Google adds Gemini AI media tools to Google TV and weighs ads for standalone app

Google has rolled out additional Gemini AI features to its Google TV platform, enhancing entertainment experiences with advanced media tools. According to TechCrunch, users can now transform photos and videos directly on Google TV using Nano Banana for image editing and Veo for video generation, making creative AI capabilities accessible from the living room.

This expansion builds on Google's push to integrate its Gemini model across devices, bringing sophisticated AI generation tools—previously limited to web or mobile apps—into the TV ecosystem. Nano Banana, a lightweight image manipulation feature, and Veo, Google's video synthesis technology, allow seamless editing without needing separate devices, as reported by TechCrunch. The update positions Google TV as a hub for AI-driven content creation, appealing to families and creators alike.

The move matters for millions of Google TV users worldwide, who gain on-demand AI tools that could personalize home entertainment, from remixing family videos to generating custom visuals. It underscores Google's strategy to embed Gemini deeply into everyday hardware, potentially increasing user engagement and device loyalty amid competition from rivals like Amazon Fire TV.

Meanwhile, Google executives have signaled openness to introducing ads into the Gemini ecosystem, though no immediate changes are planned for the core app. Business Insider reports that chief business officer Philipp Schindler stated during an earnings call that the company's focus remains on monetizing AI Mode—a conversational search feature—but successful ad formats there could "transfer successfully" to the standalone Gemini app. This follows earlier comments from SVP Nick Fox, who told WIRED that Google is "not ruling out" ads in Gemini and expects learnings from AI Mode to inform future expansions.

AI Mode already features ads in about 25.5% of responses, appearing as inline citations, sidebars, or product recommendations, according to marketing analyses. These sponsored placements evaluate full user conversations rather than single queries, shifting advertising toward contextual relevance. For now, the Gemini app at gemini.google.com remains ad-free, contrasting with experiments in AI Overviews on Search.

This dual development—feature-rich expansions like Google TV alongside potential monetization—highlights Google's balancing act: accelerating AI adoption while exploring revenue streams. Advertisers are advised to test Performance Max campaigns in AI Mode, as they qualify for these placements and may preview Gemini's future.

What happens next remains unclear, with no timelines announced for Gemini ads. Google continues prioritizing product builds before full monetization, as Fox described in a three-part strategy: enhancing ad predictions, AI tools for creators, and experimental placements. Users and businesses should monitor updates, as these evolutions could reshape how AI assistants deliver free value versus sponsored experiences.