Google TV Gets User Profiles, Watchlists & Enhanced Ambient Mode

Google TV Introduces Personalized User Profiles

Google TV is implementing a new multi-user profile system, enabling each household member to enjoy a customized viewing experience linked to their individual Google account.

According to Google, these personalized profiles will deliver tailored movie and television show suggestions. Users will also benefit from convenient access to their personal watchlists and assistance from the Google Assistant.

Content Discovery and Parental Controls

As users consume content, their profile actively learns their viewing habits and preferences. This information is then utilized to suggest further content likely to align with their interests.

Parents are provided with the ability to create dedicated profiles for their children. These profiles offer supervised access to age-appropriate movies and shows.

Personalized Watchlists and Assistant Integration

Each Google account maintains its own independent watchlist. This ensures that saved content remains private and separate from other users’ selections.

Users can request viewing suggestions simply by asking, “what should I watch?” or receive daily schedule assistance with the command, “show me my day.” The Google Assistant, connected to each profile, provides responses tailored to the user’s specific account.

Simplified Profile Setup

Setting up new profiles is designed to be straightforward. Existing app downloads and login credentials are carried over, eliminating the need to reconfigure everything with each new profile creation.

Enhanced Ambient Mode

Google is also enhancing its “Ambient Mode” feature, transforming it into a more informative and personalized screensaver. The system now displays relevant information and recommendations based on the active user profile.

This includes updates on weather, news, and sports. Users can quickly access shortcuts for tasks like viewing photos or initiating music playback. Extended inactivity will trigger a full transition to Ambient Mode, showcasing photos or curated artwork.

Expanded Live TV Integration

The live TV functionality within Google TV has been expanded. Integration now includes the streaming service Philo, alongside existing support for YouTube TV and SLING TV.

Adding Philo as a live TV provider will integrate its programming into the Live TV tab and influence personalized recommendations.

Rollout Details

The new profile support and Ambient Mode enhancements will be progressively released to Chromecast with Google TV devices and Google TVs manufactured by Sony and TCL.

Profile availability will be global, while the updated Ambient Mode cards will initially launch exclusively in the U.S.