Google TV Streamer owners are getting a free Gemini upgrade – here’s how to enable it

Google has commenced rolling out its Gemini for TV assistant to the Google TV Streamer streaming box.

We were getting a little worried there, after Google revealed that its Gemini assistant would only be coming to its latest streaming box “this winter”. As far as we knew, that could mean February of next year.

Google evidently didn’t think to ask its AI assistant to explain the seasons, however, because the company is now rolling out Gemini for TV to the Google TV Streamer. We’re still very much in autumn.

According to a new Google blog post, the update will be rolling out over the next few weeks – though, in typical Google style, only in the US and Canada for now. As expected, it will completely replace Google Assistant on the company’s streaming box, and so will be accessible through the mic button.

Gemini for TV – What can it do?

The post offers some examples of why Gemini for TV could prove so transformative. It means that you’ll be able to use natural yet multi-layered commands like “I like dramas but my wife likes comedies. What’s a movie we can watch together?”, and your Google TV Streamer will come up with appropriate recommendations to stream.

We’ve all experienced that moment when a new season starts, and we can’t remember anything that happened in the previous one. TV makers aren’t always forthcoming with the recaps, but Google has you covered.

Google says that you can ask Gemini “What happened at the end of ‘Outlander’ last season?”, and it’ll run you through the story beats.

It’s not just a convenient content navigation tool, either. You can use it as a learning tool, like you can with Gemini on your phone, whether that’s explaining concepts to a kid or running you through a DIY project.

Setup and settings

Here’s how to set up Gemini For TV on your Google TV Streamer if you’re in North America.

1. Go to Settings .
2. Select Accounts & Profiles  your account  Voice assistant.
3. Select Gemini for TV.

Google notes that when you turn on Gemini for TV, all of your eligible TVs will also get Gemini for TV automatically. However, given that only the TCL QM9K is listed as an ‘eligible TV’, that’s not a particularly impressive or far-reaching claim.