Chromecast with Google TV kids profiles coming soon
Recognition: David Imel / Android Authority
- A Google support agent claims that Chromecast is on the go with Google TV child profile support.
- Unfortunately, this isn’t true multi-user support that the latest Chromecast lacks in particular.
- The rep didn’t give a specific date but said it will land “in the next month (or so)”.
The 2020 Chromecast with Google TV is one of the best media streamers you can get. However, it lacks an important feature: the ability to add multiple users. This prevents you from having a profile for yourself and a separate profile for your roommate, for example. This is a huge limitation that is sure to be impractical – but also a nightmare to keep your kids safe from adult content.
Connected: Chromecast with Google TV test: Google’s best streaming dongle
Since there is only one user profile in Chromecast, there is no stopping your kids from accessing YouTube without you also doing it. Thankfully, Google TV kid profiles seem to be on the way to solving this problem.
Google TV kid profiles: a start, but not a real solution
This message comes from a comment in a Google Issue Tracker post (h / t) Android police). In this post, a Google support representative acknowledges the importance of this feature and also provides a cycle time for the start:
I just wanted to put out an update that Kids Profiles should roll out in the next month (or so). In fact, restricted profiles are out of date [Google TV] and replaced by the new Child Profiles feature that lets you set up a safe area for children on Google TV. During onboarding, you can choose which apps should be available to children. YouTube Kids is available by default and other installed apps must be activated by parents before they are made available to the child. Leaving the child profile can be restricted by a PIN to prevent children from accidentally returning to the parent account.
This seems like a great feature. Obviously, Google TV kids profiles should be included in Chromecast at launch too. However, this bird did fly.
See also: The Chromecast with Google TV has a glaring problem that goes against its real purpose
Hopefully this is a stepping stone for Google to actually kick off multi-user support for Chromecast. That may not be exactly what we want, but it is something.
