Jordan O'BrienGoogle has already promised that its smart AI, the Google Assistant, will soon be available through Android TV sets, although it has yet to give a timeframe. Nvidia has confirmed that the Google Assistant will be coming to the Shield TV later this year, although it’s now no longer the only manufacturer promising the update.
Sony has finally broken its silence, and all of its latest Ultra HD TVs come with the Google Assistant baked in. That means they’re now ready to take on Samsung’s 4K line-up in the smart home control arena.
Thus far the models announced with Google Assistant support are all destined for a US release later this year, although it’s likely they’ll debut in the UK at some point.
The Sony TVs receiving the Google Assistant include:
- XBR-75X940E, 75in – $7,499.99 MSRP
- XBR-65X930E, 65in – $3,999.99 MSRP
- XBR-55X930E, 55in – $3,299.99 MSRP
- XBR-75X900E, 75in – $5,999.99 MSRP
- XBR-65X900E, 65in – $3,299.99 MSRP
- XBR-55X900E, 55in – $2,399.99 MSRP
- XBR-49X900E, 49in – $1,699.99 MSRP
- XBR-75X850E, 75in – $4,999.99 MSRP
- XBR-65X850E, 65in – $2,499.99 MSRP
- XBR-55X800E, 55in – $1,899.99 MSRP
- XBR-49X800E, 49in – $1,099.99 MSRP
- XBR-43X800E, 43in – $999.99 MSRP
In addition to the Google Assistant, which will allow users to search for TV shows and movies, control smart home devices and ask questions using voice commands, all of these new sets will also ship with HDR. Sure it’s not the full-fat Dolby Vision that Sony’s new OLED set enjoys, but any HDR is better than none.
The X930E and X940E will be the flagship sets, and as such should deliver a better image. Sony says that this achieved thanks to the X1 Extreme processor that is included in those TVs, something the lower-end models lack.
All these TVs begin shipping in the US in March, although UK pricing and availability has yet to be confirmed.