular use, you'll realistically set it up at a 100-inch projection as that involves mounting the unit 12 feet away, and this is what I did. It gets Dolby Vision, HDR10+, IMAX Enhanced, motion smoothing, and a decent set of image modes and good customizability when it comes to adjusting settings.

Interestingly, the gaming mode brings down the latency to just 4ms when used at a 1080p resolution and 240Hz. It gives the VisionMaster Pro 2 added versatility, and if you need 4K gaming, latency is at 15ms. You get the usual Google TV interface, and there are no restrictions with streaming services — Netflix is installed out of the box, and you can download any other service via the Play Store.

The projector is powered by MediaTek's MT9618, and it gets 4GB of memory alongside 128GB of storage. Given that it has double the memory of most projectors, it is incredibly fluid in regular use, and I didn't see any problems whatsoever in this area. I usually have to connect the Shield TV Pro because most built-in interfaces inevitably become laggy, but that hasn't been an issue on the projector, and it handled HDR content effortlessly.

There's decent built-in sound as well thanks to dual 12W drivers, but I'd suggest pairing the projector with a good audio system to make the most out of the image quality. The bundled remote is good too; it has a distinctive retro styling, and while it is taller, you get all the buttons you need (including mute), and the keys are backlit.

Image quality is where the VisionMaster Pro 2 truly comes into its own; thanks to the laser light source, the projector delivers a bright image with outstanding colors. I didn't have any issues even with plenty of ambient light, and picture quality is better than the Horizon S Max, Mars Pro 2, and just about every other projector I used.

The Filmmaker mode has accurate colors, and it's what I'd suggest using. You can easily adjust colors and tailor image quality to your tastes as well, and the picture quality as a whole is faultless. That's always an unknown with a new entrant, but Valerion has shown that it is not only able to hold its own against established rivals, but outmatch most brands.

Ultimately, that's the key selling point of the VisionMaster Pro 2. It has better colors and brightness than other projectors in this category, combined with the fastest UI of any projector I used, and all the other extras you need.

I dislike Google TV with a passion; Google took a clean Android TV interface and riddled it with ads and unwanted recommendations. That's why I still use the Shield TV Pro — it's the one Android TV box that actually does a good job, and doesn't automatically lag if you use the TV for more than a few minutes.

Regardless of whether it's high-end projectors like the XGIMI Aura 2 or budget TVs, Google TV just doesn't feel great to use. Indian brand Lumio is looking to change that with the debut of its TVs; the brand rolled out the QLED Vision 7 and the Mini-LED Vision 9 in the country earlier this month, and both models have plenty of differentiated features.

But what I like the most about Lumio is the software; it's still using Google TV, but the brand outfitted all of its TVs — even the base model — with 3GB of DDR4 memory, and it made several tweaks to the interface to make it fluid. The result is the only TV I've ever used that doesn't feel slow; Lumio is calling its products the fastest TVs in India, and that is actually true.

Lumio says that its TVs will continue to be fast even after several years, and that's something I will put to the test. While Lumio itself is a new entity, it consists of Xiaomi India veterans, and it's clear that the brand knows what it's doing in this category — and has the requisite manufacturing contacts and after-sales network to go up against established manufacturers.

In fact, Lumio's TVs are manufactured at Dixon — the same as Xiaomi. What's great to see is that there's a standard two-year warranty on all of Lumio's TVs, and the brand established an after-sales network in the country.

I can't talk much about the quality of the hardware as I was sent a pre-production unit for testing, but the picture quality itself is among the best in its segment. The Vision 9 in particular is a good choice, going up to 550 nits in regular use and 900 nits with HDR content. It handles Dolby Vision and HDR content well, and it has a dedicated quantum dot layer with 2,000 mini LEDs housed inside the panel.

Lumio did a decent job with its image engine, and colors are calibrated out of the box. Sound quality is pretty decent as well, and Lumio managed to deliver a clean sound that doesn't distort even at high volumes. The Vision 7 is a great value, delivering 400 nits and a dedicated quantum dot layer. Clearly, Lumio is aiming to differentiate its devices with the picture quality, and being a new brand taking on much bigger rivals like Xiaomi, it needed to do that.

The TVs get HDMI 2.1 ports as standard too, but the key omission is variable refresh — they're locked to 60Hz. That's annoying as the rest of the hardware is quite decent, and Lumio says it is targeting a mainstream audience with the Vision 7 and Vision 9, so it didn't include VRR. That's also the reason why the Vision 9 is only available in a 55-inch variant, with the Vision 7 retailing in 43 inch, 50 inch, and 55 inches.

It's entirely likely we'll get a 65-inch model down the line with VRR, but at launch, the size is limited to 55 inches. That isn't much of a downside considering the intended audience, and honestly, Lumio did a good job with the basics. On that note, the brand's TVs are powered by a quad-core silicon that uses Cortex A75 cores, and it gets AV1 decode as standard — a necessity these days.

Now, the biggest differentiator with Lumio's TVs is the software; the Google TV interface is much better to use than just about any other TV I used, and that's no exaggeration. I use Xiaomi's 75-inch Mi QLED TV 75 in my living room, and it has been a constant source of frustration. It regularly freezes with the most mundane of tasks — powering on and switching sources to the Shield TV Pro — and I have to cold reset the TV every other day.

The Android TV interface on that TV is so slow that it just doesn't make sense to use Xiaomi's software, the panel quality is good enough that I continue to use it daily. That's why I'm excited about Lumio's entry into this category; even Sony, Samsung, and LG mid-range TVs have issues with stability and lag, and it's great to see a brand address that issue.

Another standout addition is TL;DR, a custom hub that pulls sports scores into a unified dashboard. It does a fantastic job, and offers a vast overview of the action across several leagues. Lumio is doing a similar thing with music as well, collating various sources so you can just listen to music without having to muddle through various playlists and services. The music tech plugs into YouTube Music as of now, but Lumio says it is trying to get other music providers onboard.

Ultimately, Lumio did all the right things with the Vision 9. It's aimed at a mainstream audience, but the TV has great picture quality, decent sound, and the best software of any TV around. What's noteworthy is that it made a Google TV product I actually want to use — now I just need Lumio to build a streamer to take on the Shield TV Pro.

What you need to know

• Google is planning to upgrade Google TV with AI features, including News Brief and Gemini Live.
• The company sent out a survey to Google TV Advisors that tests out different descriptions of the new features.
• The survey descriptions provide a bit of insight into how Google may implement these features in Google TV.

