Possibility of Google TV introducing a sleep schedule feature for late-night viewing sessions
Good news for Google TV users! The expansion of sleep timer functionality is set to make managing your nighttime binges more convenient and energy-efficient. According to Android Authority, this upcoming feature will allow users to automatically stop playback or turn off their TV after a specific period.
Currently, Google TV does not feature a user-friendly sleep timer option. However, Google-owned YouTube Music has recently introduced a sleep timer feature that lets users set a time for music playback to automatically stop. This feature is gradually being rolled out to limited users.
In addition, Google TV-supported devices offer a built-in sleep timer. Accessing this feature can sometimes be buried in the settings menu under Power & Energy, depending on the manufacturer’s UI implementation. Some newer TVs provide more accessible placements of the sleep timer in quick settings menus, and users can also invoke it via Google Assistant voice commands, provided content is playing.
Third-party apps such as "Sleep Timer: Video & Screen Off" also provide timer control functionality for multiple media apps on Google TV. These apps use AccessibilityService APIs to turn off the screen and stop playback on apps like YouTube, Twitch, and Netflix.
Expected enhancements include smoother integration of sleep timers with voice controls, more accessible UI placements, and possibly wider rollout of sleep timers across Google’s streaming and music apps for seamless use.
It's worth noting that the Android TV currently includes a basic sleep timer function, but it does not support pause and resume. Google is working on expanding Android TV sleep timer functionality to the main Google TV operating system, which may include the ability to easily pause, resume, and manage sleep timers.
The appearance of sleep timer code strings in the Google TV Home app suggests that the sleep timer will eventually come properly to the Google TV operating system. However, the details about these new sleep timer features on Google TV are currently unclear.
In summary, the sleep timer on Google TV now supports automatic playback stop for services like YouTube Music and can power off the TV after a set interval, though access and implementation vary by device and manufacturer. Third-party apps complement this with additional timer control functionality for multiple media apps on Google TV. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting new feature!
[1] Android Authority. (2021, October 20). YouTube Music gets a sleep timer on Android and iOS. Retrieved from https://www.androidauthority.com/news/youtube-music-sleep-timer-android-1231198/
[2] Android Police. (2021, October 19). Chromecast with Google TV gets a sleep timer, but it's hidden in the settings. Retrieved from https://www.androidpolice.com/2021/10/19/chromecast-with-google-tv-gets-sleep-timer-but-its-hidden-in-the-settings/
[3] Android Central. (2021, October 19). How to set a sleep timer on your Chromecast with Google TV. Retrieved from https://www.androidcentral.com/how-set-sleep-timer-your-chromecast-google-tv
[4] XDA Developers. (2021, October 19). Sleep Timer: Video & Screen Off brings sleep timer functionality to Google TV. Retrieved from https://www.xda-developers.com/sleep-timer-video-screen-off-google-tv/
- With the upcoming enhancements to Google TV, users may expect a more seamless integration of sleep timers with technology like voice controls, making it easier to manage their lifestyle and ensure energy-efficient nighttime viewing.
- As technology advances, Google TV-supported devices could potentially offer sleep timer features that are not only accessible but also support pause and resume functionality, providing users with more control over their digital leisure.
