Google's push to bring its AI to every corner of the world takes a significant step forward with its arrival on living room TVs. Now, televisions and devices with Google TV are starting to integrate GeminiA much more conversational assistant that arrives to replace and improve upon the classic Google Assistant. It's no longer about dictating isolated commands: it opens the door to natural dialogues for asking for recommendations, resolving complex questions, or even controlling your home, all without leaving the sofa and with responses that sound much more human. adapted to the context.
This launch isn't just a future promise: some models already support it, and there's a clear roadmap for expanding it to more manufacturers and streaming devices. The experience isn't limited to entertainment, either. Gemini integrates with YouTube to learn or practice skills, understands vague searches (like that hospital drama everyone's talking about), and can quickly summarize the latest season of your favorite show. All of this comes with privacy controls, age requirements, and dedicated settings, because it's a product specifically optimized for television. proprietary tools on Google TV.
Gemini on TV: what changes compared to Assistant
Google TV already allowed voice control with Assistant, but now the baton is being taken over by Gemini, which replaces Assistant with a much more powerful approach. Instead of rigid commands, you can have a conversation: ask follow-up questions, be very specific about your preferences, and receive responses that don't sound scripted. Everything you did with Assistant is still available, only improved and with the advantage of an AI that understands nuances and relationships between your requests more naturally. contextualized in real time.
Imagine asking someone something as convoluted as: recommend a crime series with a dark tone, a morally ambiguous protagonist, and connections to superhero stories. These kinds of requests, once awkward for an assistant, are now easily understood. Official examples include the suggestion of *The Pitt* when you ask for "the new hospital series everyone's talking about," or the ability to cross-reference preferences at home to find a middle ground between those who prefer dramas and those who enjoy... light comedies.
You can also catch up with a simple “What happened in the last season of Outlander?” Gemini can provide a quick summary so you don't have to search forums or recaps. And if you're looking for inspiration outside of TV series, it works just as well: “What chicken recipe can I make in under an hour?” triggers suggestions tailored to the time and ingredient you have in mind, with results that can be accompanied by YouTube videos if you want to follow along step by step. on the big screen.
Although you'll no longer be forced to use keywords, activation remains as simple as ever: "Hey Google" or the microphone button on the remote. The magic lies in how the conversation continues afterward. Gemini accepts follow-up questions without having to start from scratch and better understands what you're asking, reducing that "I didn't understand" feeling that so often cut short the experience with voice assistants. tradicionales.
To take it a step further, everyday examples have also been shown with educational queries made “for a 10-year-old” or “for third grade.” The assistant adapts the language and level of detail, and suggests audiovisual content that fits the explanation, so that television becomes a useful learning companion. answer curiosities.
Recommendations, summaries, and imprecise searches
When you don't know what to watch, Gemini can save the day. Ask it, "Find me something to watch with my partner. I like dramas and she likes light comedies," and it will try to reconcile your tastes to suggest options that suit you both. Add to that the ability to give vague descriptions ("that hospital drama everyone's talking about") or request season summaries, and the feeling is that the streaming catalog is more navigable and less overwhelming, because the AI filters between what you want and what's available, offering recommendations. tailored to your context.
Gemini also understands nuances of tone, length, or critical reception: “movies like Mission: Impossible, but funnier,” “a comedy under an hour that’s won awards,” or “something with charismatic villains and a fast pace.” This level of specificity, which would be cumbersome to translate to a traditional search, makes sense in a casual conversation, where talking is more natural than typing and navigating menus. remote control.
AI isn't limited to entertainment. You can ask it for release dates, what happened in the episode you skipped, or even ask it to remind you of something while watching YouTube. And if learning is your thing, you have the opportunity to explore a variety of topics with the comfort of being on the big screen: from how to start playing guitar to why volcanoes erupt, with explanations adapted to the age or level of the listener and with support videos.
The examples shared by Google show that Gemini is flexible with imprecise searches. There's no need to remember exact names: describe characters, settings, or the theme, and the AI will connect it with the references it has on hand. This approach is especially valuable when you're tired and just want suggestions that match your mood or the company you're with. you share a sofa.