Google is integrating Gemini and other AI features across all its platforms, but some have been quicker to receive them than others. Google TV is the latest operating system to be overhauled with AI, and Google has plans to expand ambient screensaver functionality while also adding Gemini Live support in the future. But it's asking Google TV users for advice on how to do that, according to a new survey sent out to Google TV Advisors.

Android Police got its hands on the survey, which concerns News Briefs and Gemini Live on Google TV. Both features are no secret, and have been the subject of public teasers as well as leaks. News Briefs compile key pieces of information on your screen when you need it throughout the day, and Gemini Live could work with new TV hardware that doesn't require speaking into a remote.

"Since you’re one of our trusted Google TV Advisors, we’d like your help with something. We’re trying to figure out the clearest way to describe some exciting new features," the email sent to Google TV Advisors reads. "These features were recently announced at CES, the annual consumer electronics show in Las Vegas. If you have 7 minutes, please take this survey, and we’ll enter you in our monthly sweepstakes for a $50 gift card."

The full survey is listed below, courtesy of Android Police. Google TV Advisors are asked to pick the best description of the new features coming to Google TV in the future.

• Ambient Screensaver News Briefs
  • Message A: Your Google TV's upgraded Ambient Screensaver does more than display your favorite art and photos. It can now also show helpful information like time, weather, and news headlines, making it easier for you and your family to get the info you need for your day.
  • Message B: Your Google TV's upgraded Ambient Screensaver does more than display your favorite art and photos. Now, when you get closer, it switches to an overview of helpful information like time, weather, and news headlines, making it easier for you and your family to get the info you need for your day.
  • Message C: Your Google TV's upgraded Ambient Screensaver does more than display your favorite art and photos. Now, when you’re near your TV, it shows an overview of helpful information like time, weather, and news headlines, making it easier for you and your family to get the info you need for your day.
• Gemini Live on Google TV
  • Message A: Watching something and have a quick question? Gemini Live on Google TV lets you have a natural, free-flowing conversation with Gemini without exiting your movie or show, so you can get the answers you need right when you need them.
  • Message B: With Gemini Live on Google TV, you can do more with your television:
    • Talk back and forth with Gemini about the movie or show you’re watching.
    • Brainstorm ideas out loud, from finding recipes to planning your next movie-themed party.
    • Explore new topics by having a conversation with Gemini on whatever you want to learn about.
    • Practice for interviews, presentations and other important moments in a more natural and conversational way.
  • Message C: With Gemini Live on Google TV, you can do more with your television:
    • Have a natural, free-flowing conversation with Gemini, and even interrupt when you want to add more details or change the topic.
    • Brainstorm ideas out loud, from finding recipes to planning your next movie-themed party.
    • Explore new topics by having a conversation with Gemini on whatever you want to learn about.
    • Practice for interviews, presentations or other important moments with feedback from Gemini.

One of these descriptions could appear in Google TV when News Briefs or Gemini Live functionality are added. Google often uses splash screens to introduce and explain new features following an update, and these descriptions may become part of a splash screen for either News Briefs or Gemini Live.

While this survey serves as yet another confirmation these features are on the way, we don't know when they'll officially release.

What you need to know

• A new “Display” button on YouTube for Android TV lets you switch between Artwork, Lyrics, and Video modes for a more immersive music experience.
• The Lyrics mode shows live, synced lyrics alongside the album art, making sing-alongs easier than ever.
• The “Display” button (eyeball icon) sits between Thumbs Down and Save during music video playback.

Android TV users can now enjoy a more immersive music video experience on YouTube, thanks to a new feature that makes it easier than ever to belt out your favorite tunes or just soak in the visuals while jamming.

The YouTube app on Android TV is rolling out a handy new feature for music lovers, spotted by 9to5Google. During music video playback, you’ll now see a "Display" button marked by a little eyeball icon. Tap it, and you’ll get some extra visual flair to amp up your viewing experience.

The new “Display” button sits right between the Thumbs Down and Save buttons. If you’re all about karaoke nights, you’ll love this update.

You'll see three options when tapping the button: Artwork, Lyrics, and Video. Pick "Artwork," and you’ll see the album cover front and center, set against a background that matches its main color, with the artist and song details right below. Go for "Lyrics," and the album art shifts to the side while live, synced-up lyrics take the spotlight.

The new feature is rolling out on YouTube for Android TV (version 5.22 and up) and is also popping up on other smart TV platforms

This option has some useful potential, but it’s not without its quirks. Android Authority dug into it and found a few headaches, like the app struggling to remember your preferences.

It might save settings for a single video, but more often than not, it snaps back to the default video view. And forget about keeping those settings consistent across multiple videos—it’s hit or miss.

On top of that, there’s a noticeable drop in sound quality when you switch to Artwork or Lyrics modes, probably because it pulls audio from YouTube Music instead of the original video. So, while it’s a neat addition, there’s still some fine-tuning needed.

YouTube’s new “Display” feature on Android TV feels like a nod to YouTube Music’s earlier experiments with live lyrics during casting. Back in late 2022, YouTube Music rolled out a revamped casting interface that brought scrolling lyrics, album art, and track details to the forefront, all set against a blurred album art background.

What you need to know

• Hidden code in the latest Google TV Streamer update suggests built-in support for backlit remotes might be on the way.
• Code reveals options for "Never," "Standard" (lights up for 5 seconds), and "Scheduled" (only from 6 PM to 6 AM).
• It is being speculated that Google could be working on a premium remote that will support this feature.

The new Google TV Streamer update has some hidden code that points to built-in support for backlit remotes in the works, hinting at possible new hardware additions to the Google TV lineup.

While most Google TV devices stick with basic, non-backlit remotes, there are a few exceptions. A few high-end TVs with built-in Google TV and some models, like the Walmart Onn Pro, already come with backlit remotes. Still, getting them to work smoothly on Google TV usually means relying on custom tweaks from the manufacturers.

On the other hand, the Google TV Streamer doesn’t come with a backlit remote, but it looks like Google might be tuning in to what users have been asking for.

As spotted by AFTVNews, the recent Google TV Streamer update includes code mentioning backlight support for compatible remotes (via Android Police). The feature is tucked away in the Settings app code and isn’t accessible just yet.

Most Google TV devices come with basic, non-backlit remotes. It might seem like a small thing, but throw in some backlighting, and suddenly your late-night binge sessions get a whole lot easier.

