Google Brings Gemini to Google TV, Replacing Google Assistant

Jakarta, Gizmology – Google has officially announced that Gemini, its latest AI model, will be coming to the Google TV platform. Gemini's arrival marks the end of Google Assistant's role on smart TVs, replaced by more advanced and interactive AI features.

With this integration, Google TV users can not only give standard voice commands but also interact with their TV in a more in-depth way. This includes getting instant viewing recommendations, summaries of currently airing series, and even assistance with everyday activities like planning trips or learning to cook. Google says Gemini is more adaptive in understanding user needs than its predecessor.

This move signals Google's new direction in pushing AI across its product lines, but it also raises questions about privacy, the need for a stable internet connection, and the feature's accessibility across regions. Gemini is currently only available on the TCL QM9K series and will expand to more devices throughout 2025.

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Gemini's New Features on Google TV

In contrast to Google Assistant, which focuses more on simple commands, Gemini on Google TV It's designed to provide a more personalized, interactive experience. For example, users can search for "movies about friendship in the 80s" without needing to know the title, and the system will return relevant search results.

Gemini can also provide movie reviews, summarize previous seasons of popular series, and even suggest YouTube content to support specific activities. For example, if a user wants to learn guitar, Gemini will immediately display relevant video tutorials, complete with step-by-step instructions. This makes the television not just an entertainment device, but also an interactive learning assistant at home.

The way to summon Gemini is not much different from Google Assistant. Users simply say "Hey Google" or press the microphone button on the TV remote. Google hopes this transition will be smooth, as the user experience won't technically change much, despite the vastly expanded features.

Challenges and Future Prospects

While it sounds promising, the introduction of Gemini on Google TV also brings a number of challenges. One of them is availability. Currently, only TCL QM9K users can try this feature. Google promises to expand support to other devices such as the Google TV Streamer, the Hisense U7, U8, and UX 2025 TVs, the Walmart onn. 4K Pro, and the TCL QM7K, QM8K, and X11K series by the end of next year. For consumers, this means a wait if their devices aren't already covered.

Furthermore, privacy and data usage issues have once again come under scrutiny. Because Gemini relies on more complex AI-based interactions, questions naturally arise about the extent to which user data is recorded and processed to improve the service. Google emphasizes its commitment to data security, but consumer skepticism remains, especially following numerous data breaches in the tech industry.

On the other hand, this move underscores Google's ambition to integrate AI into the home entertainment ecosystem. If successful, Gemini could pave the way for a smarter and more personalized viewing experience, while broadening Google TV's appeal amidst competition from other platforms. However, whether users truly find this new feature helpful or overwhelming remains to be seen.