A non-functional remote control often annoys people in contemporary living rooms. Google TV addresses this straightforward yet bothersome problem by integrating cutting-edge indoor solar technology into its latest remote design. This innovation, the Google TV solar remote, marks a move toward enhanced sustainability and convenience in streaming hardware.  

Google TV introduced the G32 remote, which uses Epishine solar cells to provide a battery-free Google TV remote. The maintenance-free design captures light from both sides to remain charged, and this reference design often becomes the standard. Future streaming devices will likely feature this sustainable solution.  

Google TV devices now include a new remote option that utilizes indoor light to guarantee it never runs out of power. However, this solar-powered remote is not yet available for purchase separately or included with any retail devices.  

If you were not previously informed, Google TV offers several reference designs for remote controls. We had the opportunity to test the original pair, G10 and G20, a few years back, and these have subsequently been implemented in numerous Google TV devices, particularly in Walmart’s Onn series.  

Presently, Google is introducing a new design, though it is not yet available for purchase or bundled with retail devices.  

Google TV Introduces a Solar-Powered Remote Without Batteries. Introducing the G32  

This initiative is a collaboration between Google supplier Ohsung Electronics and Epishine, a firm specializing in thin-film solar cells designed to capture energy from ambient sunlight. This innovative solution completely removes the necessity for disposable batteries. The G32 reference remote is equipped with bifacial solar cells, allowing it to absorb light from both sides. The Google TV G32 solar-powered remote can retain its charge even when placed face down on a surface. This feature is particularly beneficial for users who frequently misplace their remotes on couches or on the floor.  

A Google partner is developing new reference remotes for Google TV that incorporate a unique solar cell from Epishine into some electronics. This innovation replaces batteries in the new G32 remote.  

Epishine Elaborates:  

In introducing a new Google TV remote control, Epishine’s light-powered technology has been chosen by Ohsung Electronics, an official supplier of Google reference remote controls, to power the remote using ambient indoor light. Instead of relying on disposable batteries, it ensures the device never runs out of power. This partnership signifies a move towards more sustainable product design and intelligent energy solutions.  

The utilization of light power has emerged as a crucial factor in promoting sustainability, particularly as the quantity of connected devices continues to increase.  

In addition to minimizing waste, it facilitates the creation of a new wave of modern and sophisticated product designs. Epishine, thin, flexible, bifacial solar cells contribute to lighter electronics and enable light absorption on both sides, thereby optimizing energy output.  

Importantly, there are cells on both sides for light absorption, allowing the remote to operate even when positioned face down on a surface.  

Epishine’s lightweight, adaptable, bifacial solar cells reduce the weight of electronics and facilitate light capture from both sides to enhance energy production. Consequently, the remote can be oriented in any direction and still receive a charge. By streamlining the user experience with a modern, battery-free design that uses indoor light, the Google Solar TV remote is self-sustaining, requires no maintenance, and is always ready for use.  

It is important to note that indoor solar remote technology is not an entirely new idea. For example, Samsung previously launched a similar remote model for televisions. Google’s initiative is particularly impactful due to its significant role in the streaming market. Ohsung serves as an official supplier of reference remotes, meaning the G32 serves as a technical template for manufacturers of Google TV streaming devices and dongles. Even though earlier reference designs, such as the G10 and G20, have become the industry standard for nearly all Google TV accessories, the G32 is expected to be widely adopted by various brands, including Walmart’s well-known Onn series.  

At present, this innovative solar-powered design is not offered as a standalone product. It is not included with any retail device at this time; however, given the trend of previous reference remotes becoming commonplace, consumers can expect the next generation of streaming hardware to likely come equipped with a low-maintenance, battery-free remote solution. This development should ultimately put an end to the hassle of searching for replacement batteries.  

Ohsung previously collaborated with another company to create a Google TV remote with indoor solar charging, similar to this one. However, it had a considerably taller design. In contrast, this new model appears to be approximately the same size as the current G10 model remote, at least according to the images shared.  

Regrettably, this new remote design is not yet available for any devices, nor can it be purchased independently. In the future, it may become available with new Google TV hardware, and it is probable that this reference design will eventually be offered through third-party vendors, following the pattern seen with previous designs.