The latest update reveals code for three backlight modes: "Never" (always off), "Standard" (lights up for five seconds after a button press), and "Scheduled" (same as Standard but only between 6 PM and 6 AM).

However, finding this feature in the code doesn’t mean it’s definitely coming. Plenty of times, stuff like this gets spotted but never actually makes it to users, or it takes forever to show up.

At present, backlit remotes on Google TV and Android TV depend on third-party manufacturers. The potential native support for this feature could make things easier for manufacturers and boost the availability of backlit remotes.

While these code changes hint at wider support for backlit remotes, it’s unclear if the Google TV Streamer will get in on the action. AFTVNews is tossing around the idea that Google might be working on a shiny new premium remote, which could be something to keep an eye on.

What you need to know

• Google TV Freeplay removed three free holiday-themed Xumo channels: Holiday Movie Channel, Holiday Classics, and Christian Christmas.
• OutTV Proud and Shades of Black made a return after being removed earlier this month.
• This shuffle comes just months after Google TV beefed up its lineup to 170+ free channels, including holiday picks.

Google TV’s Freeplay has pulled the plug on three free channels, including a couple of holiday-themed ones.

According to 9to5Google, Freeplay just axed three holiday-themed Xumo channels: the Holiday Movie Channel, Holiday Classics, and Christian Christmas.

Meanwhile, OutTV Proud and Shades of Black are back after being pulled earlier this month. That said, the other channels that got the axe are still missing for now.

Google TV Freeplay’s latest channel shuffle comes just a few months after it beefed up its lineup to over 170 free streams, thanks in part to some holiday-themed picks.

Even after its big expansion, Google TV Freeplay has been shedding some free channels. According to 9to5, The Hill TV, Dog Whisperer with Cesar Milan, Dove Channel, Comedy Dynamics, and The Bob Ross Channel got the boot, though the channels added in the previous update managed to dodge the cuts.

It’s annoying when your go-to channels just vanish out of nowhere. Google TV Freeplay’s constant channel shuffle—adding some, dropping others—makes it tough to count on for steady viewing.

And, of course, Google isn’t exactly upfront about these changes, so it feels like a bit of a mystery. Your best move is to check its support page for the latest lineup, though even that might not always be current.

As you may already know, Google TV users have access to a huge selection of channels, including plenty that won’t cost a dime. If you’re in the U.S., Freeplay is a standout perk because it hooks you up with free live TV via its own app.

That said, not every channel sticks around forever since Google is always tweaking the lineup. This time, Google TV Freeplay axed three channels, but it’s not all doom and gloom.

What you need to know

• Google TV is reportedly developing a "News Brief" feature and a recent update discovery showcases a few key descriptions.
• It seems News Brief will be AI-backed and sourced based on the "days' top news."
• Another string shows that Google plans to let the AI read your curated news stories aloud for you on your TV.
• Google TV's update last fall brought the "Home panel" to users, which mirrors smart home controls found on the TV Streamer.

Google is reportedly preparing to roll out a new feature for its TV experience that delivers important news updates to users.

An APK dive into a recent Google TV update by Android Authority discovered code pointing toward an upcoming "News Briefs" feature. The publication states that this feature is wrapped in Google TV's "Ambient Mode," which typically offers a slideshow of landscape wallpapers when you're not watching anything (idle).

While not confirmed, the post adds that it seems users will have "control" over the News Briefs with (potentially) the ability to toggle it on/off.

Google's recently added code gives us a glimpse into what to expect, like its main purpose of showing "news headlines in your screensaver." The company also alludes to this feature being heavily backed by AI. Another string states that the top headlines shown are "AI-generated based on the day's top news."

Interestingly, Google's "News Brief" might tack on reading capabilities by the AI serving up the headlines. One string states, "Press OK to listen to your news brief." Considering this is designed for a TV, having the AI read aloud a few important headlines and perhaps a brief overview of its content makes sense.

The publication wasn't able to get this part working, so it looks like we'll have to wait until it hits Google TV devices officially. The post states that Google highlighted the beginning of a test for News Brief. This newly discovered code could indicate the test's approach. That highlight post detailed the News Brief's availability via the "For You" page for U.S. viewers.

Google's TV side has been relatively quiet ever since the company launched its Chromecast replacement Streamer last summer. Not only does the box offer 800 free channels, but it doubles as a smart home hub so users can keep tabs on their connected devices and cameras from the living room (or anywhere).

Google then rolled out two important updates for its TV experience, one of those involved a personal control center that mirrored its new Streamer. Users with Google TV sets received the next-gen "Google Home panel." From there, users who opted against purchasing a TV Streamer could control their thermostats and lights, as well as receive doorbell notifications.

Google TV users also picked up a dedicated sports tab on the "For You" page for live games, upcoming ones, and YouTube highlights.

A quieter update dropped in November, which let users manually decide the audio output format for their Google TV.

What you need to know

• At CES 2025, Google announced Gemini AI will let you speak naturally to your TV, no need for "Hey Google."
• It’ll also connect with your smart home devices, letting you check your video doorbell or adjust lights.
• By the end of 2025, Google TV will feature proximity sensors that react to your presence, like starting a photo slideshow or switching to a personalized dashboard.

Google TV is about to get a major upgrade with the addition of the advanced Gemini AI, making it way easier to talk to your TV and get the information you need when you need it.

At CES 2025, Google announced that big changes are coming to how we interact with TVs later this year. The search giant revealed plans to bring its advanced Gemini AI to Google TV. As Mishaal Rahman wrote on Android Police, this upgrade will let users give voice commands naturally, without needing to say the usual "Hey Google."

The new features go beyond just content search. You'll also be able to ask general questions, and Google TV will pull up answers, even from YouTube.

Furthermore, it’ll work seamlessly with your smart home devices, so you can check your video doorbell or adjust the lights, among others.

While this upgrade might make the old Google Assistant features feel outdated, it brings in a much smarter voice assistant. This new version will understand your requests better and provide a much more helpful experience.

One of Gemini’s standout features, according to Google, is its ability to understand and respond to human language in a super natural way.

Unlike the older Google Assistant, which requires exact phrasing and struggles with complex queries, Gemini shines by allowing smooth, natural conversations. It’s much better at understanding and responding to more detailed questions.

By the end of 2025, next-gen Google TV devices are set to blend smart software with innovative hardware to create a truly aware, ambient environment.

A big part of this will be proximity sensors in the new TVs. These sensors will let the TV automatically start a photo slideshow when you walk into the room and switch to a personalized dashboard when you get closer, for example.

