Sony Android TVs Adds Google Home Support (SCN)
Sony Electronics has added support for Google Home voice control to every one of its 4K HDR televisions with Android TV, as well as a slew of internet-connected speakers, thanks to new firmware upgrades. Owners of Sony hardware with built-in Chromecast can now use Google Home voice control to stream both music and video — including YouTube — via the Google Assistant platform. The upgrades also enable Google’s Multi-room group feature, which allows owners of the necessary hardware to group Google Home and supported Sony speakers together, via the Google Home app, to play content using their voice or mobile device.
“Now you can get the awesome sound and video quality of Sony products working together with Google Home. This functionality is available today for the Chromecast built-in Sony speakers and Android TV Sony 4K HDR televisions consumers already have at home, or plan to purchase for the holidays,” said Mike Fasulo, president and COO of Sony Electronics. “This additional functionality is another example of Sony’s commitment to customer choice by delivering new and innovative technologies.”
The Google Home voice addition allows owners of Sony devices to search via song, artist, genre, album, and playlist, along with mood or activity. Volume and skip controls are also included.
The Sony audio products with the available firmware upgrade include: HT-ST9, HT-NT5, HT-CT790, HT-XT2, HT-RT5 sound bars; STR-DN1070, STR-DN1060, and STR-DN860 receivers; SRS-X99, SRS-ZR7, SRS-ZR5 and SRS-HG1 wireless speakers.