Samsung smart TVs to lose Google Assistant starting March
What's the story
Samsung has revealed that starting March 1, 2024, Google Assistant will no longer be accessible on its smart TVs due to a shift in Google's policy, per its support page. The specifics of the policy alteration were not disclosed. However, the change impacts all 2021 and 2022 Smart TV models, 2020 8K and 4K QLED TVs, 2020 Crystal UHD TVs, and 2020 Lifestyle TVs (Frame, Serif, Terrace, and Sero).
Alternate options
Alternative AI assistants on Samsung TVs
With Google Assistant leaving Samsung smart TVs, the company is providing alternative AI assistant options for users. The SmartThings app enables TV control through Android phones, and Samsung has added Matter support to SmartThings for compatibility with more devices. Samsung's AI assistant, Bixby, remains available on its smart TVs and Galaxy phones. Additionally, Amazon's AI Alexa can be used on Samsung TVs from 2020 to 2023 models, but it requires a setup process.
Announcement
Google Assistant's removed features
Google Assistant's removal from Samsung smart TVs aligns with Google's recent announcement of discontinuing Assistant's 17 underused features before integrating it with Bard. Among the features being removed are setting or using media/music/radio alarms on Assistant-enabled devices and sending an email or audio/video message via voice commands. Moreover, Assistant will no longer be present in the Search bar widget due to these changes. Google described these features as "under-utilized," yet their removal will impact those who made use of them.