Google says its Gemini AI assistant is now available on televisions, starting with TCL’s new QM9K Mini-LED models that run the Google TV operating system.
Google has been promising Gemini for TV for quite a while, and as part of the initiative it will retire its existing voice-based assistant, known as Google Assistant. A number of TV manufacturers, including Samsung and LG, have already withdrawn support for Google Assistant ahead of this.
Gemini is a major upgrade on Google Assistant because it’s far more intelligent than its predecessor. Users will no longer be limited to basic voice commands, so instead of stating a simple search phrase and hoping it finds the YouTube video you’re looking for, you’ll actually be able to have a natural conversation with your TV, the company said.
In a blog post, Google said that if someone’s in a bad mood, they could ask their TV to find something that’s going to cheer them up. Upon receiving that command, it will then attempt to surface light-hearted movies, shows and YouTube videos it thinks will interest you, based on your profile and previous viewing habits.
Users don’t just have to ask for content. For instance, Gemini is also capable of providing summaries and recaps. So you can just ask it “what’s this movie about?”, or “what happened in the first season?”, and it will quickly fill you in with the details. Alternatively, you might ask if a movie has good reviews on IMDB, and it will let you know and provide some links to the most insightful reviews from that website.
Google said Gemini has a great understanding, even when the user’s prompt is rather vague. If someone tells it to “find something to watch with my wife. I like dramas, but she prefers lighthearted comedies,” it will bring up content recommendations that offer a balance of both genres.
Perhaps the most impactful thing about Gemini will be how it extends the capabilities of televisions. With Gemini for Google TV, your box is no longer just an entertainment hub, but also an educational aid. Google said a child could ask it for help with their science project on volcanos, and it will provide step-by-step assistance with this. You might ask it to help you whip up a dessert based on the contents inside your refrigerator, or a quick guitar tutorial. Along with the videos it surfaces, it’ll also provide an easily-digestable summary of the instructions. And because it’s conversational, users can ask follow up questions and Gemini will know what they mean, based on the earlier context.
Here's a video from Google that shows Gemini on TV in action:
Currently, the only TV that supports Gemini at this time is TCL’s QM9K Mini-LED TV, which is the U.S. version of the TCL C9K Mini-LED TV that’s available in Europe, with prices starting at around $3,000. It’s the company’s flagship TV for this year, and it only just launched in the U.S. earlier this month, so it means very few people will be able to access Gemini at this time. Google didn’t say when Gemini will be coming to the C9K that’s aimed at Europeans, but with any luck it won’t be very long.
We should note at this juncture that the C9K European variant is not available to buy in the U.K. Instead, Brits will have to make do with the TCL C8K, which is the most premium model being sold in the country this year. Unless, of course, they don’t mind hopping over the Channel to France or the Netherlands to buy the superior model.
Google said it’s planning to bring Gemini to the TCL QM8K and QM7K this year too, along with the X11K, which is another Europe-only model. In addition, Hisense’s U7, U8 and UX ULED TVs will also get Gemini before the year is out, as will the Google TV Streamer and the Walmart Onn 4K Pro, which is a U.S.-only streaming device.
Ultimately, Gemini is expected to launch on all Google TVs in future, and it may well come to many Android TVs too. Though that is not confirmed, it seems like a reasonable assumption to make.
Google’s market penetration means that Gemini’s arrival could be a really big deal. With more than 300 million televisions and streaming devices running either Google TV or Android TV, it could well mark the moment that voice-controlled TVs start making more sense.
