Your Google TV can now control smart home devices

In late September, Google announced a new feature for Google TV called Home Panel that would make it easier to control all of your (compatible) smart home devices from a single location. The feature first appeared on Google TV Streamer and then Chromecast, but has now been rolled out to Google TVs from other companies, including Hisense, TCL and others.

The Home Panel offers a lot of utility. It shows the current brightness level of lights, volume level of speakers, and even live feeds from security cameras. In the demonstration video that Google listed on its blog, the user can even adjust the thermostat. This is all done via remote control, so you don’t even have to get up from the couch.

While the Google Home app has more functionality, the Home Panel is a solid addition that offers convenience in a way that feels more natural than a phone app.

Interested in trying it on your TV? If you still can’t access the Home Panel, check the Quick Settings panel. All you have to do is press and hold the Home button. You should also make sure your Google TV software is updated to the latest version. If you still can’t find it after that, be patient; implementation may not be complete yet.

In addition to making it easier to control smart home devices, this update also makes it easier to change screensavers, create AI-generated wallpapers, and follow your favorite teams. Over time, this feature will likely be available on all Google TV and Chromecast platforms.