Google has once again confirmed plans to replace the Google Assistant on Google TV players and smart TVs with its newer Gemini assistant, with the updated assistant expected to arrive later this year.
While Google previously announced plans to replace Google Assistant with Gemini, the latest confirmation came during the company’s The Android Show: I/O Edition, an event Google is using to kickstart this year’s Google I/O season.
Once Gemini does arrive on these players and TVs, users can expect access to a more advanced assistant. In particular, a more advanced recommendations system, as Gemini will better understand requests and provide better recommendations in response.
In an example given by Google today, users will be able to ask for “action movies that are age-appropriate” for kids and get more accurate and appropriate recommendations.
In another example, Gemini will be better equipped to provide links to the “perfect YouTube video” for kids looking to learn more about the solar system. This is also while being better able to answer questions about the solar system in general.
As an avid user of Google TV since the very beginning, it does feel like the recommendations system has got a lot worse in recent years. As a result, if Gemini can help to improve the experience, it will be a welcome addition to the platform.
Of course, whether it will actually improve the quality of recommendations is another matter entirely.
Either way, the arrival of the next-gen assistant is part of a wider expansion that will see Gemini also come to other platforms and devices, including Android Auto and cars with Google built-in, Wear OS, and Android XR.
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