LG TVs will soon lose access to Google Assistant.
All LG smart TVs that are currently compatible with Google Assistant will lose this feature next month.
Owners of LG smart TVs manufactured since 2018 have encountered a message on their screens informing them that, beginning May 1, 2025, support for Google Assistant will be removed. This decision follows similar steps taken by brands like Samsung and Panasonic. According to the message, the voice recognition service provided through the microphone button on the remote control will remain available.
Despite the removal of Google Assistant, voice commands will continue to work on the affected LG TVs through the company's ThinQ voice system. LG had highlighted the flexibility of this system at the time of its implementation, assuring that when ThinQ could not process a command, it could route it to a third-party assistant like Google Assistant. Theoretically, this mechanism remains intact, leaving the door open for LG to seek an alternative to Google Assistant, which could be Microsoft's Copilot.
During CES, LG and Samsung announced integrations with Copilot for certain models of 2025 smart TVs. While Samsung's version seems to be based on a web application within the Tizen system, LG has yet to confirm how its integration with Copilot will work. If this integration replaces Google Assistant, it may not be compatible with all current LG smart TV models that feature the assistant.
It's not entirely clear why these brands are severing their partnership with Google, but Panasonic's UK website suggests that the decision was driven by a change in Google's policy that affects several devices. This trend has also been observed in wireless headphones and earbuds, where newer versions no longer include Google Assistant as a built-in feature, accessible only through Android phones using it.
Additionally, LG has introduced a new range of educational, personal development, and lifestyle applications for its webOS smart TVs, aiming to provide content that aligns with user preferences while enhancing their entertainment and learning experiences.
In the realm of broadcasting, LG has warned that its 2024 TVs will not be compatible with the ATSC 3.0 standard, which could complicate access to OTA broadcasting stations after the possible shutdown of the ASTC 1.0 signal in June 2027, unless third-party decoders are used.
Finally, information has been reported about LG's new OLED M-Series TVs, which are expected to be available by the end of August 2023 and fall within a price range starting at $5,000, depending on the size.