Assistant is similar to Amazon’s Alexa and Apple’s Siri, though its features can vary from device to device. On the Google Pixel, for example, users can ask it to toggle the flashlight, set reminders, and ask for directions. Similar actions can be completed on other Assistant-enabled products like Google Home, where you can use the AI bot to control your smart home products. But what gives Assistant a leg up over Alexa is the power of Google Search, and the ability to ask follow-up questions without having to repeat yourself.
With Assistant on Android TV, users will be able to say “OK Google” to trigger and ask it to play whatever you want to watch.
“As part of an upcoming update on supported TVs and set-top boxes powered by Android TV, you’ll be able to ask the Google Assistant for help so you can enjoy the content you love, faster than ever, on the best screen in your house,” according to Google’s blog post. “No more typing or struggling to get to what you’re looking for, just ask the Google Assistant for help and you’re off to the races.”
Google says you can also use Assistant to run voice searches to find shows. For example, you can say “Search YouTube for Jimmy Kimmel,” and you can follow up by saying, “play the second one” to select the right video — hands-free.
Assistant on Android TV seems to carry many of the same features available with the AI on other devices — you can run Google searches, control smart home products, ask for commute times, and more.
The integration will be available on Nvidia’s Shield TV, as well as “all Android TVs in the U.S. running Android 6.0 Marshmallow or Android 7.0 Nougat.” These include the Sony Bravia, Xiaomi Mi Box, Dish’s new AirTV player, Sharp Aquos, and more.
You’ll need a microphone to trigger Assistant — and many Android TV devices embed one in the remote. Google says the Nvidia Shield will be the first TV device to offer a true hands-free Assistant experience.
After Android TV, Assistant will come to smartwatches running Android Wear 2.0 — Google is said to be making two devices, and the revamped OS is set to launch alongside them early 2017. Assistant will also be powering in-car infotainment systems, and more.
Assistant will come to Android TV in the form of an “upcoming update,” but it’s unclear when exactly it will roll out.
Your Android phone is getting lots of fun new features this month
It’s a big day for Android updates, as Google has announced more than a dozen new features spread across multiple devices and apps — including a host of fun new ways to make Google Messages more visually exciting and to mark a significant milestone in its use.
Ready to see everything that's new? Let's dig in.
Google Messages
What is Android TV? Google’s smart TV platform fully explained
When it comes to smart TVs, these monolithic QLEDs and OLEDs require an internet connection to get you connected to services like Netflix and Disney+. But like any good computer or mobile phone, there’s an operating system taking care of apps, navigation, and all things user interface-oriented behind the scenes. For Samsung TVs, this OS is called Tizen, for LG TVs, it’s webOS, and for brands like Sony, TCL, and Hisense, it used to be called Android TV, but now (for the most part) it’s called Google TV.
While Google TV is really just an evolutionary leap based on the building blocks of Android TV, you’ll still see the Android TV moniker on a modern TV or two. Many modern home theater projectors also use the Android TV OS. That being said, it’s a platform that’s still relevant. Here’s everything you need to know about Android TV.
An important note on Android TV and Google TV
Google TV vs. Roku TV: which is the better streaming OS?
Whether you're looking for a new TV or streaming device, two of the leading smart TV platforms and user interfaces you'll be choosing from are Google TV and Roku TV. Both of these content and navigational platforms are excellent options, with many shared pros between them.
For years, Google has provided the building blocks to smart TV brands from Sony to Hisense under that Android TV banner. Presently, the structural framework of the Android TV system is giving way to an all-new Google operating system known as Google TV. You'll find Google's latest OS running on Sony, Hisense, and TCL TVs, as well as first-party Google devices like the Chromecast with Google TV 4K and Chromecast with Google TV (HD).
.gif)
