The tech world is abuzz with anticipation for the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025, and Google has already dropped some exciting news. The company is poised to revolutionize the way we interact with our televisions by bringing its powerful Gemini AI models to Google TV. This move promises a more intuitive and helpful TV experience, seamlessly integrating with the existing Gemini ecosystem on phones, tablets, headphones, and soon, Wear OS smartwatches.

Imagine effortlessly navigating through your vast media library, no more tedious scrolling or complicated searches. With Gemini on Google TV, finding the perfect movie or show becomes as simple as asking a question. But the enhancements go far beyond mere search functionality. Google envisions a future where your TV becomes a hub for knowledge and exploration.

Imagine asking questions about history, science, or current events and receiving comprehensive answers, complete with relevant video clips for added context. This echoes the ongoing testing of the Gemini-powered Google Assistant on Nest Mini and Audio devices, where the large language model (LLM) delivers detailed, AI-driven responses to general knowledge queries. This includes more natural-sounding voices, the ability to ask follow-up questions, and the flexibility to interrupt responses with new inquiries.

The integration of Gemini into Google TV also unlocks a new level of personalization and interactivity. Picture creating custom artwork with your family directly on the TV screen, controlling your smart home devices while the TV is in ambient mode, or even getting a concise overview of the day’s news.

This builds upon previous innovations like AI screensavers and AI-generated summaries for movies and shows, further enhancing the overall viewing experience. While Google has only offered a sneak peek of what Gemini can do for televisions, the rollout is expected to begin later this year on select Google TV devices. This suggests a phased approach, allowing Google to refine the technology and ensure a smooth transition for users.

Beyond the living room, Google is also exploring ways to streamline access to digital wallets on Android devices. A new feature under development suggests a potential shortcut for launching Google Wallet using the double-tap power button gesture.

Currently, many Android phones utilize this gesture for quick access to the camera, a handy feature for capturing spontaneous moments. While some manufacturers allow customization of this gesture, Google Pixel phones have traditionally been limited to the camera function. However, this may soon change.

Deep within the second developer preview of Android 16, a new configuration labeled “config_walletDoubleTapPowerGestureEnabled” has been discovered. This suggests that a double tap of the power button could be configured to launch the default wallet app, which, on Pixel phones, would be Google Wallet.

This builds upon the Android 15 update, which gave users the ability to choose their default wallet app through the settings menu.¹ This new gesture would presumably respect this user preference, launching whichever app is designated as the default.

While the discovery of this configuration is intriguing, the exact implementation remains unclear. It’s unknown whether Google will create a new settings menu specifically for this gesture or integrate it into the existing camera shortcut settings. Further exploration of future Android builds will be necessary to uncover the finer details.

Another question mark hangs over the intended target of this feature. While it seems likely to be aimed at phones, there’s a possibility it could be intended for other form factors, such as smartwatches. However, given that many Wear OS smartwatches already use a double-tap power button gesture for wallet access, this seems less likely. The purpose of this configuration remains somewhat ambiguous if intended for wearables.

These developments from Google point towards a future of more intelligent and user-friendly technology. Gemini’s arrival on Google TV promises to transform the way we interact with our televisions, while the potential wallet shortcut on Android devices aims to simplify everyday transactions. As technology continues to evolve, Google is at the forefront, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and striving to create a more seamless and intuitive user experience.