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Google TV might receive new fitness, smart home, and video chat features in 2022
Google TV's Director of Product Management discussed the company's future plans for Google TV in a new interview.
Google TV was first introduced in October 2020 as a new smart TV software interface from Google. Even though it's still Android TV under the surface, Google TV more closely follows the content-first approach of Amazon Fire TV and other platforms, sometimes to a fault. Now we have a better idea of what might be coming soon for Google TV, thanks to a new interview.
Google is extending Fast Pair to Android TVs, Chromebooks, and Matter devices
Google has announced that it will soon extend Fast Pair support to Android TV and Google TV devices, Chromebooks, and Matter-enabled devices.
At its annual I/O developer conference last year, Google announced a bunch of upcoming features. While some of the features that Google announced during the event have already rolled out to users, the company is yet to extend Fast Pair support to more device types. However, during the ongoing CES 2022 trade show, Google has announced that it will add Fast Pair support for more devices, including Android TVs, Chromebooks, and Matter-enabled devices, in the coming months.
"Android TV Remote" is an unofficial remote app for your Android TV
Android TV Remote is an unofficial remote app for your Android TV devices. Download it from the Play Store link in the post.
Losing your remote control is never fun, especially when all you want to do is sit back on your couch and enjoy your favorite show. Thankfully for Android TV users, Google offers a fallback option in the form of a virtual remote that you can find in the Google Home app. While it’s a handy option when your remote is lost, it’s quite basic in terms of what it can do. This is where "Android TV Remote" comes into play.
FLauncher is a new Android TV app launcher built with Flutter
FLauncher aims to be a full replacement for the app launcher in Google TV and Android TV, but it can also just be used for sideloaded apps.
Even though Android TV (and Google TV) is based on Android, it's only intended to be used with applications and games built with TVs in mind. That's why smartphone-only apps don't appear in the Android TV Play Store, and when you sideload apps without a TV interface, they don't appear in the regular Android TV app launcher. There have been many third-party launchers for Android TV over the years that work around this limitation, but now there's another option, written in Google's new(ish) Flutter framework.
Freebox Remote is an unofficial remote control app for your Android TV
Freebox Remote is an unofficial virtual remote control app that lets you control your Android TV and Google TV devices.
The Google Home app recently gained a built-in remote that lets you control your Android TV or Google TV device. However the virtual remote lacks several important features including volume and mute controls so it’s not a perfect replacement for the physical remote that comes with your Android TV device. If you’re looking for a more capable alternative, then you might want to check out Freebox Remote.
Most of TCL's smart TVs run the Roku operating system, but the company has been slowly expanding its options for the best Android TVs. Earlier this year, TCL revealed it would start selling smart TVs running Google TV, the same software package found on the Chromecast with Google TV. The first models with Google TV arrived in Best Buy stores recently, but now they are being pulled.
Google Home app adds D-Pad controls for Android TV devices
Google is adding a new control option for Android TV and Google TV devices to the Google Home app for phones and tablets.
For years, Google had a smartphone app for controlling Android TV devices on your local network, which came in handy if you lost your remote. The company has been slowly moving the remote functionality to other apps, and now the remote found in the Google Home app is a bit easier to use.
Google TV adds over 300 free live TV channels with Pluto TV integration
Google is joining forces with ViacomCBS-owned Pluto TV to bring over 300 free live TV channels to Google TV devices.
In September we learned that Google was in talks with several ad-supported streaming channels providers to bring free live TV channels to its platform. Today the search giant announced that it has struck deal with Pluto TV, adding yet another live TV option to Google TV's "Live" tab.
Android TV's discovery-focused UI is now rolling out to more TVs in more regions
Android TV's new discovery-focused UI is rolling out to OnePlus TVs, TCL TVs, and some Xiaomi Mi Box models in India, Brazil, and Europe.
Google released a major UI update for the Android TV interface in February this year. The new interface resembled the Google TV UI and laid emphasis on helping users discover new content on the platform. However, it featured fewer tabs on the home screen. Google rolled out another update for this new discovery-focused UI in July this year, which introduced three new features including a watchlist. The UI is now rolling out to more TVs in more regions, and it comes with a minor home screen UI change.
Android TV 12 is officially out, but you can't try it yourself just yet
Following multiple developer previews and beta releases, the final release of Android TV 12 is officially here.
