Google TVs will soon double as smart home hubs

This week, Google is holding its I/O occasion the place it has introduced a plethora of AI options coming to its ecosystem. However the bulletins haven’t been restricted to only AI. In the present day, the corporate introduced that you simply’ll be capable to use your Google TV companies as a sensible residence hub and that it’s opening up its Google Residence platform with the launch of Residence APIs.

In a weblog put up, Google introduced that it will likely be upgrading its hubs in order that different gadgets can change into good residence hubs for Google Residence later this yr. This consists of Google TV companies like Chromecast with Google TV and choose panel TVs with Google TV operating Android 14 or greater. Some LG TVs might be eligible as effectively.

That is thanks partially to the truth that Google is launching Residence APIs, which permit apps and different experiences to entry your good residence. Because of this any app — whether or not it’s a good residence app or not — can reap the benefits of Google Residence’s automation engine by accessing the over 600 million gadgets the platform helps.

One such instance Google offers is doubtlessly giving a meals supply app the flexibility to entry your porch lights. The app would be capable to flip these lights on mechanically when the supply driver is close by.

Residence APIs might be used for a variety of different capabilities as effectively. For instance, good residence gadget maker Eve will use the API to convey its expertise to Android for the primary time, permitting customers to do issues like constructing automations for “decreasing the blinds when the temperature drops at evening.” In the meantime, ADT will use Residence API for options like “Trusted Neighbor,” which lets customers grant momentary entry to their properties to neighbors, pals, or helpers.

There’s at present no date for when Google will roll these options out.