South Africans can now easily access Google TV

South Africans are big fans of televisions and home entertainment systems. In fact, according to Nielsen, the average citizen watches 165 minutes of television per day on top of working from home, home schooling, and other adulting responsibilities, and that doesn’t include time spent on mobile devices.

With nearly three hours of viewing time per day, a good television makes all the difference, which is one of the reasons for the growing popularity of Google and Android TV sets in the country.

According to Ryan Curling, Marketing Manager at TCL South Africa, Google TV is completely changing the viewing experience. “TV watching just got a lot more interactive, and Google TV checks all the boxes for today’s always-on, time-starved consumer.” Users no longer have to sift through streaming services in search of something new to watch. If you already have a Google account, it only takes a few minutes to set up yours and have all of your favorite shows and apps at your fingertips.”

Google can tell you the weather right now, keep you up to date on the latest sports results, tell you a joke, entertain your kids, or play your latest Spotify playlist if you prefer to listen rather than watch.

According to Ryan Curling, Marketing Manager at TCL South Africa, Google TV is completely changing the viewing experience. “TV watching just got a lot more interactive, and Google TV checks all the boxes for today’s always-on, time-starved consumer.” Users no longer have to sift through streaming services in search of something new to watch. If you already have a Google account, it only takes a few minutes to set up yours and have all of your favorite shows and apps at your fingertips.”

Google can tell you the weather right now, keep you up to date on the latest sports results, tell you a joke, entertain your kids, or play your latest Spotify playlist if you prefer to listen rather than watch.

TCL South Africa has only been in the country for about eight weeks, but it already has an impressive lineup of Google-enabled televisions. According to Muhammed-Izhaar Ebrahim, Sales Manager for TCL South Africa, both the P725 and C725 models have full Google TV functionality, with the P725 offering 4K, HDR 10 professional audio-visuals, with MEMC (motion estimate and motion compensation) picture processing that provides smooth imagery for sports and fast-action sequences.

The Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos technologies offer viewers an exciting immersive experience. The devices are powered by an impressive AiPQ Engine Chipset, which ensures that every signal frame is perfectly presented.

“Both the P725 and C725 also include Google Assistant and Hands-Free voice control, allowing users to access, launch, and control content, turn on TVs, switch inputs, adjust volume, search for favorite content, and more from a distance – leading to a more enhanced entertainment experience,” Muhammed says.

Google Assistant is included as standard, and it is controlled by an always-listening microphone built into the set. You don’t want your TV to listen in on your conversations? Simply turn it off with a switch on the back of the TV and use the voice assistant by pressing a button on the remote.

Another fantastic feature supported by Google TV is the consumer’s home screen, which includes all of their favorite apps in one place. It also displays tabs such as the For You tab, which provides recommendations for what to watch. For You will begin with ‘top picks for you,’ which the user will be able to accept or reject with a thumbs up or thumbs down depending on genre preferences.

“Over 1000 Chromecast-enabled apps are also available,” Ryan adds. “You could program your favorite show to play on the living room TV right on your phone while getting ready in your bedroom, and it’ll be ready to watch when you get there!”

The Google Kids profile ensures that children of all ages watch what they should, when they should. To ensure safe viewing, consumers can choose kid-friendly apps, set screen time limits, select ratings, and do a variety of other things.

“Our Android TV model, the P615, is also a popular choice among consumers,” Ryan continues, “both the Google and Android models are focused on the smart TV segment and provide exceptional applications and functionality.”

“Our Google TVs offer 700,000 movies and episodes with 7000 embedded apps, with an impressive interface design and kids’ profile,” he says. “With all of that variety, we could see average daily viewing numbers exceed the current 165 minutes per day.”