Skip to main content

LG’s Signature connected devices jump on the Google Home bandwagon

google home lg connectivity screen shot 2017 05 18 at 9 36 00 pm
Google Home, LG, smart home
Google Home is getting more gadgets, the latest of which come from LG. At Google I/O, LG Electronics announced a new line of smart appliances completely compatible with Google Assistant and Google Home, promising a new era of connectivity and efficiency for the 21st-century home. Beginning this month, your LG connected smart devices, including the company’s connected washing machine and dryer, refrigerator, oven range, air purifier, AC unit, and robotic vacuum, will start seeing compatibility roll out this month.

Thanks to this new integration, LG appliance owners will have access to the full suite of Google Assistant’s features. That means that you’ll be able to ask Assistant how much time is left until your clothes are dry, tell Assistant to make more ice, or instruct Assistant to reset your home’s temperature — all with your voice.

“Our partnership with Google demonstrates just how easy it is to smart-enable one’s home with friendly, approachable products. You don’t have to earn a degree in rocket science to design your very own smart home,” said Song Dae-hyun, president of LG Electronics Home Appliance & Air Solutions Company. “We look forward to expanding our working relationship with Google and other innovators in this dynamic market in the years to come to make the smart home a reality for all.”

The Signature line of LG’s home appliances will be the very first in the company’s product suite to be compatible with Google Assistant on Google Home, though the company notes that it has plans to extend this new offering to additional products. And while connectivity is currently limited to the United States, LG notes that dates of availability in other markets will be announced in their respective locations at the time of launch.

So look out, Amazon Echo. Google Home is coming for you, one connected device maker at a time.

Lulu Chang
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Fascinated by the effects of technology on human interaction, Lulu believes that if her parents can use your new app…
The new Google Home app officially launches on May 11
Several images of the new Google Home app on a tan background.

After a lengthy public preview, the new Google Home app is officially launching on May 11. The redesign boasts a few highly requested features, along with a fresh UI that makes it easy to navigate even the most cluttered of smart homes.

Announced during Google I/O, the new Google Home app features five tabs -- Favorites, Devices, Automations, Activity, and Settings. Upon launching the app, you’ll be greeted by the Favorites tab, where you’ll find a list of your most-used gadgets. Devices are also automatically placed into categories such as Lighting and Cameras so you can quickly bounce between menus without any fuss.

Read more
Google Home adds support for garage door controls
Google Home icon on home screen.

Google Home gives you access to a wide variety of smart home devices, and garage doors have now joined the party. Support for smart garage controllers is rolling out to select users -- although it only appears to be available to folks previewing the new Google Home app and does not yet have an official release date.

Still, seeing the product category added to any version of Google Home is great news for smart home enthusiasts. Google Home is one of the most widely used smart home platforms on the market, and as smart garages continue to gain traction, it’s nice to see their inclusion in the app (even if they’re still not as popular as smart thermostats or video doorbells).

Read more
Your Google smart home devices just got a lot less talkative
A person standing in a living room while looking at a Google device.

Smart assistants are an indispensable part of any smart home, making it easy to give hands-free commands and control a variety of gadgets. Google is looking to further streamline the performance of its smart assistant, with the expansion of chime alerts to cut down on how talkative your Google Nest gadgets are when responding to instructions.

For example, after asking Google to turn on a fan, you’ll now be able to hear a quick chime to confirm the assistant has heard your instructions. Previously, confirmation would come in the form of a short sentence, such as “OK, turning on your fan.”

Read more