At CES 2025, Google announced a major upgrade to its Google TV platform: the integration of Gemini AI. This new feature is designed to make interacting with your TV more natural, conversational, and versatile. Essentially, Gemini will replace Google Assistant on Google TV, introducing a smarter way to engage with your entertainment and home.

We were impressed with its groundbreaking ability to understand and execute complex instructions seamlessly, and awarded Gemini AI the Best of CES award, highlighting its potential to redefine how users interact with their TVs.

The main feature of Gemini is its ability to understand conversational language. Unlike the current system, which requires more rigid commands like “Hey Google,” Gemini lets you speak naturally. For example, you can ask, “Show me movies like Jurassic Park but for kids,” and Gemini will provide tailored suggestions.

It doesn’t stop there—Gemini can handle more detailed queries too. During demos, it easily tackled requests like “Help me plan a vacation spot with great beaches” or “Tell me about the solar system for a third grader.” These responses come with detailed answers and even visual content like charts or videos, making the interaction feel personal and engaging—especially useful for families with curious kids.

Gemini isn’t just about entertainment, either. It can help you plan trips, provide educational content, and even control smart home devices like lights or thermostats—all through conversational voice commands.

Gemini goes beyond just talking back. When you ask a question, your TV doesn’t just display text—it may show relevant YouTube videos or other visuals to complement the answer. Imagine asking about space and getting a short educational video or interactive diagram alongside the response. It’s a more dynamic way to engage with your TV.

Google has also added creative features powered by AI. You can create custom screensavers or photo galleries using AI-generated visuals, turning your TV into a personalized piece of art when it’s not in use.

Another exciting feature is the introduction of an “ambient experience.” This mode uses proximity sensors to detect when you’re near the TV. If no one’s in the room, the TV might display a static art gallery or even turn off entirely. As you approach, it shifts into a personalized dashboard that can show widgets like weather updates, news headlines, or calendar events.

This concept borrows from Google’s other smart devices, like the Nest Hub Max, bringing a similar level of interactivity to the larger screen. And thanks to built-in far-field microphones, you can activate these features without needing a remote—just speak, and Gemini responds.

While these features sound impressive, they do come with specific hardware requirements. TVs need far-field microphones and proximity sensors to enable Gemini’s full capabilities. Google has already partnered with Hisense, TCL, and Sony to bring Gemini-powered TVs to market by the end of 2025. Unfortunately, these upgrades might not be available on older Google TV devices, including the Google TV Streamer, due to hardware limitations.

Google’s move to integrate Gemini reflects a broader trend in home entertainment. Other brands, like LG and Samsung, are also incorporating AI assistants—such as Microsoft’s Copilot—into their TVs. This signals a shift toward TVs becoming more than just screens for watching content; they’re evolving into central hubs for managing entertainment, information, and smart home devices.

By the end of 2025, Google TV could look very different from what we know today—more personal, more intuitive, and far more integrated into the way we live.