The quick Home Panel, which was available in a Public Preview phase for Chromecast with Google TV, is now being rolled out to other Google TV sets.
This function has been available since launch on the Google TV Streamer, but like many other timed exclusive features, it was only added to the Chromecast with Google TV if a user was enrolled in Public Preview. This feature appears to be rolling out to more streaming dongles in the last 24 hours. Hisense and other Google TV-powered screens are showing this feature.
A pop-up will appear when you launch your device asking if you want to set up your Chromecast’s Home Panel with Google TV. The guided process lets you add Nest Doorbell notifications to your TV. Core feature from the TV Streamer (19459090). All features appear to be intact:
- Control lights, thermostats and speakers
- View live views from cameras and receive notifications from doorbells.
- Quickly gain access from the Quick Setting panel.
Home Panel is a section that appears on Google TV Quick Settings and is similar to the Favorites tab of the Google Home mobile application. It allows you to access: Lights and Thermostats; Plugs and Vacuums; Cameras; Plugs and Cameras; TVs or Speakers.
Although the software version may not be tied to this Home Panel rollout, our Chromecast with Google TV hardware runs build number STTL.241013.003.12571383. Before these functions are available on your Chromecast with Google TV, you also need to be the owner or a member of a Home within the Google Home app that your Google TV profile is part of. Kids profiles do not support this function.
If you do not have any Google Home-connected smart devices or a Home associated with your account, this option will also not be available. While the Chromecast is now officially an end-of-life product, it is still promised more updates and the Home Panel is an excellent addition to the Google TV system.
