OWNERS of LG TVs are being warned that they will soon lose access to Google Assistant, which may result in disruption to their smart home gadgets.
The TV company has warned customers through an on-screen message that it will be axing the Google tool at the beginning of May.
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“Google Assistant will no longer be available on this device starting on May 1, 2025,” the message reads, as reported by 9to5Google.
“The voice recognition service provided through the microphone button on the remote control will still be available for use.”
LG will instead adopt Microsoft’s AI assistant called Copilot in a future update.
But customers say LG shouldn’t be able to remove a feature that was available when they purchased their televisions.
“I use the feature primarily to turn off my TV with voice commands when I don’t have the remote nearby,” one user said in a Reddit thread.
“I know it’s a minor thing but I also find it super convenient, especially with a toddler running around… I’ll definitely be disappointed to see it gone.”
Another added: “I wonder if we can get some compensation since they are taking away a feature that they advertise with the TV.
“It’s the only reason why everyone on here bought an LG OLED, for the Google Assistant.”
While a third person wrote: “This p*ssed me off when I turned my TV on this morning.
“I have a Google Home Mini linked to my LG TV and love using my voice to turn it on after a long day at work or to control it when I can’t find the remote.
“I think I might look into getting a Sony TV in the future since those have the Google TV OS.”
LG is not alone in this decision – Samsung TV removed the Google feature at the beginning of March.
Last month, Google announced it would be phasing out its Google Assistant by the end of the year.
The voice assistant, which has been around since 2016, is being replaced with Gemini – Google’s smarter, AI-fuelled voice assistant.
While the tool appears to be exiting TVs, it’s also leaving apps like Waze for iPhone users.
Google is replacing the older voice assistant with Gemini, it’s AI-powered assistant.
However, LG has opted to not replace Google Assistant with its successor, Gemini.
In introducing Microsoft’s rival AI assistant, Copilot, LG has disrupted some household’s smart devices network.
For example, Copilot can’t talk through Google’s smart home speakers, but Gemini could.