Google has been all about getting Gemini into everything since launching the AI in 2023. It’s already on Android phones, laptops, and tablets, and it works smoothly with apps like Calendar and Gmail. Next year, the company is focusing on expanding Gemini even more, pushing it across all their products and making it even better.

What you need to know

• Google TV now offers over 170 free channels, giving US viewers even more content to explore.
• The update is available for anyone with the latest Google TV software, and you can find the new channels in the Google TV Freeplay app.
• Some of the new channels might be temporary, especially those with holiday-themed names.

Google TV already has a solid lineup of free channels with plenty of variety for all kinds of viewers. But knowing we can never get enough content, the platform has added even more. With this update, US viewers now have access to over 170 free channels.

According to 9to5Google, this update should now be live for anyone with a TV or streaming device running the latest Google TV software. You’ll find the expanded channel lineup right in the Google TV Freeplay app.

Freeplay gives you instant access to free, ad-supported live channels as soon as you set up a new Google TV device. However, it’s only available in the U.S. for now.

Google TV’s latest channel drop builds on a recent expansion. Just a few months back, the platform added 14 new channels, bumping the total to 150.

The new channels are as follows:

• Designated Survivor
• Places & Spaces – The Great Christmas Light Fight
• Best of Dr Phil
• Xumo Free Holiday Movie Channel
• Xumo Free Holiday Classics
• Xumo Christian Christmas
• Continuum
• Z Nation
• The Design Network
• Filmrise: Classic TV
• UFC
• Unbeaten
• Big 12 Studios
• Waypoint TV
• PursuitUP
• Stingray Greatest Holiday Hits
• Stingray Soul Storm Christmas
• Stingray Hot Country Christmas

The latest update boosts Google TV Freeplay’s channel count to 171. However, 9to5Google points out that some channels might only stick around for the holidays, judging by their festive names.

Alongside this expansion, MotorTrend Fast TV has quietly disappeared. This constant shuffle of adding and dropping content is expected to continue through 2025, keeping the streaming scene as unpredictable as ever.

Google TV kicked things off with 80 free channels when it launched ad-supported TV in early 2023. By the end of the year, that number climbed to 117. Last August, it hit 136, and September brought 14 more to the party.

Accessing these channels is super easy. Just head to the 'Live' tab, scroll through your recommendations, or use the Google TV channel player to jump right in.

What you need to know

• The Roku Channel is becoming deeper integrated with Google TV devices, including televisions, set-top boxes, and Chromecasts.
• You can now search for The Roku Channel content in Google TV, find it on the home screen, and in Google TV's collection of live TV channels.
• Roku says that it offers more than 80,000 movies and TV shows completely free as part of The Roku Channel.

Google TV already offers a bunch of free content on its platform, including The Roku Channel. However, it will become much easier to discover and use The Roku Channel on Google TV thanks to deeper integration between the two services, Roku announced today. This will bolster Google TV's free content and make it easier to find and watch the tens of thousands of movies and TV shows made available as part of The Roku Channel.

Roku first added The Roku Channel to Google TV last year, in limited form. There wasn't support for Google TV's search or discoverability functions at the time. That's beginning to change, as Roku says a more integrated experience will be available "in the coming weeks." For starters, Google TV users will be able to search for content from The Roku Channel using the native search function in Android TV.

Additionally, 500 live TV channels from Roku will join the live tab on Google TV. The platform already offers nearly 1,000 free or ad-supported live TV channels, and the new ones from The Roku Channel will provide even more options, including channels with news, sports, cooking, DIY, music, and other types of programming.

A big part of Google TV is the platform's recommendations. There is so much free content on the platform that some users might want help finding what to watch next, and Google recommends content based on your previous watch history. Soon, free Roku movies and TV shows will appear in the Featured on The Roku Channel, Continue watching, and Free live TV on the Google TV home screen.

Roku says that the free content available via The Roku Channel includes select live MLB games, ABC News broadcasts, and over 80,000 movies and TV shows.

Whether you have a brand-new Google TV Streamer or an older Chromecast, your Google TV device will get The Roku Channel integration. It'll also be available on any third-party device with Google TV built-in. If you want to get an early look at the content that'll become more closely engrained in your streaming device, you can try out The Roku Channel on Google TV, Fire TV, Samsung devices, and the Roku web and mobile apps.

What you need to know

• As 2024 comes to an end, Google released the top-watched movies, shows, and Freeplay channels on Google TV.
• Users can watch from the "Best of 2024" collection on their Google TV device or via the Google TV mobile app.
• It'll show up in the For You tab on the Google TV Streamer, Google TV-enabled devices, and the iOS and Android mobile apps.

It's that time of year again. The holiday season is approaching and 2024 is coming to an end, and that means streaming services are ready to reveal their top-streamed content. YouTube Music already gave some users an early peek at their 2024 Recap, and now, Google is sharing its "Best of 2024" list for Google TV. In a blog post, the company pulled back the curtain on the most-watched movies, shows, and Freeplay channels over the past year.

Google's data is based on watch clicks on the Google TV interface by U.S. users. According to that data, the most-watched movie of 2024 was Road House, the remake of the 1989 thriller starring Jake Gyllenhaal. Honorable mentions go to Challengers and Dune: Part Two, which are listed as staff picks and must-watch films of the year.

Up next, the most-watched TV show was Shōgun, which takes viewers back to an ancient Japanese empire. It also features phenomenal storytelling, Google writes. As an honorable mention, the staff pick for a must-watch TV show is the third season of Hacks, a comedy that follows the life of a Las Vegas comedian.

Finally, Google TV offers 150 live TV channels for free, and the most popular one was ION Television this year. The network features reruns of popular dramas, like Law and Order: Special Victims Unit and FBI, helping it earn the top spot. On top of that, the channel includes professional sporting events, like WNBA games.

All these picks will be available on your Google TV Streamer, Chromecast with Google TV, or your TV or set-top box with Google TV built-in. You'll find them in the For You tab listed under the Best of 2024 collection. If you don't own a Google TV device, you can check out the top movies, TV shows, and channels on the iOS and Android mobile apps. So, what do you think of the most-watched content on Google TV this year?

What you need to know

• Google TV may be aware users might be getting tired of ads, so it's running a survey asking users if the home screen ads are too much.
• The survey, popping up on Onn 4K Boxes, gets users to rate if they "strongly agree" or "strongly disagree" with the ads.
• While the survey could cut back on ads, it might also justify adding more, especially with Google's ad-driven revenue.

