Royal Google TV is the latest in TV technology with unlimited possibilities. Generally, it is considered the evolution of the Android TV. In this article, you’ll discover all you need to know about Google TV and where you can get it.
Just like our mobiles, tablets, and computers, our smart TVs and streaming devices run on top-notch operating systems.
These systems handle everything from how your device’s menus and navigation appear to special features.
That covers what types of content (apps and games) your TV can handle and if you can “cast” photos and videos from your iPhone or Android to your slick QLED screen.
Every internet-connected audio-visual device has some sort of operating system doing its thing in the background, and today we’re zooming in on the latest one called Google TV.
Google TV squares off against other operating systems like Amazon’s Fire TV, Apple’s tvOS, and Roku’s eponymous OS. How does it compare to the competition? Let’s take a drive into Google’s venture into Smart TV to learn more.
What Is Google TV?
Fundamentally, Google TV is a user interface layered on top of Android TV, though it sports a distinct appearance compared to the original platform.
You’ll find it preloaded on various smart TVs from the likes of Sony, TCL, and Royal, as well as on the Chromecast with Google TV and the classic Chromecast.
Google TV is all about ensuring users effortlessly reach their most-watched and suggested content straight from the home screen.
Much like other streaming device platforms, it includes the likes of Netflix, Apple TV Plus, Hulu, and more.
The unique perk of Google TV is that you can get to what you want to watch without delving directly into a specific streaming app, provided you’re logged into your Google account.
An algorithmic marvel, Google TV also keeps track of your subscribed apps and your preferred movies and shows.
This allows the platform to suggest content for you, neatly organized under a fabulous Home Screen tab called “For You.”
With Google Assistant seamlessly woven in, your Smart TV (and a nifty Assistant-enabled remote) lets you browse apps, movies, shows, and games using voice commands.
Linking Google TV to your Google Home account takes it up a notch, enabling control over select smart home devices and gadgets with Google Assistant through your TV.
How Google TV Works
Whether you snag a Google TV-enabled TV or opt for the Chromecast with Google TV, the experience is not much different.
Every Google TV-enabled device requires an internet connection. While some electronics offer the choice of a wired connection through an Ethernet cable, they all work fine with Wi-Fi.
Getting Google TV up and running is a breeze. For the swiftest setup, grab the Google Home app on your mobile, but you can also tackle it directly from the TV or streaming device.
Plus, having a Gmail account ensures a smooth sailing experience.
Once the setup is done, you’ll find yourself on the Google TV home screen. This lively screen showcases a slideshow of different movies and TV shows handpicked based on your viewing tastes (courtesy of that “For You” tab).
You might spot adverts for the newest film releases too. Just below, there’s the “Top Picks for You” column, offering another batch of recommended content, followed by Your Apps.
Adding to the mix is the “Highlights” tab, serving as a custom hub for entertainment info, typically dishing out news and reviews about noteworthy or upcoming titles that Google reckons will tickle your fancy.
Harnessing the power of Knowledge Graph and machine learning, Google TV amps up the discoverability of content tailored to the viewer.
Knowledge Graph
Google’s Knowledge Graph is the treasure trove of facts about people, places, and things, empowering Google to furnish users with precise information about movies, TV shows, historical nuggets, and beyond.
The interface neatly segments into multiple tabs, granting users the ease of searching for movies, shows, apps, and purchased content.
Google TV zeros in on making sure users needn’t rummage through different apps to catch their favourite content.
A swift click, and you’re back in the action with Marvel Studio’s Echo on Disney+, all smoothly done right from the Google TV home screen, no need to open Disney+ separately.
Parental Control
Google TV interface comes equipped with parental controls, enabling parents to craft distinct profiles for their little ones.
Kid profiles are linked to the parent’s account, sparing them the fuss of dealing with email and password details.
Additionally, there’s the nifty Google Family Link app, offering a means to establish guidelines for their children’s interaction with Google apps and devices.
For instance, Google TV’s parental controls empower parents to dictate screen time, secure and release profiles, and set limits on content ratings.
Google TV Games
Google TV boasts a plethora of games at your fingertips. You can get titles like Call of Duty, Final Fantasy, Raid: Shadow Legends, and a whole lot more.
Unlike Android TV, Google TV takes the Play Store integration to a whole new level. It’s not merely about navigating to an app – for games, it’s all about the voice or word search, adding an extra layer of convenience.
Here’s another gaming perk tailored for smart TVs powered by Google TV. A good bunch of these sets packs in top-notch gaming features, aligning with the best in the TV gaming world, such as backing for NVIDIA GeForce, AMD FreeSync, and VRR.
Though these features might not make as much waves in Google TV’s internal gaming, those of hardcore gamers diving into next-gen consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S stand to reap the real rewards from these stellar gaming features and HDMI standards.
Some Google TV Voice Commands to Get You Started
What you can query Google Assistant with depends on the apps you’re logged into. For instance, a query like “Play Rick and Morty on Hulu” will only work if you’re subscribed to Hulu. Nonetheless, Google TV does let you trigger some universal commands, like:
– “Play some R&B music.”
– “Open [app name].”
– “Tell me about Elon Musk” spins out a detailed rundown of the individual along with content snippets from various streaming services they feature in.
Should I Buy Google TV?
Google TV stands as a stellar alternative to Fire TV, tvOS, and Roku OS. If you’re already quite familiar with the Google ecosystem, navigating the Google TV interface will feel like a regular routine.
Plus, having Google Assistant on your smart TV adds a layer of seamlessness and intuitiveness to your TV browsing experience.
The Best Google TV Brand to Buy
If you’re looking to buy a Google TV, then look no further than the Royal Google TV:
Royal 50″ Google TV (RTV50GT8W)
Royal 55″ Google TV (RTV55GT8W)
Royal 58″ Google TV (RTV58GT8W)
Royal 65″ Google TV (RTV65GT8W)
Royal 75″ Google TV (RTV75GSF8T)
Royal 98″ Google TV (RTV98GF8T)