VIZIO Unveils SmartCast™ 4.0 and the All-New VIZIO Voice Remote

IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- VIZIO, Inc., the #1 American-based TV brand¹, today announces SmartCast 4.0, the latest upgrade to the smart TV platform that gives consumers the power to stream, control, and share the entertainment they love. The update will bring faster, more personalized experiences to VIZIO SmartCast users² allowing for quicker access to endless entertainment. VIZIO is also introducing the all-new push-to-talk Voice Remote³, which allows users to more easily access their content using their voice, while also supporting other smart home queries. This new Voice Remote, paired with VIZIO's existing smart features, makes it even easier for users to manage their entertainment experience and enjoy a more connected Smart Home.

"As the opportunities for a connected home grow rapidly, we've doubled down on our commitment to making VIZIO SmartCast TVs the center of the smart home," said Bill Baxter, Chief Technology Officer, VIZIO. "With our expanded U.S.-based engineering teams and collaboration with industry leaders, including Apple, Google, and Amazon, we've developed best-in-class streaming capabilities and IoT integrations."

Evolved Voice Control
VIZIO is introducing its first ever Voice Remote, delivering the latest in voice capabilities. The push-to-talk functionality allows users to click and speak directly into the remote to control their TV. A dedicated voice button also means users won't experience false wakeups that unnecessarily activate a microphone. Not only can users launch apps and switch picture modes using the push-to-talk Voice Remote, but they can also more quickly search for content by posing complex queries with multiple search terms in a single request. Beyond TV control & content discovery, the Voice Remote will also include smart features that allow users to search Wikipedia, check the weather, and more. This is just another way VIZIO is offering users more control over their entertainment experience in 2020.

The VIZIO Voice Remote expands on VIZIO's already-robust voice capabilities. VIZIO SmartCast TVs are already compatible with Siri, the Google Assistant, and Alexa-enabled devices. With upcoming SmartCast Mobile updates, users can also more easily set up and pair the Google Assistant and Alexa-enabled devices to their VIZIO SmartCast TV. VIZIO's continued support for voice assistants, paired with the all-new push-to-talk Voice Remote, demonstrates VIZIO's commitment to providing users control over their entertainment experience.

Faster, More Personalized Experiences
The 2020 SmartCast platform is now faster than ever with quicker startup and load times, easier input switching, and more remote-control responsiveness. A redesigned search experience and expanded catalog of features also helps users discover more of the TV shows and movies they love.

The SmartCast 4.0 update will also bring a new level of personalization to VIZIO SmartCast TVs by curating content based on the user's interests. This personalized experience is just another way VIZIO is making it easier for users to find the entertainment they love.

Thanks to VIZIO's ability to provide software updates over-the-air and across product lines, millions of VIZIO SmartCast TV owners with models dating back to 2016 will benefit from the performance and personalization updates², further evidence that users can rest assured their smart TV will continue to add features and improvements after purchase.

Industry-Leading Value for Consumers
Not only are VIZIO SmartCast TVs faster and more personalized, but they also come with the latest streaming technology. Users can continue to launch the most popular apps from SmartCast Home, or stream their favorite movies, TV shows, music, and photos from their phone thanks to Apple AirPlay 2 and Chromecast built-in.

In addition to these rich integrations, VIZIO provides even more value through its free-to-use streaming service, WatchFree^™. With WatchFree, consumers have access to more than 150 channels, powered by Pluto TV, featuring news, sports, movies, TV shows, music and more. In 2020, users will be able to select favorite channels and genres in WatchFree for easier access to their entertainment. Users will also be able to utilize the Google Assistant to launch shows or channels in WatchFree using just their voice. These updates are all designed around getting users to the content they love faster.

With SmartCast 4.0, VIZIO is delivering the latest in streaming technology. The advanced smart home features, paired with award-winning picture quality and affordable pricing, provide users with unmatched value in 2020. 

Availability
VIZIO SmartCast 4.0 will begin to roll out to SmartCast TVs in 2020. For more information about SmartCast, visit www.vizio.com/smartcast.

