Compared to how people got their entertainment 25 years ago, our modern era of streaming just feels so much more civilized. Beyond having access to a greater variety of content than probably any other audience has enjoyed in history, we’re actively in charge of what we’re watching, in a way that feels particularly empowering. But for as far as we’ve come from the days of messing around with rabbit ears to get a weak station to come in, problems still happen, and it looks like Google TV ran into some major issues over the weekend.

In a thread over on the Android TV Reddit sub, user PDPopper shared word of a Google TV outage, ultimately being joined by dozens of voices confirming with their own issues (h/t Johnathan Saunders). Problems look like they first started popping up sometime around Saturday mid-day (Eastern), and we see users reporting the situation resolving by the small hours of Sunday morning.

During that time period, viewers were able to access Google TV services, including both the mobile app and the TV platform. The app basically stopped showing anything at all, while on affected sets, users were still able to stream with third-party apps, but the For you screen no longer worked, and they couldn’t access Google’s Live linear streams.

Some users were able to figure out a work-around to still access their previously purchased media, by way of going through YouTube, which hopefully got them through the afternoon just fine. By Sunday morning, reports had dried up, and it looked like everything was working just like normal.

We’ve reached out to Google to see if we can get any further insight into what happened with this outage, and will update this post to share any statement the company provides.

Dispatch, a new launcher for Android and Google TV devices, has rolled out and is ready for public use. Initially announced on Reddit over a year ago, Dispatch recently closed its beta testing phase, and the launcher is now available for download on the Google Play Store.

This announcement was made by Paul Dhaliwal, the developer of Dispatch, via a Reddit post. A noteworthy highlight of the launcher is that it is completely ad-free, giving users access to a far cleaner interface than what is found on most other launchers today. Additionally, Dispatch also integrates with Plex, which is great for users who prefer tailored watchlists that are based on their existing media libraries.

Another standout feature of Dispatch is its extensive customization options, including the ability to hide content that doesn’t interest you as well as the option to toggle on or off any row of content you see on Dispatch’s homepage. So, for instance, if you’re not subscribed to Prime Video, you can hide that particular row so it doesn’t appear on your homepage and clog up your feed.

The launcher includes other user-focused features as well, which can either be enabled or disabled. This level of customization ensures you’re able to consume your preferred content in an environment that’s free of distractions and in line with your exact preferences.

If you’re interested in signing up for Dispatch, you can currently take advantage of the free 14-day trial and explore all the features of this launcher. After the trial period, you can purchase a lifetime license for $9.99 or a monthly license for $0.99.

Slowly, but surely, we’re getting a clearer picture of the set-top box Google is planning to replace Chromecast with Google TV with. The latest leak gives us details on the hardware’s full name, price, color, and possible launch date.

Leading up to next week’s Made by Google event, Dealabs has been leaking pricing information on to be announced products left and right. Its latest target is what we know as the Google TV Streamer, which its full name is reportedly the Google TV Streamer 4K. It’s unknown if this 4K suffix suggests that there will be an HD model in the future like with the Chromecast for Google TV.

This week, Google is holding its I/O event where it has announced a plethora of AI features coming to its ecosystem. But the announcements haven’t been limited to just AI. Today, the company announced that you’ll be able to use your Google TV services as a smart home hub and that it is opening up its Google Home platform with the launch of Home APIs.

In a blog post, Google announced that it will be upgrading its hubs so that other devices can become smart home hubs for Google Home later this year. This includes Google TV services like Chromecast with Google TV and select panel TVs with Google TV running Android 14 or higher. Some LG TVs will be eligible as well.

This is thanks in part to the fact that Google is launching Home APIs, which allow apps and other experiences to access your smart home. This means that any app — whether it is a smart home app or not — can take advantage of Google Home’s automation engine by accessing the over 600 million devices the platform supports.

One such example Google provides is potentially giving a food delivery app the ability to access your porch lights. The app would be able to turn those lights on automatically when the delivery driver is nearby.

Home APIs will be used for a range of other functions as well. For example, smart home device maker Eve will use the API to bring its experience to Android for the first time, allowing users to do things like building automations for “lowering the blinds when the temperature drops at night.” Meanwhile, ADT will use Home API for features like “Trusted Neighbor,” which lets users grant temporary access to their homes to neighbors, friends, or helpers.

There is currently no date for when Google will roll these features out.

Opinion post by

Rita El Khoury

For the first time in a while now, I find my consumerist self jealous of not living in the US. The reason? Walmart, and more specifically, the latest Walmart Google TV streaming box. The new onn 4K Pro box is, by far, one of the most exciting Google TV streamers launched in recent years and one of the best Chromecast alternatives out there. The only problem is that it’s available in the US, and… well, that’s it. We won’t be getting it in Europe or other countries either.

Walmart’s new onn box caught my eye ever since the first leaks started. Contrary to previous onn sticks and streaming devices, this one was clearly not aiming for the very low-end $20 market. Instead, it seemed packed to the brim with features and specs that just made me look sideways at my 4K Chromecast and sigh, “Why not you?”

Details about Walmart’s new 4K Google TV streaming box first emerged just last month after a listing was spotted on the Bluetooth SIG website. Since then, some people have already managed to get their hands on the device early. Now Walmart has confirmed a launch window for the Onn Pro.

In a statement to 9to5Google, Walmart revealed it will be launching the Onn Pro soon. No exact date was given, but the company did say that the device will be available to everyone “this month.” It was also confirmed that the streaming box will go on sale for $49.88.

Google TV offers the best possible Android-based TV experience, and it is mostly available on Smart TVs or TV boxes. Well, Homatics Pocket TV wants to bring a ...

