Vizio today announced that select models of its Smart TV sets will soon pick up support for Apple’s HomeKit platform for the connected home and the AirPlay 2 media-streaming protocol.
This will be realized through SmartCast 3.0, Vizio’s freshly updated software platform, on select TV models. SmartCast 3.0 will launch in beta across the US and Canada in the first quarter before rolling out as a free update to new and existing SmartCast televisions and displays in the second quarter of 2019.
AirPlay 2 support will permit owners of Vizio Smart TV sets to send music, photos or videos from their iPhone, iPad or Mac to their television, no Apple TV required whatsoever, said the Irvine, California-headquartered company. AirPlay 2 also brings multi-room audio.And with HomeKit support, every compatible TV set is automatically discovered and added as a tile in Apple’s Home app, allowing limited Siri control for the TV set.
You’ll be able to send the currently playing song or podcast to multiple Vizio Smart TVs at once or to other AirPlay 2-compatible speakers.. Your TV set will be included in HomeKit scenes or automations, just like any other HomeKit accessory.
“By adding support for Apple AirPlay 2 and HomeKit, users can play content from their iPhone, iPad and Mac directly to SmartCast TVs, as well as enable TV controls through the Home app and Siri,” said Bill Baxter, Vizio’s technology chief.
SmartCast 3.0 also brings support for Amazon Aleza and Google Assistant, with the latter providing access to thousands of Google Chromecast-enabled apps. Lastly, the firmware update includes changes to the user interface and provides access to Vizio’s WatchFree service providing live news, sports, movies, TV shows, viral videos, concerts and more.
Vizio has also unveiled the newest lineup of TVs and new Dolby Atmos soundbars at CES 2019.
Apple yesterday announced that Samsung and other TV makers will soon support AirPlay 2. Samsung Smart TVs will also bring support for a new iTunes Movies and TV Shows app for streaming your purchased or rented movies and television shows from iTunes.