Google TV is rolling out a new update, giving users the ability to create personalized profiles, offering recommendations in ambient mode, and choose from more live TV streaming options.
Here’s what’s new and what’s coming to Google TV.
Personalized Profiles
Google TV profiles allow anyone in the home to set up their own personalized space with their Google Account. After creating a profile, each user will get their own TV and movie recommendations, access to their own watchlist, and unique recommendations from Google Assistant. The recommendations for each user are based on watch history and the profile each person sets up.
Parents can also set up kids’ profiles with recommendations from kid friendly apps. Parents can customize the profile with apps they approve, rating limits, themes, and more.
Setting up a new profile is easy. Your downloaded apps and app login details will be used across profiles, so you won’t have to start from scratch each time you set up a new profile.
Recommendations in Ambient Mode
Ambient Mode is getting more useful. Google will now offer recommendations and more information, based on your personal profile, at glance when the TV is idle.
Users can scroll through the on-screen shortcuts to jump into their photos or start playing music and podcasts with just a click. If the screen has been idle for a few minutes, the TV will shift fully to ambient mode’s photos or curated artwork.
Support for profiles and glanceable cards in ambient mode will begin rolling out on Chromecast with Google TV and Google TVs from Sony and TCL soon.
More Live TV Streaming
Philo is now integrated into Google TV’s live TV feature, offering another option for streaming live TV. Philo joins YouTube TV and Sling TV in the Live TV tab. Google TV users can subscribe to Philo for just $25/month for over 60 channels including A&E, AMC, Lifetime, Discovery. Comedy Central, and more.