Do you enjoy talking to your TV? Samsung has announced the removal of a popular feature: Google Assistant.
There's quite a bit of movement at Samsung lately, especially in the television segment. The Korean manufacturer is now promising to update its Tizen operating system to introduce new features on older models. However, not everything is positive: a very convenient feature is set to be discontinued.
A surprise announcement on the Samsung Electronics US website reveals that the brand plans to remove Google Assistant from its TVs. Yes, you read that correctly. If you own a 2020, 2021, or 2022 model, forget about voice commands for controlling your smart home. Starting March 1, 2024, it's over.
The reason?
Some rather mysterious "changes to Google's guidelines." Needless to say, this development will significantly impact those accustomed to chatting with their television. And for those eyeing the latest 2023 and 2024 models, be aware that they are already being sold without Google's voice assistant.
Alexa or Bixby Samsung isn't leaving its users completely high and dry and offers alternatives. Alongside Google Assistant, there was already Bixby, Samsung's in-house assistant, and voice command via Amazon Alexa, which is rather well integrated.
However, there's a small catch: while Alexa allows you to adjust the volume or search for a movie, it doesn't give you full control over your smart home without a little help. For that, you'll need an additional smart speaker (like an Echo Dot) and the Samsung SmartThings app.