Google TV recently sent out a survey to some users, stirring up concerns by asking how they feel about the number of ads popping up on the homescreen.

9to5Google spotted a Reddit post showing Google asking some Google TV users in the U.S. what they think about the home screen ads—but just those, nothing else.

The survey shows up in the bottom-right of an Onn 4K Box, asking if the home screen ads on Google TV are a deal or a drag. The options range from “Strongly Agree” to “Strongly Disagree.”

The survey indicates that Google knows people might be getting fed up with all the ads on Google TV. It’s just a sign that ads are pretty much a permanent part of the digital scene now.

Google’s push for more ads on Google TV is ruffling some feathers. While the survey might lead to fewer ads, it could just as easily be a way to back up adding even more. And with Google’s ad money machine running strong, don’t count on ads disappearing anytime soon.

It’s a bummer to watch the once ad-free digital world fill up with ads. Many of our favorite streaming services were once all about ditching traditional TV, but have now jumped on the ad-revenue bandwagon too.

Google TV, once all about personal recommendations, has turned into an ad-heavy platform, now bombarded with autoplay video ads. This shift from chill suggestions to in-your-face commercialization is part of a bigger trend where entertainment and ads are blending together more than ever.

Google is not the only one leaning into on-device ads for cash. Amazon has been rolling out new features with the same idea, and Roku has found ways to make money by running ads during gameplay breaks.

What you need to know

• The Google TV Home panel is now available on more devices from various brands like TCL and Hisense.
• You can control your smart home devices right from your TV, adjusting lights, thermostats, and security cameras with just the remote.
• Make sure to set up your compatible smart devices in the Google Home app to use the new Home panel.

The Google TV Home panel, first launched on the Google TV Streamer, is apparently now available on a wider range of Google TV devices from various brands.

Google’s long-awaited TV Streamer went on sale last month, along with some useful upgrades for Google TV. The big changes include easier smart home control, AI-created custom screensavers, and a new way to organize your content.

The new Home panel, in particular, lets you control smart home devices right from your TV. You can adjust lights, tweak the thermostat, and check security cameras with just your remote. Plus, it gives you notifications from smart doorbells and lets you manage locks, plugs, and speakers—all without lifting a finger.

Basically, the Home panel gives you full control of all your smart home devices on the Google TV Streamer, but you can't assign these functions to specific buttons.

Alongside the market launch of its new streaming device, Google confirmed that the Home panel would roll out to existing Google TV devices. Chromecast with Google TV recently got it through a public preview, and now more Google TV devices from brands like TCL, Hisense, Xiaomi, and others are picking up the feature too (via 9to5Google).

According to a support page, users need to set up their compatible smart devices through the Google Home app before they can use the new Home panel on their TV.

The Home panel appears in the upper right corner of the screen, giving users a clear snapshot of their smart home tech. From this panel, you can get a full view of your devices and dive into individual settings to make changes.

If the Home panel isn't showing up on your Google TV, try checking for updates to the Google TV Home app in the Play Store. To see if the Home panel is already operational, just hold the home button on your remote to pull up the quick settings, then look for the Google Home tile.

The competition for control over your TV has heated up in recent years, as Amazon, Roku, and even Walmart offer a variety of options. It has been four years since Google announced a "flagship" streaming device, the Chromecast with Google TV (4K). Now, Google is trying to work its way back into the fight with the all-new Google TV Streamer.

Instead of the plug-and-play solution that the Chromecast and Fire TV Stick offer, Google opted for a completely different approach. Part of this is due to Google attempting to improve its image while also trying to provide a more premium experience for its customers.

Google TV Streamer: Price & availability

The Google TV Streamer was announced and made available for pre-order on August 6 alongside the Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen). It was subsequently released on September 24, coming in either Hazel or Porcelain, and retails for $99.99. You can currently purchase the TV Streamer from a variety of retailers, including Best Buy, Target, and others, or directly from Google.

Google TV Streamer: What you'll like

No matter how you look at it, the Google TV Streamer is a sleek and well-designed device. It sports the same soft-touch finish found on the Chromecast, which extends to the color-matched (and new) Voice Remote.

Since this isn't just a dongle that hangs out of sight, it was important to provide a sleek design that won't stick out like a sore thumb. I think that Google nailed it here, as the TV Streamer has looked pretty darn great in both my home office and on the TV stand in my living room.

I'm also a big fan of the trio of ports found on the back. We have a Gigabit Ethernet jack, along with HDMI 2.1, and the USB-C port provides both data and power, which is rather important. There's also a small button that can be used to find your remote, another benefit of the TV Streamer. I've only had to use this once so far, but it was nice not needing to lift up my couch in a frantic search after my son decided to put it in his bin of toys.

In general, I don't really have much to say about the actual Google TV experience from a streaming standpoint. Almost all of my streaming apps are available, and with the upgraded 32GB of storage, I can sideload apps without much worry.

So far, my favorite feature of the TV Streamer has been the various smart home implementations that have been made. The Home Panel has been a dream, letting me turn off lights in a room, lock the front door, or adjust the thermostat without needing to get up.

As such, I was excited to swap out my Ring Doorbell for the Nest Doorbell, only to find out that something happened to the Nest, making it unusable. Even still, I can also keep an eye on my dog while she's lounging on the porch courtesy of the Nest Cam mounted on the back corner of my house.

All of that is great, especially for my wife, but the TV Streamer brings two things in particular that are more exciting to me — Matter and Thread support. More specifically, the TV Streamer doubles as a Thread border router, so I don't need to worry about getting OEM-specific accessories when I want to upgrade my smart home gear.

A surprising discovery was that I could even add the TV Streamer to the Apple Home app. But it doesn't show up or operate as a streaming device, instead appearing as a series of switches. So while we're one step closer to the dream, it's obvious that we aren't there just yet.

Now onto a rather niche use case.

Something I rather enjoy doing with my streaming devices is attempting to turn them into retro gaming boxes. The easy part is getting RetroArch installed and set up, but storage has almost always been the Achilles heel. The 32GB of storage on the Google TV Streamer is plenty for the majority of people, but I wanted more.

They say that the third time's the charm, as that's how many different USB-C hubs I had to try before finding one that would recognize my thumb drive. The Dockcase Smart USB-C Hub is definitely overkill for the situation, but since it was the first one that worked, it's the one I've stuck with. Although I'll probably try and find a different one so that I can put this back in my backpack.

