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LG TVs get Google Assistant voice controls

Talk into the remote and the TV will talk back and respond onscreen.

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David Katzmaier Editorial Director -- Personal Tech
David reviews TVs and leads the Personal Tech team at CNET, covering mobile, software, computing, streaming and home entertainment. We provide helpful, expert reviews, advice and videos on what gadget or service to buy and how to get the most out of it.
Expertise A 20-year CNET veteran, David has been reviewing TVs since the days of CRT, rear-projection and plasma. Prior to CNET he worked at Sound & Vision magazine and eTown.com. He is known to two people on Twitter as the Cormac McCarthy of consumer electronics. Credentials
  • Although still awaiting his Oscar for Best Picture Reviewer, David does hold certifications from the Imaging Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Standards and Technology on display calibration and evaluation.
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David Katzmaier
2 min read
LG OLED TV 4K OLED65W8

LG demonstrates Google Assistant on an OLED TV at CES 2018 in January.

 Sarah Tew/CNET

Google's voice assistant is now available on LG's 2018 OLED and Super UHD LCD TVs.

The capability, first announced at CES 2018, allows models like the new C8 OLED TV to accept commands over the remote control's built-in microphone, as well as talk back to you in Google's voice.

Using voice commands, you can find and play content, for example via streaming services, and control TV settings. Combined with LG's ThinQ technology, it also controls connecting to devices like sound bars , switching picture modes or turning off the TV. Natural language commands like, "Search for the soundtrack of this movie" or "Turn off the TV when this program is over" are also available.

LG's 2018 OLED TVs get Google Assistant

LG OLED TV 4K OLED65W8
LG OLED TV 4K OLED65W8
LG OLED TV 4K OLED65W8
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Like Google Assistant on a Google Home or other standalone speaker, the voice assistant on the TV can control lights, thermostats, robot vacuums and other compatible smart home devices, which LG says includes nearly 100 smart appliacnces made by LG alone. You can ask the TV for the weather, search local businesses or display Google Photos onscreen. 

Owners of Google Home-style speakers can also ditch the TV remote entirely, speaking commands into thin air, when they link the speakers to the TV. LG TVs also work with Alexa devices using Amazon's home entertainment API and LG's ThinQ Alexa skill.

Sony TVs, which use Google's Android TV operating system, were the first televisions to offer integrated Google Assistant in November 2017. The Nvidia Shield TV streaming device added Google Assistant in September 2017. 

LG's launch of the feature coincides with Google I/O, the search giant's annual developer's conference. The keynote kicks off later Tuesday at 10 a.m. PT and our CNET live show begins just before at 9:30 a.m. PT right here.