For more information visit, VIZIO.com/CESTV.

Visit us at CES
VIZIO's 2020 Showcase is being held at the Vdara Hotel & Spa (2600 West Harmon Avenue, Las Vegas) in the Viñoly Grand Ballroom, by invitation only. Media can schedule meetings on Sunday, January 5th, from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. or Monday, January 6^th, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. by emailing press@VIZIO.com.

About VIZIO
VIZIO, the #1 American-based TV brand⁴ and #1 Sound Bar Brand⁵ in America, delivers innovative entertainment solutions and value for millions of connected consumers. Formed in 2002 and quickly established as a daring leader, VIZIO has built a portfolio of industry-leading products that provide brilliant, awe-inspiring experiences while incorporating seamlessly with the smart home. The collection of televisions, sound bars, and the SmartCast smart TV platform are designed with the consumer's desires in mind, and have been rated America's Fastest Growing TV Brand with Quantum Dot⁶ and America's Fastest Growing Sound Bar Brand with Dolby Atmos⁷. VIZIO product leadership is consistently highlighted by industry reviews and awards, which include 2019 Editor's Choice awards and inclusion on "Best of" lists from top review outlets including CNET⁸, USA Today's Reviewed.com⁹, Digital Trends^10,11, IGN¹², Wirecutter^13,14 and Tom's Guide¹⁵.

© 2020 VIZIO, Inc. VIZIO, the V Logo, VIZIO SmartCast and other terms and phrases are trademarks or registered trademarks of VIZIO, Inc. Amazon, Alexa and all related logos are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Google is a trademark of Google LLC. All other trademarks and logos are property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

¹Source: The NPD Group, Inc., U.S. Weekly Retail Tracking Service, LCD TV, Based on units, Jan. 6, 2019 – Nov. 30, 2019 combined.
²The SmartCast 4.0 update is available only to eligible SmartCast TVs enabled with SmartCast Home™, VIZIO's on-screen smart TV experience.
³ The VIZIO Voice Remote is planned to be included with all VIZIO 2020 P-Series Quantum, P-Series Quantum X and VIZIO OLED TV purchases, and sold separately. Pricing and availability will be available closer to launch.
⁴Source: The NPD Group, Inc., U.S. Weekly Retail Tracking Service, LCD TV, Based on units, Jan. 6, 2019 – Nov. 30, 2019 combined.
⁵Source: The NPD Group, Inc., U.S. Weekly Retail Tracking Service, Sound Bars, Based on Units, Dec. 24, 2017 – Apr. 20, 2019 Combined
⁶Source: The NPD Group, Inc., U.S. Weekly Retail Tracking Service, LCD TV, Quantum dots included, Based on units, Jan. 6, 2019 – Nov. 30, 2019 vs. Dec. 31, 2017 – Nov. 24, 2018 combined.
⁷Source: The NPD Group, Inc., U.S. Weekly Retail Tracking Service, Sound Bars, Dolby Atmos, Jan. 6, 2019 – Sep. 28, 2019 vs Dec. 31, 2017 – Sep. 22, 2018 Combined.
⁸Visit Cnet.com for the VIZIO SB36512-F6 review (published June 12, 2019)
⁹Visit Reviewed.com for the VIZIO P-Series Quantum X review (published: June 3, 2019)
¹⁰Visit DigitalTrends.com for the VIZIO P-Series Quantum X review (published August 30, 2019)
¹¹Visit DigitalTrends.com for the VIZIO SB36514-G6 (published September 12, 2019)
¹²Visit IGN.com for the full VIZIO P-Series Quantum review (published May 22, 2019)
¹³Visit Wirecutter.com for the Best Sound bar article (published September 9, 2018)
¹⁴Visit Wirecutter.com for The Best Sound Bar article (published September 9, 2018)
¹⁵Visit Tomsguide.com for the VIZIO M-Series Quantum review (published June 25, 2019)

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SOURCE VIZIO