Google used CES 2024 to provide an update on Google TV and Chromecast, saying that Fast Pair with headphones is finally ready and that Google TV continues to grow.
Fast Pair was announced two years ago. It is unclear why it has taken so long, but Google said at CES 2024 that it will finally roll out "in the next month" to Chromecast with Google TV, and later this year to more Google TV devices from other brands.
Fast Pair will allow you to seamlessly and wirelessly pair compatible headphones and speakers with the TV or streaming device without opening Bluetooth settings, similar to how AirPods seamlessly pair with Apple TV 4K, although the difference is that AirPods do no have to be put in pairing mode first.
How Fast Pair lets you more easily connect headphones to a Google TV device. Photo: Google
- "After putting your accessory in pairing mode, it’s just a tap to connect your compatible headphones or speakers and start enjoying your favorite movies and shows – even if your partner is reading a book next to you. And with audio output controls, you can easily switch back to your default TV audio at any time. Give it a try and see why people have made over 660 million Fast Pair pairings to date," explained Google.
Google also highlighted that TikTok now has Chromecast support with auto-play enabled. It will be supported for live TikTok content in the near future.
220 million active devices
Google provided an update on the Android TV / Google TV ecosystem, stating that there are now over 220 million monthly active devices, up from 150 million one year ago at CES 2023.
This figure does not include TV devices that support Chromecast only. As reported by FlatpanelsHD, such Chromecast-only devices will soon become more prevalent, as LG is planning not only to add Chromecast support to its 2024 TV models but also to add support via a firmware update to 2022 models.
It is also notable that TCL in North America is now running Google TV on all of the new TV models announced at CES 2024, after having been tied to Roku for years.
Google further announced that Chromecast support is coming to LG hospitality TV models, the ones you find in hotel rooms around the world. This announcement comes not long after Apple announced a similar initiative with AirPlay.
TVs as a Matter hub
Lastly, Google said that select Google TV and Android TV devices as well as select LG TVs can "soon" act as a Matter hub for Google Home.
- "So if you have a Nest Hub, Nest Mini or compatible TV, it’s easy to add Matter devices to your home network and locally control them with the Google Home app," said Google.
Matter is the new unified connectivity standard for smart home devices, backing by Amazon, Apple, Google, LG, Samsung and other major players.
