Google Has A Very Apple-like Plan For Google TV

It’s no secret that Google’s been vying for an area in your front room for years. Google TV has undergone fairly a number of branding adjustments because it first launched in 2010, but it surely’s nonetheless managed to grow to be one of many prime streaming platforms. And it’s not stopping: Google has its sights set past simply casting your favourite TV reveals and delivering suggestions for what to observe.

In a chat with Protocol, Google TV’s Rob Caruso, director of product management, indicated that the corporate is targeted on making Google TV units like Chromecasts extra succesful this yr, beginning with sensible dwelling and health integrations. This would make Google TV decidedly extra Apple-like—the latter firm’s Apple TV set-top field is pricier than its rivals, however serves as a hub for HomeKit-compatible units and in addition integrates with the Apple Watch for Fitness+ streaming exercise lessons.

We already knew that Android TV wouldn’t get left behind within the rebrand to Google TV, and Caruso confirmed Google will proceed to help the platform, which nonetheless powers a majority of the energetic streaming units nonetheless in use.

“Android TV is still out there and it is still being deployed, and it’s obviously still supported,” Caruso instructed Protocol.

That’s excellent news for homeowners of legacy units, although Android—which Google TV stays based mostly on—isn’t precisely identified for its streamlined software program updates.

Google additionally needs to work extra intently with content material suppliers to make its common TV search your one-stop store for streaming. It’s a method that’s as outdated as time, plucked straight from the corporate’s search engine playbook. But to attain its objectives, it wants extra third events to come back into the fold. Netflix, for example, is likely one of the main streaming networks that gained’t allow you to add films and TV reveals to your watchlist. As a Google TV person, I depend on that function to maintain observe of what I’m excited about, and it presents the added perk of receiving a notification when it turns into accessible.

“I hope we’ll see some welcome improvements and innovations in the coming months with not just Netflix, but with many partners,” mentioned Caruso, who truly arrived at Google final August after a stint at Netflix.

With Google’s funding in Fitbit, it’s no shock to see Google eyeing a health integration for Google TV. Caruso instructed Protocol it’s a “big area of exploration.” It’ll be fascinating to see whether or not Google leverages Fitbit’s on-demand exercise lessons (which can be found within the Fitbit app with a premium subscription), or introduces a brand new Peloton or Fitness+ competitor.

The sensible dwelling would be the final main piece of Google TV’s puzzle. It is smart with Matter, the sensible dwelling customary that guarantees to unite all of them, on the horizon. Google is exploring higher integration with sensible units, together with Android telephones. It’s unclear whether or not this could transcend the expanded Fast Pair function Google introduced final week, which permits Android smartphones to pair units to the community—type of like a wise hub. It’s not in contrast to the technique Samsung revealed with its SmartThings platform.

Google TV’s person numbers have been trending upwards—the platform presently has 110 million month-to-month energetic units, and {hardware} companions like TCL is reportedly promoting 10 million Google TV units a yr.

The query stays if Google can supply a compelling use for its units past easy TV watching. Or possibly it’ll end up that every one it must maintain customers tuned in is to be the most effective rattling search engine for sofa potatoes. For now, tright here’s no timeline for when Google will launch new Google TV options, although Caruso hinted at “some point later this year.”