Big Screen Smart Home

Good news for smart home enthusiasts! Google TV is rolling out a handy free feature that puts control of your connected devices right at your fingertips – or rather, your remote. After a successful public preview, the Home Panel is now making its way to a wider range of Chromecast with Google TV devices, including older and even discontinued models.

Initially launched with the Google TV Streamer last year, Google opened up a preview program allowing users with older hardware to test drive the convenient smart home control center. Now, it appears the feature has officially launched, with reports surfacing over the past 24 to 48 hours of users accessing the Home Panel on various devices, from older Chromecast units to integrated Google TV sets like those from Hisense.  
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The Home Panel seamlessly integrates with your Google Home ecosystem. Once the update hits your device, a simple access gesture (likely bringing up an overlay on the right side of your TV screen) will reveal a dashboard to manage your Google Home-compatible smart devices. This includes everything from adjusting your smart thermostat and checking your video doorbell feed to controlling security cameras, managing speaker volume, and dimming your smart lights.  

Mirroring the functionality offered by competitors like Apple's tvOS and Amazon's FireOS, the Google TV Home Panel will also display smart home notifications. Imagine seeing a notification pop up on your TV screen when someone rings your Nest Doorbell – a convenient way to stay informed without interrupting your viewing.  

The widespread availability of the Home Panel is tied to a recent software update for Google TV devices. Upon powering on your updated Chromecast or Google TV, you should encounter a prompt asking to set up the Home Panel. However, this pop-up will likely only appear if you have smart home devices already linked to your Google account.

It's crucial to note that the Google account on your streaming device must be the same one connected to your Google Home setup for the Home Panel to function. Additionally, the feature will only be accessible on primary Google accounts and not on children's profiles.

This update is also a positive sign for owners of older Chromecast devices, even those that have been discontinued with no new models on the horizon. The rollout of the Home Panel demonstrates Google's commitment to continuing feature updates and improvements for its existing user base.

For those invested in the Google smart home ecosystem, this free upgrade transforms your TV into a central control hub, making managing your connected devices easier and more integrated than ever before. Keep an eye out for the software update on your Google TV or Chromecast with Google TV – a smarter home experience on your biggest screen is just around the corner.

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Image Source: https://support.google.com/googletv/answer/15158065?hl=en