LG has expanded its smart home integration from Google to Amazon, with news it’s adding Alexa support to 2019 ThinQ televisions. Compatibility with Apple AirPlay 2 and HomeKit is coming later.
The update will roll out via the Alexa app on all 2019 LG ThinQ TVs including UHD TVs, NanoCell lTVs and OLED TVs.
North American customers will receive the update this month, followed by European, Asian and Australian customers in the weeks after.
The integration seeks to appeal to both ‘Google homes’ and ‘Alexa homes’, with research suggesting in-home loyalty to one voice assistant, versus another.
Following in the steps of Samsung, LG has also advised 2019 LG OLED TVs and selected NanoCell TVs will receive Apple AirPlay 2 and HomeKit support via a mid-year update – offering Siri integration.
The news follows the introduction of Google Assistant within 2018 LG ThinQ AI TVs, with Alexa broadening the capabilities of 2019 models.
Using the Alexa app, users can control compatible smart home devices, access over 90,000 Alexa Skills plus more, without the need for a separate external device.
The Korean giant asserts its also ramped up the intelligence of its ThinQ artificial intelligence, citing more advanced conversational voice recognition.
Similar to Google, users can set-up Alexa Routines, to synchronise several tasks into one command e.g. ‘Alexa, start my morning’ to turn on lights, report the weather and traffic information.
Because Alexa is built-in to the TV, owners of 2019 LG ThinQ TVs will continue to get updates and features.
