Zoom, the widely popular video-conferencing application that experienced a surge in usage during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, is set to receive an official release on Google TV and Android TV. However, this release will not be accessible to all users.
Today’s announcement confirms that an official Zoom app will be made available on Google TV in the early summer, with a potential launch as early as next week but more likely in the coming weeks. The introduction of the “Zoom for TV” app will enable users to seamlessly participate in video calls and conferences on their television screens, eliminating the need for the previous workaround of sideloading.
The “Zoom for TV” app will be accessible through the Google Play Store exclusively for Google TV, but it will have limited availability. Initially, Zoom’s debut on Android TV OS will be exclusively for Sony Bravia TV sets.
This exclusivity agreement is partly due to Sony’s Bravia Cam accessory, which was introduced alongside its 2022 lineup. Priced at $200, the accessory can be purchased from retailers such as Best Buy. The app will only be compatible with “select” Bravia TVs, specifically those that support the Bravia Cam accessory.
Sony clarified in a press release:
“Zoom on BRAVIA TVs enables seamless communication through the large screen, utilizing the BRAVIA CAM. This includes video communication, screen sharing, and collaborative tools, which can be accessed effortlessly in three simple steps: attach the BRAVIA CAM to your TV, install the Zoom application, and launch it using the TV’s remote.”
Whether Zoom will expand its availability to other Google TV or Android TV devices remains uncertain. Notably, Zoom will also support Apple’s tvOS 17, which offers a feature allowing users to connect their iPhones as wireless webcams for their TVs.