Gemini AI Arrives on Google TV, Starting with TCL Models The integration of Google’s Gemini AI into television sets has officially begun. The first TVs to feature the advanced AI assistant are the newly released TCL QM9K series models. While these are the only televisions with Gemini for now, Google has confirmed a broader rollout is planned for later this year. The AI is expected to become available on devices including the Google TV Streamer, Walmart’s onn 4K Pro streaming device, select Hisense TVs, and additional TCL television models. Google also hinted at developing more Gemini capabilities specifically for the TV experience in the future. This move follows an announcement made by Google at CES in January, where the company previewed Gemini’s upcoming role in its TV ecosystem. For users familiar with Google TV or Android TV devices, the standard Google Assistant has been the primary voice search tool. Gemini, however, represents a significant upgrade by enabling more natural, free-flowing conversations. Users can activate it by saying Hey, Google or by pressing the microphone button on their remote control. The core function of Gemini on TV is to help users discover content. Google provides examples of how the AI can understand complex requests. A user could say, Find me something to watch with my wife. I like dramas, but she likes lighthearted comedies, and Gemini would attempt to find a suitable match. It can also serve as a recap tool, summarizing events from a previous season of a show to bring a viewer up to speed. For making viewing decisions, users can ask Gemini to show reviews for a specific title or ask vague questions like, What is the new hospital drama everyone is talking about? The assistant’s utility extends beyond simple program guides. During a demonstration at CES, a Google representative asked Gemini on a TV to explain the solar system to a third grader. The AI provided an explanation and simultaneously suggested relevant YouTube videos to watch. This functionality makes it a potential tool for learning new skills or finding tutorials, such as requesting a recipe and receiving step-by-step video instructions. A key feature of Gemini is its conversational nature, allowing for follow-up questions to gain more clarity or dive deeper into a topic after the initial response. This rollout marks a significant step in bringing advanced generative AI directly into the living room, transforming the television from a passive entertainment screen into a more interactive and conversational hub.
