Google TV: The next step for smart displays
Google once seemed to lean toward Android tablets with docks as the future of its smart displays. The Pixel Tablet launched two years after the 2021 Nest Hub (2nd-gen) and four years after the 2019 Nest Hub Max, followed that path. Early on, I heard the Pixel Tablet described as a Nest Hub with a tablet you could attach to a dock—a neat idea.
But will we see another Pixel Tablet soon? It’s hard to say. That’s too bad because its full Android setup, like quick lock screen widgets for music or Google Home controls, feels much smoother than the older smart display software. Plus, giving the tablet a steady spot to rest when not in use was a smart move by Google.
Smart displays stand out from speakers because they show info—like weather or photos—without you lifting a finger. On today’s Nest Hubs, sensors can switch from a clock to a grid of handy cards when you walk up. They also display pictures, play videos (even for calls), and pair spoken answers with visuals, like a forecast.
In January, Google revealed how a smart TV running Android could handle all that. They introduced an ambient mode with widgets for weather, calendars, recent pics, security feeds, and news. This “screen hub” pops up—replacing photos—when you’re nearby, thanks to new proximity sensors in upcoming TVs.
Bigger screens make photos and videos pop, and TVs with cameras or easy add-ons feel like the future. Plus, new Google TV models will have far-field mics, so you can talk to them without a remote. Google also showcased a Gemini-powered Assistant that chats naturally and pulls in YouTube clips to answer questions. This could soon hit smart displays too. Searching for shows also feels more human with these upgrades.
Most folks already own TVs, so adding this always-on experience to them makes sense. Still, TVs aren’t perfect replacements. No touchscreen can feel odd when you’re used to tapping, though advanced voice controls might fix that. But silently managing your smart home with a tap? That’s tougher to replace.
Today’s smart displays are affordable little screens you can scatter around. TVs, with their size, won’t fully take over that role. So, a mix of devices—TVs as the star, tablets in between—might be the answer. At CES this year, Google TV hinted at where smart displays could be headed.