No Gemini on the Google TV Streamer begs the question: Why buy 'Made by Google'?
Joe Maring / Android Authority
Yesterday, during The Android Show, Google announced a bunch of Gemini improvements that are coming to its hardware and software fleet. One of these is the integration of Gemini in Google TV, with Google promising better video recommendations and answers, and… that's it. Obviously, I expect more from Gemini on the largest screen in my home, like simpler smart home commands without having to remember exact device names or command structures, and proper Gemini Live conversations with visual cues coming straight onto the TV.
Google hasn't detailed these — maybe it will during I/O later this month? — but it did tell us that Gemini is coming to a TCL Google TV first. There's no known launch time for Google's own TV Streamer or other Google Home/Nest devices. As an owner of all of these across my home, I feel more than snuffed by this.
Not the first time Google skips its own devices, but it still hurts
Rita El Khoury / Android Authority
Ever since Google started venturing into the hardware game with the Nexus, Chromecast, Nest, and Pixel lines, there have been countless examples of a new OS update, firmware version, or feature coming to non-Google devices first. Circle To Search on the Galaxy S24 series and Wear OS 4 on the Galaxy Watch 4 are just some recent examples.
That is to say that there's no written guarantee that you'll get the latest and greatest features first when you buy Google hardware, but the expectation is that, more often than not, you'll be one of the first people to have them.
I was hoping that the Streamer would continue to be the first in line for new Google TV features.
When the Google TV Streamer launched, it was the first — and only — Google TV unit with the smart home panel. It was also one of the few ones with the new favorite (magic) button on the remote control and the ability to find the remote by voice command. Having these gave me the wrong assurance that it would get more of Google TV's rollouts first, and one of those features I was hoping to see soon was Gemini.
I'd love to have my TV guide me through a recipe while I cook, without me having to look down at my phone's tiny screen. Or to give me gardening advice or travel tips when I'm researching these on YouTube on my big screen and not finding the correct answers. Or to help me find music for my mood without asking for specific artists or playlists. My colleague C. Scott Brown got a demo of a more helpful Gemini on Google TV early this year, and it got me genuinely excited for this better assistant on my TV. Alas, my Google TV Streamer won't be getting Gemini anytime soon, at least according to Google and the 'no launch timeline' answer that it gave us.
Buying the Google TV Streamer isn't a de facto choice like the Apple TV is for Apple fans or Fire TV boxes are for Amazon shoppers. No, in order to buy a Google TV Streamer, you'd almost have to go out of the usual ways and actively seek this specific box. That's why it's annoying to see Google shun it in favor of a partnership with another brand.
The Streamer has a large proportion of enthusiasts who actively chose it and would love to test Gemini on it — at least more than any TCL unit ever would.
Clearly, there'd be more Google and Gemini enthusiasts willing to test out the feature and push it to its limits on the Streamer than among those who'll pick up whatever TCL Google TV unit the integration will first launch on. But we don't get to do it.
That's without mentioning the lack of a planned rollout for Nest Audio and Hub. I'm not sure what the hold-up is there, especially since it's a voice interface and Gemini's voice interface has been quite solid for months now.
Is it even worth picking 'Made by Google' hardware anymore?
Ryan Haines / Android Authority
If you're not guaranteed early access to the latest features, then what's the point of picking Google hardware over another brand? Walmart makes cheaper Google TV boxes, Samsung makes great smartwatches, and there are dozens of brands that can make better cameras and more powerful hardware than Pixel phones. And all of them will likely have better after-sales servicing and support, too. So, what's the point of going with Google's hardware when the alternatives are, objectively, better?
I admit I've asked myself this question a thousand times over the last few years, and the answer is becoming less and less clear with time. There was a certain aura to Google's hardware that's slowly fading because of sudden cancellations (Nest Secure), planned obsolescence (stripping away features from the Fitbit Versa/Sense and dumbing down the Nest Hub), botched long-term support (Pixel 4 battery snafu), and arbitrary limits around which device gets which feature first. And as much as I love Pixel Drops, I admit that it sucks to see new features take months and months before they trickle down to last year's hardware.
