CES: Sony, TCL Televisions Will Feature Streamer Google TV

During CES 2021, Sony revealed its latest televisions will run Google TV, that company’s newest streaming system. TCL also stated that Google TV would be available in its sets in the U.S. Google TV succeeds Android TV, which can be found on some devices in the U.S., including the Nvidia Shield, TiVo Stream 4K and smart TVs from Sony, Hisense and TCL. Sony added that it had “no concrete plans” to update older Sony TVs running Android TV. TCL said it planned to integrate Google TV in its 8K and MiniLED sets as well as HD and 4K models.

CNET reports that, “available since October on the aptly named Chromecast with Google TV, one of the best media streamers available … we considered Google TV a marked improvement over Android TV.”

Google director of product development for Android TV John Gildred said that, “we will be working with partners to see which products that are already in the field, or that are launching near-term, could be upgraded in 2021,” adding that “not every partner device in 2021 will get the Google TV experience, but by the following year he expects Google TV to completely replace its predecessor.”

Google TV features upgraded from Android TV include “a For You tab that curates TV shows and movies available on services to which the user already subscribes; a Live tab that integrates streaming together with live content, starting with YouTube TV at launch and adding other services in the future … [and] a persistent Watchlist that works across TVs as well as mobile apps and computers, allowing you to bookmark and watch titles from those devices.”

According to Google, the platform has “6,500 apps, including HBO Max, Peacock and Apple TV Plus.” CNET also notes that the original Google TV debuted “a decade ago on products like the Sony NSX-GT1 TV and the Logitech Revue set-top box,” and was succeeded in 2014 by Android TV.

9to5Google reports that TCL will add Google TV to all its displays. “The introduction of TCL Google TVs will take our partnership with Google to the next level,” said TCL Industrial Holdings and TCL Electronics chief executive Kevin Wang. “Our theme at CES this year is ‘Experience More’ and by combining cutting-edge displays with smart and convenient content powered by Google, I am confident we will allow people around the world to do just that in 2021.”

TCL said its Google TV models will ship first in the U.S. but did not announce release dates or pricing.

Click here for more information on the speakers, panels and new products at CES 2021 (#CES2021).

Related:
TCL Will Launch Its First Television with Google TV This Year, CNET, 1/11/21
Google TV Integrates with Over 30 Streaming Services, Here’s the Full List, 9to5Google, 1/1/21

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