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HBO Max app lands on Vizio SmartCast TVs
You can access shows and movies through voice commands from a remote or mobile app.
Vizio adds voice control and a new look for its M- and P-Series TVs
Vizio's new 65-inch 4K M-Series TV has a voice remote and a redesigned stand, and it's on sale now for less than $600.
Vizio makes nearly as much money from ads and data as it does from TVs
Vizio monetizes its cheap smart TVs and free video options by collecting viewer data and selling ads.
Peacock will stream on LG and Vizio TVs at launch
NBCUniversal's Peacock will stream on LG and Vizio TVs when the service is ready on July 15th.
Vizio SmartCast TVs add 30 new free TV channels
Owners of Vizio’s smart TVs already had access to some free broadcasts through its Pluto TV-powered WatchFree service, and today the manufacturer announced several new ones.
The Disney+ app is finally coming to Vizio TVs
Vizio is rolling out an update to its smart TVs that'll add a proper Disney+ app to the SmartCast platform. Until now, Vizio owners have had to cast Disney+ to their TV using Chromecast or AirPlay 2.
Vizio's 4K TV lineup adds OLED and a new voice remote for 2020
For CES 2020 Vizio is showing off a refreshed TV lineup that's upgraded across the board. Beyond picture quality improvements, the SmartCast UI that Vizio's TVs rely upon is moving to version 4.0 with easier input switching, personalization and a new remote with push-to-talk voice control that should help it fight back against competitors like TCL. This new version of SmartCast will bring performance and personalization updates to TVs going back to the company's 2016 models. While it already works with Siri, Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, the new version is supposed to allow with easier pairing for Assistant and Alexa-compatible devices n the SmartCast Mobile app. Its voice remote is also capable for more than just TV operation, with support for Wikipedia searches, weather updates and more.
Vizio is updating SmartCast TVs to stream Disney+ via Chromecast
Vizio is promising Android users that they'll be able to beam Disney+ to their SmartCast TVs by the end of the year. Currently, iOS users can cast the Disney+ app to the TV using AirPlay 2. But Android users were left in the dark. Now, Vizio says it will roll out a Chromecast update beginning in early December. That will allow Android users to cast the Disney+ app to their Vizio SmartCast TVs via the built-in Chromecast.
Vizio's updated Alexa app can search for movies and TV shows
VIzio has updated its SmartCast TVs with a better Alexa experience that will greatly expand the basic functionality they've had up until now. By enabling Vizio's new Alexa skill, you'll be able to simply ask for a show like This is Us, and SmartCast TVs will find it across multiple apps, complete with pricing and video formats. You can then use Alexa to launch apps like Amazon Prime Video or Hulu.
Everywhere we found AirPlay 2 at CES 2019
As is tradition, Apple was once again infamously absent at the biggest technology show of the year, CES. The company hasn't actually stayed out of the headlines over the past week, however. Apple didn't do any announcing of its own, but it was name-checked in practically all press conferences held by the biggest consumer tech brands at CES. The reason? AirPlay 2.
Vizio works on making its 4K TVs even better in 2019
While many other manufacturers chase new technology with 8K and HDMI 2.1, Vizio is enhancing its 4K TV lineup, starting from the lower-priced V series all the way up to its top-of-the-line P-Series Quantum X. The V series steps in where Vizio's E line of TVs used to reside, with smart TV features, Dolby Vision HDR and up to 16 zones of local dimming, with models ranging from 40- to 75-inches.
Vizio adds over 100 free streaming channels to its SmartCast TVs
Vizio announced today that it's launching a new free streaming service called WatchFree. Rolling out now, the service will be available on most Vizio SmartCast TVs and will include more than 100 channels, such as NBC News, MSNBC, Fox Sports, Crime Network, The Surf Channel, Cats 24/7 and multiple movie channels. The service is powered by the ad-supported free streaming service Pluto TV, which will soon add two pop-up channels that feature Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares and Unsolved Mysteries.