Add on top of that Google's not-so-small obligation to keep its partners happy (see: Galaxy Watch models getting Wear OS versions first, and now TCL TVs getting Gemini first), and it's almost like every reason I had for picking up a Made by Google phone, watch, speaker, set-top box, or smart home gear is moot. Or at least not as black-and-white as it used to be.
There's a big part of me that still gravitates towards Google's hardware — I won't deny that. I like the company's design language, its simplicity, and the fact that most things 'just work' together in an Apple-esque way. I love the niche feeling of owning something that not everyone has, of tinkering with it and trying to push it to its limits. Plus, the chance of getting new features first is still higher than any other Android brand out there, which is crucial for my line of work. But I'm no longer drinking the Kool-Aid, and I reckon the odds of picking non-Made by Google hardware are higher now than ever. Fool me once…
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Insider
31 minutes ago
- Business Insider
Constellation Energy Stock (CEG) Eyes Atomic Expansion to Empower AI Boom
Constellation Energy Corporation (CEG) and Meta Platforms (META) are forming an unlikely partnership. The large-cap energy provider struck what's known as a 'power purchase agreement' with Meta, granting the tech conglomerate the entire 1.1 gigawatt output from Constellation's Clinton Clean Energy Center in Illinois for 20 years starting in mid-2027. Constellation's stock surged around 10% following the news, but has since given up its gains. Confident Investing Starts Here: The deal marks a shift in how hyperscale tech companies are addressing their AI-driven power needs, with nuclear energy emerging as a preferred solution due to its carbon-free baseload power. Constellation's fleet of nuclear power plants bodes well for future deals, leaving me cautiously optimistic despite a frothy valuation. Meta Partnership Marks Nuclear-AI Milestone Meta's 20-year power agreement marks the largest in a growing wave of partnerships between nuclear energy providers and major tech companies. Amazon (AMZN), Microsoft (MSFT), and Google (GOOGL) have all secured nuclear energy to meet the surging power demands driven by their AI initiatives. Nuclear power offers several key advantages over other energy sources, including around-the-clock availability, scalability, and zero carbon emissions. These attributes make it especially appealing to energy-intensive data centers that operate continuously. To put this into perspective, a single ChatGPT query is estimated to consume roughly 10 times more energy than a standard Google search. Why Tech Giants Go Nuclear to Tap AI Nuclear energy remains somewhat misunderstood. While rare nuclear accidents tend to dominate headlines and shape public perception, support for nuclear power is growing. A recent Pew Research Center poll found that 56% of Americans now favor expanding atomic energy. Regulatory momentum is also shifting in its favor, creating a supportive environment for companies like Constellation Energy. The ADVANCE Act of 2024, for example, reduced regulatory review fees for advanced reactor applicants and imposed an 18-month deadline for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to make decisions. Earlier this year, the Trump administration issued executive orders aimed at quadrupling U.S. nuclear capacity by 2050. Constellation, which operates the largest nuclear fleet in the country with 21 reactors across 15 sites, is well-positioned to benefit. When you combine favorable policy shifts with rising demand for energy, particularly from AI infrastructure, it's clear why Constellation is increasingly optimistic about the road ahead Constellation's Earnings Power Up In its first quarter earnings, Constellation highlighted the demand for power from data centers. Constellation is just beginning to monetize AI-driven energy demand. Its adjusted operating earnings grew 17.6% in the first quarter to $2.14 per share. Nuclear production maintained an impressive 94.1% capacity factor and continues to remain stable across all geographies. Due to recent deals, Constellation now projects adjusted operating earnings growth of 13% or more through 2030, up from 10%. Valuation Concerns Cloud the Nuclear Renaissance That said, much of Constellation's potential appears to be priced in. The stock has surged 380% over the past three years and now trades at a Price-to-Earnings (P/E) ratio of 33, nearly double the average for the Utilities sector. This premium valuation leaves little room for error; any operational setbacks could trigger a sharp pullback. While signing long-term agreements with companies like Meta is a positive step, the real challenge lies in execution—building infrastructure, scaling capacity, and navigating regulatory approvals. Time is a critical factor, and delays could have material consequences. Although Constellation currently enjoys a first-mover advantage, it won't be alone for long. Other utility providers are beginning to adopt similar strategies, and competitive pressures in the space are likely to intensify going forward. Is CEG Stock a Good Buy? On