Your Google TV Streamer is about to get a whole lot smarter

It’s no surprise that, with the rise of AI, Google has been actively working to develop and expand its AI model, Google Gemini. At Google I/O in May, the tech giant announced that it was working to extend Gemini beyond smartphones to include smartwatches, Android Auto, Google TV, and Android XR. Now, Gemini has finally launched on Google’s own streaming device.

In a recent blog post, Google announced that it has started rolling out Gemini to its Google TV Streamer, making it much easier for anyone to try out Gemini on their TV screens. Google says that the rollout has started now and will continue over the “next few weeks,” so if you don’t see the update yet, you should soon.

Gemini on Google TV replaces the old Google Assistant, and the biggest change you’ll notice is how it changes the way you interact with your TV. Previously, you needed to be more specific with your requests to Google Assistant, and it felt more like talking to a robot, but now with Gemini on Google TV, you can speak to your TV more naturally and conversationally to do things like find a show or movie to watch or open your favorite apps.

Google provided a few examples of how users can now interact with Gemini on Google TV, such as asking something like, “I like dramas but my wife likes comedies. What’s a movie we can watch together?” when searching for a movie.

Dimensions

6.4 x 3 x 1-inch

Connective Technology

Wi-Fi, Bluetooth

Brand

Google

What’s Included

Remote

Gemini has already started rolling out to smart TVs

You can use Gemini on your TV for more than just streaming

The Google TV Streamer isn’t the first device to receive Gemini on Google TV, as Google began rolling it out to smart TVs, such as the TCL QM9K series, in September. However, with only a limited number of smart TVs supporting it, Gemini’s launch on the Google TV Streamer will reach many more users.

Besides helping you find recommendations for shows and movies, Gemini on Google TV can also summarize the last season of a show you watched before diving into a new one or help you discover trending content. In its blog post, Google shared examples of these features, with users asking questions like “What happened at the end of ‘Outlander’ last season?” and “What’s the new hospital drama everyone’s talking about?”

Additionally, you can ask Gemini questions unrelated to streaming, such as for learning, with questions like “Explain why volcanoes erupt to my third grader.” If you enjoy arts and crafts or cooking, Gemini for TV can also guide you through DIY projects or recipes using YouTube videos.

To access Gemini for TV after updating your Google TV Streamer, simply press the microphone button on your remote, and you’ll be free to ask it anything you want. If you used Gemini on your smartphone or PC to ask questions before, the experience will be very similar on your TV.

The Google TV Streamer is the first of many streaming devices expected to receive support for Gemini on TV, with Google stating that it will be available on more devices, including the Walmart onn 4K Pro, a cheaper alternative to the Google TV Streamer.

Google isn’t the only company working to bring AI to your TV screen. Amazon plans to roll out Alexa+ to its Fire TV devices soon, while Roku already offers an AI voice assistant. Apple is rumored to introduce its upgraded AI Siri experience on Apple TV next year. Personally, I’m excited to try out Gemini on the Google TV Streamer, and I believe it will make controlling your TV with your voice feel more natural and, more importantly, actually useful.