TV Goes Shopping: Google and Glance Bring AI Commerce to Android TVs
Google partners with Glance to bring AI-powered product discovery and shopping to Android TVs in India, US, and Japan.
Your living room television is about to become more than just a screen for movies and shows. In a strategic move to redefine the home entertainment experience, Google and Glance have partnered to introduce AI-powered shopping and product discovery to Android TVs across India, the United States, and Japan.
The collaboration aims to transform the television from a passive viewing device into an interactive lifestyle hub, allowing users to discover and shop for products in categories ranging from fashion and home décor to travel, food, and wellness.
Ending the Era of the 'Dormant' Screen
For years, television screens remained dark or displayed static images when not in active use. This partnership seeks to change that by utilizing the ambient screen to inspire users.
Naveen Tewari, the CEO and Founder of InMobi and Glance, highlighted that this move pushes television screens beyond their traditional boundaries. He noted that by combining Google’s massive Android TV ecosystem with Glance’s AI-first commerce models, the living room is being turned into a space where inspiration meets intent.
How the AI Shopping Experience Works
The integration is designed to be seamless and immersive, offering several high-tech features to bridge the gap between discovery and purchase:
- Opt-in Flexibility: Users can choose whether they want to keep the default Google Backdrop or switch to the Glance-powered ambient screen.
- AI Shopping Agent: A sophisticated AI agent will connect product discovery across devices, linking the experience between a user's mobile phone and their television.
- 'Shop the Look': This feature allows users to interact with curated looks displayed on the screen and purchase those specific items through integrated retail partners.
- Visual Simulations: Leveraging AI, the platform will offer contextual lifestyle simulations and try-on visualisations to help users imagine products in their own lives.
From Inspiration to Checkout
The system is backed by hundreds of retailer integrations. This ensures that once a user finds a product they love through the high-definition lifestyle content on their TV, the transition to purchasing that item is quick and integrated.
Expanding the Global Reach
This partnership marks a significant growth milestone for Glance. While the company already maintains partnerships with major players like Airtel and DIRECTV, this collaboration extends its footprint directly into the Android TV ecosystem in three major global markets: India, the US, and Japan.
For Google, the move increases the overall utility of the Android TV platform, evolving it from a media player into an interactive hub for lifestyle and commerce. For Glance, it opens the door to millions of additional households, bringing AI-driven commerce into the heart of the home.
The new experience is now available on supported Android TV devices in the designated markets.