TCL announces new Google TV set to debut later this year
TCL has announced its plans to launch a new TV lineup for 2021 that will run on the new Google TV platform. For those who are unfamiliar with Google TV, it’s an evolution of Android TV that brings together movies, shows and live TV and organizes them all based on your personal preferences.
The exact details of TCL’s new lineup were not shared at the company’s CES virtual press event today, but TCL did say that the TVs would be making their debut in North America, followed by a global rollout later in 2021. The user experience should be identical to that of the Google Chromecast with Google TV.
“We are excited to partner with TCL to bring Google TV to customers around the world. Google TV is a more helpful and delightful TV experience that helps users find the content they love,” said Shobana Radhakrishnan, Senior Engineering Director, Google TV.
TCL has offered quite a few TV models with Android TV over the years, but its US product lineup has typically been dominated by devices powered by Roku. This new collaboration should give Google’s TV operating system more market share in the US market. This is a good thing for consumers as Google TV gives users access to app and services through the Paly Store rather than Roku’s closed system that requires services like HBO Max, Disney+ and others to come to an agreement with Roku for their services to be featured on the platform.
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Eventually, all Google TV devices should also feature support for Stadia. Unfortunately, Google’s game streaming service was not mentioned in TCL’s announcement.