Google TV is introducing a new feature called “Find My Remote” that will help users locate their misplaced TV remotes. This feature was initially seen on the new Walmart Onn Google TV 4K Pro streaming box, leading to questions about its exclusivity to that device. However, references to the same feature were found in the latest Android 14 beta for TV, indicating that it will be available on more Google TV devices in the future.
The announcement of Android 14 for television was made at Google’s I/O developer conference, with the updated version set to launch on new Google TV devices. To give developers time to prepare for the release, Google released an updated version of the Google TV emulator with the latest changes. During research on the update, mentions of the new “Find My Remote” feature were discovered, addressing the common issue of misplaced TV remotes.
When the Onn Google TV 4K Pro streaming box was released, it included a built-in remote finder feature that could be activated by pressing a button on the device. This feature would cause the remote to emit a sound and flash an LED light for 30 seconds within a 30-foot range, making it easier to locate. The feature was well-received by early adopters and sparked interest in whether it would be available on other Google TV devices.
Further investigation revealed that the “Find My Remote” feature is not exclusive to the Walmart device but is part of the Google TV platform. References to the feature were found in the Android 14 emulator for TV, indicating that it will be a standard feature on upcoming Google TV devices. It is expected that only select Google TV remotes will support the feature, requiring a remote with a speaker and potentially an LED light.
Existing Google TV devices may need software updates to enable the new “Find My Remote” feature. While newer devices shipping with Android 14 for TVs are likely to have the feature, older devices running Android 12 for TVs may require updates to access it. The feature can be accessed either by pressing a button on the device or navigating to the settings page on the device.
Overall, the addition of the “Find My Remote” feature to Google TV devices aims to address the common issue of misplaced remotes and provide users with a convenient way to locate them. This feature is expected to be a valuable addition for many users who have experienced frustration over lost remotes.
Article Source
https://www.androidauthority.com/google-tv-find-my-remote-3445270/