DIRECTV Gemini V2 hits FCC with Wi-Fi 6 and Android 14

The Gemini V2 launch represents DIRECTV's commitment to internet-delivered video as its satellite-first heritage recedes. By upgrading to the Amlogic S905X5, DIRECTV is addressing the fragmentation and lag inherent in previous Android TV 11-based hardware, ensuring its 'SignalSaver' hybrid delivery remains competitive with high-end retail streamers like the Apple TV 4K. The inclusion of H.266 and Wi-Fi 6 suggests the company is preparing for a bandwidth-constrained future where higher compression efficiency is vital for maintaining 4K quality over home networks. Watch for DIRECTV to offer this hardware as a retention tool for high-ARPU subscribers migrating away from traditional satellite receivers in the second half of 2026.

The Gemini V2's technical leap comes as DIRECTV aggressively pivots its revenue strategy toward monetizing idle screens. In early 2026, the company partnered with AI specialist Glance to launch interactive, AI-generated screensaver advertisements across its Gemini and Gemini Air fleet, per TechSpot (October 2025). This hardware refresh provides the 4GB of RAM and NPU-capable Amlogic silicon necessary to run these localized AI experiences and fluid ad overlays without impacting the core video playback performance.

This shift toward advanced internal hardware aligns with DIRECTV’s 2025 decision to simplify its go-to-market strategy by dissolving the 'DIRECTV STREAM' standalone brand in favor of a unified 'DIRECTV' service offer that varies only by delivery method, per Michael Saves (April 2025). By providing premium proprietary hardware, DIRECTV differentiates its no-contract 'Signature' plans from budget-tier OTT rivals. This hardware-first approach is increasingly common; per PCMag (April 2026), Walmart’s Onn 4K Pro and Amazon's Fire TV Stick 4K Plus have set a new market baseline for Wi-Fi 6 and 4GB memory, forcing pay-TV operators to match these specs to maintain their place in the living room.