After plugging the USB-A thumb drive into the Dockcase USB-C Hub and plugging that into the TV Streamer, everything worked just as you'd expect. The 64GB of extra storage was immediately recognized, so I fired up RetroArch and started messing around.

For the most part, this offers decent performance, but there have been a few hiccups that I'll cover a bit later. Nevertheless, I can't get over how much fun it is being able to fire up RetroArch with my Stadia controller and play those classic retro games.

Google TV Streamer: What you won't

Here's something I don't understand — why is Google, or any company for that matter, using a processor that's more than three years old? That's exactly what we have in the TV Streamer, as it's powered by MediaTek's MT8696. This just so happens to be the same SoC found in Amazon's Fire TV Stick 4K Max from 2021. The same one that was replaced by a faster model about a year ago.

To be clear, the only hiccups in performance that I've seen have been with trying to mess around with RetroArch and different emulators. However, there's no way this is going to be able to still be this snappy a few years down the road. I really would've liked to see Google stop this "glass half-full" approach that we've seen in various devices over the years.

Part of the reason I don't really have much to say about the interface is that it's not all that great. Sure, it gives me some pretty solid recommendations while putting my installed apps near the top. But that's about where it starts to fall short for me.

Despite having the app set up and installed, the only options shown within the "Live" tab are for Google's Freeplay service. That's great and all, but why can't I access the channels from the streaming service I want?

It's not like Google isn't aware of the other streaming services out there, so let me connect and use the pay that I pay for. Maybe the onus is on the streaming service, and not Google, but I have a feeling that's not the case considering there's no settings panel that lets you connect to other live TV services.

Another potential issue feels more like an oversight. You just picked up the TV Streamer, and you're excited to get it all set up and everything. You tear the box apart, go to plug everything in, and realize that you're missing something—the HDMI cable.

That's because Google doesn't include one in the box but will sell you an "Ultra High-Speed" cable for another $20. Of course, this doesn't help much now that you already have the TV Streamer without a cable to connect it to your TV.

Google is attempting to semi-rectify the situation by offering a $10 discount code if you pre-ordered the TV Streamer. However, this only applies to pre-ordered units, and the "deal" will expire at the end of November. There's a good chance that you have an HDMI cable lying around, but the point is that it's something Google should have included in the box.

My last gripe has to do with game streaming apps, and how few of them are actually available. Xbox Game Pass, PS Remote Play, and Amazon Luna are nowhere to be found. When trying to download them from the Play Store website on my PC, the Streamer is greyed out and says "This item is not compatible with your device."

I have no earthly idea what's happening here, but this isn't it. Sure, GeForce Now and Steam Link show up, which is great. But we should also be able to use the others, and I wish we knew why this isn't the case.

Maybe Google is playing "keep away" after Game Pass landed on the Fire TV earlier this year. Whatever the reason, it's time for these tactics to stop because, at the end of the day, you're only hurting the people who end up buying your products.

Google TV Streamer: The competition

The Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) includes double the storage (64GB vs. 32GB), a more powerful processor (A15 Bionic), and an excellent streaming experience for about $30 more than the TV Streamer. However, the base model lacks an Ethernet port, nor does it double as a Thread border router. If those features matter to you, then you'll be looking at $149 for the Wi-Fi + Ethernet Apple TV.

More recently, Roku released its most powerful streaming device yet, with the Roku Ultra 2024. The company claims it's "more than 30% faster than other Roku players," along with upgrading to Wi-Fi 6 and HDMI 2.1. There's smart home connectivity too, however, it appears that the integration is only available if you make use of Roku's growing lineup of smart home devices.

Rounding out the pack is Amazon. Currently, you won't find a Fire TV device at the same price as the TV Streamer, as the Fire TV Stick 4K Max retails for $60, while the Cube comes in at $140. It's a surprising "hole" in Amazon's lineup, so we wonder if Amazon might end up introducing something to go toe-to-toe with the TV Streamer in the future.

Google TV Streamer: Should you buy it?

You should buy this if…

• You want a high-end Google TV streaming box.
• You're tired of the onslaught of ads presented by competing devices.
• You want a streaming device that doubles as a smart home hub, and more.

You shouldn't buy this if…

• You want the most powerful streaming device.
• You want to use this as a game streaming box.
• You need a cheap streaming device.
• You want integration between third-party live TV streaming services and the Streamer.

When it comes to whether I would recommend the TV Streamer, I'm kind of stuck between a rock and a hard place. For me, it's a no-brainer, as the ads aren't as annoying, I'm comfortable with side-loading apps, and the Streamer features Matter and Thread support. These are some of the things that I care about, in addition to offering seamless integration into my Google-focused smart home.

On the other hand, it's not as powerful as I feel it should be at this price. It doesn't help that the Streamer uses a less performant SoC than the latest Fire TV Stick 4K Max, which costs $40 less. Do I think Google missed the mark with pricing? Not in the slightest, but I do think corners were cut for the sake of margins, and it's just disappointing.

That being said, I've really enjoyed using the TV Streamer, and I'm already planning on picking up another one so I can stop moving this one back and forth between my home office and living room. I only hope that with a bit more RAM and storage wiggle room, Google can continue to improve the experience.

On August 2, 2021, Google's efforts in the consumer market were changed forever. This is when the Pixel 6 was officially confirmed, as Google seemingly grew tired of seeing its own phone being leaked over and over again. After a little over two months passed, the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro were announced, with a subsequent release a week and a half later.

Fast forward to today, and Google's most recent Pixel lineup consists of four slab phones, a foldable phone, a tablet, and a watch. All of which combine to provide the cohesive experience we used to long for. More recently, the Google TV Streamer was thrown into the mix, coming as a replacement for the long-standing Chromecast series.

I don't think Google's quite done yet either, as the current Nest Hub will be four years old in March 2025, while the Nest Hub Max will celebrate its sixth birthday in May 2025. I'm still of the mindset that the Pixel Tablet is quietly operating as Google's replacement for the Nest Hub Max, but I'm still hopeful for a Gemini-powered Nest revamp.

So why is it that the Google TV Streamer is more important than just being a replacement for a Chromecast? Because it's proof, to me at least, that Google is committed to providing a premium experience across its entire product lineup. It's no different than what Apple has been doing for years, but just at a little bit of a slower pace.

Not only does the TV Streamer serve up a new way to watch your favorite movies and shows, but it also operates as the central hub for everything in your home. This is thanks to the built-in Thread border router, in addition to supporting the Matter smart home standard. Speaking of which, this also means that you can connect the Streamer to Apple HomeKit, but it's not something I recommend.