Wall Street, CEG sports a Moderate Buy consensus rating based on eight Buy, five Hold, and zero Sell ratings in the past three months. CEG's average stock price target of $318.36 implies an upside potential of approximately 6.5% over the next twelve months. Following the Meta deal, analyst Ryan Levine from Citi downgraded CEG to Hold with a price target of $318. He noted that the stock's rally following the Meta announcement prompted a reevaluation of its value. He added, 'The Meta deal introduces a new framework where nuclear license extensions are considered additive generation, potentially impacting future deals for other plants in CEG's portfolio.' So, Levine sees both positives (a validated business model and premium pricing) and negatives (high valuation, execution risks, and market uncertainty). Premium-Priced Nuclear Powerhouse Poised to Ride the AI Boom Technological advancements—particularly in artificial intelligence—present a significant opportunity for utility companies, and Constellation is well-positioned to capitalize. Its extensive fleet of nuclear power plants gives it a strategic edge, and its recent agreement with Meta could serve as a blueprint for future partnerships with other tech giants. Regulatory momentum is also working in Constellation's favor, further strengthening its long-term prospects. That said, the stock is already trading at a premium, reflecting high investor expectations. While Constellation's growth profile justifies a higher valuation—it's far from a traditional, slow-growth utility—there are still meaningful execution risks tied to complex nuclear infrastructure projects. Given this backdrop, a cautiously optimistic outlook, like the one expressed by analyst Levine, may be the most prudent approach. Still, Constellation appears well-positioned to benefit from the broader resurgence of nuclear energy, particularly as AI continues to drive up demand for reliable, carbon-free power, making it a compelling speculative opportunity.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
What is a Waymo car?
( — Waymo vehicles have been in headlines over the last few days after anti-immigration enforcement protestors set some of them on fire in Los Angeles. But what are they? A Waymo car is a fully autonomous, self-driving vehicle operated by the company Waymo, a Google subsidiary. It operates on a rideshare service application called Waymo One, which offers on-demand, self-driving transportation in select cities, according to How does ICE know who to deport? Waymo began in 2009 in San Francisco as an experiment and went on in 2016 to become a fully-operational robotaxi service in some major cities. 'The Waymo Driver is the embodiment of fully autonomous technology that is always in control from pickup to destination,' the company said on its website. 'Passengers don't even need to know how to drive. They can sit in the back seat, relax, and enjoy the ride with the Waymo Driver getting them to their destination safely.' Waymo cars are currently available in Phoenix, AZ, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Austin, TX, according to its website. They are reportedly coming soon to Atlanta, GA, and Miami, FL. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Digital Trends
3 hours ago
- Digital Trends
Google has a really weird problem at its new London HQ
When Google's striking new office building finally opens in London later this year, it'll be home to up to as many as 7,000 workers … and possibly a few foxes, too. The cunning creature has taken up residence on the building's 300-meter-long rooftop garden and its unexpected occupation has been an issue for the last three years, according to a Guardian report (via London Centric). Recommended Videos The expansive roof area has been filled with wildflowers and woodland plants and is supposed to be an area for Google employees to relax and enjoy a bite to eat, or maybe even dream up the next big idea for the tech giant. But the lush garden is likely to be out of bounds if the foxes are still roaming free there. 'Fox sightings at construction sites are pretty common, and our King's Cross development is no exception,' Google told the London Centric in a statement. 'While foxes have been occasionally spotted at the site, their appearances have been brief and have had minimal impact on the ongoing construction.' But the four-legged residents have reportedly been digging burrows in the carefully landscaped grounds, with some people connected with the site having seen fox poop about the place. While London is famous for fox sightings, it's not clear how the animal managed to find its way to the roof of the 11-story building, which has been under construction since 2018. The building, designed by Thomas Heatherwick Studio and Bjarke Ingels Group, features the garden as a centerpiece and is supposed to be a shared space for not only Google workers but also bees, bats, birds, and butterflies. But not foxes. With the building set to welcome workers before the end of this year, there's still time to clear the garden of the pesky animal. But with foxes known to be resourceful and highly adaptable, getting rid of them may be a greater challenge than expected.
