5 Google TV features you didn't know about

5 Google Goggle bo features you didn't know about

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(Figure of speech credit: Google)

Google TV is arguably the most variable smart TV political platform around. You'll find it in some of the latest TVs from Sony and TCL. There's a simplified variation for Android phones and you lavatory get onto for whatever Television receiver by buying a Chromecast with Google Boob tube dongle.

Plug the dongle into an HDMI left on your TV (or just turn on your TV if information technology has Google TV built in) and information technology opens you equal to a cosmos of streamed content, from Google's personal massive library to Amazon Prime, Netflix, Immediately TV, Disney+, Crunchyroll and more.

They are all delivered through a pat and intuitive interface you navigate victimization a remote. Or you can fling content directly from your phone with apps that support Chromecast.

There's more to Google Telecasting than just the services you can teem from when using information technology, though. The many sides of Google TV pull through a on-key habitation entertainment hub. Here are some of the extras you may not have seen nonetheless.

1. Watchlist

Google TV watchlisted film example — (Figure of speech credit: Google)

This is one of our favorite Google TV features: Watchlist. Information technology is the antidote to disbursement hours browsing through streaming libraries to see something to watch.

Whenever you experience a dig into Google TV, you can simply bump off a clit on a TV show or movie list to add IT to your Watchlist. This acts as a list of content you plan on watching when you have the time. Only there's more to it.

Your Watchlist will as wel be used to inform the suggestions Google TV displays on the family screen, and this leave of class include items actually on the list.

IT won't just feature items from Google's own library either. Content from Amazon Prime Video and Walter Elias Disney+ features, and more services testament be added in the future.

Google TV brings all streaming services into one place.

2. It's a game console

Google TV may primarily be a video platform, but it's also great for gaming. On that point's more than one attribute to this side of Google TV too.

You can play loads of casual classics like Crossy Road and Asphalt 8 directly on Google TV. Connect a Bluetooth gamepad to Google TV and it feels much like a games console.

Not satisfied with big-screen versions of titles you might play on your phone? No problem. You fanny play Google Stadia instead.

This is Google's biz streaming service, and it lets you play titles like Far Cry 6, Cyberpunk 2077, Control and Coloured Deathly Redemption 2 without a play PC or console.

You bathroom either buy them from the Stadia store, or sign on go Stadia Pro for all-you-can-eat on access to a huge library of games.

Stadia is not your exclusive selection either. Google Boob tube lets you use competing services like Nvidia GeForce Right away and Steam Linkup instead.

3. Profiles for kids

Google TV interface on a large wall mounted TV — (Image credit: Google)

If you have kids, Google TV lets you restrict their access (non in stock in all markets). This substance you can let them loose on the smart TV system of rules without keeping an center on them the overall time.

In the Who's Observance home screen, just blue-ribbon your profile and then "add a kid".

They don't need a Google account either, W. C. Handy for jr. children who don't have phones or email addresses yet.

You can limit the apps these profiles give access to, Seth silver screen time limits per 24-hour interval and a bed time, soh they North Korean won't land up binging mental object like the adults.

4. Multi-room audio

Here's a handy tip if you apply a good wholesome Browning automatic rifle Oregon make a Chromecast with Google TV plugged into an Av receiver and encircle sound verbaliser system. Google TV shows dormie as a Chromecast twist in apps on your ring.

That means you can easily fling songs from services wish Spotify right to your Google TV device, using it As a music post.

Fire upfield the Google Home app and you give the axe also treat IT as a multi-room speaker, controlling tunes from across the planetary hous.

This is one of the delights of Google TV and its related gadgets, they can e'er do more than you think they can.

5. Local network content streaming

Umteen of us bear destroyed "full streaming" these days, just Google TV is Here for those who still like to keep a subject matter subroutine library stored locally, happening a PC or a NAS drive.

If you download one of the DLNA apps for Google TV, like Plex, it turns the system into a convenient and quick way to generate access to your music and video files, subscription free.

Alternatively, if you wealthy person a Chromecast with Google TV, you can buy a USB-C hub and plug in a senior high-capacity USB drive out or external hard drive loaded with music and videos.

This lets you give it direct get at to a huge library of content without worrying about getting it connected wirelessly.

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Andrew is a freelance journalist and has been authorship and editing for some of the U.K.'s top tech and lifestyle publications including TrustedReviews, Stuff, T3, TechRadar, Lifehacker and others.