That's not all, though, as the TV Streamer also introduced a new Smart Home Panel. Essentially, it's the same interface that you get when opening the Home app on your phone, lending more credence to the whole cohesive ecosystem idea from before. Of course, it's not some revolutionary idea or anything of the sort, but it is a new (and welcome) addition to the Google playbook.

No, the TV Streamer isn't as powerful as the latest Apple TV, and yes, it's probably using a processor that's about as old as the Nest Hub Max. But as long as Google doesn't fully embrace the Amazon route, implementing ads at every turn, then we should be fine for the next few years. Playing into Google's favor is that the TV Streamer offers twice as much RAM and storage compared to the Fire TV Stick 4K Max.

We've reached the point where I feel more comfortable than ever recommending Google's ecosystem to those who are trying to figure out where to start. Amazon would probably be a close second, not because of the Fire TV or Fire Tablets, but because of the number of smart home companies that operate under its umbrella.

But with the TV Streamer providing Matter and Thread support, you should (eventually) be able to tie those products into Google Home anyway. Better yet, you don't have to wait for smart accessory makers to implement Matter or Thread support, as you can just use Home Assistant on a Raspberry Pi. That's a story for another day.

The whole idea of providing a premium experience extends beyond even the TV Streamer and Nest Thermostat. I surmise it's also part of the reason why the Chromebook Plus moniker was born. This alone provides separation between cheap Chromebooks and those that are more performant thanks to Google's minimum spec requirements. 

Leading the pack in this regard is a familiar face, as the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus will soon provide a premium experience at the high end of the space. Google and Samsung worked closely together during the development process. While that's something we've heard before (HP), Samsung and Google's relationship is just a bit different from the rest. 

What I'm really hoping for is the Galaxy Chromebook Plus to lead the way for a new Pixelbook. Sorry, but that's a drum that I'll never stop beating until it finally happens. In the meantime, I'll just sit back and finish watching the rest of this football game on the TV Streamer. 

What you need to know

• Google Meet is set to be removed from Android TV and Google TV devices, as indicated by an APK teardown.
• The app remains functional on Android TV at the moment, but users should start scouting for alternatives just in case.
• The app likely didn’t gain much traction since most TVs lack built-in cameras and microphones, requiring extra devices for calls.

If you've been loving video calls on your Android TV with Google Meet, brace yourself for a switch. Google Meet is apparently getting the boot from Android TV and Google TV devices, so you might need to hunt for new video conferencing options soon.

Android Authority’s deep dive into the latest Google Meet update hints that Google is about to pull the plug on the app on Android TV. The wording in the code makes it pretty clear that this change is coming soon.

Based on some pretty telling code strings found in the update, Google Meet is likely being fully yanked from Android TV.

Soon you won't be able to use Google Meet on your Android TV to make calls. Click below for alternatives and to learn more.Meet on Android TV is going away

Google Meet, which used to be Duo, was introduced to Android TV back in 2020. It allows users to hop on video calls on the big screen by connecting a webcam to their TV.

There’s been no official word from Google on this change yet. Android Central has reached out for a comment and will update the post when we get a response.

The Google Meet app is still working on Android TV for now, but it’s a good idea for users to start looking for backup options, just in case it gets removed.

The Google Meet app on Android TV probably didn’t get much love since using its features demands a decent investment. Most TVs don’t come with built-in microphones or cameras, so users need to plug in external devices for video calls.

Google Meet isn’t new to getting the boot from TV platforms. Earlier this year, it was taken off Samsung TVs, which was probably the first hint that Google was planning to phase out the app on TVs altogether.

With Google Meet’s likely exit from Android TV, plenty of users who rely on it for video calls are going to feel the sting. Whether it’s for meetings or staying connected with loved ones, that easy TV setup will be missed.

I had been fiddling with the idea of replacing my Android TV with a projector for a while before I bit the bullet. It was the one thing I wanted to buy last Prime Day because I felt it would be the perfect substitute for a smart TV.

Of course, a projector cannot get as bright and crisp as a real television set, so you might be curious about my conviction to go forth with this plan. My bedroom is insanely small. There are boxes full of stuff everywhere, and I cannot even fit a full-blown wardrobe or a proper dressing table in there.

Thus, putting a TV in such a small room was out of the question. But at one point, streaming my favorite shows before bedtime on my smartphone just wasn't cutting it. I toyed with the idea of a wall-mounted screen, but that would further shrink my already tiny bedroom.

There are other limitations of a projector as well. It needs to be mounted on a mount or a stand; most of them need to be plugged in to function, and cheap ones don't come with Google TV or Android TV.

The first two issues were significant for my small room conundrum. I had to configure the room's furniture arrangement and determine whether such a setup would be less untidy and occupy less space as opposed to a regular old wall-mounted Android TV.

After considering everything, I decided to get the XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro for my experiment. XGIMI provided a sample to help me test this idea. This affordable little projector has a built-in stand that swivels at an angle. As for the height-adjustable stand, I got a cheap off-brand one online.

Had I bought the projector with my own money, the entire setup would still have cost me almost exactly $500. That's filthy cheap, especially considering that the MoGo 3 Pro can project screen sizes as big as 120 inches! That's big enough to cover a significant portion of my bedroom wall.

To make the most of the experience, I decided to place the projector right next to my bed, sandwiched between my bedside table and the bed. Conveniently, there's an electrical socket in that vicinity where I have my multiport USB-C charger plugged in. The swiveling design of the MoGo 3 Pro really came in handy here because I didn't need to twist and turn or readjust the stand itself once it was planted in its spot.

The XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro has auto keystone correction with a dedicated button for this on the remote control. The remote itself is like any other smart Android TV remote; you can use Google Assistant to look up stuff and use the Netflix, YouTube, or Amazon Prime buttons to quickly open those apps. And what's even cooler is there's an extra unlabeled shortcut button that is completely customizable. I have mine set to Disney Plus, but you can choose any app you like.

The picture quality is really good too, delivering a 1080p resolution. The brightness is improved with this iteration, going from 400 lumens on the MoGo 2 Pro to 450 lumens on the MoGo 3 Pro. It's not a major improvement, but it is certainly noticeable. Overall, I felt satisfied with the image output. It's ideal for nighttime streaming and binge-watching my favorite anime series. Not to mention, it is as silent as any TV.

This isn't a full review of the MoGo 3 Pro projector, but you can read it here for a more in-depth analysis. I'm just sharing how well it served my needs here.

