Google TV is probably the most versatile smart TV platform. You'll find it on some of the latest TVs from Sony and TCL. There is a simplified version for Android phones and you can get it for any TV by buying a Chromecast with the Google TV dongle. Plug the dongle into an HDMI port on your TV (or just turn on your TV if Google TV is built in) and a planet of streaming content opens up for you, from Google's massive library to Amazon Prime, Netflix, Now TV, Disney +, Crunchyroll and more. They all come with a very elegant and also intuitive interface that you navigate with a remote control. Or you can cast content directly from your phone with Chromecast-enabled apps. Google TV isn't just about the services you can stream when you use it, though. The abundant aspects of Google TV transform it into a true home entertainment center. These are certain extras that you may not have seen yet.
1. Watch list
(Image credit: Google) It's one of our favorite Google TV features: the watch list. It's the antidote to spending hours browsing streaming libraries in search of something to watch. As long as you're browsing Google TV, you can simply press a button on a TV show or movie list to add it to your watch list. It acts as a list of content that you plan to watch when you have time. But there is more. Your watchlist will also be used to display the suggestions that Google TV shows on the home screen, and this will naturally include what's actually on the list. It won't just contain items from Google's own library. Content for Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ features and other services will be added in the future. Google TV brings together each and every streaming service on one site.
2. It is a game console
Google TV may be primarily a video platform, but it's also great for gaming. There is also more than one dimension to this side of Google TV. You can play many classic casuals like Crossy Road and Asphalt XNUMX right on Google TV. It connects a bluetooth gamepad to Google TV and it looks a lot like a game console. Not satisfied with the big screen versions of titles you can play on your phone? There is no problem. On their site, you can play Google Stadia. This is Google's game streaming service and it lets you play titles like Far Cry XNUMX, Cyberpunk XNUMX, Control, and Red Dead Redemption XNUMX without a computer or game console. You can purchase them from the Stadia Store or sign up for Stadia Pro for unlimited access to a huge library of games. Stadia isn't your only option, either. Google TV lets you use competing services like Nvidia GeForce Now and Steam Link on your site.
3. Profiles for children
(Image credit: Google) If you have kids, Google TV lets you limit their access (it's not free in every market). This means that you can let them roam freely on the smart TV system without monitoring them all the time. On the Who's Watching home screen, simply choose your profile and then "add a little one". They also don't need a Google account, which is handy for kids who don't yet have a phone or email address. You can limit which apps these profiles have access to, set limits on daily screen time and bedtime, so they don't end up gorging themselves on content like adults.
4. Multi-room audio
Here's a helpful tip if you're using a good soundbar or have a Chromecast with Google TV connected to an AV receiver and surround speaker system. Google TV appears as a Chromecast device in your phone's apps. This means that you can easily play songs from services like Spotify directly on your Google TV device, using it as a music station. Launch the Google Home app and you can also treat it as a multi-room speaker, controlling tunes for the whole house. This is one of the delicacies of Google TV and its associated gadgets, they can always do more than you think.
5. Content streaming via local network
Many of us have made the switch to "full streaming" these days, but Google TV is here for those who still like to keep a library of content stored locally, on a computer or NAS drive. If you download certain DLNA apps for Google TV, like Plex, it turns the system into a convenient and fast way to access your music and video files, without a subscription. Alternatively, if you have a Chromecast with Google TV, you can purchase a USB-C hub and plug in a high-capacity USB stick or external hard drive loaded with music and videos. This lets you give it direct access to a large library of content without worrying about connecting wirelessly. < p class="article-body__disclaimer">LaComparacion created this content in a paid partnership with Sony. The content of this article is totally independent and reflects only the editorial opinion of TechRadar.