Image used with permission by copyright holderHave you ever sat in your La-Z-Boy recliner, popcorn in hand, and a cocktail at the ready, using the remote to navigate your 60-inch Ultra HD television and thought, “This is too much work”? Well, it appears you’re not alone because Sony has decided to lower the effort bar even further for smart TV owners.
On Thursday, November 8, Sony Electronics announced thatGoogle Assistant is available on select 2016 and 2017 smart TV models — specifically, 4KHDR models with Android TV. Voice search was already supported on Android TV (so long as you had a compatible remote with a dedicated microphone button), but now users are privy to a whole new host of commands, some specific to Google apps (like Youtube).
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With a single button press, you can tell Google Assistant to do a wide array of stuff, including the regular smart TV fare (opening apps, searching for content, playing specific shows or movies) and a smattering of other stuff normally associated with digital assistants like Alexa or Siri (checking the weather forecast, answering trivia questions, etc.). Perhaps the most notable feature: Google Assistant can control all your smart home devices via Android TV — as long as they’re all on the same network, of course — supporting more than 1,000 total devices across more than 150 brands. That means you can now control your thermostat, lighting, smart locks, and more, all from the comfort of your couch.
If your house is filled with smart tech, you’ve probably already devised and implemented a way to make it all work together. Still, you can never have too much control over your home, and if you are already in possession of a supported TV (2016 models: XBR-Z9D, XBR-X800D, XBR-X750/X700D; all 2017 Sony Android TVs), you might as well take advantage! Sony’s 2017 lineup of 4K TVs has impressed us, putting the Japanese company’s products in the conversation for best TVs, alongside brands like LG and Samsung.
Earlier in 2017, Android TV got a big overhaul with the release of Android Oreo (or “Android O”), making it even easier for users to find their favorite content. Google Assistant has already been integrated into dedicated Android TV devices, like Nvidia’s Shield TV.
Where to watch the best 4K content: Netflix, HBO, Amazon, Hulu, and more
Not sure where to watch the best 4K content out there? Once upon a time, a 4K TV was a luxury reserved for the wealthy. Not anymore. Today, you can get 4K TVs for less than $500, and with 8K just around the corner, they're bound to become even more affordable. But despite the great price, finding good 4K content still isn't that easy. Just because it exists doesn't mean it has become standardized on every platform. Once you know where to look, though, there's plenty of 4K content available. Yes, you'll need to pay for it, and you'll need the right gear, but it's worth the visual experience. We've found all the best sources of 4K content around and have gathered them here for you. Check out our guide on why you're not getting Netflix in 4K and how to fix it.
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Roku announced that it would begin updating select 4K Roku devices with Apple's AirPlay 2 and HomeKit technologies, giving Apple owners new ways to interact with the popular streaming media players.
The update, which is part of the Roku OS 9.4 software, will be added to the Roku Ultra, Roku Streambar, Roku Smart Soundbar, Roku Streaming Stick+, and Roku Premiere as part of the first wave. Roku TV owners can expect to get AirPlay 2 and HomeKit as well when Roku OS 9.4 is added to their TVs, which Roku says will happen "in phases over the coming weeks."
This Sony OLED 4K TV is so cheap it must be a mistake
It's easy to get lost in all of the amazing Prime Day deals right now, but if you're looking at the Prime Day 4K TV deals, we strongly suggest you take moment to check out this Sony: You can buy the Sony A8H OLED 4K TV in either 55- or 65-inch sizes for $1,000 less than their regular prices. That's not just a huge discount on a Sony OLED TV, it's currently the best deal on any OLED TV, period.
55-inch Sony A8H OLED 4K TV -- $1300, was $2300:
