As professional sports attempt a comeback, Google is rolling out a new feature that should make it easier to watch live games. Beginning today, when you type a phrase like “where to watch the Clippers game” into Search on your phone, Google will tell you which services are showing the game. If there are live TV options in your area, you’ll see a “Live on” button.
While the feature is available today it isn’t exactly complete. At the moment, it only works for NBA and MLB teams. Google says it plans to add other leagues. The tool only shows the “Live on” button for cable and network channels, but Google plans to add more digital streaming options. The feature does show other relevant info like live scores, top scores and standings.
Google is also improving Search’s ability to recommend TV shows and movies. Last year, Google introduced a search feature on mobile that let users swipe through carousels of content from their streaming subscriptions.
Now, Google is adding live content from cable and broadcast providers. Users can browse linear TV alongside streamed content, and they’ll be able to see what’s on TV now and what’s airing soon.
TikTok Will Sue The US Over Threatened Ban
TikTok’s paths to staying alive in the US apparently include taking the government to court. In the wake of a Reuters report, TikTok has confirmed to CNBC that it plans to sue the Trump administration over an executive order banning transactions with parent company ByteDance. The lawsuit could be submitted as soon as next week.
A TikTok spokesperson said the company made a “good faith” effort to find a solution, but that the administration had instead ignored facts and “tried to insert itself” into discussions between private companies. It had “no choice” but to turn to the courts to challenge the order and guarantee that both the firm and users are “treated fairly,” according to the representative.
The social media giant has reportedly had a number of potential buyers for its US business that would keep it running, including Microsoft and Oracle.
It’s not certain how well a lawsuit will fare. The White House is convinced TikTok is a threat so long as China-based ByteDance has a stake, and it’s likely to push that angle in court. TikTok may have to allay those concerns even as it argues that the order is a violation, and there are no guarantees the lawsuit will accomplish that feat.
