At Google I/O 2026, a new focus on pointer remotes – like a Wii remote – is being announced for Google TV, with a push to update apps and the homescreen with support.
In a developer blog post published during I/O 2026, Google details the focus for the future of Google TV. That, of course, includes Gemini, with Google highlighting recent improvements and hinting at more in the pipeline, but the bigger change is to input.
Google says that a “shift” is coming to remotes used with Google TV, with “pointer remotes” that support motion-controlled input being a focus. Like Nintendo’s “Wii-mote,” this allows the user to point their remote at the screen and see a cursor appear on the display.
Google explains:
Pointer remotes bring motion-controlled input to the big screen, unlocking faster user navigation across the Google TV Home page and within content-heavy apps. To ensure your app is ready for this shift and provides a great experience for all users, now is the time to start thinking about pointing input.