Vizio’s new P-series TV is its brightest yet
Today, Vizio announced a new flagship display, the 2018 P-Series Quantum 4K HDR Smart TV. It has up to 2,000 nits of peak brightness and is billed as Vizio's brightest TV so far. The bezel-less display also has an Active Full Array Max backlight with 192 local dimming zones for the company's "purest black levels." Quantum Color Spectrum technology means that this display can produce over one billion colors. A 240Hz refresh rate equals a natural, smoother picture. This 65-inch model is priced at $2,200.
The best gear for building a home theater in your dorm
To the extent that your shoebox of a dorm will be your home for the next nine months, you should do whatever you can to make it feel cozy and inviting. To that end, we've included some home-theater items in our back-to-school guide, and we've ensured everything is reasonably compact (you can hold off on your first 65-inch set until you have your very own pad). From media streamers to speakers to a handful of small- to medium-sized TVs, you have options if you want to upgrade from watching Netflix off your 13-inch laptop.
Vizio's color-rich M- and P-series 4K TVs go on sale
Vizio's 2017 M-series TVs were intriguing when we saw them in April. In some ways, you're getting better image quality than far more expensive sets. And now, you can give them a try -- the company has started shipping its latest M- and P-series TVs in the US. The mid-range M line is actually more affordable than we first heard: it starts at $700 for a 55-inch model and tops out at a still reasonable $2,500 for a 75-inch variant. The higher-end P-series ranges from $1,000 at 55 inches to $3,500 for 75 inches. As we mentioned earlier in the year, there are some worthwhile upgrades (particularly in the M-series) -- at least, so long as you didn't want that included Android tablet from last year.
Vizio's $250 soundbar hosts Google Assistant and Chromecast
Vizio may have been knocked by LeEco after its $2 billion buyout deal was cancelled, but the company's not going to fall into a grief-stricken funk. The home theater business has announced a new raft of soundbars that work with Google Assistant and come with Chromecast built in. Leading the pack is the SmartCast 36", which packs 5.1 wireless sound, the promise of crystal-clear dialog and a wireless subwoofer. Vizio had trouble with its soundbars working with Spotify via Chromecast in the past, so hopefully its remedied that issue. This new model is on sale right now, setting you back $250, while smaller options in the same range will cost less, obviously.
Vizio devices now take voice commands from Google Home
Vizio's living room devices already play nicely with Google services, but wouldn't it be nice if you could use Google voice control as well? You can now. All of Vizio's SmartCast-equipped devices, including recent TVs, soundbars and speakers, just got support for Google Home. If you want to watch a movie on Netflix, you don't even have to wake your TV -- say the right words to Google's smart speaker and it'll start playing on your set. You can also pause, skip songs and tweak the volume without touching a button.
Vizio gives its SmartCast phone app a more useful home screen
Rather than using proprietary apps and tuners, Vizio's E-, P- and M-series smart 4K TVs rely on "Chromecast built-in" (formerly Google Cast). That means you're essentially running your TV from a smartphone (or included 6-inch tablet), which makes it easy for Vizio to do quick improvements. As such, the company just updated its SmartCast app by adding a streamlined new home page with larger buttons and simplified navigation. You can also access more TV shows and movies straight from main screen, rather than needing to dive into menus.
Vizio's SmartCast soundbars don't work well with Spotify for now
Vizio's line of SmartCast soundbars and speakers tout Google Cast for wireless audio streaming from a variety of apps. One of those apps is Spotify, a massively popular music streaming service. Unfortunately, the Cast functionality with that particular library of tunes isn't working like it should. There are a number of posts in both Spotify and Google's forums from users who say Vizio's latest soundbars don't show up as an option for Casting in the streaming app. Spotify's software isn't recognizing the speakers as available gadgets for playing music. Reports of the issue go back as far as late July, over a month after the SmartCast soundbars went on sale.
Vizio's Cast-powered speakers offer an alternative to Sonos
Vizio first announced plans to bring Google Cast to its wireless speakers back in March. Now that the multi-room SmartCast Crave 360 is available for purchase, Vizio hopes you'll give it a look instead of splurging for some Sonos gear. As you might expect, the speaker that looks kind of like an Amazon Echo is the Crave 360. The $250 circular device touts 2.1 audio, the ability to beam sound in any direction and it comes with a detachable charging base. Disconnect it and you've got a portable speaker with 8 hours of battery life.