As an added bonus, beyond pure entertainment, the assistant responds to everyday cooking requests (“dessert in under an hour,” “chicken dinner ready in 60 minutes”), so you don't get stuck staring at the fridge with no ideas. Add to that its ability to open step-by-step YouTube tutorials, and the leap forward from Assistant is that the conversation flows, the nuances matter, and the responses are more useful. actionable.
Practical examples that work very well in the classroom
If you have young children at home, requesting an explanation "for a 10-year-old" or "for a 3rd grader" makes all the difference. The AI adjusts the language and level to the audience, while also searching for videos and resources that reinforce the explanation. This way, topics like the solar system or volcanic eruptions become a mini-lesson on screen, with a friendly and approachable tone. Easy to follow.
To catch up on TV series, simply ask "What happened in the last season of Outlander?" during dinner to get a brief summary that doesn't give away too much. This avoids leaving the app you're using or searching on your phone: it's right there on the TV, integrated with what you're watching, and you can ask for more details or change the subject without losing track of the story. conversation.
When you can't remember exact names, Gemini acts as a translator for your vague thoughts: "the new hospital series everyone's talking about" might return suggestions like The Pitt, accompanied by reviews or trailers on YouTube. This kind of interaction is what makes the voice on TV meaningful; you're not filling out forms, you're talking like you would to a real person. another person.
In terms of home use, you can also request actions and routines related to your house: “Show me the backyard camera” to view a security feed, or control other compatible devices. By combining conversational technology with the connected home, the TV becomes a central panel where you not only consume content but also manage part of your daily life.
Integration with YouTube and home learning
Gemini leverages YouTube on Google TV. When it comes to learning something, from a recipe to playing an instrument, the AI suggests "supported" videos that clearly explain the process. And if you're helping with schoolwork, you can request customized explanations, turning the TV into a valuable educational resource without needing to get out your tablet or computer. laptop from drawer.
This integration is also noticeable in leisure activities: you can request reactions, reviews, or content related to what you're looking for. If you get lost in a plot, you have summaries at hand; if you want to explore a genre, you'll get curated lists. The key difference is that now everything stems from a loose and flexible conversation, not from browsing categories with a... lazy cursor.
How to activate and configure it on your Google TV
The rollout of Gemini on Google TV is gradually replacing Assistant, but activating it is just as easy: say “Hey Google” or press the microphone button on your remote and start speaking. You can enable “Gemini for TV” during the initial TV setup, and if you want to do it later, go to Settings > Accounts and profiles > your account > Voice assistant > Gemini for TV. With this change, you'll switch to using the new assistant with its conversational approach. all its advantages.
If your device has a hands-free microphone, you can activate it in Settings > Accounts and profiles > Your account > Voice assistant > Hands-free microphone. Keep in mind that, by its very nature, the system may activate accidentally if it hears something like "Hey Google." And if there are multiple devices capable of responding, they will usually coordinate so that one answers, depending on proximity, volume, and the capabilities of the device. most suitable device.
Important: When you activate Gemini for TV, all compatible TVs on your account will automatically receive it. Also, this product is optimized for Google TV and is not the same as the Gemini apps on mobile, tablet, or computer; it has its own set of settings both on the TV and in the Google Home app, and that's where you'll be able to configure it. fine-tune the experience.
To personalize the voice, you can choose new, more expressive voices in Gemini's settings. That voice will be applied to your Google TV and, if applicable, to compatible smart speakers or displays. You can also set up Voice Match and "personal results" (from Google Photos, Calendar, and others), keeping in mind that if you don't enable Voice Match, anyone using that device could see the results from the account currently signed in to the TV—an important distinction for shared houses.
Privacy, minimum age, and responsible use
Google reminds users that Gemini for TV is subject to your Web & App Activity settings. If you have these enabled, your interactions will be saved in the "Google Assistant" section of your account; you can delete them at any time. This is a continuation of the Assistant approach, but with the understanding that this AI is constantly evolving and may occasionally provide incorrect, offensive, or inappropriate information that does not represent the opinions of [Google]. the company.
Along those lines, don't use Gemini's answers as medical, legal, financial, or professional advice. It's a useful tool for everyday life, but it's not a substitute for an expert. Furthermore, Google encourages feedback: you can rate the answers with Like/Dislike or click "Send feedback" to help the system learn, improve, and become more useful. sure over time.
