Sony Announces Google Assistant on Google Home Support for Audio and Video Products

December 22 2016, 03:00
Sony continues its love-affair with Google by promoting integration of its most recent audio and video products with Google’s Voice Personal Assistant. Sony speakers with Chromecast built-in and Sony 4K HDR televisions with Android TV now work with Google Home, a voice-activated speaker powered by the Google Assistant. This allows activating and controlling streaming music services, and even multi-room features. But you have to say “Ok Google” out loud a lot…
 
 
Sony Electronics announced today that with recent firmware updates, Google Home users can now use voice control to stream music and video to several models of new and existing Chromecast built-in Sony speakers and Android TV Sony 4K HDR televisions. With Google Home, a voice-activated speaker powered by the Google Assistant, users can cast several music streaming services, including YouTube Music, to turn up the volume, or skip to the next track just by using their voice, starting with “Ok Google.” 

Google’s Multi-room group feature allows users to group Google Home and supported Sony speakers together in the Google Home app to play the same song on both Google Home and the Sony speakers using their voice or mobile device.

“Now you can get the awesome sound and video quality of Sony products working together with Google Home. This functionality is available today for the Chromecast built-in Sony speakers and Android TV Sony 4K HDR televisions consumers already have at home, or plan to purchase for the holidays,” says Mike Fasulo, President and COO of Sony Electronics. “This additional functionality is another example of Sony’s commitment to customer choice by delivering new and innovative technologies.”

With Google Home, users can play music on their connected Sony devices from popular music services by artist, song, genre, album, playlist, mood or activity. For example, a Google Home user can say, “Ok Google, play some workout music on my Sony speaker” or request to stream their favorite playlist from their music service. They can also control the speaker by saying, “Ok Google, turn it up/down, play, stop, skip” etc., or ask for the music title, “Ok Google, what is playing?" and Google Home will respond.

The Multi-room feature groups virtually any combination of Google Home, Chromecast Audio or Chromecast built-in Sony speakers together for synchronized music throughout the home. Users can create a group in the Google Home app called “all speakers” and say, “Ok Google, play party playlist on all speakers.” Just remember, Google will be always listening and recording what you say… So, be careful when talking to Siri on your iPhone.

Sony audio products with Chromecast built-in include: The model HT-ST9, HT-NT5, HT-CT790, HT-XT2, HT-RT5 sound bars, model STR-DN1070, STR-DN1060, and STR-DN860 receivers, model SRS-X99, SRS-ZR7, SRS-ZR5, and the SRS-HG1 wireless speakers. Sony's website provides more information on Chromecast built-in compatible Sony audio devices and TVs. Service start dates and service conditions may vary by country.
www.sony.com
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