Summary

  • Google launched the Home Panel for Google TV late last year, starting on the Google TV Streamer and then expanding to Chromecast (initially for Public Preview users).
  • Now, it’s rolling out to the Chromecast with Google TV without the Public Preview requirement.
  • The Home Panel lets you control lights, thermostats, security cams, doorbells, plugs, and more — all from your TV and remote.

Toward the end of the third quarter last year, Google rolled out something fresh for Google TV: the Home Panel. It’s basically a slick new way to manage all your smart home devices from one easy spot. It first popped up on the Google TV Streamer and later made its way to Chromecast, but only for users who signed up for the Public Preview program. Now though, that early-access wall is coming down, with the Home Panel starting to land on regular Chromecast with Google TV devices and other TVs running Google TV.

The new Home Panel built into Google TV lets you take charge of your smart home gear straight from your TV screen. You can tweak the lights, adjust the thermostat, and even check your security cameras without having to grab your phone anymore. It also handles real-time alerts from your smart doorbell and lets you lock doors or control plugs, all without leaving the couch.

A Google TV streamer on a colorful surface with Google's colors.


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Over the last day or two, 9to5Google spotted that the Home Panel on Google TV is starting to show up on way more devices. The outlet even found it running on TVs from brands like Hisense and others.

The Home Panel is actually pretty clutch. You get live updates on stuff like how bright your lights are or how loud your speakers are bumping. You can even pull up your security cameras without breaking a sweat. And you’re doing it all straight from your remote.

When you turn on your device, a prompt will pop up asking if you want to set up the Home Panel on your Chromecast with Google TV. The process is pretty easy, and it’ll also let you get Nest Doorbell alerts right on your TV — something that was only available on the TV Streamer before.

Animated GIF demonstrating Google TV's new Home Hub functionality.

Source: Google

The Home Panel works on more devices now

Google has been pushing the Home Panel to even more devices lately, including smart TVs from TCL and Xiaomi set-top boxes. To find it, just head to Quick Settings (usually, you can get there by holding down the home button on your remote). If it’s not showing up right away, make sure your Google TV Home app and other apps are updated through the Google Play Store, so everything is on the latest version.

While it doesn’t have all the features of the full Google Home app, the Home Panel makes it super easy to control your smart home right from your TV, making things way more convenient.