Following multiple developer previews and beta releases, the final release of Android 12 for Android TV/Google TV is finally here. Although this is the final version, it’s still aimed at developers. That means you can’t just download it on your Chromebox or an Android TV streaming stick.
YouTube for Android TV receives a new playlist UI
The YouTube app on Android TV and other smart TV platforms has gained a new playlist UI. Read on to know more.
The YouTube app on Android TV is getting a small UI tweak that changes how it handles playlists. Previously, when you clicked on a YouTube playlist, the app would automatically start playing the entire playlist. But that behavior is finally going away with the new playlist UI.
Google TV's remote feature makes its way to the Google Home app
The latest Google Home app update has added a built-in remote for controlling your Android TV devices. Read on.
We know Google has been working on adding a virtual Android TV remote in the Google Home app for a while now. The company last month confirmed that it was going to add the remote in the Home app soon, and as promised, the feature is finally here.
Google TV receives multi-user profile support, glanceable cards in ambient mode, and more
Google TV finally receives multi-user profile support, along with a couple of other features. Read on to learn more about the latest Google TV update.
Google has announced a slew of new features for Google TV, its new software experience for Android TVs. The latest update brings real multi-user profile support to the software experience, along with new glanceable cards in ambient mode and more. Read on to learn all about the new features in the latest Google TV update.
Realme shares details about its 4K Google TV stick ahead of launch
Realme has set up a microsite for the upcoming Realme 4K Smart Google TV Stick which reveals quite a few details ahead of its launch.
Last month, we learned that Realme was gearing up to launch a TV stick during Flipkart's Big Billion Days sale. At the time, a teaser for the upcoming stick revealed that it would feature 4K streaming support and run Google TV instead of Android TV. The company has now shared more details about the Realme 4K Smart Google TV Stick and confirmed that it will launch on October 13.
Can't pair your Android TV with the new Google TV remote? Here's what you need to do
Can't pair your Android TV with the new Google TV remote? Follow the instructions given in this post to set it up. Also works outside of the US.
Google recently released a new remote control feature in the Google TV app. It replaces the old Android TV Remote Control app and gives users access to a native remote for their Android TVs on their phones. The feature has started rolling out to users in the US, and Google plans to bring it to 14 more countries over the next few weeks. If you're facing issues while pairing your Android TV with the new Google TV remote or are based outside the US, here's what you need to do to set it up.
Google TV app adds a remote control for your Android TV
Google is finally rolling out the remote control feature to the Google TV app, allowing you to easily control your Android TV with your phone.
Google has been working on a virtual remote control in the Google TV app for quite a while. We first spotted the feature in version 4.25 of the app back in March. While the feature wasn't live at the time, we managed to enable it manually to give us a glimpse of what to expect when it eventually rolls out with a future build. At I/O 2021 in May, Google then announced that it was working on building the remote control feature directly into Android phones, making it easy for all users to control their Android TVs. The company is now finally rolling the feature out to users.
Google TV is reportedly going to add free TV channels soon
Google TV is reportedly going to be adding free TV channels soon, either as early as the fall, or in 2022 alongside smart TV providers.
Everyone wants a slice of the online streaming video pie, and it seems that Google is the latest to want in on the trend. It appears that the company is looking to add free TV channels to Google TV, the Android-based smart TV platform that powers the Chromecast. It also powers some smart TVs from the likes of Sony and TCL.
Realme teases a TV stick with Google TV built-in
eCommerce portal Flipkart has shared a teaser for the upcoming Realme TV stick, revealing that it will come with Google TV built-in.
After launching its first Android tablet earlier this month, Realme is now gearing up to launch a 4K TV stick with Google TV built-in. Although the company has shared no information about the upcoming device, a teaser shared by eCommerce platform Flipkart reveals that Realme will announce it during the upcoming Big Billion Days sale.
Google TV app update adds widescreen posters and new content providers
The latest Google TV app update brings a fresh look, improved recommendations, and support for several new streaming services.
The Google TV app, formerly known as Play Movies & TV, is getting a big update today. The latest update brings a fresh look, improved recommendations, and support for several new streaming services and live TV providers.
Google TV now lets you hide items from the "Continue Watching" section
Google TV has received a new functionality that lets you easily remove movies and TV shows from the "Continue Watching" section.
While on the one hand, Google is rolling out features from the new Google TV interface to the older Android TV, on the other, the company is bringing one useful feature over from Android TV to Google TV. The feature in question will let you clear items from the "Continue Watching" carousel, something that Android TV has had for a while.