Google’s new Gemini Assistant is already available on Android smartphones and, most recently, on Chrome without the need for a membership. Depending on what Google TV device you own, it will soon be time to say goodbye to Google Assistant, as Google just announced the arrival of Gemini to its Google TV platform.
While Google Assistant did an amazing job handling commands on my Chromecast — when it worked — Gemini is capable of much more. Gemini on Google TV will support free-flowing conversations about finding TV shows and YouTube content, and it will also be able to answer expansive questions like helping with dinner recipes, helping with school projects, and learning new skills with YouTube suggestions and text responses, which are read aloud. And like Google Assistant, Gemini can be accessed by saying “Hey Google” or hitting the microphone button on your TV remote.
The Gemini rollout begins with TCL’s newest QM9K series TVs, which are available today, and early reviews call it TCL’s best TV. Outside of Google’s new virtual assistant, the TV offers a damn-near borderless design, 144Hz refresh rate, Dolby Atmos up-firing pseakers with audio by Bang & Olufsen, precise dimming, wide viewing angles, a proximity sensor that can automatically switch off screensaver and turn on the TV, and utilizes mini-LED technology for OLED-level blacks and contrast without sacrificing life span or potential image burn-in. It also supports Apple AirPlay 2, Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and offers over 350 free artwork images, which turns your TCL TV into a painting a la Samsung Frame TV series. Its only downsides are that it doesn’t arrive in a 55-inch size, as the QM9Ks is available in 65”, 75″, 85″, and 98″; and its pricing starts at $3,000.
Later this year, Gemini will roll out to other devices such as the Google TV Streamer, Walmart onn 4K Pro, 2025 Hisense U7, U8, and UX models, and 2025 TCL QM7K, QM8K, and X11K models. Google plans on adding more Gemini features to TV in the near future. This is part of a continuing effort to replace its Google Assistant with Gemini across all of its platforms and services. Next up on the docket is its smart home products.