Regarding the minimum age, Gemini's responses are only available to account profiles of people over 18. Child profiles do not have access to Gemini for TV, and non-child accounts of users under 18 will continue to receive responses from Google Assistant. This prevents minors from being exposed to inappropriate content or interactions not intended for their age. age range.
Availability and compatible models
The rollout begins with the TCL QM9K series, which is already receiving Gemini on Google TV. Throughout the year, the company promises to extend compatibility to more manufacturers and devices, including the Google TV StreamerThe Walmart online 4K Pro, as well as the 2025 Hisense U7, U8, and UX TVs, and new TCL series like the 2025 QM7K, QM8K, and X11K. The announcement does not specify particular regions, so the approach is by model, with a progressive rollout subject to variations by language, country, and version of the operating system.
Google has also hinted that, before the planned rollout period ends, Gemini will reach many more televisions from different brands and streaming devices with Google TV. In parallel, the company continues to integrate its AI into other products in the ecosystem, reinforcing the idea of an assistant present on as many screens and in as many contexts as possible, including the giant screen of the living room.
Performance: Why not all models will be compatible
The Gemini experience on television requires processing power in real time to understand voice, understand context, and combine it with recommended videos or content. Not all televisions will be able to handle this, which is why the rollout begins with specific product lines and expands as manufacturers guarantee performance. Furthermore, as mentioned, Gemini for TV is a product optimized for Google TV, with its own settings, so it shouldn't be confused with the mobile app or the tablet and computer experiences, which have their own pace and functionality. differentiated capabilities.
Beyond TV: ecosystem and new features
Gemini isn't limited to Google TV. Google has already brought it to Wear OS watches and integrated it into cars through... Android Auto And it's preparing for a greater presence in home devices like Google Home speakers and displays. On mobile, it can be used through the Google app and the dedicated Gemini app, and there are experiences like Gemini Live for more natural voice conversations, with lower latency and improved interaction. more fluid.
Another interesting novelty is the AI-assisted editing in Google Photos From your mobile device: you can open a chat in the app and request actions like increasing brightness, removing the background, or applying specific adjustments with simple commands (“Help me edit”), and Gemini will perform the transformation. The idea is to apply the same conversational approach to tasks that would otherwise require navigating through menus and editing controls. more technicians.
Playing with AI assistance on Android
Google has also announced that, in the near future, Gemini will be able to attend while you play On Android, a panel overlays the game in titles downloaded from the Play Store. This panel allows for screenshots, screen recording, YouTube streaming, and, most importantly, provides hints about what's happening in your game. You can even launch Gemini Live to talk to it without typing. Thanks to the fact thatSee what's on the screen“The AI adapts suggestions and advice to your context, an approach very much in line with what Microsoft has shown with its Gaming Copilot for Windows and Android, with which it shares the idea of real-time contextual assistance.
Competition in the showroom: Copilot, LG, and Alexa
Google's move isn't happening in a vacuum. Microsoft and Samsung have announced the arrival of Copilot on Samsung TVs in 2025 (Micro RGB, Neo QLED, OLED, The Frame Pro, and The Frame), with features like highly specific recommendations, spoiler-free summaries, and follow-up answers about voice actors and other details. LG, meanwhile, is working on its own voice AI, and Amazon is reinforcing the role of TVs in its new Alexa phase. The battle to control the AI experience in the living room is heating up, because whoever wins there will define part of our leisure, shopping, programming, and other habits. daily searches.
Best practices and helpful reminders
To use Gemini responsibly on your TV, remember that it's an AI under development: it can make mistakes and is not a substitute for medical, legal, or financial professionals. Rate responses with Like/Dislike and provide feedback so the system can learn. Also, check the microphone's position and status (on the TV, remote, or streaming device) and mute it if needed. If you share your home, set up Voice Match and control which personal results are displayed; and consider adding your TV to Google Home and managing household members for a more seamless experience. orderly and private.
With all this, Gemini transforms your Google TV into a true conversational assistant: it understands natural language, links questions, and guides you from discovering what to watch to learning something new or managing your home. Starting with the TCL QM9K series and with an expansion that will include Hisense, more TCL models, Walmart onn. 4K Pro, and Google TV Streamer, the feeling is that TV is catching up with other screens where we already use AI daily. The key is that the dialogue flows smoothly, the examples are helpful, and the controls are in place to maintain privacy and individual profiles. your own control.