The post Homatics Pocket TV brings Google TV on RayNeo XR Glasses appeared first on Gizchina.com.

Details about Walmart’s new 4K Google TV streaming box first emerged just last month after a listing was spotted on the Bluetooth SIG website. Since then, some people have already managed to get their hands on the device early. Now Walmart has confirmed a launch window for the Onn Pro.

In a statement to 9to5Google, Walmart revealed it will be launching the Onn Pro soon. No exact date was given, but the company did say that the device will be available to everyone “this month.” It was also confirmed that the streaming box will go on sale for $49.88.

Once upon a time, Chromecast was a great little device that offered users a better experience casting their favorite shows, movies, and videos. All seemed right with the world. But then Google, as it is wont to do, decided to make things worse for its customers. Sure, showing TV and movie recommendations makes sense, but now Chromecast with Google TV is playing product ads on the home page. With rumors of a new Chromecast with Google TV in the works, I can't help but wonder: is this product even for consumers anymore?

Details about Walmart’s new 4K Google TV streaming box first emerged just last month after a listing was spotted on the Bluetooth SIG website. Since then, some people have already managed to get their hands on the device early. Now Walmart has confirmed a launch window for the Onn Pro.

In a statement to 9to5Google, Walmart revealed it will be launching the Onn Pro soon. No exact date was given, but the company did say that the device will be available to everyone “this month.” It was also confirmed that the streaming box will go on sale for $49.88.

Google TV is an Android-based operating system designed to let you stream content from the internet, play games, or run apps on a TV. And most devices that ship with Google TV software are either smart TVs or small boxes designed to be plugged into your TV. The Homatics Pocket TV is something a little […]

The post Homatics Pocket TV is a portable Google TV device made for RayNeo XR glasses appeared first on Liliputing.

Google’s I/O conference might bring a new Chromecast with Google TV, but Walmart could steal the spotlight this year with a surprise contender, the Onn 4K Pro Google TV box.

YouTuber SuperDell-TV got his hands on Walmart’s upcoming streaming device, and the sneak peek reveals a fresh design, better specs, and a competitive price that could give Google a run for its money. (h/t: Android Police)

When Walmart launched its Onn 4K media streamer in 2021, the $30 box box was one of the cheapest Android TV devices available. The company followed up a few months later with an even cheaper 1080p model, and Walmart has released several updates since then that drop prices even lower, while adding support for new […]

The post Walmart’s new Onn 4K Google TV streamer is a $50 box with an upgraded processor, memory, storage, and ports appeared first on Liliputing.

Google is now rolling out Fast Pair for modern Google TV devices more widely. The feature was first announced in 2022 but only made its way to the Chromecast with Google TV last month.

Details about the Google Pixel 8a have been leaking for months, but launch day could be coming soon, as WinFuture has found product listings at some retail websites… including some references to the price tag, which indicate that Google’s next mid-range phone will be pricier than its last. In other recent tech news from around […]

The post Lilbits: Pixel 8a could cost more than the Pixel 7a, and Surface Pro 10 could have an OLED display appeared first on Liliputing.

This week started off with the world's largest mobile show in Barcelona, as MWC 2024 brought the most prominent names in tech under one roof to showcase their latest concepts and prototypes. But even with all that hubbub, the two biggest companies in the Android space dominated headlines as usual, with rumors and releases on the hardware and software fronts from Samsung and Google hogging the limelight. If you missed out on any of the biggest headlines this week in Android amid all the commotion, we certainly don't blame you — in fact, we'll get you caught up in no time with the five biggest stories from the past seven days after the jump.

Google TV has grown in popularity as a recommendation engine on top of Android TV. But changes to this interface are slow and deliberate, especially compared to how quickly and often drastically things change on Android phones. Google is now making a bunch of small changes to Google TV’s For You home screen, and hopefully, they add up to a better experience.

As Google announced through its support forums (via 9to5Google), Google TV’s home screen has a new look but is only slightly different from before. Firstly, apps now come with a smaller circular icon instead of a larger rectangle, meaning you can see more apps at once. The “Your apps” row now also houses more of your most-used apps, so you don’t have to go to All Apps to see some less-frequently used options.

Next, Google TV’s free TV channels now get their own dedicated shortcut in the “Your apps” row instead of residing on the “Live” tab. Google reiterates how the free channels from Google TV include options across local news, movies, and sports, and all of them within this short are available to watch without any additional payment.

The “Your apps” row on Google TV’s For You home screen also gets a “reorder” button that makes it easier than before to set up your home screen exactly how you want it to be. There’s a new “add apps” button too, which will let you discover and install new apps, presumably from the Google Play Store.

Google says this new home screen refresh is rolling out starting today but will take the next few months to roll out to all devices.

Have you received the new layout on your Google TV device? Do you like it? Let us know in the comments below!

Google is adding a small but handy new feature to Android TV devices in the US. Over the next few weeks, the Google TV interface will show a quick access row to help users discover new TV shows and movies to watch in a faster way.

The new quick access row will feature buttons like “Play next,” “Free Live TV,” “Top Selling Movies,” “Popular Movies and Shows,” and “Trending on Google.” These buttons will allow users to jump to new content without having to switch between multiple apps.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like the new quick access row in Google TV will be available outside of the US just yet. If you’re in the US and don’t see the new feature, you’ll have to wait for a few more days before Google completes its nationwide rollout.

Google is adding a small but handy new feature to Android TV devices in the US. Over the next few weeks, the Google TV interface will show a quick access row to help users discover new TV shows and movies to watch in a faster way.