Google TV remotes: it will be used in 2021 [Gallery]

Google TV is set to see a major expansion next year, with massive partners like TCL and Sony already on board. With this extension, we’ve already seen that Google has a new reference design for the remote used with Google TVs, and that the remote control will probably be needed for retail devices.

@AndroidTV_Rumor mailed a gallery of images today on Twitter, showcasing these reference designs in the flesh. These remotes are specifically the G10 and G20, both manufactured by Ohsung based on Google’s design. The layout is familiar, thanks to previous images, but to see it “in person” shows how much it looks like the remote control of the new Chromecast. The button style, icons and physical shape are the same so Google. The smaller G10 design also places Disney + and HBO Max shortcuts under Netflix and YouTube.

In a conversation about these remotes, @AndroidTV_Rumor was kind enough to also share some details about these remotes with us. Apparently it’s fine with the current Chromecast, with some core features working. To unlock the full functionality of the remote, a firmware update on Chromecast is required, and it is unclear if this is actually planned. However, this does not really matter, as it currently looks like these remotes will not be sold to the public, but rather for new Android / Google TV boxes offered for sale during 2021.

We’re also informed that these designs will be a requirement for manufacturers launching Google TV products in 2021. These include set-top box devices with Askey, SEI Robotics, Skyworth and SDMC. DishTV (not the one you think of) already uses the smaller remote design on its SV11 dongle, which actually uses the Android TV UI, not Google TV.

We would speculate that there may be exceptions to this rule. Sony, for example, is unlikely to change its remote layout to fit this reference design because they have an established design that has been in use for years, but others like TCL might be willing to do so.

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