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CES 2026: Google Brings Gemini AI Features to Google TV, Previewing What Apple TV Could Get

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At CES 2026, Google announced some new Gemini features that it's bringing to Google TVs. Google TV is built into some TV sets and set-top boxes, and while it may not be immediately relevant to many Apple users, it does give us a look at what AI can do on a TV set.

google-tv-gemini.jpg

Gemini on Google TV will be able to answer queries with a "visually rich framework" that offers up imagery, videos, and real-time sports updates. A "Deep Dives" feature will give users narrated, interactive overviews of a topic that are simplified for the whole family.

Users can search through their Google Photos Library using Gemini to find specific people or moments. It enables image editing on the TV, with options to apply artistic styles or generate cinematic slideshows. Nano Banana, Google's image generator, can reimagine personal photos or create original media right on the TV. Veo, Google's video generation tool, is also coming to Google TV.

Google is also adding an option to use natural language to optimize TV settings, which is perhaps the most useful new feature that Gemini integration brings. Users can tell Gemini things like "the screen is too dim" or "I can't hear the dialogue" to make quick adjustments to picture and sound.

According to Google, the Gemini features will be coming to TCL devices first, and other Google TV devices over the coming months.

Apple is planning to use a version of Google Gemini for some of its upcoming AI features, including the smarter version of Siri. The next-generation version of the Apple TV is expected to get an A17 Pro chip, which is compatible with Apple Intelligence.

With Apple adopting Gemini and Apple TVs soon becoming capable of new AI features, it's possible that some of the features that Google has announced for Google TV could be replicated on the Apple TV. Apple could use Apple Intelligence and the new version of Siri to simplify controls, make better content suggestions, and more. The updated Apple TV and the new version of Siri could both come in spring 2026.

Article Link: CES 2026: Google Brings Gemini AI Features to Google TV, Previewing What Apple TV Could Get
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2026/01/06/google-gemini-google-tv/
Google is using internet but Cook IA cooks itself burning the core cause Cook wanted it cooked.
 
I'm not as vehemently opposed to AI implementations into smart TVs like most people here at MacRumors, but I think Apple TV needs more UX improvements than shiny new features. For example, browsing Apple Music feels like pulling page after page out of a filing cabinet and the only way to get back to the top page is to manually put each of them back in using the back button. There's no button to put everything back and take you back to any given tab's top page. this makes it a pain to get from whatever album you're browsing back to the Now Playing menu. Sometimes I try to use the Now Playing tab in the control center, clicking on the music, but it doesn't take me anywhere. That could be the perfect way to implement a shortcut to the Now Playing, but no, Apple Music remains a mess on Apple TV.
 
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I never had interest in Google TVs but this has turned me away from them yet even further. Apple should be integrating Apple Intelligence a little more tastefully, if they do at all
 
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AusMness said:
I never had interest in Google TVs but this has turned me away from them yet even further. Apple should be integrating Apple Intelligence a little more tastefully, if they do at all
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Unfortunately after a few misses in the home entertainment software side, Google has finally got a decent product (GoogleTV) when compared to anything presently on the market.
 
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Got a new TCL tv near black friday... Image is great so is the sound from the stock speakers... but FIRST thing I did was disconnect it from the Wifi and connect my Apple TV.. there's no way I'm giving my information to Google / the Chinese goverment / the TCL company... I appreciate their TVs.. Mini-LED at an affordable price.. but not enough to give them all my info.. I am so thankful we have Apple TVs to circumvent having a "smart TV" without handing away all our data and privacy..
 
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Regbial said:
Got a new TCL tv near black friday... Image is great so is the sound from the stock speakers... but FIRST thing I did was disconnect it from the Wifi and connect my Apple TV.. there's no way I'm giving my information to Google / the Chinese goverment / the TCL company... I appreciate their TVs.. Mini-LED at an affordable price.. but not enough to give them all my info.. I am so thankful we have Apple TVs to circumvent having a "smart TV" without handing away all our data and privacy..
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Repost. I have a Sony Bravia that runs Android. I disabled WiFi as I also didn't want it phoning home to Google with anything about me.

Guess what? It turns WiFi back on by itself so it can "check for updates". 😡

Solution was to let it connect to my router but block any traffic. One of these days I'm expecting it to try and connect to the neighbors WiFi for "updates".
 
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justanotherdave said:
Repost. I have a Sony Bravia that runs Android. I disabled WiFi as I also didn't want it phoning home to Google with anything about me.

Guess what? It turns WiFi back on by itself so it can "check for updates". 😡

Solution was to let it connect to my router but block any traffic. One of these days I'm expecting it to try and connect to the neighbors WiFi for "updates".
Click to expand...
How does it know your wifi password?
 
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Rradcircless said:
I'm not as vehemently opposed to AI implementations into smart TVs like most people here at MacRumors, but I think Apple TV needs more UX improvements than shiny new features. For example, browsing Apple Music feels like pulling page after page out of a filing cabinet and the only way to get back to the top page is to manually put each of them back in using the back button. There's no button to put everything back and take you back to any given tab's top page. this makes it a pain to get from whatever album you're browsing back to the Now Playing menu. Sometimes I try to use the Now Playing tab in the control center, clicking on the music, but it doesn't take me anywhere. That could be the perfect way to implement a shortcut to the Now Playing, but no, Apple Music remains a mess on Apple TV.
Click to expand...
Apple Music is a mess on iOS and Mac as well, especially if you don’t subscribe and are just managing a large library of music you own. I miss the intuitiveness and simplicity of iTunes.

I really hope Gemini/Apple Intelligence is optional on the upcoming AppleTV as I was considering getting one.

As far as GoogleTV goes I have a Sony with it and can’t stand it so I turned off wifi and use my other devices for streaming. Disappointed to read what another poster said about it turning wifi back on by itself in order to check for updates. Going to have to look into that.
 
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Amazing how other companies seem to leapfrog Apple even though they've been in the same tech market for years. Apple TV should have had some better siri integration years ago
 
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