Google announces a major update for Google TV, embedding its Gemini AI to deliver generative creation tools, enhanced search, and a dedicated YouTube Shorts feed.
Google TV is getting a significant artificial intelligence upgrade. The company has unveiled a suite of new features powered by its Gemini AI model, designed to transform the television into a more interactive and creative hub. The rollout will begin with Gemini-enabled TCL TVs in the United States.
AI-Powered Creation Tools
A new "Create" button within the Gemini tab unlocks a collection of generative AI tools for users.
- Nano Banana: An image-generation and editing model that lets users alter photos using voice commands, such as changing a background or swapping an outfit.
- Veo: A tool capable of producing short video clips from text descriptions or animating still images.
- Remix: Applies artistic styles—like watercolor or oil painting—to user photos.
- Dynamic Slideshows: Creates animated slideshows from Google Photos collections for the TV screensaver. Users can activate this by navigating to Quick Settings > Screensaver settings and selecting Google Photos.
Enhanced Visual Responses and Information
New Gemini features are tailored to provide richer, more interactive answers to user queries.
For example, asking for sports scores will now display a live scorecard and viewing information, while recipe inquiries will be paired with video tutorials.
- Richer Visual Help: Google TV now displays comprehensive visual assistance. Queries about sports return live scorecards, and recipe searches show paired video tutorials.
- Visual Deep Dives: Users can explore complex topics—such as economic trends or scientific phenomena—through custom, interactive walkthroughs. Gemini allows for follow-up questions. Users activate this by clicking "Dive deeper" after a search or selecting the "Learn" option in the Gemini tab.
- Gemini-powered Sports Briefs: Provides narrated overviews of current events for supported leagues (NBA, NCAA basketball, NHL, MLS, NWSL), accessible within the Gemini tab.
- Google Photos Search: Enables natural language queries to find specific memories, such as "vacations."
- Natural Language Settings Optimization: Users can adjust TV settings with conversational phrases like "the screen is too dim" or "I can't hear the dialogue" to modify picture and sound.
YouTube Shorts Integration
A new "Short videos for you" row will appear on the Google TV home screen, delivering a personalized feed of YouTube Shorts. Google has indicated plans to potentially expand this feed to include content from other platforms in the future.
Availability and Rollout
The features are being introduced in stages.
- Initial Release: The AI creation tools (Nano Banana, Veo), enhanced visual responses, deep dives, sports briefs, and Dynamic Slideshows are rolling out first on Gemini-enabled TCL TVs in the United States.
- Expansion: Broader availability for these features on other Google TV-enabled devices in the US is planned for later in the spring of 2026.
- International: International expansion for various Gemini features is scheduled for 2026, beginning with Australia, New Zealand, and the UK in the coming months. Dynamic Slideshows are slated for global availability on eligible devices at a later date.
- YouTube Shorts Feed: The YouTube Shorts feed is expected to launch in Summer 2025 in the US.
Background
Gemini was initially launched on Google TV in September 2025 as a limited release for select TCL televisions. At CES 2026, Google provided further demonstrations of the platform's AI capabilities. Separately, Apple has indicated plans to incorporate a version of Google Gemini into its forthcoming AI features, including an updated Siri, and the next generation of Apple TV is anticipated to feature an A17 Pro chip.