I cannot express how quick and easy it was to have the whole thing up and running. Since I have tested the last-gen MoGo 2 Pro, I felt a markedly improved experience with the auto keystone correction. It is so easy and you don't have to be a tech expert to set it up.

I'd probably struggle to get the angle right with any other projector because of the awkward lack of space in my room. During this experiment, I had flashbacks of the Anker Nebula projector that I reviewed a few years back. It was a nightmare to get the keystone right on it in tight spaces and small rooms.

The circular lens and swiveling stand make a world of difference. In the end, I concluded my experiment was a glowing success. I am now spoiled with a 120-inch screen plastered adjacent to my bed at a perfect viewing angle. Sometimes, I'll cast some Reels on the gigantic screen, just because. The XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro projector truly replaced my need for an Android TV, and there's no going back now.

So, if you don't have space in your flat or room, give this hack a try!

What you need to know

• Google TV is picking up a few updates today (Sept 23) that aim to bring awareness and control to your home and entertainment.
• Devices will receive the new "home panel" that debuted with the TV Streamer, providing insightful control over smart home devices and doorbell notifications.
• Google TV sets are upgraded with a new sports tab, Gemini integration for shows, and an Ambient screensaver mode.

Kick the week off with a few updates for Google TV that'll help you keep tabs on everything from home devices to sports.

Today (Sept 23), Google detailed several updates preparing to roll out for Google TV devices. In a Keyword post, the company highlighted the new "home panel" that'll hit devices soon. Users can control their smart home devices like smart lights, and thermostats, and view live camera feeds through this panel.

Google TV sets will also receive doorbell notifications, so you'll always know who's knocking (or ringing).

Struggling to find what to watch sucks, but struggling to find a sports game shouldn't suck, too. Google states this update packs a new sports tab on the "For You" page. This tab is said to be a collection of all relevant sports games, so users can find live games, upcoming games, and YouTube Highlights.

Additionally, all that you're subscribed to is getting an upgrade courtesy of Gemini. Rolling out today (Sept 23), Gemini will hit Google TV with show summaries/overviews, season breakdowns, and more.

Google's AI influence continues as TV sets pick up an upgraded Ambient screensaver. The post states users will have Gen AI to lean on to take in prompts and create what they've envisioned. Google will offer a series of "suggested prompts" that you can use and the AI will create a "one-of-a-kind image."

Alternatively, the company adds that you can ask Google Assistant to pull an image from your Photos app library.

One can get lost in free content, which is why Google TV Freeplay is snagging an update for its channel guide. The company now lets users search for a specific show genre or topic. Google has been doubling down on free content ever since it rebranded that hub on TVs to "Freeplay." Users are given access to over 150 curated FAST channels. Recently, the company brought easier search options for free channels on The Roku Channel.

Also, if some of these updates seem familiar (like déjà vu), then it's because of the Google TV Streamer. Stepping in for Chromecast, the Google TV Streamer is a slim, sleek streaming box that packs all of a user's smart home tools and entertainment into one small package.

The streamer also features a deeply integrated experience with Gemini and the new "home panel."

What you need to know

• The Roku Channel is now fully integrated into Google TV’s search tools, making it easier to discover free content.
• The Roku Channel brings thousands of shows and over 350 live TV channels to Google TV.
• To get Roku Channel recommendations, just download the app on Google TV, activate it through the Google TV Mobile app, and enable it in your profile.

The Roku Channel has reached a major milestone by fully blending into Google TV’s search tools.

Google TV really wants to lock in its spot as the go-to streaming hub. It’s packed with free channels, personalized picks, watchlist options, and access to nearly every popular streaming app. After landing on Google TV in July of last year, The Roku Channel now sits alongside apps like Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and Disney+ in search recommendations, according to Cord Cutters News.

With the streaming service now built into its search tools, Google TV makes it easier for viewers to find tons of free content. The Roku Channel’s massive library includes thousands of shows and over 350 live TV channels.

The exact timing of the integration isn’t clear, but it fits with Google’s plan to boost free ad-supported viewing. To get The Roku Channel recommendations, just download the app on your Google TV, activate it via the Google TV Mobile app, go to your profile, choose "Manage services," and switch on The Roku Channel.

This move signals Google's growing effort to double down on free streaming after it recently rebranded its hub to Google TV Freeplay.

The Google TV Freeplay section boasts over 150 curated FAST channels and replaces the old Google TV label under "Free built-in channels," better reflecting its offerings.

While it's not a game-changer, the new branding sets the stage for Google to broaden its free content lineup, possibly adding more channels from its own platforms like YouTube.

With the new Roku integration and the rebranding to Google TV Freeplay, Google is clearly aiming to boost its competitive edge by offering a wider range of budget-friendly entertainment options. This move not only strengthens Google TV’s position as a major streaming player but also helps increase its revenue as streaming hardware gets cheaper.

What you need to know

• Google TV is adding more free channels, with 10 new ones recently included.
• New additions reported include Family Feud Classic, Rig TV, and several others.
• To find them, go to the Live tab on Google TV and look in the Free built-in channels section.

Google TV keeps expanding its free channel lineup, and 10 new channels have just been added to the mix recently.

Various sources are reporting about these new channels on Google TV. StreamingBetter found eight new ones in March, and 9to5Google recently spotted Family Feud Classic and RigTV among the newcomers. You can catch all 10 new channels in the Live section of Google TV.

Here’s the full lineup of the new channels to keep you updated.

• Family Feud Classic
• Rig TV
• Court Legendary Trials
• Cheaters
• CBC News & Explore
• Heartland
• FilmRise Horror
• FilmRise True Crime
• Grit Xtra
• Laff More

The platform kept growing after adding 10 more free channels to Google TV in June. At the time, there were 132 channels, and by August, that number had jumped to 136, as per 9to5.

While these channels are a great addition, they are currently limited to Google TV users within the United States.

To check out these new channels, head to the Live tab on your Google TV and select Google TV from the Free built-in channels section.

Besides Google’s own channels, Google TV boasts a huge library with over 800 ad-supported channels and its own selection of at least 100 FAST channels.

Google’s FAST channels, rolled out in 2023, make things simpler by letting you enjoy channels like Reuters Now, BBC Food, Top Gear, and Love Nature without juggling multiple apps or sign-ups.

Along with its own channels, Google TV gives you access to free streaming platforms like Pluto TV, Tubi, and Plex. With over 800 free channels to choose from, you'll never run out of entertainment options.