Google TV could be getting these killer upgrades to fight Apple TV

Google Telly could be getting these killer upgrades to fight Apple TV

(Image credit: Future)

Update: A new Chromecast with Google TV could be coming later this year .

The Google Goggle box platform looks gear up to become a large overhaul this year, with information technology poised to incorporate video conferencing, smart home and fettle services; this could meet it shape upwards to be a rival for Apple TV 4K.

That's going past a Protocol interview with Google Boob tube managing director of product management Rob Caruso, who detailed the future of Google Goggle box. Caruso noted how Google is looking at building out its Television platform in partnership with more than than 250 device partners across the world. Many of them utilise the underlying Android TV system, but the search behemothic is aiming to go them to fully embrace Google Goggle box.

"Over time, our bet and desire is that the Google Tv set experience will exist the preferred choice for us and our partners that we deploy, only Android TV is still out in that location and it is still existence deployed, and it's obviously still supported," explained Caruso.

One of the ways Google could go Google Telly more than widely adopted is to build out the services Google Goggle box has. And that means working closely with content providers to offering meliorate integration with popular streaming services similar Netflix; Google Goggle box supports Netflix but users can't add movies to organization-wide watchlists, for case.

Large upgrades tipped for Google TV

Google TV Watchlist — (Image credit: Google)

But the more intriguing updates and upgrades on the horizon are the boosting of Google Goggle box with more than diverse services and features.

Caruso said Google wants to expect at better integrating smart home controls with the Google TV platform; this seems logical; not simply does Google have the Nest Hub and other smart home hardware, it also has its Habitation app that allows command of a range of smart devices. And so integrating that into Google Telly could be fairly straightforward.

The aforementioned goes for fitness features, every bit Google has its Fit app for tracking workouts and other wellness data. Just Carouso said Google Tv could go beyond that and brand use of third-party fettle services. This would be a shrewd move as Apple TV supports the Apple Fitness Plus service, which enables the streaming of workouts to TVs.

And the same applies to video conferencing. Google's Duo video calling app already works on Android Tv, so it would make sense for it to be integrated into Google TV. As Android plays prissy with other third-party video conferencing apps like Zoom, it seems those could exist easily added into Google Goggle box every bit well.

Finally, Caruso said Google TV is looking at expanding the free live TV channels currently available on the platform. The thought here is to requite people things to watch as shortly equally their TV is prepare up, rather than wait for them to sign up or log into other streaming services.

"We want these TVs to wow you right out of the box," Caruso told Protocol. And that seems to be the overall objective of Google TV: enable more to exist done with those big screens in our home beyond watching movies, Tv series or playing games.

Smart TVs already accept a suite of capabilities, only having Google integrate more features from its software and service ecosystem could really evolve what TVs are used for.

We may non take to wait too long for that to happen every bit Caruso said: "All of those areas are things that we're looking at, that we're exploring, and hopefully bringing out at some point afterward this year."

Roland Moore-Colyer is U.K. Editor at Tom'south Guide with a focus on news, features and opinion manufactures. He often writes most gaming, phones, laptops and other bits of hardware; he'south also got an interest in cars. When non at his desk Roland tin can exist plant wandering around London, often with a look of curiosity on his face.