- The long-missing Google TV profiles feature might finally be on the way.
- An APK teardown revealed that Google is at least working on the feature.
- As of now, if two people want two fully separate accounts on a Chromecast with Google TV, it is not possible.
Although the media streaming hardware space is overflowing at the moment, the Chromecast with Google TV emerged as one of the best in the business, even though it was very late to the party. However, it’s lacked a crucial feature since it launched.
That feature is separate Google TV profiles. As of right now, if you want to have two fully independent Google accounts attached to your Chromecast — say, you and your partner’s — it is not possible. This limits Google TV’s best feature, which is personalized recommendations. You get to see your recommendations but so would your partner, and they wouldn’t see any of their own.
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This might finally change soon, though. According to an APK teardown conducted by 9to5Google, there are references to such a feature in the latest update to the Google TV Home app, which is version 1.0.370. Specifically, the reference shows an alert that says “Add another account to this device to have their own personalized Google TV experience.” That makes it pretty clear what Google has in mind.
Now, that doesn’t mean that full support for Google TV profiles is imminent, nor does it mean it’s coming soon. However, references to unannounced features appearing within a live version of the app usually point to a subsequent rollout shortly thereafter.
Frankly, this should have been present since day one, as we’ve mentioned before. However, once the Chromecast with Google TV does get this option, it will probably be the best media streamer you can get in its price range.
